by M. J. Haag
“You are a vision,” an unfamiliar voice said.
I turned to look at the masked man beside me. His jacket was clean but threadbare, and his mask a creation of common raven feathers. A group of gowned women stood in a cluster not far from where we stood and whispered while watching us.
“Please honor me with a dance,” he said, earnestly. “I promised my mother I would dance at least once before returning home.”
“Only once?”
He flushed slightly as the girls laughed, having heard my question, and I understood his dilemma.
“The honor is mine, good sir,” I said with a curtsy. He bowed hastily and offered his arm. I spoke softly as we ascended the stairs.
“That should put them in their place,” I said. “Ignore the ones who measure a man’s value in the cut of his cloth. They will never make suitable wives. Instead, find one who will look you in the eye and measure your worth by your actions.”
We stopped at the edge of the dance floor and faced each other.
“And how do you measure men?” he asked.
I smiled, knowing the answer he hoped for.
“I don’t. Not yet. Perhaps I will when I’m looking for a husband.”
His disappointment was brief as he offered me his hand then swept me onto the dance floor. After only a moment, he stepped on my foot and cringed. I laughed lightly.
“I assure you, my shoes are sturdy and you will cause me no harm.”
“I’m sorry. I only learned the dance this week.”
“Your mother?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“She’s a marvelous teacher if you’re doing this well after so little time.”
He chuckled.
“I’ve barely slept for all the dancing I’ve done. I’m not the only one. Most of my friends here are the same. Not all of them made the promise I did. Bast—beg your pardon—my friends are stuffing their faces at the table instead of dancing.”
As I swept around the room, I noticed a few women watching us. Like my partner, they wore simpler clothes and masks.
“That might change when they see the success of your dancing.”
“Do not call this a success too quickly. We should wait to see if you can walk after the song ends.”
I laughed.
“So be it,” I said.
When the song finished, I smiled at my partner and curtsied.
“I believe you will find another willing partner or two near the wall just to the side.”
“Thank you, miss…”
“Since it’s a masked ball, I’d prefer to keep my name to myself.”
He chuckled, bowed, and left me just as the music started up again.
“You look in need of another partner,” a familiar voice said.
Heart racing, I turned toward Kaven. But it wasn’t the Kaven I knew. Gone were the cocky hat with the king’s insignia and worn jacket. In their place, his light brown hair was combed neatly and glinted in the light of the candles almost as much as his golden jacket.
“May I have this dance?” he asked with a formal bow.
“You may,” I answered with a curtsy.
A shiver stole through me the moment his hand closed over mine. He swept me up into a graceful dance that made my stomach swirl.
“You steal my breath with your beauty,” he said softly.
“And you,” I said, smoothing my hand over his shoulder. “A benefit of your occupation.”
He grinned widely.
“It is indeed.” His gaze swept over me again, lingering on my throat. “Where did you find such a dress? I don’t think you’ll escape a single man’s notice in this.”
“If I tell, then everyone will request the same dress. I’ll keep the secret of its creation to myself.”
He chuckled and pulled me a little closer. Still within propriety’s bounds but close enough that I flushed. We danced in silence until the song ended.
“If you haven’t yet presented yourself to the King, allow me to escort you.” He offered his arm.
“I would rather not. I like the mystery of the mask as my family does not know I’m here. I’ve been strongly opposed to attending and would prefer to keep my presence a secret.”
“Fear not. You are allowed to keep your mystery. It’s a simple curtsy with no words exchanged.”
I took his arm.
“Perhaps later. First, I need some refreshment.”
As he led me from the floor, people parted way for him. I couldn’t help but laugh lightly.
“What amuses you?” Kaven asked.
“The way people find value in the quality of your clothes. Do you think if they met you as I had, they would show the same deference?”
He studied those around us.
“Most assuredly not.”
He glanced at me, his gaze warming.
“And that is precisely why I will not allow you to slip from my sight tonight.”
“I don’t understand.”
“They do not only make way for me, princess.”
My startled gaze swept the crowd again, and I saw he was correct. Many watched me just as closely as they watched Kaven. What a pair of imposters we were.
Leaving the ballroom, we found the adjoining room set with several long tables groaning under the weight of food the likes of which I’d never seen. People spoke in groups, sipping from flutes of wine or nibbling on tasty tidbits.
“What would you care to sample?” Kaven asked.
“That is an impossible decision. Everything looks delicious.”
“Indeed.”
The low rumble of his voice sent a wave of heat through me. When I looked up, I found his gaze on my lips.
“Focus,” I said softly.
“I’ve never been more focused.”
“On the food.”
He sighed and looked at the offerings on the table before us. Without hesitation, he picked up a plate and placed a few options on it.
“Try these.”
While I sampled the food, he led me around the room and pointed out the people he knew.
“That is Lord Greylin and his wife. Best to avoid her unless you want to spend the whole evening listening to the merits of their eldest daughter who is a year or two younger than you, I believe.”
I chuckled as we moved throughout the room. He knew so much about the people of the court, and I tried to imagine what his life had been like in the shadow of the Prince. Had these people ever given Kaven the consideration he was due for being the intelligent man he was? Probably not. Like Maeve, they probably saw him as a tool. An instrument to be used to find a way into the Prince’s inner circle. If the prince even had one.
When I finished my drink and food, Kaven surrendered the dishes to a passing servant and once again swept me onto the dance floor. While we danced, I watched for the Prince and Cecilia, determined to prevent her from cracking his amulet. But there wasn’t any sign of either as Kaven and I remained for countless songs, reveling in each other’s presence.
Though I enjoyed each moment I spent in his arms, I knew I could not stay there forever. Yet, the passage of time held no meaning until the large clock in the ballroom chimed the eleventh hour. The steady count of eleven rings reminded me of the bird’s tapping.
“What has you frowning so?” Kaven asked.
“The hour. I didn’t realize how late it had become.”
He smiled slightly.
“I will take that as a compliment.”
“Where is the Prince?” I asked. “The invitation we received said he was looking forward to seeing me. I should—”
“I’m sure he’s occupied with some other maiden. There’s no need for you to seek him out.”
“You sound jealous.”
“When have you ever sought me?” he asked, his gaze serious.
He was jealous. Yet, I could do nothing to assure him he had no need to feel so. The knowledge of what yet must be done broke my heart.
“To seek you out would on
ly cause you anguish,” I said.
“An anguish I would willingly endure for you.”
Chapter Nine
I wrenched away from Kaven’s hold, leaving him in the middle of a dance. He had no idea of what he spoke, for when I sought him out to offer myself to him, I would just as quickly leave him to find the prince.
“Wait,” Kaven called.
The crowd parted for me, making my escape from the dance easier. However, it also made it easier for Kaven to catch me by the arm. As he did so, I caught a familiar glimpse of dark hair. I quickly turned away from Porcia to face Kaven.
“Please do not make a scene,” I said quietly.
“I wasn’t the one to leave my partner in the middle of a dance.”
He placed my hand on his arm and escorted me from the room.
“I’ll take you to the Royal court where the King is receiving his guests. I’m sure you’re likely to see the princely person you so desire there.”
We walked in silence through the long, crowded halls. The abundance of people in attendance astounded me. As did the number of guards present. Many of the halls leading from the main one were blocked by the sword wielding men.
“Is this because of me?” I asked. “The additional men and the women?”
“Yes.”
He still sounded annoyed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. You were right. Excluding those of common background wasn’t likely to keep the Royal family safer. Instead, it was building resentment. Opening the doors to all will garner goodwill.”
“And the guards. Will they be able to keep the King and his son safe?”
“No one is safe when there is a caster using magic in secret to cause harm to the kingdom. We have all suffered in some way and will continue to do so until we have her in irons.”
“Her?”
He flashed a smile at me.
“Though there have been male casters, the strongest have always been women. One caster, a woman, claimed it was because your gender is more closely tied to the moon and nature.”
“Do you believe her?”
He shrugged.
“I’ve seen the way the woods come alive when you’re walking. Who am I to deny there is a connection?”
“But I don’t have magic.”
“I would argue that you do.”
“And that would likely see me hanged or in irons. Hold your infatuated tongue.”
He laughed, drawing the attention of the nearby guests. Thankfully, he veered to lead us through two vast and ornately carved doors and out of their view. Concern regarding what might have been overheard faded as I saw what lay ahead.
At the other end of the grand room, a raised dais made it possible for all present to see the King in his splendor, and for our sovereign to view all who attended him. And there were many. The back half of the room was filled with people who watched the proceedings in the front half.
A row of guards stood at the base of the dais, facing the gathering. Before them, a beautifully gowned maiden stepped forward from a short line of girls and curtsied to the King. He nodded, a man to his right welcomed the girl to the ball, and the girl moved to join another far longer line near a side door that was open to the night air.
There, the Prince danced with a pretty maid not dressed as finely as the others, but based on the glow tinting her cheeks, just as pleased to be in his presence. Not far away from the pair, a small set of musicians played a lovely melody.
While the maid looked entranced, the Prince looked bored.
“He looks less than pleased with his current partner,” I said.
“He would rather not have to dance at all,” Kaven said with a chuckle, guiding me to the line before the King. “I will meet you at the back of the room after your curtsy.” He left my side then, and I felt a stab of guilt at his assumption I would forgo the dance with the Prince.
Glancing back at his retreating form, I caught sight of a woman watching me closely from within the depths of the crowd near the entrance. Her dark eyes swept over me, and I forced myself to calmly turn around and face the King. Although much of her face was hidden by an elaborate mask, I recognized Maeve’s dress easily enough. If she was here, Cecilia couldn’t be far away.
I surveyed the long line of maids waiting to dance with the Prince and saw Cecilia near the front. I would need to watch her closely. If she managed to crack the amulet, I would need to find a way to warn the Prince before she had a chance to cast a spell.
The line shuffled forward until there was no one else before me. I advanced toward the King and performed a curtsy that would have made my mother proud.
The King’s voice rang out, creating a startled hush in the room.
“Rise and let me look at you.”
I straightened, heart hammering in fear, and met the King’s gaze. If he recognized me, all would be at risk. The urge to look at Cecilia almost overwhelmed me. However, one did not look away from the King. I withstood his scrutiny with as much courage as I possessed until his gaze swept the rest of the room, landing on the Prince approaching to my right.
His grey eyes lit with recognition behind his golden mask.
“Your beauty has silenced the room,” he said with a deep bow. “Will you honor me with a dance?”
I looked to the King, who nodded before his gaze swept the room again. Facing the Prince, I accepted the hand he extended and let him sweep me into an extravagant dance that moved so quickly the skirts of my gown flared out. The purpose behind the dance was clear when he pulled me against his chest to steady me.
In my peripheral, I caught sight of Kaven moving through the crowd.
“You are bold,” I said softly.
“I am allowed.”
“Hardly.”
With each turn he brought us closer to the guarded balcony until we danced on the terrace. The doors closed behind us, cutting off the music. He stopped abruptly and grinned at me.
“He will want my head for stealing you away. But can he blame me? I’m awestruck by what a decent dress can do for a maiden’s appearance. You are a breathtaking sight,” he said. “I can see why Kaven fancies you so.”
I pulled myself from his arms and scowled.
“You are purposely provoking him?”
“Never. It is my duty to dance with every maid set before me.”
“I wasn’t set before you.”
“Are you saying you didn’t want to dance with me?”
The ass had me cornered. If I denied it, he would send me away and face Cecilia yet this eve. If I acknowledged my desire to dance with him, I would be painted a tease in both the Prince’s and Kaven’s eyes.
“As we’ve already danced, there is no point in answering that,” I said.
He chuckled.
“Kaven warned me that you are prickly.”
“Prickly?” I repeated, offended.
The Prince’s grin widened, and I knew then that he was baiting me.
“Must you toy with everyone? You claim Kaven as a friend and disrespect his feelings. You claim to care about your kingdom’s welfare but can’t be bothered to bestow a kind smile to the maiden before me. Was the cut of her cloth not to your standards?” I demanded, flicking the golden cravat tied at his neck.
“You lecture me not to judge others based on their appearance, yet you do the same.”
I opened my mouth to hotly deny his words, and he laughed.
“You truly do not see it? Here I stand, a man you’ve met thrice, a man you barely know. Based on what action do you believe me to be shallow enough to value a person on their dress?”
“Based on your own words. You just told me my dress made me more appealing.”
His smile vanished.
“I’ve been taught from an early age to play a game. I was told it would keep me safe. My remark on your gown was nothing more than a compliment. My distance from my previous partner was nothing more than an attempt to protect her. There is an evil lurking in thi
s kingdom, and it means to have the throne. Everything I do and say is to prevent that from happening, even bruising the feelings of my closest friend.”
We stared at each other for a long moment, and I realized we were more alike than I could have ever imagined.
“Why did you bring me out here, then?”
“Curiosity. I wanted to know if you were the same type of woman as your mother. The type to give up her life to save a kingdom.”
“And?”
“I rather hope you are not. I believe life would be dull without you in it.” He gestured to the garden. “Would you care to walk?”
I nodded and set my hand on his arm to steady myself as we descended to the well-kept grounds. The scent of honeysuckle teased my nose.
“The gardens are beautiful,” I said. “Do you find time to enjoy them?”
“Rarely. Duty has kept me away far too long. And now that I’m here, duty consumes my time. Tell me about yourself.”
“What would you like to know?”
“What brings you joy? Sorrow? Anger?”
I breathed deeply, considering his questions. The spell would prevent me from speaking the full truth, but I was determined to speak what truth I could.
“Very little has brought me joy since my mother’s death.”
“What brought you joy before her death?”
I thought back and smiled.
“Going to town with my sister and stirring up trouble. Reading. My father’s returns because he always managed to bring the most marvelous gifts. Walking in the woods. However, losing those I love has brought a sorrow so deep it hurts to breathe at times. There are days it’s difficult to remember what once brought me joy. Mostly, I feel anger.”
He didn’t ask why but walked beside me in silence through the maze of shrubs for a time.
“What brings you joy?” I asked.
“Being home. Seeing my father.”
“And sorrow?”
He glanced at me.
“Those I’ve lost.”
