Page 6 of A Heart Too Tender

I kept to the edges of the room the rest of the night, listening to all the surrounding conversations. A group of women about my age, all bejeweled and lavish with exquisite dresses, giggled. Apparently, the prince had spoken to one of them and had danced with another.

“He’s so dreamy,” the tall, lithe blonde sighed. “An excellent dancer. I felt as if I were flying.”

I smirked, looking down, and wondered if he had been as wonderful as the masked stranger who had swept me around.

“He told me he liked my dress!” Another squeaked, her hair the color of the red roses woven through the garlands. “And I told him I loved our kingdom.”

The blonde one slapped her on the shoulder. “You’re not even from here.”

The redhead rubbed her arm, the pale skin already flushed with the shape of a hand. “Ouch! He doesn’t know any better.”

I frowned, puzzled about why she would lie like that. A servant slipped through, carrying a tray of crystal champagne glasses, and in my attempt to get out of his way, I bumped into a beautiful woman with dark skin and kind eyes behind a silver mask.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

She wrapped a strong hand around my arm to steady me.

“Too much wine?” She asked with a laugh.

I grinned, but shook my head. “Too quick of servants.”

Her gown was lavish, the sapphire color enthralling when paired with her rich, dark skin, and an expertly styled updo left me in awe of her beauty.

“Hand-me-down?” she asked, with a sweep of her eyes. “Mine too,” she whispered.

“Yours is beautiful,” I breathed.

Her smile grew; a flash of bright, white teeth. “As is yours. I’m Princess Zuri.”

I bobbed a nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Princess Colette.”

“Are you in a position to snag the eyes of Prince August?” she asked, scanning the crowd and the dais. But the dais had remained empty, except for that of King Odo and Queen Theodora.

From my place by her side, it appeared she locked eyes with a tall, handsome man across the dance floor before she quickly ducked her head.

“Not really, he seems to have enough suitors,” I laughed. “What about you?”

The man across the dance floor raised his hand in greeting, and she turned her back to him, and looked at me.

“Actually—I’m only here to make someone jealous. Someone I loved, who is now betrothed,” she said with a snarl.

“It wouldn’t happen to be that man across the dance floor in gold, the one who can’t keep his eyes off of you?”

She nodded and looked down as she spoke. “I love Prince Leo—I’ve always loved him. But his parents arranged his marriage to her.”

I glanced over at the woman, who was draped in fineries of green and gold, matching the man beside her. what startled me was the nasty glare she was giving him before she aimed it my way

“And he doesn’t want to marry her, does he?”

“I’m not sure,” she shrugged. “We never discussed it. He broke off our relationship when it was announced. When I received the invite for this, I couldn’t find a reason not to attend.”

My brow furrowed. “But why are they here?”

“They both have younger sisters who were invited and came as escorts, I suppose.”

She pressed a hand to her chest and I could see the silver lining her eyes as she fought back tears.

“I’m so sorry, Zuri. I can’t imagine how that must feel. But if it’s any consolation, you seem to be the only woman in the room to him.”