“Good,” she lied.
“Good,” he echoed. “See you at the ball, Hale.”
He turned sharply and walked away, leaving her standing alone by the apple trees, cursing herself.
Back to ‘Hale’ again, am I?
She exhaled hard, her chest aching as she watched him disappear. Back to the mask. Back to being the daughter they want.
And not the woman who had allowed herself to want something she could never have.
The woman who wanted Sebastian Thorne.
CHAPTER 10
THE AUTUMNAL BALL
The Autumnal Ball has been held in the Unity ballroom at the close of each Arcalon since the 10thYear of Fire.
–Caldris Historical Record, Vol. II
Kara had slept terribly – replaying the conversation with Sebastian over and over again. What she could have said differently. Done differently. The sting from his words hadn’t dulled.
She hated this.
It had been four days.
Onlyfour dayssince she’d met Sebastian Thorne, and now she couldn’t get him out of her head. She told herself that their magic responding to each other didn’t mean anything. Didn’t mean thattheywere compatible. But with every denial, something fluttered uncomfortably in her chest. The day passed in a fog of dread, but as the sun began to set, she could delay no longer. She had to dress for the Ball. A gown had already been picked out for her – beautiful, she’d admit that much – a satin, floor-length gown of deep green that hugged her curves, shimmering as she moved. She’d braided her waist-length dark hair with gold thread, the plait falling over her shoulder, not really listening as her mother chattered excitedly about the guests. Everyone would be there – delegates and families, all the Lords and Ladies, Vallenna’s nobility. People of prominence and influence; people she was expected to impress. Kara smiled, nodded. Said all the right things. But inside, she was a mess. Her engagement to Henry would be announced tonight, and she’d be handed over like a prized valmare in front of everyone. That’s how Sebastian would find out. What would he say? Would he mock her? Be angry? Say nothing?
I could run.
All day she’d thought about it. Mounting Whisper and riding away. Once, even imagining Sebastian beside her.
Stop it. He’s probably not thinking about you at all.
Not long after dusk, the knock came at her door.
“They’re ready,” her mother said.
Kara took one last glance in the mirror – she looked exactly how she was meant to look – unmistakably Hale, flawless, composed. And completely miserable inside.
She walked with a crowd of delegates, her mother by her side. The Autumnal Ball was the biggest celebration of the year – held in the Unity Ballroom, Vallenna’s oldest and finest establishment in the city. It was undeniably grand – all polished stone and crystal, the three moons and more stars than Kara could count visible through the domed glass ceiling, strung lanterns casting golden light across marble floors. The room was packed when Kara entered. Alive with music. She was immediately swept into conversations she wasn’t listening to. People congratulated her, pushed sparkling wine into her hands. But she hardly heard a word. Tasted nothing. She was too busy scanning the room. And just when she was starting to worry that he wasn’t coming–
There you are.
Sebastian was leaning casually against one of the pillars across the crowd, expression disinterested. Dressed in a black tunic trimmed with crimson and silver, hair pulled back in a leather tie. She hadn’t seen him wear it like that before – it highlighted his infuriatingly perfect jawline.
Well, that’s just not fair.
His ice-blue eyes met hers and her heart beat a little faster, a flush creeping up her cheeks.
You are about to be engaged. Stop this right now.
She was the heir to House Hale, for Gods’ sake, not some silly apprentice at her first spring festival. And yet here she was staring at the one man whom her father most certainly wouldn’t approve of. Kara pulled her gaze away from him. Crossed to the other side of the room – towards the group of Caldris delegates – looking to Henry instead. He was standing with Oryen, deep in conversation, his blonde hair neatly swept back, his blue tunic and white cloak elegant in a way that made her think of calm waters.
He was good-looking. In a soft-around-the-edges way.
She wished it was enough.
