I bite back a groan. It seems that this conversation isn’t over after all. We have clearly dropped all pretence that we weren’t taking about my interest in the prince. A Queen. Me?
Not bothering to hold back my amusement, I laugh aloud and look at her incredulously. “Are you serious? You know my history; I would make a terrible Queen.”
Abbie is one of the only people trusted with the knowledge that I was one of the sullied, which is part of the reason I’m so surprised that she would even think for a moment that I would make a good Queen.
“Which is why you would make the perfect Queen! You have lived among the people and seen the city at its worst.” Pausing, she reaches out and pulls me to a stop, her expression bright with excitement. “You want change, and in that position, you could truly see it out.”
For a few heavy seconds, I allow myself to imagine it. Myself as Queen at Amir’s side, making true progress amongst the people and healing the rift between and the rest of the city. It is a beautiful dream, and that is all it will ever be. The citizens of Rune would never accept me as their Queen.
Thankfully Abbie doesn’t push the issue and clears her throat, gesturing to an open doorway just ahead. “We are here now, my Lady.”
Scowling at the use of my fake title and generally feeling grumpy, I glare at the doorway with suspicion. “Where are we?”
“Dance lessons,” she replies brightly, gesturing toward me in a shooing gesture. “Madame Grey is going to teach you.”
I look at her in panic. I really should have listened to her instead of blindly agreeing. Dancing. I would rather face another night on the streets than take these lessons. Not to mention, who is Madame Grey and why does her name strike fear in me?
Seeing my startled expression and rigid posture, she smile gently, placing her hand on the small of my back. Pushing me forward, she pats my arm comfortingly, her grip surprisingly strong.
“Don’t worry, Lady, I shall stay with you. You will be fine.”
An hourlater and I think Abbie is regretting offering to stay. Madame Grey is strict and does not take failure lightly, insisting I repeat the same steps over and over again until she is satisfied. On discovering that Abbie was staying as moral support, Madame Grey quickly put her to work, designating her as my dance partner. Of course, she had never danced as a male before, so it was a masterclass for her too.
“Remember your neck, Lady Kiara.” The Madame calls out for the third time during this one section of the dance alone. “You want to extend it up gracefully and keep your head high, like a swan, not a deranged pigeon.”
Never in my life have I been compared to so many types of fowl in one sitting. I am not sure whether to be offended that she thinks I resemble a deranged pigeon, or strangely proud. Abbie is having a hard time containing her laughter, and each time the Madame insults me it only seems to become more difficult for her. I can understand why she is attempting to hold back her amusement though, as Madame Grey will not stand for it. Thisis something I can attest to, having been at the sharp end of her lectures several times.
We are working on my waltz, my feet not wanting to obey the beat of the music and a knock at the door makes us all pause. Madame Grey practically vibrating with frustration at being interrupted. “Can you not read? The sign says do not enter!” she shouts toward the door, switching off the music in the process.
I feel a tinge of sympathy to the poor soul which has incurred her wrath, but mostly I am happy to have a rest. My aching arms drop to my sides and I see Abbie do the same, blowing out her cheeks slightly as she attempts to cool down.
Despite this, the person in the corridor is not perturbed and swings open the door. Prince Amir steps into the room and the atmosphere immediately changes. Something passes through my body, like an electric bolt, causing my whole body to suddenly feel alive. My aches are gone and my mind energised. Abbie and the Madame quickly drop into curtsies as they realise who is paying us a visit, but Amir’s eyes stay locked on me, his smile bright and stare intense. My body is frozen in place, unable to curtsey or even move as the memory of the feel of his lips against mine is suddenly fresh in my mind.
“Your highness!” Madame cries out, her voice full of regret. “I apologise, I did not realise it was you!”
“Please do not worry, Madame Grey.” He steps into the room, smiling at the aging woman and dipping his head in greeting. Unbuttoning his decorated jacket, he slips it off to reveal a smart white shirt beneath. The top two buttons are undone and show a flash of his chest, causing my mind to go utterly blank.
I have seen far more of a man than what the prince has on display and that didn’t turn me into a salivating moron, so why am I reacting this way to Amir?Breathe in, breathe out,I instruct myself until I can think clearly once more.
Why is he here? More importantly, why is he rolling up his sleeves, showing off his tanned forearms?Abbie is looking at me pointedly, our conversation fresh in our memories. Ignoring her, I try to focus on the conversation that is now happening between him and the Madame.
“I heard that dance lessons were underway and I thought you might require a male partner.”
No. Oh no, no, no. Learning to dance is bad enough, but add on the factheis going to be my partner and I think I’m about to combust. After I practically pounced on him yesterday, my plan was to avoid him as much as possible. However, the gods seem to have other plans.
“That is so thoughtful of you, your highness.” Abbie jumps in before I can say otherwise, excusing herself from my side and moving over to stand by the window. Eyes wide, I glare at her. What is she doing? She’s abandoned me, leaving me to the wolves.
Traitor, I mouth at her. She just smiles back at me, giving the prince a pointed look. I need to be sensible and just push through this. Abbie may have put me in an awkward position but she is still here as support as she promised. Taking a deep breath, I steal myself and turn to face Amir. He’s waiting for me with a smile, arms opened wide as he gestures for me to take my position. In his arms. His hand on my waist. Our bodies pressed together…
“No.” The word slips from my mouth before I have fully computed my response. There are shocked gasps but it is the prince that I keep my gaze locked on.
“No?” the prince asks with a quirk to his lips. I doubt he’s heard the word often, and thankfully for me he finds my refusal amusing and not highly offensive. Anyone else might have been beheaded for that sort of snub toward royalty.
“Lady Kiara!” Madame Grey’s voice is full of outrage and I can only imagine the expression on her face. “You cannot refuse the prince!”
I definitely shouldn’t have refused like I did. I have to think of a reason behind turning him down. Think Kiara, think! “We couldn’t possibly ask you to waste your time on dance lessons, your highness.”
He just continues to smile, and I know that he knows the truth of why I don’t want to dance together. “Time with you is never a waste, Kiara. It would be an honour.”
