Babs and aggie, p.24
Enchanted Kingdom: Book 1, page 24
He smirked. “And still do, I’m sure.”
“Wait,” I paused, “There are some disloyals within the Assemblages?”
Keir just smiled. “Yes. Varying degrees, but a few call themselves disloyal, yes.”
“As opposed to me who was but just didn’t know it?”
He gave me a nod. “Exactly.”
I squinted. “Aiyana?”
He huffed. “Is not one of them. Nor will ever be.”
I let out a relieved sigh.
“I won’t give you names though. That’s up to them if they want to tell you. It’s their choice and I won’t take it from them. Getting pegged as disloyal in this castle is a death sentence. So much so that I have rarely even acknowledged it thus far in the Assemblages.”
“Then how do you know?”
He was still holding my hand and he brought it to his lips, tapping twice with his middle finger from underneath my hand. “It’s in our greeting. A secret cue.”
I gasped. “The tapping! You did it to me that first night.”
He laughed. “I was trying to let you know, even then, we were on the same side.”
My eyes went wide. “That’s how you know?!”
He nodded. “It’s how we all know. Whether it’s in a handshake between gentlemen or in how I greeted you.”
I shook my head. Another little thing now made sense.
He leaned in to kiss my temple. “I need to let you sleep now, sweetheart. Sorry I woke you. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’m almost relieved Owen messed it up and forced Krew to tell you. It’s on Owen and Krew now and neither can be mad at either one of us.”
Everything he said made sense, I just couldn’t help but wonder . . . if our relationship really was as strong as I thought, wouldn’t he have told me anyway and trusted me to keep quiet? Trusted me enough to keep all the secrets, or even just keep a few of them?
For some reason, he had preferred me in the dark.
CHAPTER 31
“How much ball prep is required?” I groaned to Silvia.
She smirked. “You should have been in the two hour long meeting I had with the Assemblage advisor. I thought I was never going to get out of that room.”
I sighed. The good news was that Keir’s Assemblage was down two more consorts to nineteen women total. I assumed to match the two that Krew had sent home earlier in the week with Lydia and Taleah. The bad news was that Keir was still dating eighteen other women despite sharing his wing with me.
“Not much longer,” Silvia encouraged as she curled a lock of my hair. She was talking about getting me ready, but I wished she was talking about the Assemblages themselves.
I had to admit, I did look nice. Keir’s women were to wear red. The top of my dress looked like it was made with flower petals woven into lace and it tapered off the farther the dress went. I now understood what Silvia had meant about there being another level of gowns for the balls. The detail on this thing was so intricate I felt sorry for the seamstress. I was afraid to turn too fast for fear of losing a petal on the dress.
“I’m leaving your hair down,” Siliva told me as she ran her fingers through my fresh curls, loosening them slightly. “Because I know how uncomfortable you feel about bare shoulders. And also probably being this fancy.”
I sighed. “It’s like you know me.”
She smirked. “Now. Between twenty and thirty Savaryn families will be there also. These balls are not just for the princes to parade you, they are for you to learn diplomacy.”
I just sat there thinking. “Will Aiyana’s family be there?”
She shook her head. “Not for the first one.”
I let out a breath. “Thank goodness.”
“Renna’s family will be, I think,” she offered.
I already felt better about the evening in learning that. “Any other words of wisdom?”
She bounced her shoulders in a shrug. “Other than the obvious? Stay away from the king? Whenever he and his most loyal gather, debauchery is sure to follow.”
My eyes went wide open.
“Sometimes the entertainment choices are, from what I understand . . . interesting.”
“Oh boy,” I muttered. “Sounds pleasant.”
Silvia put a hand on mine. “I just don’t want you to be shocked by anything. Keep your wits about you and know that no matter how the king runs things and how much you might hate it, neither of his sons have the inclination to continue that sort of thing.”
“So don’t do anything impulsive is what you’re trying to say?”
She grinned. “Yes, darling, exactly.” After a laugh she added, “I think for these balls there may be some live plays brought in for you all to see, something like that, but probably nothing too scandalous. Or not until all of you are dismissed, anyway.”
I shook my head. “I used to just punch bread for a living. It is a strange life I lead, Silvia.”
“You have your order for the dancing tonight?” she asked. “We were told you already knew the lineup?”
I nodded. We had gone over that yesterday with the Assemblage advisor during our last common rooms time. Surprising no one, I was slated to dance last with Prince Keiran.
“Ready?”
It was Owen from the doorway. I stood and turned, feeling not ready to go, but ready to get it over with.
“Wow.” Owen’s head went back.
Silvia smiled as if quite pleased with herself. “She looks lovely, does she not?”
Owen was too busy trailing my dress with his eyes to answer.
“Owen,” I snapped.
His eyes met mine. “Yes?”
My lips twitched. “She asked you a question.”
Silvia snorted a laugh as she went to put away all her lotions and potions.
“I thought my non-answer was answer enough,” he said with a one-shouldered shrug.
I shook my head. “I have no idea how you have protected me this long with a room full of distractions at your disposal.”
He let out a dramatized sigh. “It is a difficult job, but someone has to do it.”
It was weird to enter the ballroom not for a dinner, for once. It reminded me of that first night that had only been a few weeks ago, though it felt like years. It was still the same ballroom, but with lower lighting and fresh flowers throughout. It was as if they were trying to romanticize the entire evening.
I knew Keir had gone down way before I was due, and I was less nervous about being around him than I was to meet and greet all these Savaryn families. More magic was in the room tonight than normal. I needed to go back to my old strategy of laying low.
What if the king planted one of his most loyal Enchanted in the room tonight just to drug me and finish the job of getting my blood? Or worse?
I took a deep breath at the top of the grand staircase and began my descent.
I had to take short steps as I made my way through all the people, some of which were new faces, trying to find either Renna or Rinaldi. I found Rinaldi first and that was the first time I heard a whisper with the term “Nerede woman” in it.
I was sure it wouldn’t be the last time tonight.
“Ms. Demir,” Rinaldi smiled. “May I get you some water?”
I nodded. “If you would be so kind.” I quickly looked around us to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “Please be extra cautious and careful tonight?”
He paused and gave me a strange look. “Are you in danger, miss?”
I laughed as if he said something funny. “In this castle? Always.”
He bowed and gave me a slight smile. “Fair point. I shall return shortly.”
Not knowing what else to do, I headed in the direction of my window. It was a crutch of sorts now, but I didn’t care. A girl had to do what a girl had to do in this damned castle.
“Hello.”
An older man with a white beard and a walking cane was standing before me. He didn’t exactly look friendly, but he was clearly speaking to me.
I smiled nicely at him. “Good evening.”
He took my hand and brought it up for a kiss, tapping gently with his middle finger underneath my hand.
Now I knew exactly what that meant. I tried not to let my breath catch or gasp with surprise. “Nice to meet you,” I finally managed.
He gave me a nod. “Likewise. My name is Hatcher Ellsworth. I serve on parliament for Wylan.”
So we had a disloyal in parliament? I did my best to not outright laugh. “Oh. That is most respectable, Mr. Ellsworth.”
He shook his head. “Oh no, darling. You must call me Hatchet instead of Hatcher. Everyone else does.”
I gave my head a shake. “I cannot, Mr. Ellsworth. Not when you do something so important and valiant for our country.”
Was there a double meaning in what I had just said? Hell yes there was.
He tipped his drink toward me. “I adore you already, clever girl. Welcome.”
Did he mean welcome to the ball or to the disloyal? I wasn’t sure but I found I was smiling all the same. “Have a good evening, Mr. Ellsworth.”
He snorted in disgust. “At this ball? As pompous and peacocky a thing such as this?” He leaned in to whisper, “I’d rather be reading.”
I wrinkled my nose and leaned in just like he did. “I rather agree.”
Then we both laughed.
“I have a lot of questions about parliament,” I said honestly. “You’ll have to humor a simple Nerede girl some day and answer a few for me. If you’d be so kind.”
He reached out and patted my hand. “Darling, I think we will be seeing each other more often now.”
I didn’t miss his double meaning either.
I smiled. “You have been a pleasant surprise, Mr. Ellsworth.”
“You as well.” He gave his head a shake. “You as well.”
I continued to my window and found Rinaldi there waiting with my water.
“Unbelievable,” I heard muttered just as I took a look out the window.
I spun to find Keir behind me.
“What?”
He tipped his head to the side. “Well the way you look tonight, firstly.” He stopped to press his lips together. “Secondly, you had Hatchet laughing with you in five minutes or less?”
“Well was I not supposed to?”
He shook his head and let out a laugh. “No. He’s an old grump.”
Now I was shaking my head. “No he’s not. Don’t be rude.”
He rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable.”
I squinted at him in faux rudeness. “Do go do something princely and leave me to my window.”
He tipped his head back to laugh as he went on his way.
I found I was rather looking forward to the rest of the evening. Yes, there were more Savaryn families in the room, lots of whispering strangers, but there were also some disloyal. For the first time since the first night I walked through these castle doors, I felt like less of an outlier.
The dancing was beginning. I had to just stand in line and watch Prince Krewan and Prince Keiran dance the night away. I was doing my best to only consider Keir and my relationship, but I couldn’t help but notice how he was around Delaney. Even with Aiyana, he was more patient and kinder than I would’ve preferred. And recently he had even taken to Gwen more. Which felt weird. She was one of my best friends and I was happy for her, yet we were dating the same prince.
This was madness. I didn’t know how long this tradition had gone on in Wylan but it needed some improvements. Like a good old fashioned de-hareming.
I noticed the king was up in his perch at his indoor balcony, and I did my best to ignore him completely. He seemed content to do the same with me.
Renna, now done with her dance, came and stood next to me in the rear of Keir’s line. I was immediately grateful for her presence. It was a weird night with the others in the room. It was like we were all being watched and scored based on our performances.
“How are you?” I asked her.
She let out a sigh. “I am itching to get out of this dress.”
I snorted. “But it does look fantastic on you.” Prince Krewan’s women were in beige, and if Renna’s dress were only a little lighter and brighter, it would’ve made a lovely wedding dress. Maybe it was heavy or something though.
“Thank you,” she said with a nudge to my shoulder.
“Sure you want to be seen talking to me tonight?” I asked softly. The night was young, but if her family was important to the king, chances were good she’d be told to stay away from me.
She gave me a look. “What?”
“Don’t you hear the whispers?” I asked her at a whisper, and the irony was not lost on me.
She rolled her eyes. “They only whisper in surprise because you are the only Nerede woman left. And they know the king doesn’t like that, yet here you are.”
I felt the king’s presence at my back and inhaled deeply. “Oh, so it’s not my dazzling personality then?”
She squinted. “That’s a close second.”
I snorted. We looked to the dance floor to see Aiyana dancing with Keir and Molly with Prince Krewan.
Molly said something that had Prince Krewan actually laughing.
“Oh. So he does laugh,” I muttered.
Renna sighed. “He doesn’t laugh enough. But when he does, it does feel extra special.”
I wasn’t putting it past Molly to be the one to get the job done either. She was hilarious and rarely in a bad mood despite being looked down upon by most of Savaryn. “Will the two of you be okay?” I said gently and quietly. “The longer this thing goes?”
She didn’t hesitate to begin nodding. “Oh yes. Completely.”
Gwen stood on the other side of Nara, and I wanted to say the same for us, but I wasn’t that sure. At all. Gwen had been pulling away from the group while Nara had been happy to slide on in.
Molly eventually joined us, and they were my emotional support for having to go last. Molly had me giggling soon, and by the time it was finally my turn to dance, I was feeling less nervous, though I knew in my gut the king was watching us.
“Jorah,” Keir grinned at me.
I gave him a textbook bow. “Your Grace.”
“This feels an awful lot like our first dance,” he said playfully as he kissed my hand and got us into proper dancing hold.
“Yet oh so different,” I added as we began moving with the music.
“You mean you actually do like me this time around?”
I burst out laughing. “Yes. That.”
He smirked. “Are you doing okay?”
“Lots of whispers, but okay,” I admitted.
“Shall we really give them something to whisper about and prove to them that a Nerede woman can dance?” Keir asked, challenge in his eyes.
“Aren’t we right now?” I asked confused.
He picked up speed and I understood what he was asking. He wanted to show off a little. To show them that I could keep up.
“If you drop me on purpose, Keir,” I warned.
“Then what?”
“I don’t know what, but it is obviously not good. Considering I know where you sleep.”
He tipped his head back to laugh.
It made me happy to see him laugh so freely with me. I had watched all of his other dances and I thought that was something we had that set us apart. Hopefully some of the others noted it as well.
As our song wound down, I found I was feeling out of breath and like I didn’t want to drag my eyes away from Keir’s. For a few minutes in there, I had forgotten all about the king. All about the looming danger of having Iron Will. For that one beautiful song, it had been just us.
“There’s still a lot of night left. I’ll probably dismiss you all around midnight and then the party will continue, just a heads up.” He added softly. “You’ve done so well tonight.”
I wasn’t so sure. “I have?”
He grinned. “You have.”
I bowed and left to find my friends.
I found Renna with her family and was going to leave her alone, but she waved me over.
“Mom and Dad, this is Jorah.”
“Please call me Summer.” Her mother hugged me, as if she already knew me. She obviously also did not care what level of the kingdom I came from. Looking at her parents, I wasn’t completely sure where Renna got her beauty from; her parents were both attractive in their own way.
Her dad gave me a nod and a smile while I was still stuck in a hug with his wife. “My name is Leon.”
“And these,” Renna stated as she gently shoved some girls that had to be no more than fifteen, “are my sisters, Emma and Lennix.” She added after looking around, “Kallon is probably somewhere around here flirting with a girl.”
Leon snorted. “So long as it isn’t a girl in red or beige.”
I burst out laughing, not having expected him to say that. I covered my mouth realizing how rude I was. “Sorry.”
Summer reached out to touch my shoulder. “Nonsense. Anyone who actually does laugh at his comments is welcomed.”
“Please stay with us forever,” Lennix deadpanned.
That made me snicker again. For the next hour or so, I chatted with her family. Her sisters seemed to be taking everything in, but Renna’s parents were fun. And seemed to also truly like one another.
It was that moment a pang of grief hit me like a wave. I missed my father. I missed watching him interact with my mother. And I still looked for him and wanted to tell him things, even though I knew he wasn’t there anymore. I had been so busy lately that it had kind of snuck up on me. I hadn’t forgotten how he’d died or why I had hated all Enchanted to begin with, I just missed my father. I kept storing up all this love to give him with nothing to apply it to. So I was just stuck in this vicious cycle of missing him but there being nothing I could do about it.
We weren’t dismissed for three more hours. By the end of it, I had chatted with a few more families, mostly the ones Renna’s family introduced me to. I didn’t know where Renna’s family fell on the king’s list of most loyal subjects, but I couldn’t believe a family as kind as they were would rank high.
“Jorah,” Keir said as it was finally my turn to leave for the night.
