“For you.” Xander unclasped a gold rose pin from his cloak, wincing as it pricked his finger before handing it to me. “A gift for the dance.”
He held it out in front of me, and I studied the golden petals that were opened.
“Thank you.” I took the rose, pricking my finger on the clasp as well.
Prince Xander smiled. “Flowers have special meaning to the queen.”
“Really?” I said, surprised he would call her “the queen” and not “Mother.” I was even more surprised that he was content to stay by my side and not run off or see to his royal duties.
“The rose especially, because it is one of the most beautiful and also protects itself, hence the thorns. I can tell by the tongue lashing you gave me that you’re not afraid to fight, or protect yourself. Not to mention your personality is as prickly as the thorn,” he added. “Keep it to remember this night.”
Just when I was about to thank him again, Yasmin stepped between us. “If you are giving dances away, I believe you owe me the next one,” she purred. “Since ours was stolen on our wedding day.”
Xander’s eyes met mine, and I swore there might have been a look of displeasure at being interrupted. Or it may have been my imagination, for he bowed his head and took her hand, leading her back onto the floor for a dance.
I didn’t want to watch, but I was drawn to them as they moved perfectly together, like ceramic dancers in a music box. Xander stood tall, his shoulders back as he took her hands in his. Yasmin was petite and a flurry of lace and golden curls as they spun. Her feet were light, and she didn’t stumble over the steps but floated across the floor as if on a cloud, her jewels gleaming. Her porcelain smile drew crowds, and I could see her flashing it like a weapon at Prince Xander. He rested one hand at the small of her back and leaned in close to whisper into her ear.
“So which daughter are you?” Earlsgaarde had come up behind me, sipping a cup of tea.
“I don’t think I understand.” I began to panic at being so easily found out—and by the foreign emissary, no less.
“You can’t throw a compulsion spell around in a country not prone to magic and not know it will attract unwanted attention. And based on the force with which you conjured, you must be one of Lady Eville’s girls. Hmm, my bet is Aura or Eden, am I right?”
Ignoring him and pretending indifference seemed the best course of action as I craned my head and watched Yasmin run her fingers up Xander’s neck. My hands clenched, giving me away enough that Earlsgaarde noticed my jealousy.
“I thought maybe there were two sisters here, but not with the way you’re reacting to the prince dancing with another woman. I’ve seen that angry look before, on your mother.”
“You know nothing about me,” I said firmly.
“You couldn’t actually be her—his wife, now could you?” He chuckled crudely, and I took a few steps away, but he followed after me like a kite on a string. “Ah, you’re hiding by using glamour, then, so you must be Eden.”
I couldn’t get over how familiar this strange man was with my family, and it made me very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I must go.” I turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist.
“Let me go!” I hissed and tried to yank free from Earlsgaarde’s grip, but he wouldn’t release me, making my anger only rise further. If he wanted to know which sister I was, I was about to let him know.
“Relax, no harm will come from me. Just abating my curiosity is all,” he said.
The air crackled with intensity as I gathered power. With no ley lines, I had to dig deep into the earth and into myself.
The hair on his arm rose at my power, and a low growl came from my throat.
“Ah, yes, the oldest. Of course she would send you. No harm. See?” One by one his fingers released from my wrist. He raised his teacup to me in salute and backed away into the crowd.
Yasmin tittered, her laugh meant to carry and draw attention to her. She succeeded. I watched, my heart sinking at how happy she seemed in his arms, pulling him closer as he leaned close to whisper into her ear.
I sighed in resignation. I may have his title, but I would never have his heart. Why was that thought so troubling to me? I knew my duty, had accepted my mother’s wishes and married him, knowing I would never find happiness. What more could I expect?
Nothing.
There was nothing for me here, and there never would be. I would be alone forever.
It was obvious that he would never give the daughter of Eville a chance. He would keep her locked away from sight, imprisoned until she died, and then he would be free to love Yasmin or any other woman who took his fancy.
I was done with this night and didn’t want to see him dance with his true love, but still I stayed, watching every single moment they had together, judging their interaction, searching and reading into each glance and caress. Was there love there? Did I come between their happily ever after? Part of my heart delighted in being the one to tear them apart, but the other half mourned at what I had done.
When the dance was over, Xander let Yasmin go with a bow and began to search the room. Earlsgaarde headed toward King Gerald, and I feared he would reveal my ruse. As if he had sensed my thoughts, Earlsgaarde turned and gave me a congenial wave, and I frowned. King Gerald did not seem thrilled at Earlsgaarde’s approach, but after a few minutes, the two of them headed out of the ballroom.
That made me uneasy, seeing the two of them together, but Gaven distracted me by coming up behind me and sweeping me onto the dance floor. With each turn I could see the prince’s glare, feel it burning across my skin; he didn’t seem pleased with my partner. Gaven’s hand dropped lower on my waist with a slight pressure as he gave me a confident smile. My cheeks reddened in response.
I knew Xander didn’t care for me, but it seemed like he didn’t want anyone else to either, for the prince stormed through the dancers, like a ship cutting through a calm sea. His approach and the heat in his eyes worried me. He was angry, and I had a feeling I would be on the receiving end of his sharp tongue.
“Gaven,” I said calmly, trying to pull away, but his hand on my back was like an iron band imprisoning me. “Please, I need to leave,” I whispered urgently. I needed a place to retreat. To get away from those amber eyes that were hunting me down from across the room. “Take me somewhere else, anywhere but here.”
Gaven seemed surprised at my earnestness, but he quickly conceded. Not letting go of my wrist, he pulled me into the hall and out the double doors into the garden.
I shouldn’t have looked back, but I did, seeing Xander stop his pursuit and watch us leave warily.
The cool night air felt good on my overly warm skin, and I was glad to be away from Xander and the feelings he was stirring within me. From the steps leading down into the gardens, I could see various couples already walking hand in hand into the maze.
Gaven was eagerly leading me into the tall hedge maze, and I realized I may have given him the wrong impression. As soon as we were alone, he reached for me, his mouth pressing hard on mine, our teeth knocking together painfully.
“Mmmph,” I mumbled in surprise, pushing him away. “Stop, I insist!”
Gaven’s breath was ragged, his pupils were dilated, and his cheeks were flushed from the chill air. “But I thought this is what you wanted. You asked to leave, and I assumed—”