"And his betrothed, Lady Priscilla of Langli."
The loud clang of metal brought the eyes of everyone – including him - to me. I stood frozen in place, pale and unmoving as ice, while a red-faced servant bent to pick up his serving platter from the hard marble floor. It had been unceremoniously knocked from his arms just moments before.
I didn't hear the loud gasps coming from the crowd around me. I barely noticed the red stains that now covered the hem of my blossoming skirts. My eyes were glued to the indifferent prince staring back at me.
Two pairs of hands took hold of my arms and gently led me to the back of the room, out of the attention of others, while I watched the dark-haired stranger and his lady resume their procession.
"Ryiah?"
I watched as the young man took his seat beside the king and his heir, with the dark-haired beauty standing close by and casting a simpering smile while he talked. Not once did the stranger's gaze stray from her face, nor did he hesitate to kiss her hand and laugh easily at something a nearby courtier said in response to the lady's question.
"Ry, if you want to retire early I'd be happy to join you." Ella's voice was strangely muted – like she was speaking through glass. Her voice was distorted and muffled, more like one long humming stance than a question.
What was happening? Why was he smiling at her like that? I kept staring, waiting for a break in the fa?ade. Just the barest hint that he wasn't enjoying himself, that he felt something – anything - other than the nonchalance that was plastered all over his face.
"You should just take her now." My brother's hushed whisper seemed even further away. "Before she does something rash."
I know they forced you into this. My breathing became calm, steady. That was it, of course. Darren needed more time to talk the king around. It wasn't something either of us had prepared for, but we would find a way.
Warmth returned to my limbs and I found that the numbness in my legs and arms had receded. I hugged my arms to my chest. He loved me. So I would wait. I had already waited three years, what would a little more time be?
"Please excuse me." My voice caught. I didn't bother to look to my brother or friend as I pushed my way through to the hall. Faces passed by in a blur, though it was only as I entered my chambers that I realized why.
Tears.
I might be willing to wait, but I could not very well stand by while Priscilla paraded the boy I loved in front of me.
****
I waited, counting out the opening and shutting of chamber doors until I was certain the last apprentice had returned from the palace's late night festivities. I waited for an additional toll from the great bell tower and then stealthily exited my chambers, careful not to slam the door and draw the attention of any loitering servants or guards posted nearby. Most were too busy cleaning up after the feast to notice, but one could never be too careful.
I drew my cloak close and passed the women's hall, continuing on past the men's and then finally up the many flights of stairs and twisting corridors – retracing my steps once or twice - in an effort to locate Darren's chambers.
"Excuse me, miss, no one can pass this point without an official summons." Just as I reached the final hall I found two guards blocking its entrance. The one who had spoken was eyeing me with a skeptical expression and the other was tapping his scabbard. Tick. Tick. Tick. Neither looked particularly willing to let me pass.
I had been expecting as much. I let the hood fall from my face so that they would recognize me as one of the apprentices. "Please, if you could tell Prince Darren it's Ryiah, I am sure he will make an exception."
The first guard yawned loudly. "Lady Ryiah, if we interrupted the Crown for every person seeking audience we would be out of a job."
"Yes, but I'm not-"
"Let her in, gentleman, I can vouch for this one personally."
Every hair on my neck stood on end. I knew that slick voice like the back of my hand. Blayne. Bells of alarm rang out loudly in my ears but I tried not to let the panic show in my face. Why was he coming to my aid? He hated me.
Something was wrong.
The guards lowered their weapons and stepped to the side as the heir to Jerar escorted me forward. I tried not to flinch as he tugged me along, a deep sense of foreboding as we reached Darren's chamber. The last time the two of us had crossed paths, Blayne had made it perfectly clear what he thought of the lowborn girl who shared a friendship with his brother. And then I had attacked him. Even if Darren had informed his brother of his intentions, I highly doubted Blayne had forgiven me for that.
I hesitated at the door, wondering if Blayne planned to witness my confrontation with his brother.