But they couldn’t speak of that now. The guests were all looking at them, waiting for them to come inside.
Well, he would share her, but only for a little while. When the ball was over, he would make sure she slept inside the castle tonight, with his sister Margaretha. In fact, he might just make sure she never left the castle.
He didn’t intend for her to ever be without protection again.
Gisela placed her hand on his arm and they walked together toward the door of the Great Hall.
A pleasant warmth seeped through her, as she could almost feel Valten’s arms still around her and his chest against her cheek. She walked by his side through the Great Hall door, and the entire hall erupted in applause. Valten led her to the middle of the floor, then turned and bowed to her. “All hail Queen Gisela.”
Gisela felt gratified and embarrassed at the same time. By tomorrow the tournament and its festivities would be over and she wouldn’t be anyone’s queen, but it was fun to see the smiles on people’s faces and their willingness to go along with the charade. They all bowed and seemed in a joyous mood — until her gaze settled on Rainhilda, whose eyes were throwing daggers.
Gisela didn’t care. Valten was paying attention to her, was happy to call her his queen, and that was enough to drive out any unhappy thought.
The music began again, and Valten didn’t have to say a word. They lined up facing each other. Gisela hoped she would know the steps. Though it was unfamiliar, the dance was slow, and she watched the other dancers and followed their lead. Valten led her carefully, so she made it through without too many missteps.
Valten’s eyes never left her. And in her heart, she believed her stepmother had been wrong. From the way he was looking at her now, his marrying her didn’t seem so farfetched.
The next dance was a round in which she had to hold Valten’s wrist, since his hand was bandaged. His arm brushed hers as the circle became tighter, and he twirled her around with his right hand. Even with a broken hand, he looked more powerful than any other man in the room.
The dance ended, and as everyone else applauded, Valten brushed his shoulder against hers and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You are beautiful.”
She managed to say, “Thank you.” He was so close she could see the shadow of facial hair on his jaw, the tiny scars, and the serious glint in his eye that contrasted with the slight upturn of his lips.
Out of the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help noticing all the people staring at them.
She smiled playfully at Valten, trying to lighten the mood — for her own sake as well as for all those watching them. “I love dancing with you, but may I get something to drink?”
Valten led her to a table filled with all kinds of food and drink, and she remembered she hadn’t eaten all day, except for some cheese and bread Ava gave her while the servants did her hair.
A servant filled a tankard from a pitcher of red liquid and handed it to her. He filled another for Valten.
Valten stood at her elbow, partially blocking her view of the rest of the hall. He leaned his head toward hers. “My father’s men are searching for Ruexner, and I want you to spend the night with Margaretha.”
Gisela nodded. “Thank you.” She was humbled, first by the fact that she now had no home and nowhere to go, and then by the thought that since her stepmother had taken money from Ruexner, some would say she rightfully belonged to him. They would say she must marry him.
He must have seen the troubled look on her face, because he moved closer. “And your stepmother is spending the night in the dungeon.”
The thought of her stepmother in a dungeon didn’t fill her with joy, as she might have thought it would. Instead, she felt sadness and relief, mingled with anger.
Trying to banish the picture of her stepmother in a dank, dark dungeon, she sipped her drink, letting the liquid soothe her parched throat. She was still hoarse from the yelling and screaming through her chamber window that morning.
She heard footsteps a moment before Margaretha bounced around Valten’s side and threw her arms around Gisela — but carefully, so as not to spill her drink.
“I am so happy you’re here! We were afraid something had happened. We waited for you all day. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell your stepmother you couldn’t go with her, that I needed you to stay with me. You didn’t tell me she was cruel to you. Valten was so worried.” Margaretha glanced up at her brother. “Valten, why don’t you go … walk over there for one minute while I talk to Gisela.” She shooed him away with her hand.
Valten stared down at his sister and raised his eyebrows at her. “One minute is all you get. Gisela wants to dance.”
“Yes, yes, be assured, she’ll dance the very next dance with you. Now go.”