“I was afraid you weren’t coming.”
“Lewen didn’t deliver my message?”
“He did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. I meant earlier. You didn’t come home all night.”
He grimaced. “A freak storm grounded my transport and rendered communication systems inoperable. I only got back a short time ago.”
“I was afraid you were avoiding me.”
“I wouldn’t do that.” He glanced around in frustration. They didn’t have much time, but he hated to leave her wondering. Two guards serving as footmen stood at the ballroom door. With so many people in attendance, security had been heightened. “We need to talk. You deserve the whole truth. I owe you that. We shouldn’t have secrets—”
The door opened to admit Falkor. “There you are! Father is fit to be tied. He sent me to get you. Your absence has been noted.”
“Fine. We’re coming.” Jaryk waved at him to go away.
His brother bowed to Kismet. “You look beautiful.”
Jaryk could kick him and then kick himself for letting his brother beat him to the compliment.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Finally, Falkor left.
“You do look amazing.”
She gave him a wooden smile and a muttered thanks, but when he offered his arm to escort her into the ballroom, she said, “You look very handsome. The color suits you.”
“Thankyou.”
“How did you get all those little jeweled buttons fastened?”
“Cashon, my valet, hooked them. Getting dressed is partly what took so long. That and having everybody and their cousin stop me to congratulate me. Again, I’m sorry I kept you waiting.”
Automatic doors had been switched to manual mode so comings and goings could be monitored. The guards swung the massive panels open, and Jaryk entered the ballroom with his wife.
* * * *
If Jaryk hadn’t had hold of her arm, Kismet might have fled. She’d neverimagined, let aloneseen, such intimidating grandeur. The closest she’d come to a royal ball had been her high school prom, and it was no contest.
It was a toss-up as to which was more ornate and decorated—the massive ballroom or the guests. These were the nobles, the richest of the rich dressed in their most elegant finery, no doubt designed specifically for the ball.No off-the-rack purchases for this crowd!
The gentlemen wore breeches and jackets of the finest fabrics in a blaze of colors. Jewels sparkled in the ladies’ brilliant gowns. Hairstyles were intricate creations of curls and braids. The vivid fashion created a vertigo-inducing kaleidoscope as dancing couples whirled on the dance floor.
Floating sparkling chandeliers moved with the elegantly clad guests as if they were works of art deserving of lighted display. Even the musicians and the servers passing around hors d’oeuvres and alcoholic beverages were dressed in formal wear.
She supposed her gown, created by the palace designer, was as stylish as the rest, but insecurity made her feel like a little kid playing dress-up. Everything she’d learned in her comportment and etiquette classes flew out of her head, leaving her woefully unprepared.
The changes in the ballroom astounded her. She’d peeked at it during a tour of the palace. It had been grand before, but now? The domed ceiling had somehow been gilded just for the event. New artwork had been hung, including larger-than-life portraits of the king and queen. Stands of exotic flowers perfumed the perimeter and the entrances to alcoves where dancers could take a respite.
The monarchs appeared larger-than-life, as well, seated upon thrones on a dais overlooking the dancers. They were too far away to see their faces, but the king’s posture suggested…smugness?
She smoothed a nervous hand over the skirt of her gown. She’d feel more like she belonged if her marriage were more solid. So much remained unsettled. Jaryk seeking out Charday without telling her still felt like a betrayal. And his recent words about telling her everything, and “owing” her sounded ominous.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“No,” she replied honestly, wishing they could have talked beforehand and cleared the air.Then I might be more equipped to deal with all of this.
Who am I kidding? I’ll never be equipped for this.The simple, straightforward public events she’d attended had given her a false sense of confidence.I’m never going to measure up. I’m a fraud. An interloper. No wonder the king objects to our marriage.
