Page 4 of A Heart Too Tender

“I meant no offense, Lettie, but there are dozens of wealthier princesses. You’re beautiful—that is undeniable—but a kingdom such as Wimberley did not become as such by marrying their princes off to lesser kingdoms.”

Father cleared his throat and gave Alric a stern look, yet there was no denying the words Alric had let tumble from his big mouth. I would never be the future queen of such a grand kingdom—and I was okay with that. I wanted to know my people, all of my people, and enrich their lives. It would be hard to do in a place of that size.

Mother clicked her tongue. “And here I was hoping you’d like to be her escort for the ball …”

Anne had the trunk packed before I had returned to my room, but the sight of my mother’s exquisite gown, and its plunging neckline, sent me fleeing to the battlements for a breath of fresh air.

As I hopped from jagged stone to jagged stone, my sage gown held up most unladylike, I pondered the strangeness of this evening. Everything had felt the same for so long and then in the blink of an eye, everything had changed. The idea of falling in love was something that was always just out of my reach, though I can’t say I hadn’t dreamed of it. Sliding between two large stones, I dangled my feet over the edge as I wrapped my arms around myself, imagining being swept along in a dance with a striking man with kind eyes. My smile grew as I pictured a life of love and adventure. Maybe a ball was exactly what I needed …

We arrived the following day right at nightfall with the rest of the attendees. There were horse-drawn carriages of every jeweled color, and as their golden doors opened, out flounced princesses of every kingdom on the continent. I was mesmerized by the grandeur. Gorgeous women with auburn hair and pale skin, and midnight skin and onyx hair, blondes and brunettes. The grace and elegance was astonishing. My plunging neckline was practically modest compared to the rest of the gowns. I had the disheartening realization that I would never get a chance to meet Prince August, not with the line of princesses queuing up to be introduced. They hid behind glamoured masks of gold, silver, peacock, and even faux pixie wings that mimicked stained glass.

Tugging on Alric’s brocade jacket, I gestured with my head to the wide-open castle doors.

“Let’s just get inside. I doubt he’ll remember any of their names since he can’t see their faces,” I giggled.

Alric’s eyes bulged as a woman with a particularly large bosom passed us by. He looked dashing in shades of burgundy, with his golden hair swept off his face. A black mask and our father’s silver sword strapped to his side completed his ensemble.

He nodded and cracked a grin. “I love this place.”

I grabbed a fistful of my silk skirts, the garnet shade standing out amongst the other princesses' pastel gowns. I had been fortunate that no alterations had been needed to make the dress wearable, although I would have preferred something with sleeves. My underarms dampened, either from the throng of so many bodies, or my nerves, as I adjusted the golden bird mask on my face. I brushed my unease aside.

The night was a swirl of color, dancing, and merriment. Laughter twined with the strumming of music and the scent of roses lightening the air. Scantily clad performers danced in bubbles suspended over the revelry. Wimberley was magical, truly. On our journey to the palace, I spotted fairy pools, pixie hives, goblin mounds, and what appeared to be the rock ruins of trolls. I was clearly out of my depth. Silver Hills was much more … calm.

I was sipping on punch, watching Alric spin yet another maiden, when I noticed a frightened pixie about to be trampled on the outskirts of the dance floor. I set my glass down on a table next to me and rushed to give aid. The delicate being gripped my fingertip as I pulled her from danger and to the safety of a nearby window. The fresh breeze was a comfort to our frazzled nerves.

“Are you alright? Can I get you anything?” I asked, leaning both elbows on the sill and holding her outside of the stifling heat.

She shook her head, and the tinkling of her wings sounded like chimes in the wind.

“Do I need to take you lower down?”

Again, she shook her head, but this time stood and leapt from my finger right as a raven swooped by. She landed gracefully on its back, and they disappeared into the night sky. I heaved a sigh, wishing for all the world that I could disappear with them.

“That was awfully kind of you,” a masculine voice purred from the shadows beside the window. I hadn’t even noticed he was there.

“I couldn’t just stand by and let her be trampled,” I breathed, brushing a lock of my golden-brown hair out of my face.

He watched the movement with a twitch to his full lips. Most of his face was hidden behind a velvet mask that resembled a raven’s wing, with undertones of navy in the black. His eyes were a startling shade of blue, like a clear pool of water reflecting a sunny day.

The stranger stepped closer, and I had to tip my head up to meet his eyes. “Others had no problem standing idly by,” he gestured to the crowd still bustling with dance.

I didn’t have an answer to that, so I merely shrugged. “It’s not in my nature, I guess, to allow the pain of others. If I can intercede—I will.”

“Is that what you’re doing over here on the fringes of the crowd? Making sure everyone stays safe?” He teased, and it had a grin splitting my face.

“I am but a guard for safety,” I jested in return, but my cheeks burned. I was grateful that my mask covered most of my embarrassment.

“Do you not enjoy dancing?” His eyes shifted from me to those partaking.

I cleared my throat, becoming slightly on edge with his piercing attention. “Oh, I love dancing,” I gushed, twisting my hands in front of me. “It’s just⁠—”

“What?”

I couldn’t pull my gaze from his even if I wanted to. “No one has asked me.”

He lifted his hand in offering. “May I have this dance?”

I bit my lip and placed my hand in his. “Yes,” I breathed, my chest feeling tight like I couldn’t take a deep enough breath.