Snow White (2 page)

Terrance grinned down at her, those indentations only deepening more.  “Are you perchance free at the moment?” he asked, looking around as if amazed she was still standing with him and not upon the floor. 

“Yes, I am.”

“And do you mean to dance?”

“Of course I do.”

He took a pace back and swept another bow.  “Forgive me, princess!  I did not realize.  Please, would you do me the honor of stepping out with me?”

She giggled.  “I would be delighted,” she said as she placed her hand within his and walked onto the floor.

CHAPTER TWO

PRINCE TERRANCE WAS AN expert dancer. His graceful dips and spins allowed Raven to lose herself in the moment of being in his arms. She loved to dance. How she loved feeling this freedom and joy as the world spun with her. She enjoyed dancing so very much that she would eagerly step out on the floor with anyone who asked. However, to have such an agreeable partner as this—it was magical.

A soft smile played upon her lips as the musicians finished the first song and began the introduction to the second. Each partnership always danced two dances together in a set during the Olivian balls and wedding ceremonies. It was a custom, one she was particularly grateful for at this time.

“You dance exceptionally well,” Terrance said as they began the steps of the second dance.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you. I had yet to meet such a wonderful partner. I am of a mind to keep you to myself all night long and not allow you a moment to dance with anyone else.”

Her heart began to pound. “Do not be silly.”

His dimples peeked out at her. “Indeed, I am not. I am as frank as I have ever been. Your dancing is unparalleled by anyone I have ever known. A good dancing partner is hard to find.”

Her cheeks felt warm again and she quickly looked away, not sure how to take such compliments. There were Snow and Corlan not five feet from them.

Snow smiled and waved a gloved hand as Corlan nodded.

“Who is that beautiful girl?” Terrance asked almost reverently, his steps slowing.

With her head turned away from him, Raven closed her eyes briefly and replied, “That vision of loveliness is my new sister and dearest friend, the princess Snow White.” She felt his hand clutch hers.

“So there she is! The rumors did not exaggerate her beauty at all. I have never seen such remarkable features and grace in all my life.”

Raven swallowed a sudden lump in her throat before whispering, “Yes, she is unbelievably kind and generous, too. One cannot help but love her.”

“She
is
a paragon among women! I thought the rumors must have been exaggerated.”

Her head still turned away, Raven was too emotional to speak. She only nodded as Terrance stopped dancing entirely in the center of the grand ballroom, mesmerized by the glorious girl before him.

“And look how elegant are her steps! This family has exceedingly choice dancing partners.”

No
, Raven thought.
There is only one exceedingly choice dancing partner in this family. And then there is one who is decidedly not choice or wanted at all
. She blinked back the rising moisture in her eyes. Goodness, this would not do. “Excuse me.” She pulled away, refusing to meet his eyes. “I am suddenly very fatigued. Do you mind if we sit out the second song?”

“Are you tired?” His voice held an element of surprise. “Surely you would rather continue dancing,” he said as his feet began to move again.

Carry on and know that you are only watching and coveting another partner?
“Nay.” Her feet did not budge. “Forgive my rudeness, but I am not feeling well. I must leave at once.” She dipped a quick curtsy and hurried off the floor before he could say another word.

Raven maneuvered around several guests as she made her way out of the grand ballroom and up quite a lot of stairs to the private wing of the castle. After a few more twists and turns, she was able to slip into her own personal rooms. They had been given to her just the week before.

Walking past the ornate canopied bed, she opted for the cream-colored chaise lounge situated beneath the large window. Not wanting to crush her gold-and-red gown—identical to Snow’s—she sat carefully against the pillowed armrest. In a few minutes she would go back down to the glittering wedding party, but for now, she needed a moment, some time alone to regroup her thoughts and remind herself of all the good things in her life.

For there were many.

She dashed at a few wayward tears. Why must she insist on crying today, of all days?

She had known for years the effect Snow had on everyone. It was not something new or even worth mentioning or caring about, let alone becoming emotional over. There was nothing Raven could do. Snow would always be the sparkling, more attractive, sweet, engaging sister. Always. Raven would be the forgotten one.

There was nothing wrong with being forgotten. What girl truly wished to be the center of attention, anyway? It would be excessively awkward to know you could not make a move without another watching and deciphering your actions at all times. Who would want to live like that?

No. Raven preferred to be the one overlooked. It allowed for many times of quiet reflection, for the amusing game of people watching and clearing her head of silliness. And long moments of twiddling her thumbs and wishing to be included and hoping someone, somewhere, would find her pretty enough to enjoy her company.

Raven groaned and buried her head in her hands.
Stop this foolishness at once. Just stop. It does not change one thing and only brings on a portion of melancholy no one needs to be introduced to at this time.

Frustrated with herself, she pushed off the chaise lounge, walked over to the carved vanity table, and sat down. Peering into the looking glass, she saw a very sullen young lady staring back at her.
No wonder people do not like you overly much,
she chided herself.
Look at the way your lips are turned down.
She forced a smile upon her face. It made a vast improvement to her features. She pinched her cheeks to bring the color back into them.

No matter how hard she tried, she would never be as beautiful as Snow, but at least she would be able to preserve a level of normalcy. So what if she never married or attracted a man? There was so much more to life than becoming a spouse. Even within her own land, there were many different ways she could become more useful—she simply needed to find them and not wither away, wondering if she would ever be included in someone’s life.

Perhaps the answer was not to be included, but rather, to start her own project or idea. Then it would not be as if she was overlooked or unwanted—indeed, she would be the one to include others. And she would be sure to find all those no one else wanted and let them know they were needed too.

Smiling at her reflection, she stood up and readily walked out of her rooms, prepared to face the dazzling world below. But once she made it to the final landing, she needed to take a deep breath to steady her nerves before she began to step down the grand staircase that led to the ballroom.

She was surprised to see Terrance at the foot of it, pacing.

He looked at her when she approached. “Are you well?”

“Yes, thank you.”

He walked up the last few steps to come back down with her. “You are sure? I did not make you ill with my confounded rudeness?”

“Your—what do you mean?”

He shook his head and clasped her hand, pausing at the end of the stairs. “Forgive me, Princess. I have thought over my actions repeatedly the last several minutes and have found them very lacking. I would like to beg a proper apology. You deserve to have the full attention of your partner and I have erred significantly in not giving it to you. Will you forgive my lack of manners and boorish ways?”

“I—uh . . . “ She blinked and then promptly closed her mouth when she realized it was open. Raven did not know whether to be amazed the man thought of her enough to apologize or to be mortified that her actions made him feel the need to do so. “Goodness!” she finally said. “I do not deserve nor expect such an apology.” She pulled her hand out of his and began to walk forward again, dismissing his eagerness with a flick of her wrist. “I am quite accustomed to this treatment. You cannot help yourself for noticing my sister’s beauty any more than anyone else can. Believe me when I say that I expect no different treatment from you than I do any other.”

Terrance halted her again, once more clasping her hand. Slowly he pulled her toward him until they faced one another. His dark eyes searched hers a moment. The worry upon his brow did not allow for one dimple to peek out.
That is the true tragedy here, not my overly sensitive feelings. The man should be smiling.

He inhaled rather sharply before saying, “The fact that you dismiss this extreme discourtesy of mine as commonplace rather sharpens the pain and adds to the weight I am bearing. Please, I beg of you to forgive me.”

She met his intense gaze for several moments, wondering what else he had hidden within. “You are forgiven, but certainly, there was nothing to forgive. I am not the type to place blame upon another. I know full well my weaknesses and lack of charms. I do not expect any man to wish to be with me when my sweet sister is in the room. It is not pity I seek, or forgiveness—it is merely a fact I have learned to accept.”

Terrance slowly shook his head before leaning over and leaving a very surprising, very gentle kiss upon her mouth.

CHAPTER THREE

SNOW GLANCED AROUND THE room for the third time since stepping out with her new partner. Where was Raven? It was hard to appear fully lost in Lord Loland’s continual prattle whilst covertly searching for her sister. The last time she had seen Raven was upon the dance floor, smiling up at that charming man and completely oblivious to anyone else.

Snow grinned. Could it be that Raven was finally losing her heart to someone? Snow looked again and did not see him, either. Perhaps they were together. Oh, goodness! After all these years, was there at last a gentleman who could see what Snow saw? If so, she would love him forever herself. How many times did she push the silly princes and men of the court away, hoping one of them would turn around and see the glories that made Raven? Yet none of them did.

Curse this silly enchantment, anyway. It
had
to be an enchantment—though no one else claimed to know anything about it, there was no other logical reason for the attention she received. It was folly. Snow sighed. For once she would like to be seen for herself and not because of a spell.

“I beg your pardon,” Lord Loland said. “Am I boring you with my endless talk? I did not mean to make you sigh.”

Oh, dear. “No. It was not you. It was—” How does one rectify sighing while dancing with one’s partner?

Thankfully, the song ended.

“Your Royal Majesties, prince and princesses, lords and ladies of the court,” the herald began, “it is with pleasure that I direct your attention to King Herbert and Queen Melantha as they open the royal gifts they are bestowing upon one another. These are the only presents that will be opened publicly, though they would like to thank their guests who did bring gifts of their appreciation for the marriage. For now, may you enjoy the festivities and the customs of Olivian. King Herbert and Queen Melantha.” He swept his arm toward the couple seated upon ornately carved high-backed chairs as the crowd surged forward.

Snow headed for the seats reserved for her and her new siblings. Glancing over, she watched as Raven walked in on the arm of the handsome gentleman she had been dancing with earlier. Her heart burst with happiness at the sight—it most definitely seemed as though Raven had found someone. She caught her sister’s eye and motioned her forward.

Raven turned and pulled away from the man’s arm, speaking a few words to him before she came and sat with Snow.

“Hello,” Snow said. “Have you been enjoying yourself?”

Raven rolled her eyes. “There is nothing going on with anything or anyone.”

Snow laughed. “You sound like a girl trying to convince herself. He appears to be a very nice man. Who is he?”

“He is a very nice man—too nice, really. His name is Prince Terrance of the Sybright court and he has traveled this whole way to make your acquaintance.”

Good heavens. Snow sat back in her chair. “Another?”

Raven looked out toward the gathering crowd. Almost everyone was situated. “Just so.”

“I would prefer not to meet him, then.” Snow sighed. Why must every eligible man come to her? It was not fair.

“I believe it will be inevitable. It would seem he was invited by your father specifically to be introduced to you.”

“Father? He would not dare!”

“He already has.”

“What has Father done?” Corlan asked as he sat down next to the girls.

“Invited another suitor for Snow,” Raven explained.

Snow watched Corlan’s jaw twitch. “Another one?”

“I am not any happier about it than you are.” Snow folded her arms. “Why would he think to do something like this? It forces me to want to run away. If he just left things as they are, he might find himself attending my wedding soon. But to be forever plaguing me with men and allowing all those who wish to see me to do so—I find it completely…” She trailed off when she realized she had been speaking a bit louder than was seemly.