by J. D. Wright
Finnley didn’t like the way she looked at him now, wishing they could go back to when she hated him. Her eyes were sparkling and she looked as if she was admiring him. He looked down to avoid her eyes but found himself staring directly at her chest, which from his height was quite the view. Whatever she was eating in the wilderness, it certainly agreed with her body. He cleared his throat, bringing them both back to their senses. She stepped away from him and sat down on a bench next to her, trying to put her shoes on with her dress getting in the way.
“Here. Let me do it.” Finnley dropped to one knee and slipped her shoes on, one at a time. He could feel her watching him, but he didn’t look up. When he stood back up, she gasped.
“Oh, no! Look, you’ve got dirt on you.” She quickly leaned in to rub his trousers causing him to flinch and jump back. He looked flustered, embarrassed almost. Adelphie thought it was adorable.
“It’s quite alright,” he said, then he pulled her to her feet. He looked at her for a moment, unsure if he should go back in alone or with her.
“You don’t have to take me back, Finnley. I can manage.” It was the first time she had said his name. He had to admit, it sounded quite nice on her lips. He held out his arm, just as he had done before the feast, in the hallway on the day she arrived. Only this time, she put her arm in his and let him lead her back inside.
Dagan and Sidonie were already in the hall, standing near each other when they arrived. Adelphie avoided making eye contact with her sister and stayed by Finn’s side as they entered.
“I don’t think I’m ready to face them yet,” she whispered to Finn when they paused by the door. “I don’t know what to say. What if they come over? What do I do?”
“It’s alright,” he replied, leaning down to whisper softly in her ear. “I will protect you.”
~*~
And so the festivities began. As tradition dictated, most of the men waited in the hall for their ladies to arrive. When they did arrive, they were greeted by the door and led into the room. The first few ladies to arrive were nobles, whose husbands met them at the door. Rowan slipped into the hall through one of the back doors, hoping to go unnoticed. He didn’t.
Sidonie saw him first, then poked Dagan in the shoulder until he turned around. A wicked grin spread across Dagan’s face as he came to greet Rowan.
“So you do own something other than dark clothing.”
Rowan wanted to knock the smile off of his face. He felt a bit foolish for dressing so formally. Even though every other man in the hall was dressed similarly, it had been many years since Rowan had worn anything like this, and even then, his clothing was nowhere near this detailed. However, Celeste told him that she and Cicilly had the ensemble custom-made for him with his father’s help in providing an estimate for measurements. He couldn’t very well refuse the Queen Mother. And so he had worn the clothing with no objections. He had to admit that it was more comfortable than he predicted, even if it did make him feel a bit unusual.
The stockings were the worst part, but at least they were mostly hidden by the long tunic which stopped mid-thigh on him. It was held in with a leather belt at his waist. He was also wearing tall white leather boots and silver colored gloves. His surcoat was velvet, dyed silver, with several white feathers hanging down across his chest where it fastened. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror before coming into the hall. He may have felt uncomfortable and out of place, but he didn’t look that way.
Cicilly entered the room next and was greeted by Sir Nicholas. This wasn’t a surprise as it was generally accepted for a knight to stand in for a king when necessary. Rowan did notice that Cicilly blushed when his father approached her, and the kiss his father laid on Cicilly’s hand took longer than it should have. It was an interesting moment, which was followed by another, even more interesting moment when Celeste entered the room and Sir Raymun, of all people, greeted her.
Rowan turned when Sarita entered the room wearing a beautiful purple gown with white flowers sewn around the waist. Her hair was pulled up on top of her small head, which was mostly covered with her tiara. She looked like a tiny, beautiful doll. Traditionally a father would greet his young daughter, but Sarita’s father, the late king, was no longer there. Rowan looked around the room and saw no one else moving forward, so he approached Sarita. She barely recognized him but dipped into a low curtsy, which for her height was very low to the floor. He bowed before her. He took her hand and kissed it as tradition dictated, then took her tiny arm in his and led her into the room. Once they reached Sarita’s seat next to the throne, he bowed again before taking his leave and she kissed him gently on the cheek.
“Thank you, Rowan,” she said, smiling sweetly. Then she turned and ran to another young girl waiting on the other side of the room. Rowan heard gasps and awes behind him. He turned slowly to see Bree standing in the doorway.
He couldn’t help but stare, as most in the room were doing. Some people were even climbing around the tables to get a look at her. Rowan was directly in front of her, across the room, with not a single person standing between them and he couldn’t believe his eyes.
She simply radiated in white and silver, like she was a snowflake someone had plucked out of the sky. Her skirts were as white as the enchanted snow falling above them, and her tight sexy corset was also white but covered in silver embroidery. In a daring move, she wasn’t wearing an undershirt, which most women wore, especially in winter. Instead, her upper arms and shoulders were bare, revealing her gorgeous neckline.
Her overskirt was covered in white feathers that reached all the way to the floor and she had a single matching white feather in her hair, which was loose in long auburn curls reaching down to her waist. She was wearing a thin silver necklace and gloves to match. And finally, atop her head was a silver crown.
Suddenly his attire made sense. He matched her. The clothing Bree’s aunt and mother had chosen for him was an exact match to Bree’s gown. He panicked, unable to move, and started to sweat. He felt a sharp elbow hit his ribs and glanced sideways to see Dagan gesturing toward the door. When Rowan didn’t move, Dagan put a hand on Rowan’s shoulder and shoved him forward. Once he was moving, he continued walking toward Bree, aware now that every eye in the room was on him as he made his way across the hall to the queen. Why am I doing this? This is a terrible idea.
When he reached her, she had a look of surprise on her face, just as much as he did. She hadn’t expected him to match her. In fact, her gown was supposed to be a secret, so she wondered how he could have possibly known. He hesitated for a moment, then slowly bowed to her while taking the hand she held out instinctively. He kept his eyes on her while he kissed the top of her gloved hand. Then he slowly turned her hand over to kiss her palm as he winked at her, which made Bree’s heart flutter and she blushed.
He lingered there for a moment, with her hand in his, before holding out his arm. She took it softly and he led her to her throne. Once at the foot of her throne, he turned her around so that she faced the hall. At once, every resident of Junacave bowed to their queen. Then they stood and waited for her to speak.
Bree remembered that her father kept his speeches very short, usually, no more than a few words. Feeling that she should carry on that tradition, she simply said, “Welcome everyone. Let’s eat!”
The hall erupted into noise of music, laughter, and the clinking sounds of silver plates as people began to partake in the food. Bree sat on her throne for a moment, taking in the sounds. When she opened her eyes, her mother was standing in front of her.
“Mother,” Bree greeted her. “How did he know? About my gown?”
“Actually, that was mostly your aunt’s idea. We had the seamstress make it especially for him, to match your gown. I suspect he realized it just the same moment as you did, dear.”
“Thank you.”
“I do not want a thank you, Bree. Seeing you enjoy this evening will be appreciation enough.” She gave her daughter
a quick hug and walked away. Bree stood and took her crown off, sitting in on her throne. It was far too difficult to dance with her crown on. Then she made her way onto the floor to join the others who were in the middle of a dance to a song about birds soaring through the sky.
Chapter Sixteen
Rowan walked over to Dagan, who was watching Sidonie dance and drinking his first ale of the evening.
“Going to partake in the fun?” He asked Rowan, lifting his mug.
“I may as well. I have been relieved of my duties tonight,” Rowan replied as he took two clean mugs and filled one with ale and one with wine. Pouring Bree’s drink himself, for safety, had become a habit.
“So I see,” Dagan nodded. “That was quite the entrance. Did you plan it? Or did she?”
“Neither of us did, apparently. She was just as surprised as I was.”
“Speaking of surprises…” Dagan trailed off as Finn approached with Adelphie on his arm, smiling.
“Bravo!” Finn exclaimed, slapping Rowan on the shoulder. “And here I didn’t think you had the nerve to publicly announce your intent to court the queen.”
“I didn’t, exactly,” Rowan said, glancing around Finn to see Bree dancing and smiling. She caught his gaze for a moment before she turned and continued around the floor. “I believe her mother and aunt were the masters of this performance. And the costumes, as well,” he said, while glancing down at his tunic.
“I think it was lovely,” Adelphie chimed in. “Probably the most romantic thing I have ever seen.”
“And that is saying something,” Finn added, “since she thinks killing a bear is romantic.”
Rowan and Dagan laughed while Adelphie poked Finn gently with her finger.
“Are you going to join in the dance?” Dagan asked Adelphie. Finn expected her to freeze up when Dagan spoke to her, but instead she seemed to be relaxing. It was a start.
“I’m afraid I don’t know the steps,” she replied.
Seeing this as his first opportunity to make a positive impression on Sidonie’s sister, Dagan said, “I could show you if you’d like. This is a popular dance that will likely be repeated several times this evening. Learn it early and you will be prepared.” Sensing her slight hesitation, he added, smiling, “And it would be a shame to let that gorgeous gown of yours go to waste.”
Adelphie smiled and agreed, then left Finn’s side for the first time tonight, letting Dagan lead her out to the floor.
“He really is the charmer of women, isn’t he?” Finn said, feeling alone now as he watched Dagan walk away with Adelphie.
“Care to explain?” Rowan said, between gulps of ale.
“You saw him. He just breathes charm and charisma—“
“Not that!” Rowan interrupted, then pointed at Adelphie. “That!”
“Oh, well…” Finn glanced around to make sure they were alone. “Adelphie saw Sidonie kiss Dagan.”
“What? Really? After trying to hide it from her, she found out anyway? How did she take it?”
“Not well. But I tried to soften the fall for her. I think she is trying, though. Or she never would have agreed to that,” he gestured toward the people dancing.
“Probably for the best that she found out earlier. Dagan and Sidonie are obviously a couple tonight. She would have realized it anyway.”
The music slowed down to just a single flute playing a dreamy tune and the dancers paired off, spinning around the room. The many gowns and skirts floating across the floor. Bree left the floor first and approached Finn and Rowan. Rowan immediately handed her the wine he had poured for her. She thanked him.
Finn watched the two of them together, falling into their routine. From a stranger’s viewpoint, it would seem these two had always been together. And but for the seven years that they were separated, they had been. Rowan came to live in the castle when he was six years old to become a page for his father. Bree was five years old at the time.
Adelphie came back to Finn when Dagan and Sidonie partnered off to dance to a slower tune. She took Finn’s hand and pulled him away to dance with her. Really, she just wanted to talk to someone and since she couldn’t talk to her sister, Finn would just have to do.
“You surprised me,” Finn said, once they reached an empty spot on the floor. He held his arms up and she took them as they began to fall in line with the other couples. “I thought you would try to kill him when he asked you to dance.” Though he was trying not to smile, his eyes were laughing.
“I decided that perhaps I was wrong about you. And if I am wrong about you, I could be wrong about him.”
“And so?”
“I still don’t trust him. Though, I don’t really think he trusts me either. So I guess, for now, we are on similar ground.”
Adelphie looked over at where her sister and Dagan were dancing together in their matching attire, looking perfectly like a couple in love.
“They were trying to hide from me, weren’t they? Is that why they sent you?”
Finn sighed, “Yes. They were trying to hide it from you. They thought you wouldn’t understand.”
“So why aren’t they trying to hide it any longer?”
Finn thought for a moment before replying. “I don’t think you can hide it when you love someone. I think it shows. Tonight is a special night. It’s their first ball together, their first public appearance as a courting couple. It’s hard to explain, but when you love someone, you want to shout it from the treetops. Or so I’ve been told…”
Adelphie snorted. She didn’t believe so much in true love or destiny, probably because she had always been alone. She had never felt that way toward a man. Perhaps that is why she couldn’t understand what had happened to her sister.
“I saw a change in her, the moment I arrived. I could sense a new happiness in her, a new peace. One she never felt in the forest. I guess that new peace had nothing to do with being in a castle and everything to do with him.”
He wanted to tell her about her sister’s magic, which had a lot to do with the changes in Sidonie but he didn’t think it was his secret to tell.
Hoping to lighten the mood, Finn asked, “Are you hungry? Our baker makes a fabulous apple tart. It’s Bree’s favorite. And there is also a raisin pudding.”
“Is there any meat?”
Finn laughed. “Yes, huntress, I think we can manage something.”
~*~
“Rowan, you aren’t going to hurt me,” Bree laughed. “You can hold me closer. We are dancing after all.”
He didn’t pull her closer. Instead, he tightened his hold, keeping distance between them as they spun around the floor to the rhythm of the flute.
“Being close to each other when we are alone is one thing, Bree. But I will not lay an inappropriate hand on you in public, especially since everyone assumes I am courting you now. Careful eyes will be watching. Gossip could stir and your reputation would be ruined.”
The way he spoke now was amusing to her. How could he possibly think that she would still entertain the idea of accepting other suitors after this? After fate had brought them back together, showing her where her heart truly lies, she would never accept a marriage proposal from anyone else. She would rather live alone.
“My reputation? Whatever do you mean?”
Rowan gave her a blank look, unamused at her choice to play coy.
“You know exactly what I mean. A queen has responsibilities to her family, to her kingdom. To carry on the royal bloodline. If I were to behave irresponsibly, your virtue could be challenged, causing rumors that your innocence had been soiled.”
“Ha! Isn’t it a little late for that?” she replied, casually, then she felt his body become tense. Surprised, she looked up to see an expression on his face that she had never seen before. He looked hurt like her words had pained him.
“Rowan,” she began, but he shook his head. They remained silent for a while as they traveled around the floor, following the l
ead of the other couples.
“Bree, you don’t understand the guilt I have felt for so many years, for what I did to you.”
“What you did to me?” Bree could feel her blood starting to boil.
“Yes. What I did to you. I took advantage of you, of your softness for me. And it could have ruined you forever.”
“I am ruined forever.” Her reply made him freeze. They stopped moving in the middle of the floor while the other couples continued dancing around them.
“You didn’t just take my innocence, Rowan, you stole my heart. I could lie with another, but I’ll never be able to love anyone else the way I love you. And everyone can see that except for you.”
Rowan saw the same raw hurt and hopelessness in her eyes that he saw that day in the garden before he kissed her for the first time. And he hated seeing it now just as much as he hated seeing it then.
“Bree…” He didn’t know how to respond, but it didn’t matter. Bree had already turned away and was walking off the floor.
“Bree. Bree!” he called after her, but she didn’t look back. Instead, she ran out of the back of the hall, her guards chasing after her.
Rowan panicked, wondering if he should follow her, or if it would make things worse. He looked up at the sky hoping for an answer. Then he felt a tiny snowball hit him on the side of his head. When he looked over to where the snowball had come from, Dagan was pointing to where Bree had left the room. Rowan shook his head, unmoving, then Dagan raised his hand and formed another snowball, much larger this time.
Rowan surrendered and left the room to follow Bree, muttering, “Damn wizard…”
After Rowan had left the room, Sidonie laughed. Though they couldn’t hear the words between them, they knew the discussion wasn’t pleasant.
“What? Sometimes we need a small nudge in the right direction,” he said.
“That’s the second time you’ve nudged him today,” Sidonie replied.
