“That explains it.” He laughs, then frowns. “But wasn’t that hours ago?”
“He made me take shots at dinner too . . .”
Dylan chokes on another laugh. “You poor sucker.”
“Have you seen the Astorias?” I ask suddenly.
“Who?”
“You know, the Astorias. Remember that girl I told you about four years ago?”
“You really must be wasted if you think I’d remember a girl from four years ago,” Dylan teases.
“Just forget it,” I say and shove off from him, back on my hunt.
“Hey, sorry, Ki. I didn’t mean to offend . . .”
“It’s fine. She’s never at court, so it makes sense you wouldn’t know who I was talking about.”
“Sorry, but if I hear of her, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.”
Within minutes, Dylan is distracted by another pretty girl and leaves me to continue my search alone. I try to remember the color of Lady Raelyn’s dress, but all I can think about is her eyes.
The ballroom is split down the middle by tall tanks of water, filled with colorful fish. I think I heard someone say it was inhonor of the bride’s coastal kingdom of Tallinnia and their love of the sea.
Lady Raelyn is not on this side of the ballroom as far as I can tell. I wander the length of the tank, peeking through the glass to the other side when I catch a flash of auburn hair and pale skin out of the corner of my eye. Is it her? It’s hard to see through the fish and floating flora.
I duck to look beneath a cluster of fish, and my eyes meet vibrant green ones through the glass. A smile curls her lips, and I give her a wave. Now that I finally see her, my breath catches in my chest, and I’m frozen to the spot. I lift my hand to the glass and press into it, almost as if I could touch her if I pushed hard enough. She tilts her head and starts to walk toward the opening, and I follow, my steps quickening the closer we get to each other.
When we finally meet face-to-face, she drops into the deepest curtsy. “Your Highness!”
I grab her hand and pull her up. “Hi there, I’ve been looking for you,” I say almost breathlessly. My eyes drink her in. She’s no longer the child I chased through the garden maze or the girl I argued with over puzzles, but a beautiful young woman whose eyes are filled with . . . confusion? Does she not remember who I amagain? I mean, she obviously knows who I am . . . but does she rememberme?
“Why were you looking for me?”
I smile, trying not to let my disappointment cloud my face. Clearly, I didn’t make the same impression on her that she did on me. “I just wanted to catch up with an old friend,” I say.
She frowns, looking as if she’s trying to figure out what I’m saying. “Have we met?”
I sigh but give her a smile. “Yes, we met when we were children,” I try to explain. “The twins had just been born, and then we met again a few years later . . .”
Her brow furrows, and she puts a hand to her forehead, almost as if it pains her, and shakes her head. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. I do not recall that, but I really was quite ill as a child.”
I want to scream at her,No, you weren’t. You were fine. We played together!But I am starting to doubt my own memories. Do I somehow remember it differently than it was?
“I didn’t mean to upset you, Your Highness,” she says quickly, her eyes taking on a worried gleam. “I don’t remember a lot about my childhood. Perhaps I’ve just forgotten.”
I nod. “It’s quite all right, Lady Raelyn. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance now.” I give her a broad smile, hoping I haven’t completely ruined things between us.
She flushes a pretty shade of pink and looks around hesitantly. “Nice to meet you too, Prince Ki.”
I freeze. Maybe she does remember? Not many people call me that anymore, except my brother.
“Would you like to dance?” I ask, holding my hand out to her.
Her blush deepens. “I don’t know . . . I think Father wants me to retire with my siblings.”
