The music swells as we begin to dance, a soft, lilting melody that carries us across the floor. I don’t know the steps, but no one would know it. Rylan’s hand rests on the small of my back, guiding me with a confidence that makes everything feel effortless. We move in perfect harmony, our bodies attuned to the rhythm of the music, as if we’ve been dancing together all our lives. It’s as if we’re the only two people in the world, the rest of the ballroom fading away as we lose ourselves in the movements.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” Rylan’s voice is low, intimate, meant only for me. “You did it.”
My heart skips a beat at his words, but I manage to keep my composure. “You didn’t doubt me, did you?”
“Not for a moment,” he says, his gaze locking onto mine, filled with an intensity that takes my breath away. “There’s truly no one like you, Eira. Amongst all the other attributes, your kindness knows no bounds. And everyone saw it today.” If Brienne had not been tittering about it, I would not have known he meant how I had helped Doran. To me, it is simply what anyone else would’ve done. Well, maybe not Selene…
Nevertheless, his words make my heart swell, and I find myself drawn even closer to him, my breath catching as I feel his hand travel up to skim the bare skin of my exposed back. “You’re just saying that because I’m your disciple,” I tease, though my voice trembles with the emotions swirling inside me.
“I’m saying it because it’s true,” Rylan insists, histone serious. “You’ve accomplished so much these last three months. I feel honoured to have been there to witness it.”
The sincerity in his voice, the way he looks at me right now as if I’m the most important person in the world—it’soverwhelming. The connection between us is palpable, a magnetic pull that draws us closer with every step, every breath.
As we continue to dance, Rylan’s hand tightens on my waist, pulling me so close I can barely tell where he ends and I start. His eyes never leave mine, and the desire churns, dark and deep in them. I feel as though I’m teetering on the edge of something profound, something that could change everything.
“Gods, you are sofuckingbeautiful, Eirabella,” he whispers, his lips brushing against my ear.
“Rylan...” I begin, my own voice barely above a whisper, but the rest of my words are lost as he dips his head lower, his breath warm against my cheek.
“You have no idea what you do to me, Eira,” he murmurs, his voice filled with a raw honesty that sends shivers down my spine.
My eyes flutter shut as his lips brush against my skin, so close to a kiss that I can almost taste it—
“Rylan, the king wishes to speak with you.”
Elara’s voice spears through our closeness like an icicle, jagged and cold. I jerk back from him, but Rylan simply stiffens, holding me tight, his eyes flashing with frustration as his gaze shifts to his sister.
“In a minute,” he says, his voice tight with barely concealed irritation.
“Father was quite insistent,” Elara replies, her lips tight. “He’s waiting for you.”
Rylan’s jaw clenches then he sighs. Nodding to his sister, his eyes then flick back to mine. “Wait here for me, okay?” he says softly, running his thumb over my jaw. “I won’t be long.”
I nod, and he holds my gaze for another moment, as if reluctant to leave. Then I watch as he follows Elara across the ballroom to where the king is standing with a few noble families, each of their daughters looking as though they’ve stepped out of a portrait. My heart sinks as I watch Rylan being introduced to each of them, the king’s approval clear as he speaks to the parents. Rylan bows as each young woman prettily curtsies with a grace that I could never even hope to emulate.
“They’re all incredibly accomplished, as well as beautiful, of course,” a cold voice says beside me, and I turn to see Julietta standing there, her expression cool and assessing. “Noble families with strong connections, they’re schooled in languages, culture, arts, diplomacy. Exactly the kind of women the king, and kingdom, wants for Rylan.”
“Must hurt,” I say, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice, “that the king feels like you’re not the one for him. That he needs to keep scouring the realm for someone to better fit Rylan.”
Julietta’s eyes narrow, bitterness crossing her face. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?” she hisses, her voice low and venomous. “You’re nothing compared to any of us. And Rylan will realise that soon enough.”
She storms off, the sting of her words sharp in my chest. I glance back at Rylan, who is still engaged in conversation with the women, and suddenly I feel small, insignificant, like the peasant Julietta likes to remind me I am, like I don’t belong in this world of royalty, wealth, and power. Rylan’s world. The gown that had made me feel so beautiful now feels like a poor imitation of the elegance around me.
“Don’t listen to her,” a friendly voice says, and I look up to see Caelum standing beside me, his expression full of understanding. “You’re worth dozens of any of them, Eirabella. Your brain alone makes you special. After all, none of them couldhave figured out that the map in our last puzzle wasn’t leading to a place, but to a moment in time.” He winks and lifts his eyebrows as he makes an exaggerated show of looking me up and down. “Not to mention that you look utterly delectable tonight.”
His words bring a small smile to my lips, easing the tightness in my chest. “Thank you, Caelum. I needed to hear that.”
“Why don’t we get some air?” he suggests, offering his arm. “You could use a break from all this. There’s, uh, actually something I wanted to show you.”
I glance back at Rylan, who is still engaged with the noblewomen, then nod, taking Caelum’s offered arm. “Yes, I’d like that.”
We walk out into the cool night air, the noise of the ballroom fading behind us. The gardens are lit by the soft glow of lanterns, the scent of flowers heavy in the air. The colours of the queen’s stained glass windows from the chapel paint the garden in orange, greens, and blues. For a moment, I allow myself to breathe, to let go of the anxiety that had been building inside me the moment Elara had interrupted us.
“So, Caelum,” I start, glancing at him cautiously, “what did you want to show me?”
He chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Perhaps I wanted to have the most beautiful woman in the ballroom all to myself.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”
