Sapphire nodded and allowed him to sweep her onto the dance floor.
Her pulse slowed as he pulled her into the soft circles of the dance, holding her close then gliding with her through the turns. She could still feel the eyes on her, some angry, most shocked. A few quietly happy for her.
“Their reaction was worse than I thought.”
“Ignore them,” Sir Matthias said.
“I’ve been doing that for a long time.”
“No one is immune to Rashalee’s influence, especially not those born into wealth and power.”
“Like me.” And the way she’d trapped him in a marriage for her own selfish ends, but she kept that to herself.
Sir Matthias held her closer. “I know of no one who serves Rashalee and donates their wedding funds for an orphanage roof.”
“That was your idea.”
“But you agreed to it.”
Sapphire considered a moment.
Sir Matthias thumbed over her cheek. “I’m not sure what’s going through your thoughts, but just because your grandfather is blackened by Rashalee doesn’t mean you are.”
“But I… this whole marriage…”
“You never once lied to me. You were open and honest and let me choose. Besides,” Sir Matthias said as he spun her through a turn, “I healed you.”
Sapphire frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“The night on my family’s farm when I used a healing spell on you, it worked, didn’t it?”
“Yes.” Color touched her cheeks at the memory. “It felt pleasant, actually. But you also healed the man that attacked us.”
“Remember how he writhed in pain at the same spell? The touch of the divine will do that to those who have fallen down the path of the Unholy Triumvirate. Too far down that path, and healing spells won’t work at all.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Sir Matthias grinned. “So stop worrying. We’re all a little selfish sometimes.”
“Even you?”
“I didn’t marry you for entirely altruistic reasons.” Sir Matthias gave her a charming grin and swept her across the dance floor.
Thoughts jumbled through Sapphire’s head at all Matthias had said. But she’d sort them out later. Dancing was something she’d always enjoyed, and it was infinitely better with Sir Matthias as her partner.
And her husband.
Chapter 30
Those that disapproved of their match made it known in subtle ways throughout the evening, and Sir Matthias either ignored them or engaged them, choosing his tactic based on whichever would discomfit the person the most.
While Sir Matthias quashed the snippets of gossip following him and Sapphire, the gossip focused his attention on portions of Tamarian society that appeared infected with Rashalee’s greed and envy.
He’d keep them in his prayers and hope Dracor would show them His light and guide their path. But he would also increase his vigilance. Several he would report in confidence to Sir Leopold.
Rashalee should not have this much sway in Tamryn, home of the Dragon God, and it was strange that the dark goddess was revealing Herself. Whatever She wanted must be important, and Lord Carsons had already proven how far Rashalee would go to get it. It had to be more than revenge, though what more, he didn’t know.
As another dance began, Sir Matthias slid his arm around Sapphire and led her through the crowd to where Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn had escaped after leaving the receiving line.
Lady Brelynn appeared exhausted, and before he could say anything, Sapphire wrapped her hands around the duchess’s. “Are you all right?”
“Been asking her that all night,” Sir Marcus said, concern pinching his brows.
“A lot of people,” Lady Brelynn said. “And I’ve spent the whole night greeting them instead of dancing.”
“It’s your ball. Go dance,” Sapphire said.
Hope brightened Lady Brelynn’s face, but the concern lines between Marcus’s brow dimmed it.
Sir Matthias clasped his friend’s shoulder. “Take your wife dancing, then for a walk in the gardens. When no one is looking, sneak her upstairs and pamper her for the rest of the night. Tomorrow, too.”
Sir Marcus frowned.
“This is a healer’s advice,” Sir Matthias said.
Sapphire’s gaze traveled from Sir Marcus to Lady Brelynn and back again. “Have Queen Auburn and King Eli already stopped in and left again?”
Sir Marcus nodded.
“Then you’ve fulfilled your obligations. Go enjoy your night together.”
Sir Marcus relaxed a little, love softening his features as he offered Lady Brelynn his arm.
The smile that lit the duchess’s face made Matthias’s own heart yearn. To love and be loved like that.
“Thank you,” Lady Brelynn whispered, and Sapphire waved them off.
The dancers made room for their host and hostess, giving them the center of the floor as a fresh song started.
“How are you doing?” Sir Matthias asked as he plucked a glass of wine from a passing server’s tray and handed it to Sapphire. He was still concerned about her after the incident involving her stepfather. While she maintained a perfect ballroom smile, he wasn’t sure if the occasional tremble in her fingers was from the unpleasant gossips, her stepfather, or something else entirely.
Sapphire sipped the bubbly concoction. “I’ll be better when Lady Brelynn is comfortable and in her room.”
“I’ve known Sir Marcus a long time. He wants to do what’s right, and now that we’ve shown him that path, he and his duchess will have retired before the end of the next song.”
“He’s every inch the Hero of Tamryn.”
“I don’t know about that, but he’s a good friend.”
Sapphire smiled and leaned her head on Matthias’s shoulder.
“Perhaps we should retire early as well. Everyone knows we’re newlyweds, and you could use the rest, too.”
She set her drink aside and laid her hand on his sleeve. “I’d like that.”
While all eyes were on Sir Marcus and Lady Brelynn, Sir Matthias slipped out of the ballroom with Sapphire and led her back up to their room.
She paused outside the door, and Matthias sensed her hesitation. He wanted to hunt down Lord Richard Bartley and make him pay for all that he had done that night. Bring him to justice so that Sapphire wouldn’t be afraid of the dark. Wouldn’t be afraid at all. But that would have to wait. She needed her husband beside her.
Matthias brushed a kiss over her temple. “I’ll be with you, and I don’t think Lord Bartley is foolish enough to try again.”
“I didn’t think he’d be foolish enough to try anything at all in the Hero of Tamryn’s home. Still not sure how he got past all the security.”
“Bad thing about balls is you have to lower security to let people in, and given his position and title, Richard Bartley was on the guest list.” Matthias kissed his wife, a gentle brush of lips, but it made her smile.
Lord Bartley had a lot to answer for, and knowing the Knights of Valor would see justice done had been the only thing keeping Sir Matthias at the ball rather than hunting down the Rashalee-worshipper himself.