Promising Hope (18 page)

Natalia gasped. “Is Matilda here?”

Sierra nodded.

“Oh, I want to see her!” Natalia said, glancing
around the room. “I’ve worried about her, too, since Nyad.”
Matilda’s mother had died in Nyad in the same battle that killed
Seth and eight other Avialies.

When Matilda came in, Natalia jumped up from the
table to go hug her. Natalia had always been a woman that loved
people. And people loved to be around her in return. Evan told his
mother and Alastor all they’d been through: Kleisade, Mumbar
Jungle, and the rescue attempt at the palace.

“What happened with Dar and Lady Grace?” Lina
asked.

“Grace’s father started to take Grace away, and Dar
wouldn’t leave without her,” Sierra said. “We tried, but there were
so many guards, and nobody wanted to hurt Grace’s father.”

Lina nodded, biting her lip. “But why… why are they
at the palace at all? Why didn’t they escape Mumbar Jungle with
you?”

Sierra and Evan exchanged glances. Wordlessly, they
seemed to agree to keep the love potion between those at the
meeting. They explained Grace was there in order to bargain for his
life and had gone willingly the entire time.

“Well, I knew Dar wouldn’t have forced her anywhere.”
Alastor shook his head and huffed. “They’re making my son out to be
some villain.”

“Dar didn’t want her to help because he knew it was
dangerous,” Evan said.

Sierra smirked. “But she didn’t listen, and he came
with us for her.”

Natalia returned to the table, bringing Matilda and
Angela with her. Dinner was soon served. Jade joined their table,
boldly introducing herself to the newcomers. She started asking
questions about Shyra, and they slipped into easy conversation
about their home state: Lina’s cherry orchard; affairs in Rahuda;
Sierra and Evan’s house, which Lina had looked after for them.
Sierra genuinely missed it there.

It wouldn’t be so bad to live in Rahuda again, even
with Alastor and Natalia and the dark memories that lingered there.
She could open a jewelry shop again, though it wouldn’t be the same
without Sashe. They could work with Lina in the cherry orchard and
go swimming in the river and visit Renaul during Victory Day. She
hoped she and Evan had a chance to return together.

* * *

Chapter Twelve

The king loved parties, and the prince’s birthday was
certainly a cause for a celebration. Grace prepared for his
birthday party in her room with Lady Sashe. She still didn’t feel
that Sashe understood her affection for William, so she avoided
talking about him too often. Sashe leant her jewelry and gave her
maidservant advice about make-up.

“I heard even Lady Thalia is coming tonight,” Sashe
said. “She hasn’t been around for months since Sir Hunter turned
her down and married Lady Beatrice a week later.”

Grace laughed. “A week! I can’t believe her parents
let that happen.”

“He’s rich,” Sashe said. “That’s the sort of language
her parents speak.” She shrugged as she smoothed down a stray lock
of Grace’s hair. “And supposedly they’re very happy.”

“They’ll all be here tonight, yes?” Grace shook her
head. “That might be uncomfortable.”

Sashe turned to the mirror. “I think we’re
ready.”

Marisa smiled and nodded at their reflections. “You
both look radiant.” She put her hands on Grace’s shoulders. “I told
the prince’s servants to dress him in this same color.”

Grace beamed at her. “Oh, we’ll look wonderful
together.” She smoothed down her dress, which was a royal blue.
Most of her dresses were pastel colors; this was one of her most
expensive, and her parents had bought it especially for her return.
It was the first time she’d worn it, and she loved the silver
lining and the way it fell around her hips.

“You’ll be the talk of the party,” Marisa said.

Sashe smirked. “You’ll steal all of William’s
attention.”

Grace shrugged. “I’m representing him, aren’t I?” She
remembered him saying that once, giving that as a reason she
shouldn’t be supportive of the Avialies. She’d been upset then, but
she understood it now.

“You’re not married yet,” Sashe said with a roll of
her eyes.

Grace’s cheeks warmed, and she waved her hand at her.
“Not yet.”

Sashe’s eyes widened at that. “Grace—”

A knock interrupted her. Grace grinned as she got to
her feet and smoothed down her dress again. It must be William; he
said he’d walk her in.

When Marisa opened the door, however, Queen Kate
strode in instead. Sashe and Grace curtsied. “Your Majesty,” Grace
said, “you look beautiful.”

The queen also wore blue, though it was darker and
deeper. It made her eyes stand out, and a braid entwined through
her hair on the top of her head. “Thank you, Grace,” she replied.
“You look ravishing, as well.” She motioned to Sashe. “Please leave
us.”

Sashe curtsied again, then winked at Grace before
leaving.

“William will be here soon, but I wanted to speak to
you first,” the queen said, stepping forward to brush something off
of Grace’s shoulder. “We’ve hardly spoken since your friends broke
those prisoners free.”

“I wouldn’t call them my friends,” Grace said
quietly.

“What would you call them?” the queen asked.

“Um… Avialies?”

The queen huffed. “I mean in relation to
you
.”

“I’m sorry, your Majesty, I don’t know,” Grace said.
“I do know that I’m here at the castle and I’m loyal to William. I
have no plans of helping the Avialies again.”

The queen studied her, and Grace forced herself not
to fidget.

“William cares for you,” the queen said, “and I can
see why. You’re capable and smart, not to mention attractive. But
all this trouble over the last few months has been because of
you.”

“I’m sorry,” Grace said quietly. “I never meant—”

“I don’t want to hear excuses,” she cut her off. “I
don’t care what happens to the Avialies, I don’t care about Tisha
or Kilar, but my son and my country… those are two things I do care
about, Lady Grace, do you understand?”

Grace nodded.

“So be careful,” Queen Kate said. “I can be a friend
or I can be an enemy. It all depends on how you choose to act.”

“I’d prefer it if we were friends.”

“Then don’t bring those Avialies back here for more
trouble,” the queen said, “and don’t toy with William.” She
shrugged, a smile coming onto her face. “That’s all.”

Grace nodded again. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

She squeezed Grace’s shoulders. “I’ll see you
downstairs.” She swept off, pausing at the door to wave at Grace
over her shoulder.

Grace let out a breath, sitting down in her desk
chair. She shook her head at Marisa. “That was frightening.”

Marisa chuckled. “Don’t worry, she’s just looking out
for William. I think you might confuse her.”

“I confuse myself.”

A few moments later, another knock sounded at the
door, and Marisa let William in. He smiled at her, bowing slightly.
They had spoken only a little since their kiss two days ago, and
she’d been nervous about tonight. Her anxiety only intensified once
she saw him. His dark blonde hair was combed back. He wore a vest
matching her dress, a white shirt with long sleeves, and black
pants. His crown was perched on the top of his head, the jewels
glinting in the light of the chandelier.

She curtsied. “Happy birthday, your Highness.”

He smiled and held out his arm. She took his elbow,
smiling back at him.

“You look beautiful,” he said.

She smiled in pleasure. “Oh, William, you look
wonderful, too.”

“I love it when we match.” He walked to the door. “I
think we look perfect together.”

She nodded in agreement as Marisa opened the door for
them. “I do, too.”

They entered the corridor and began the walk to the
ballroom. “Are you excited for tonight?” he asked.

“Of course. It will be nice to see all the nobles
again. Well, most of them.”

He laughed. “I’m sure they’ll be excited to see you,
as well, my lady.”

She asked about his last couple days, but he didn’t
give her any details on the Avialies. That was okay with Grace;
when the two of them talked of the Avialies, they usually ended up
disagreeing. She was determined not to let that happen.

He stopped outside of the ballroom and turned to her.
He studied her face. “You really do look amazing.”

She glanced down, smiling. “Thank you, your
Highness.”

He tilted her face up to his, his fingers soft on her
chin. “I’m sorry we haven’t spoken much the last few days. I’ve
been very busy.”

“I know,” she whispered.

“I’m looking forward to tonight only because I can
spend time with you.”

A smile spread over her face. She felt like melting
into a puddle at his feet.

He motioned to the servant next to the doors. The man
nodded and turned to open the doors. Fanfare blasted through the
air, and the crowd inside of the ballroom fell silent. “Gentlemen
and ladies, I present his royal Highness, Prince William, and his
escort, Lady Grace.”

Applause rose up, and William raised his chin as he
walked into the room. Grace strode next to him proudly, nodding to
the nobles in the room. She could get used to this feeling: being
on the prince’s arm, being nothing but his.

They opened with the first dance before other couples
slipped onto the floor. The rest of the night passed by in a
wonderful swirl of wine, snacks, and William. Whether they were
dancing, speaking with other nobles, or meeting various lords and
ladies, Grace hardly left his side.

Occasionally, he’d leave her to have a private
conversation, or he’d dance with another lady. She tried not to
watch him too carefully during these times. Her mother had been
here earlier today, advising her how to act: not to seem desperate,
even though she felt that way at times. Desperate for his love. Her
parents attended the party, and Grace danced with her father and
with Kyler. Other men asked her to dance, and she felt eyes follow
her all night. Being the prince’s lady had brought her up in their
esteem.

After a couple hours, the king brought out the heavy
wine. Grace had more than a few glasses. She spent quite a bit of
time with her old friends, Jocelyn, Sarah, Danielle. They gossiped
about the nobles, and Jocelyn demanded details of her courtship
with the prince. It was like the Avialies had never happened. Grace
wished they hadn’t. Then she and William would have nothing
standing between them. No Dar. No Protectors.

When she and William broke apart from the others and
went for a walk in the gardens, it was well past twilight, the
stars bright in the midnight sky.

“It’s so beautiful out here,” Grace said. She
shivered from the cold, and William wrapped his arm around her. She
leaned into him, locking her arms around his torso. He tensed at
first, then he pulled her close. She leaned her head on his chest,
taking a deep breath as he stroked down her hair.

After a moment, she pulled away and gazed up at him.
It was so dark out here, she could hardly see him. Only the
outlines of his face were clear to her. His hand touched her neck,
sending chills down her spine. She led her hands to his neck and
pulled him down to her, crashing her mouth into his.

Unlike their last kiss, they embraced each other with
passion. His hands traveled her body. Heat spread through her,
despite the chill. She could never have enough of him.

He pulled away first, and she gasped at the sudden
distance between them. He touched her face softly. “You’re full of
surprises.” His voice came out gruffly.

“Good surprises or bad ones?” she asked, pushing
closer into him.

“I don’t know.” He touched her lip, and she kissed
his fingertip. His lips parted, and she took his hand in hers, then
leaned in and kissed him again.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed in the garden
with their hands exploring each other, but it wasn’t nearly enough.
She wanted nothing between them, wanted to go back into the palace
up to his chambers, no matter what her mother had told her, no
matter that they weren’t married. She loved him. She loved
everything about him.

She broke away, breathless. “I love you, William,”
she whispered.

His shoulders tensed, and he said nothing. She bit
the inside of her lip, staring at him and waiting for a response.
He took a step back, his arms falling from her waist. She held onto
his shoulders until he backed away even more. He ran a hand through
his hair and shook his head.

“William?” Her voice barely came out, but his head
snapped up and he stared at her.

“What is wrong with you?”

Her mouth fell open, and tears stung her eyes.
“What?”

“How can you… I don’t understand you, Grace.” He
shook his head and turned away. He strode inside without glancing
back at her.

Tears fell down her cheeks, and she started after
him. “William, wait!”

She didn’t catch up to him until they’d entered the
castle. The harsh light made her blink as her eyes adjusted. He
spun around on her suddenly, then froze when he saw her face. “Are
you crying?” he asked, disbelief in his voice.

She quickly wiped her face. “No.”

He glanced around the corridor. A couple stood
further down the hallway, speaking in quiet tones.

“William, please,” Grace said. “I know it was sudden,
but I—”

He held up his hand. “Grace, this isn’t the
time.”

“Why not?” she asked. “We’ve hardly spoken since we
kissed—”

His jaw tightened, and he took a step closer. His
voice lowered. “You’re not going to embarrass me in front of the
guests.”

She fell silent, swallowing. She fought back more
tears. “I just want you to know how I feel.”

“You love me,” he said flatly. He shook his head
again and sighed. “You don’t make any sense.”