A lump clogged her throat. “I don’t fit in here.”
“Yes, you do. You’re with me, so you fit in.”
He’d meant to be reassuring, but he’d proven her point. Because of him, people were forced to accept her—or act like they did. However, she would not be accepted on her own merits. She was a carp out of water.You can put a pretty dress on a fish, but it’s still a fish.
She scanned the crowd for her sister, but she didn’t see her. After Jaryk had failed to return to the palace, the sisters had arranged to go to the ball together, but when she’d gotten word she was supposed to meet Jaryk, she’d sent her sister on ahead without her.
“The king will announce our marriage midway through the evening, right?” she verified. That’s what she’d been told in her classes.
“Yes. Until then, we meet and mingle. And dance—would you care to dance?”
“All right.” Now that the prince had arrived, everyone would take their cues from him. If the royals didn’t dance, no one else would either.
He took her hand and led her onto the gleaming stone floor. If she’d hoped they could dissolve and disappear into the crowd, it wasn’t meant to be. Dancers moved away, making them the center of attention. All eyes seemed to be on them as Jaryk led her into a dance.
Thank goodness for the classes—and for muscle memory.She managed not to flub up too noticeably, missing a step and stomping on his foot only once. “Sorry.”
“You’re doing fine. You’re a natural to pick it up so quickly.”
Natural disaster.
The scrutiny was palpable.Who is she? Why isn’t he with Alia?She couldn’t hear what people were saying over the music, but her neck prickled from the speculation, and her imagination filled in the blanks.
The musicians struck up another tune, and he segued into a different dance. “You’re an excellent dancer,” she said.Where are we? Are we still good? You said you loved me, and then you disappeared overnight. Is it really over with Charday?
“Years of practice,” he said. “But thank you.”
At the end of the set, he would have continued the next one, but she said, “Maybe we could take a breather?”
“Certainly.” He led her out of the throng to the perimeter.
A waiter strolled by with a tray of delicacies. “Your Highness?”
“Kismet?” Jaryk said.
“No, thank you.” Anxiety churned her stomach so much, she didn’t dare consume anything.
Jaryk accepted a couple of tiny tarts and something that looked like caviar on a cracker but probably wasn’t. “I missed dinner.” He downed the tidbits.
“I didn’t eat either,” she replied.
“Be sure you eat before you drink,” he warned.
“I will.” She would not risk getting drunk and making a spectacle of herself.
“There you are!” Her face slightly flushed, Karma burst out of the crowd in a swirl of magenta. “I was starting to think you had stood me up. Hello, Jaryk.”
“Hello, Karma. I’m the reason she’s late. I got delayed.”
Karma grabbed a spikey puff from a waiter’s tray and popped it into her mouth. Jaryk took one, but Kismet declined.
“This is the best party ever!” Karma gushed. “I hope I get a chance to thank the queen for the invite—if I don’t, please let her know how much I appreciate it.”
“I will,” Jaryk said.
“Have you been dancing much?” Kismet asked.
“Oh, my goddess! Yes! I can barely get a break. Being human, I’m a novelty. The men are lining up.” She grabbed a drink from a passing waiter and took a gulp.
