“I’ll let him know,” I reply before tossing back my drink. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind excusing me, I must find myself some dance partners.”
Lady Astoria beams and turns to her side, pulling at a young woman’s arm. I hadn’t even noticed her, I was so focused on paying my respects and getting out of there.
“Lady Erika would love to dance,” Lady Astoria announces, placing her hand on my arm in a way that makes me cringe. She’s being quite forward, and I don’t like it. Unfortunately, I don’t think my father would approve of me embarrassing his old friend’s daughter in a room filled with people, so I nod in agreement, even as I immediately dread the time I’ll spend with this woman.
It isn’t that she’s unattractive—her dark hair cascades down her back like a sheet of the deepest waters, her heart-shaped face pleasant enough to look at—but I will never see her as more than Lady Raelyn’s annoying little sister.
I lead her out to the dance floor, and she beams happily, gushing. “Your Highness, thank you so much for the honor.”
“It’s my pleasure,” I lie.
As we spin, I spy another woman with dark hair glaring straight at us. Her beauty is harsh, the malice in her eyes taking away from it, but the similarities to the woman currently in my arms leaves no question. Of course. Lady Chessa. I quickly look away, not wanting to give her any encouragement to try dancing with me as well.
Despite everything in me telling me it’s a terrible idea, I can’t help but search the rest of the room as we glide around the dance floor. Where is the woman who haunts my dreams? I briefly stiffen at the thought that Alex might have already gotten his hands on her, but no. He’s my friend, and he’s watching me dance with an amused expression.
“You’re a wonderful dancer, Your Highness,” Lady Erika says.
“Thanks,” I mutter, really not wanting to chat.
“I am so looking forward to this season’s balls,” she chatters on.
I can’t say I am. Especially not with the sudden mandate to find myself a wife. I sigh.
“Are you all right, Your Highness?” she asks, biting her lip in what I’d guess she thinks is a seductive move.
It takes everything within me to hold back a snort. “Quite all right, Lady Erika.”
She lets out an awkward chuckle. “Oh good. I was afraid I might have stepped on your toes.”
I can’t stop the grin from forming, and she immediately blushes. Hells. I really don’t want to give her the wrong impression.
The song mercifully ends, and I give her a bow as she curtsies.
“Thank you for the dance, Lady Erika.”
I make my exit before she can respond and push through the throng of people to Alex’s side.
“Shit, Ki, you work fast,” he teases. “I told you Lady Erika was a looker.”
I roll my eyes. “She was quite literally thrust upon me.”
Alex chokes. “You can’t help yourself tonight, can you?”
I frown. “Really not trying here.”
“Riiiight,” Alex drawls before dropping his voice to a whisper. “Any sign of the reclusive Astoria—the woman who almost managed to best the Shadow?”
I stiffen, wishing for a moment that I could take back the knowledge I’d shared. “Be glad it’s loud in here or else we’d be having some serious words,” I bite out. “You can’t be making jokes about that.”
“Lighten up a little, Ki,” Alex replies, grabbing another drink off a passing waiter’s tray. “Anyway, back to the question at hand . . . have you seen her?”
“I’ve been here all of ten minutes and you expect me to have immediately sought her out after I told you it’s a bad idea?”
Alex hides a grin behind his drink. “Just want to make sure I get my chance to make an impression before you sweep her off her feet with your broody looks and grunts.”
“Shut up, Alex.”
But then I see her. Across the room. Unwittingly, I take a step toward her, admiring how the emerald dress matches her eyes and drapes over her figure perfectly. The swirling gold detail draws my attention, and I can’t help but take in every glorious inch of her. What in the hells is wrong with me? I step back. Am I a glutton for punishment? I promised myself I’d stay away.
