Chapter 33
33
S kylar’s heart thundered in her chest as she gripped the balcony railing, her knuckles white against the cold stone. The cool night air whipped around her, carrying the scent of jasmine and distant woodsmoke, a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the ballroom. She closed her eyes, willing the world to stop spinning.
“My lady?” Marquis Kaiden’s words broke through the haze of her panic. “Are you feeling better?”
Skylar met his concerned gaze. She managed a weak smile, her mask of composure slipping back into place with practiced ease. “I’m fine, thank you,” she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. “I just needed some fresh air.”
The Marquis chuckled. The warm, rich sound reminded her painfully of Arye. “Ah, I see. The delicate flower wilts under the harsh glare of courtly scrutiny?”
A burst of laughter escaped Skylar’s lips, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Her own amusement surprised her; it had been a while since she’d laughed genuinely. “I assure you, Marquis, no one has ever accused me of being a delicate flower.”
He arched an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Then perhaps a thorny rose? Beautiful, but with a hidden bite?”
Skylar felt a genuine smile tugging at her lips. “Better,” she conceded. “Though I’d prefer to think of myself as a sword—useful, practical, and dangerous in the right hands.”
A flicker of interest crossed his face. “How refreshing. Most ladies I know would shy away from such… martial comparisons.”
“Then perhaps you need to meet more interesting ladies, Marquis.”
He laughed again, the sound easing some of her tension despite the chill night. “Perhaps I do. And please, call me Kaiden. I insist.”
As they returned to the ballroom, Skylar was struck anew by the opulence surrounding them. Laughter and the clinking of glasses punctuated the air, underscored by the steady rhythm of the orchestra. The ballroom pulsed with life, a dazzling display of Regalclaw’s wealth and power. Everywhere she looked, the kingdom’s heraldic animal, the majestic gryphon, stared at her from banners, tapestries, and even the intricate floor mosaics.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for familiar raven hair, but Arye was nowhere to be seen. A mixture of relief and disappointment warred within her.
“Would you do me the honor of a dance?” Marquis Kaiden extended his hand, a charming smile playing on his lips.
Skylar hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. “I’d be delighted,” she said, placing her hand in his.
As they moved onto the crowded floor, Skylar was acutely aware of the eyes upon them. The Marquis led with confidence, his steps sure and graceful. She matched him easily, muscle memory taking over despite years of neglect.
“I must say,” the Marquis began as they glided among other couples, “you move with surprising elegance for someone who claims not to be a delicate flower.”
Skylar smirked. “Perhaps I’m simply full of hidden talents.”
“Oh? And what other talents might you be hiding, my lady?”
Skylar’s mind raced to find a suitable answer that wouldn’t give away too much. The warmth of his hand on her waist was distracting. “Well… I’m quite adept at chess.”
The Marquis’s eyes lit up. “How delightful! I do enjoy a good game of chess. The strategy, the foresight required—it’s not unlike the dance of politics, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I’d say it’s exactly like politics,” Skylar found herself saying, surprised by her own candor. “Sacrifices must be made, pawns advanced, all in service of protecting the King. Though in my opinion, the Queen is often the most dangerous piece on the board.”
Marquis Kaiden’s grip on her waist tightened almost imperceptibly. “Fascinating perspective. You speak as though you have firsthand experience with such matters.”
Skylar’s pulse quickened, realizing she’d said too much. She forced a light laugh. “Oh, you know how it is. One picks up all sorts of interesting notions from books and gossip.”
“Indeed.” His tone grew thoughtful. “Perhaps we could play sometime? I have a feeling you’d be a formidable opponent.”
“I’d like that,” Skylar replied, surprised to find she meant it.
As they twirled, Skylar caught sight of her mother. The Dowager Duchess was surrounded by a small group of nobles, all cooing over baby Conley. Her mother’s face was radiant, pride and joy evident in every line of her features.
“You seem distracted,” the Marquis observed, his voice pulling her back to the present.
Skylar shook her head slightly, forcing herself to focus on her partner. “My apologies, Marquis Kaiden. I was just… thinking.”
“About?”
She hesitated, then decided on a half-truth. “My mother. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her this happy.”
The Marquis’s gaze softened. “Family is important,” he remarked, his tone carrying an undercurrent Skylar couldn’t quite place. “I’m glad you have such a close relationship with yours.”
“What about yours?”
His expression clouded, a shadow passing over his features. “It’s… complicated.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried.”
“No, no.” His smile returned. “It’s a fair question. Let’s just say that my family and I have differing views on many things.”
“I see,” she managed, unsure how to respond.
Their conversation lulled for a moment, the music enveloping them. Skylar unexpectedly began to enjoy the dance, her body moving in perfect sync with her partner’s. It was… nice. Different from the rigid formality of court dances she’d grudgingly participated in as Duke Anathemark, but pleasant in its own way.
There was no denying the Marquis’s charm, his quick wit a refreshing change from the vapid conversations she’d endured since returning to her estate, introducing herself to several noblemen, one blander than the next. Yet with each quip, each shared laugh, she unconsciously drew comparisons to Arye.
It wasn’t fair. No one could ever replace Arye.
But isn’t this what she was supposed to be doing? Embracing her new future?
“I couldn’t help but notice,” Marquis Kaiden said, interrupting her thoughts, “that the esteemed Duke Anathemark seems to be absent from tonight’s festivities. Curious, given the ball’s importance.”
Skylar’s step faltered for a second, but she recovered quickly. “Oh? I hadn’t realized,” she lied smoothly, her heart rate picking up. “Perhaps he had more pressing matters to attend to.”
The Marquis’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained in place. “Indeed. Though one would think nothing could be more important than a royal ball where the Crown Prince intends to choose a bride.”
A pang of jealousy shot through Skylar at the reminder. She pushed it aside, focusing instead on the subtle undercurrent in his tone. “You sound disapproving,” she ventured carefully.
He chuckled, but there was little humor in it. “Perceptive, aren’t you? Let’s just say I have my reservations about certain… aspects of how our kingdom is run.”
“Oh?” Skylar’s curiosity was piqued. “Care to elaborate?”
The Marquis’s expression grew guarded. He glanced around, as if checking for eavesdroppers, before leaning in closer. “It’s not wise to speak too freely of such matters,” he whispered, the words barely audible even at such close proximity. “Not when the King’s loyal dog is always listening.”
Skylar’s brow furrowed in confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
A flash of regret passed over his expression. “Forgive me,” he said quickly, pulling back slightly. “I spoke out of turn. I merely meant Duke Anathemark. His loyalty to the Crown is… unparalleled.”
Skylar’s stomach clenched, her steps faltering momentarily as the Marquis’s words sank in. Is that how others saw her? As the King’s obedient pet? They weren’t wrong, she realized with a sinking feeling. The ancient pact that bound her family to the Clawbornes had ensured their unwavering loyalty for generations. But to hear it spoken of so dismissively, as though she were nothing more than a trained animal… it hurt more than she cared to admit.
The Marquis, seemingly oblivious to her inner turmoil, continued speaking. “You know, now that I think about it, there’s a small resemblance between you and the Duke. Something about the eyes, perhaps?”
Skylar’s heart skipped a beat, panic clawing at her throat. She forced a laugh, hoping it didn’t sound as strained to his ears as it did to hers. “I… that is…”
“Forgive me.” The Marquis spoke quickly, misinterpreting her hesitation. “I’ve overstepped. Please, allow me to make amends.” He twirled her gracefully, then pulled her close once more. “Lady Skye, I know we’ve only just met, but I find myself utterly captivated by you. If you would consider it, I would be honored to court you properly. Perhaps… even as my fiancée?”
The proposal, unexpected as it was, left Skylar reeling. Worse than hearing her name from his lips, this sudden offer of courtship knocked the breath from her lungs. She stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deception. Finding none, she swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. “I’m truly flattered, Marquis Kaiden. But I’m not sure I’m ready for such a commitment.”
To her surprise, his smile only widened. “Of course,” he said, his tone light. “I wouldn’t expect an answer right away. Take all the time you need to consider it. I believe we could be good friends, at the very least. And who knows? Perhaps love might grow from there.”
As the music faded, a sense of relief washed over Skylar. The pressure of an immediate decision lifted, she felt more at ease in the Marquis’s company. “Thank you for understanding,” she said sincerely, offering him a small smile. “I would very much like to be friends.”
“I’m delighted to accept,” the Marquis agreed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Just know that I can be quite persistent when I set my mind to something.”
Skylar laughed, a genuine sound that surprised even her. “I’m sure you can be. But I assure you, I’m more than capable of holding my own against persistent men.”
“Oh?” The Marquis raised an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge, my lady?”
“Perhaps,” she replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. The banter felt good, familiar in a way that soothed the ache in her chest. “Though I warn you, I rarely lose.”
Marquis Kaiden’s laugh echoed through the ballroom, drawing curious glances from nearby dancers. The sound was rich and warm, infectious in its joy. “I look forward to the contest, then. Shall we seal our newfound friendship with another dance?”
“I’d love to, Marquis Kaiden.”
As they took their positions once more, Skylar noticed a weight lift from her shoulders. For the first time since leaving the palace, she felt like herself again. It was… freeing.
The music swelled around them, a lively tune that had couples spinning and laughing. Skylar matched the Marquis step for step, her movements fluid and graceful. As they twirled and dipped, she found herself genuinely enjoying the dance, the worries of the night momentarily forgotten.
“You know,” the Marquis said as he spun her out and back into his arms, “I’m beginning to think you might have understated your dancing abilities earlier.”
Skylar grinned. “A lady must maintain some air of mystery, mustn’t she?”
Their eyes met, a spark of understanding passing between them. For a second, Skylar could almost imagine a future where this was enough—witty conversation, elegant dances, a life free from the burden of her curse. It was alluring in its simplicity.
But no matter how charming the Marquis might be, he could never truly know her. Not all of her.
As the dance came to an end, the Marquis bowed low, taking her hand and pressing a chaste kiss to her knuckles. The sensation of his lips sent a shiver through her, but it was nothing compared to the fire Arye’s slightest touch had ignited.
“Would you care to join me on the balcony once more?” he asked. “I find the air out there much more conducive to stimulating conversation.”
Skylar opened her mouth to reply, but the abrupt shift in the Marquis’s gaze made her pause. A chill raced down her spine as she followed his line of sight.
“Marquis Edwards. I hope I’m not interrupting.”