9. The Great Birthday Feast #3
"I'm not dancing with you!" Skylar huffed.
"It's not a request."
They reached the middle of the space dedicated to a dancefloor, and Gawyn effortlessly whirled her around, grabbing one of her hands and pressing the other to the small of her back. She tried to back off, but he pressed her firmly to his chest.
"Now, smile and dance. Everyone is looking," the General said, and his feet moved, forcing her to follow.
"I don't care," Skylar hissed, looking at him with annoyance. His face was this infuriating indifferent mask again, and she hated it. "You know what I said is true. You saw all the reports. Why are you pretending otherwise?"
"I told you already. I don't give a damn about all your shamanistic rituals and made-up creatures. When you prove to me that all this nonsense you're spouting is true, then, and only then, I will let this story go public. For now, keep your mouth shut, or everyone here will brand you a madwoman."
"I hate you!" she spat.
Gawyn twirled her again, and now she had her back to him. He whispered into her ear. "Hate me all you want. But you will not speak up again during the negotiation."
"Since when a feast is a time for official negotiation?"
"Since forever. Every word you say at court matters, and nobles will catch the slightest mistakes, as well as a shark smells blood. So, remember, every time your temper flares up, just bite your tongue."
Skylar rotated again, so they were face to face again. "So, that's what I am? A pretty ornament that you can show off at the parties? My role is just smiling politely and nodding?"
"I'm glad you finally caught up," Gawyn said coldly.
"Sod off!" she growled and managed to escape his grasp. But before she could storm off, he caught her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Away from you! I need space."
"I won't let you wander alone."
"Let go of me right now, or I swear I'll make a scene so dramatic you would never dare to bring me to the court again!" Skylar glared at him.
Gawyn clenched his jaw but reluctantly let her go. She walked away as fast as her dress and dignity allowed her, ignoring amused stares and whispers.
Eventually, Skylar found an empty balcony.
She leaned heavily on the railing, looking at the dark city below.
The cold wind felt good on her hot face, like a gentle caress.
Her chest was still heaving with hardly contained anger.
She was so fed up with being treated like a useless object.
The worst thing was that every time she thought she might like Gawyn, he was showing her exactly what he thought of her - an annoyance that he had to deal with.
Skylar closed her eyes and let the wind blow away her fury and self-doubt. None of the shallow people here was worth her hatred. They were just poor excuses for humans, revelling in others' misery, nothing more. If she were to live among them, she would have to be stronger than that.
When she felt more like herself, Sky got back inside. She was about to go and look for Gawyn, but a voice nearby drew her attention.
"...wearing his clothes! Can you believe that?" Lucinda laughed.
Despite herself, Skylar looked her way. She was standing in a small circle of nobles, draped on Axel's arm. They were all laughing with glee.
"And the things she was saying at the table?" Axel added, amused. "She must have lost some of her marbles on the way here from the east!" Everyone laughed.
Skylar turned and started walking away.
"And did you know," Lucinda continued with a conspiratorial tone, "she wasn't even the one that was supposed to marry Lord General? I've heard he was supposed to marry her sister, but it turned out she was already pregnant!" More laughs.
Skylar stopped abruptly. How did Lucinda know it? They all agreed to keep the whole thing secret, not to provoke the rumours.
"I can't believe they still went on with this ridiculous union." Axel laughed. "One of the most important people in Lamyria marrying a sister of a whore. I bet she wasn't pure either, considering she was riding around with the soldiers...."
Skylar started seeing red. She wasn't thinking anymore. Her feet moved even before she realised what she was doing.
"Hey!" she called, strolling toward the group. The nobles turned around to face her, and most of them had the decency to turn their eyes away, embarrassed that she caught them gossiping about her. But not Lucinda and Axel. They were looking down at her with amusement.
"Oh, Lady Skylar, what a nice surprise to see you again," Lucinda said.
"Lucinda, could you please let go of Lord Axel for a moment?"
The confused woman did what she was asked and stepped away under Skylar's glare.
But Axel's smile only widened. "Did you reconsider my dance offer, Lady Skylar?" He was tall but slim. He looked as if he had never had to work physically in his life, busy ordering others around.
Skylar smiled. It was a feral smile of a predator. She took off her long gloves and handed them to stunned Lucinda.
"Sure. Let's dance," she said and punched Axel straight in the face.