by Maggie Lee
“I could have, but I didn’t want to steal my father’s thunder.” I laugh it off, not quite ready to tell her everything.
“Better not to anger him Mi-Mak.” She catches herself on the miss thing.
“Mak, I like it, suits her. Can you both give me just a moment?” Kraus holds up a finger telling us to wait before he disappears off into the crowd around us waiting to get into the ballroom.
“I apologize for speaking up, it is not any of my business what you do or do not tell people about your life.” Alexis blushes again and I pull her in for a hug.
“Never apologize for speaking up. Do it more often. Be heard.” I feel her nod against me and let her go.
Kraus approaches with a handsome man I vaguely recognize from dinner the night I met him and Arden. “This is Michael, he’s a very good friend of mine and Arden’s. I believe he will be a wonderful escort for the ever lovely Miss Alexis tonight.”
Michael steps forward and bows while taking Alexis’s hand before kissing it. His greeting is fit for the princess she looks like tonight, so I happen to agree with Kraus.
Alexis giggles like a little girl and the pink in her cheeks darken, but she curtsies anyways. Michael pulls her along and she gives me a little wave before disappearing into the ballroom.
Kraus and I hold back for a minute and let members of the crowd move around us. I recognize many people, but most are too distracted to notice me. Although in this dress and dark makeup, I do look a tad bit different from my usual pastels and braided hair.
“That was perfect. She looked so excited, you are quite the matchmaker.” A waiter comes by and I grab two champagne flutes from their tray. We may as well have a good time at our over glorified engagement party.
“Well, if strategic war planning ever falls through, at least I’ll have a backup.” We both laugh and I feel the tension between us. Our hesitation at entering the ballroom is obvious.
“Dinner starts soon, we should find our seats,” I tell him, but the reluctance in my tone is evident.
“Let’s get this over with. The sooner we’re done here, the sooner you’re free.” I hadn’t thought about it. The sooner we play into my father hand, the quicker I’m out of his grasp.
We stop at the greeter and let them escort us to our seats. The royal table is always at the front, but it would be incredibly informal for us to just go up there alone. To my surprise, we aren’t seated with my family, but instead with the generals of the army. I would assume this is my father's doing.
Dinner is served and we don’t get sight of June and Arden the whole time. Kraus is at ease with the other military men and the wives are all lovely ladies. I’m lucky enough to be seated next to Alexis who has taken up the spot of Michael's plus one.
“So tell us about life at the palace?” One of the men’s wives asks me.
I freeze and Alexis answers for me, “Life is quiet there. You would think it would be more active with dignitaries visiting or just general life, but honestly it’s like living in a really nice luxurious home. People come and go, but it’s just life all the same, in prettier dresses.”
I chuckle with them at Alexis and my heart warms at seeing her blossom like this. She and Michael keep sending each other glances and I can’t help but wonder if they met when he’s visited the palace before.
I lean over to Kraus while everyone is talking, “What does Michael know about Alexis?”
Kraus gives me a smile before whispering back, “Everything. He knows who she is and what she does.”
The thought of that makes me smile and I’m beyond excited for her. He seems genuine and doesn’t care about their class differences. Most men in high places wouldn’t see past it. We’ve become caught up in our roles over the years, and it’s evident in the world outside the palace. I’ve broken up many fights between kids who’ve been bullied about their caste.
We finish up desert and then the emcee encourages everyone to start making their way to the dance floor, so we follow the table and join everyone for a dance. After some awkward dancing and few glasses more of champagne everything seems less dramatic than it is. Tonight I’m just a girl out with a man, dancing and starting a new path in my life.
The warm feeling in my chest freezes over when Arden and June enter my line of sight for the first time of the night. Both are matching in black. Arden’s suit could make my mouth water. I force myself to look away and I notice the sudden tense position Kraus is in seeing June. The party continues around us, but neither of us budge as we watch them make their way through the room.
I’m sure I’ve made it through the worst of it until Arden’s eyes catch mine. I lose the ability to breathe and he holds me in the moment. Frozen for what feels like forever. His eyes only let me go when he gives me a once over and then his gaze hardens like steel. I glance away, but I’m drawn back to see him whispering something to my sister.
I force myself to focus on Kraus, if we don’t play this game right and I do anything to upset my father’s carefully orchestrated plan, it will be Kraus’s life. My outfit may be an insult to him, but it isn’t out of place enough to cause him to notice on such a busy night for him. I wouldn't have risked Kraus’s life to make a stab at my father. I do not doubt his honesty when he says he will kill him.
“We could leave, or at least hide until Father makes his speech. It’s getting late in the evening, he should be appearing anytime.” I try to distract Kraus, but he’s too busy breaking apart as he watches June and Arden make their entrance, hand in hand.
“We ca-can’t.” I see the tears forming in his eyes and I grab his hand and turn him away from them. Time to dance.
“We’re going to dance, and you are going to focus on this until Father makes it an option for us to leave.” I pull him closer until our chests meet and he’s forced to look at me.
“She told me she hated me last time I saw her. We haven’t talked since before you and Arden came to the cars that night at the festival.” He’s visibly broken by this whole thing, and my heart hurts for him.
“She doesn’t hate you, she is just upset with how this is playing out. I don’t think it’s easy for them either.” I let my words drift off as I see Arden and June approaching us behind Kraus. I don’t know whether to grab him and go, or wait for the chaos to ensue.
Luckily, neither has to happen as my father takes the stage in perfect timing. “Welcome guests. We are so honored to have you here for the December Solstice tonight. Dinner was a delicious five course meal and now, with the help of this fantastic band, we’re going to drink and dance the night away. Let’s celebrate the upcoming winter and bountiful spring to follow!” He pauses and every lets out a cheer as they toast with him. “I’ll be introducing people throughout the night as I make different announcements with the help of our wonderful emcee. Tonight, my first announcement is that I want to announce, not one, but two of my daughters engagements. June and Mackenzie, can you please come up here?”
I hear a small gasp from June before her eyes meet mine across the crowd. We have a whole conversation in that moment and I notice that she looks worse for wear for the first time. Kraus and Arden follow behind us on our way to the stage.
“Perfect, your wonderful gentlemen have followed you up. June is going to marry our General of Weapons and Armorer, Arden Rithers, in a spring wedding. Then my eldest daughter Mackenzie is going to be marrying our war strategist, Kraus Kreen, in a very soon winter wedding. Here is to bountiful marriages and our kingdom’s future.” Once again, everyone raises a glass as Father pulls us both close and kisses us each on the cheek, but when June backs away out of hearing distance, he whispers to me, “Do this formal dance and then get out. You’re an embarrassment dressed like that tonight?”
He pushes me away a little too hard and I trip barely catching myself before almost falling down the stairs. I vaguely hear him make a joke about me drinking too much to the people nearest the stage, but I’m too aggravated to really hear it. June, Kraus, and Arden
all wait in an uncomfortable group at the bottom of the stairs. I don’t wait to make awkward conversation, so instead I give them a brief nod before grabbing Kraus’s hand and dragging him to the dance floor.
The music starts and I have flashes to when I was young and then some from my time with Arden. My feet lead me, but all I focus on is breathing in time with the Queen’s Waltz, because if I didn’t, I probably wouldn’t breathe at all.
Kraus leads me, but we bump into each other continuously like two loose gears not properly aligned. Sadly, I fail at avoiding eye contact with Arden, and when he finally captures my attention, my heart breaks all over again. We should be out here dancing together. Tonight was supposed to be our night.
When the times comes that we have to split and trade partners, I cling to Kraus, but Arden’s strong hands are pulling me away before I can move us away. I notice that the lights have dimmed further and the only thing illuminating us are twinkling lights strung across the wooden banisters. It gives a romantic glow and I hate that I want to kiss him in this beautiful ballroom. His dark stubble looks scruffy like he hasn’t shaved, and hints of red shine as the twinkly lights light us up.
“What nonsense is your father spouting about you getting married this winter?” He changes the formal position we’re in to rest his hand below my chin and force me to look up at him.
“I told you, I would handle my father. This is how I’m doing it.” I let him hold my face up, but look away from him.
“By marrying someone you don’t love?” he asks harshly.
“I was going to marry you, wasn’t I?” The words come out before I have a chance to stop them. Regret hits me and I feel stupid for even speaking at all. I cast my eyes down in embarrassment.
“Look at me, or I will blow this whole thing and kiss you right now. Here, in front of everyone.” I let out a little gasp before breaking and looking up at him.
He drops his hand back to my waist as we spin around the dance floor. Our movements are natural and it feels like we’ve been doing it our whole lives together. It brings me a small joy attached to an even bigger heart ache. He twirls me out before pulling me back in, and the frown marring his perfect face makes me feel even worse.
“What do you want, Arden, the deal is done. If I don’t do it, father will kill him, maybe even me too. What are you going to do, kill him? If it’s the crown you are after, what are you waiting for?” I throw everything I’m feeling at him. He can’t act wounded when he traded me for a crown, even if it’s in some misguided act to help me.
“You think I wanted the crown? You think I have done all of this to be king?” He almost sounds offended, but I can’t help but love how he pulls me closer with each question.
“Didn’t you?” I whisper back.
Chapter 22.
The time comes for a trade in partners again, but this time he just twirls us away and I lose sight of June and Kraus, whose conversation looks to be going like ours.
“No. I traded you to save you from yourself. I can’t physically do anything to your father while he is still king, so pulling you out of the situation was my only option. June and I made a deal, we would play this game and keep you and Kraus out of his grasps. Then you two idiots do this, get engaged? We had this handled!” With every step and twirl, we move a little closer to the edge of the dance floor until the song ends and we’re leaving the ballroom. I look around, but everyone's eyes are back on my father as he starts another speech.
Arden takes my hand and leads me down one of the halls of the Monarchs business side. We pass offices of the local officials and he stops at a room labeled Militia Chambre. The war room.
He opens the door to a room filled with maps and files scattered around. I only give the room a glance before Arden is on me. He picks me up and wraps my legs around him as he looks for any surface to lay us down on. We settle for a table and he removes a hand from my back just long enough to swipe the table clear. His hold on me never falters except for when I lift my hands to his face and he catches sight of the ring Kraus gave me earlier.
“What is that?” he asks knowing full and well what it is.
“Kraus—” He cuts me off by kissing me again, I get so distracted by his tongue breaking the seal between our mouths, that I don’t notice him removing the ring from my finger until I see him pocket it in his tuxedos jacket pocket..
His hands roam around me, and the kiss deepens in a way that awakens my soul. Slowly my body lowers until I’m laying across the table. Arden’s hands are just a whisper across me as the back of my dress unzips and slowly falls away until I’m left in nothing but my underwear.
He leaves my mouth starving for more as he creates a trail of slow kisses across my cheek and then down my neck. I let out a small shiver as he sloppily runs his tongue across my collarbone and bites the hard edge of my shoulder. His hand tweaks my nipple and I let out a loud gasp as the sudden pain and then pleasure that courses straight from my breast down to my warm center.
“Arden, we shouldn’t.” I let out on a breath.
“Do you love him?” He stops all forms of movement and looks me in the eyes, serious and sober.
I give him a slow shake of the head and he asks, “Does he love you?”
“No. He loves June.”
“Then he can’t have what's mine.” All of the world around us fades away the moment he calls me his. Nothing matters, the king, our futures, nothing. All can be damned as long as I have this man.
He hands never stray lower than my belt line, but the room feels hot and heavy as we continue a war with our tongues. Everything about his touch feels like home, and my soul is mended with each kiss we share.
We pause and Arden turns us, so he covers my body with his, when footsteps approach and pass the door. As they go by we hear two people giggling, they must be doing the same thing we are. I let out the breath I was holding and drop my head on Arden’s chest. His fingers run through my hair and it soothes the last bit of worry that I had.
“We have to go, come on.” Arden releases me and then helps me zip up the back of my gown. He straightens his outfit and then wraps his jacket back over my shoulders. “We need to get back.”
“I can’t, Father told me to leave after that dance. He thinks I’m an embarrassment. I have to go.”
“He said that?” Arden asks, wrapping his arms back around me.
“He isn’t a fan of my outfit.” My cheeks warm with a blush and I can’t help but wonder if Arden isn’t a fan either.
“Fuck him, and his opinions. Did you see the event planner he hired? You look like a nun compared to her tonight. Come on, I’ll send someone for Kraus and June. We’re leaving.” He releases me, and I start searching for my shoes.
“Where are we going to go after here?”
“Dinner?” he tells me, sitting back against the desk behind us.
“We’ve already had dinner,” I voice absently as I search for my left heel. It has to be hiding around here somewhere.
His arms wrap around my waist and pull my backwards into him. His arms flex against me as he nuzzles into my neck saying, “I’m taking you to dinner. Where you can give Kraus his ring back, and we can go get your stuff for the night.”
“Wait, we can’t do all of that. Father is watching. He will kill Kraus if I stray from this plan.” My body becomes tense, but Arden pulls me tighter and relieves the instant worry.
“Once again, let us handle this,” he tells me surely.
“You are going to have to start elaborating, I’m done being on the outside of the plan.”
“I had Kraus move your stuff into the truck we’re all taking to Grantafe next week. He said it was going to be up to you if you both went, but that he would wait till after tonight for us all to talk it over.” He turns me around to face him, and I lean into his lap.
“What if this hadn’t happened? How were you planning to talk me into a three month trip with you and June?” Did he plan to coerce me all along? Arden is rather hea
vy handed and that’s fine, but I meant it when I said I was done being on the outside. I want to be part of this plan now.
“I didn’t plan it like this, but I thought that giving you the acceptance letter I scored for you last week might sway your mind.”
“You got me into school?” I’m not sure what to say, I’m in awe of him right now.
“Yes, now we’re going to spend the weekend here making appearances as royal couples and then we’ll head to Grantafe for the three months that it takes for you to attend school. I have business there and then we can come back after you graduate.” He gives me a squeeze before we break apart and finish getting adjusted.
“I thought you were getting a six month visa?”
“Yes, because that’s your father's plan. Not mine.”
I adjust his tie and help straighten out his clothing, once he looks immaculate, I give back his jacket and finger comb his hair back into the position is was in before I messed it up earlier.
“What is your plan?” I use a metallic lampshade as a mirror to try and smooth out my hair, but end up taking it down and just retwisting it back up.
“That’s for a later discussion, there is more you need to know first. Come on, let’s get going.” He straightens my tiara and leans down to give me another quick kiss. As we make our way to the door, I remove his jacket and give it back.
“Keep my jacket on, the temperature’s dropped since you came in earlier.” He tries to push it back, but I stop his hands.
“No, I’ll be fine. I don’t want to raise any unwarranted suspicion as to why I have your jacket, and we’re leaving together.” I give him one last kiss and then we’re out of the door.
“Kenz, soon there will be no worry of suspicion and I will take you everywhere, as mine.” Arden turns the opposite way as me to go find Kraus and June. His words make goosebumps spread across my skin, and that gives me the last little bit of strength I need to walk alone through the building to the exit.
