AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In all these months, she hadn’t dreamed of Sai.
She missed him terribly. She thought of him every second she had to herself.
But she didn’t doubt.
He would come back to her, she knew in her heart of hearts. And she would wait for him for as long as it took.
Suddenly, the tinkling of bells drew Brigid’s attention toward the entrance of the ballroom. There were no bells, she knew. Certainly, they couldn’t be heard over the orchestra’s music. It was only in her mind.
As was the subtle breeze that lifted the wispy strands of hair at the nape of her neck. And the low rumble of a resonant hum that was music to her ears.
For, it was the same hum Sai made when he was pleased. It was his dragon’s purr when he was relaxed and affectionate.
Brigid’s lips spread into a dazzling smile before she saw what she expected to see. Before anyone else at the ball had even an inkling of what was happening—
The Pale Prince had finally arrived.
She was already staring straight at him when, one by one, the rest of the congregation turned, gasped, and held their breath in awe.
There he stood, on the threshold of the ballroom. Half in shadow, half in light.
He was dressed from head to toe in a form-fitting dark blue suit with a silver vest and silver accents. His hair was loose about his shoulders, wavy and tousled, as if all he’d done to style it was to comb his fingers through. (Which was likely exactly what he did).
It was certainly not the trend of the year, or even the decade. Nor was his lack of sideburns and facial hair.
Nevertheless, Brigid rather suspected that after this night was done, the trends were going to be reset post haste.
He was mouthwateringly magnificent.
And when his glittering diamond eyes found hers, Brigid’s wide smile spread most unbecomingly into a self-satisfied, cat-got-the-cream grin.
For, this beautiful male washers.
Just like before at Lady Watham’s ball, the crowds parted without prompting, as Sai made his way to her in long, rather predatory strides.
Lady Rathbourne and Lord Rathborne had rushed up to greet him, but Sai paid them no mind.
Not at the moment, when he was intent on his singular objective.
Elizabeth and Lucille stood close with their parents, fanning themselves aggressively.
Brigid couldn’t blame them. Who wouldn’t feel overheated looking upon such incomparable masculine perfection?
Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed Sai’s every move. Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd in buzzing waves.
Brigid paid them no mind. All she cared about was:
He was here! He was finally here!
He’d come back to her. And she knew that, this time, he would never leave her behind again.
At last, he stopped before her seat. The wallflowers sitting near Brigid were frozen like statues, gawking unblinkingly at him, barely breathing.
Conversation ceased so that all in attendance could hear what he might say. Pay close attention to what he might do.
He bowed.
It was simple and unembellished. Not at all the flourish and flair of supposed royal manners.
It was so verySai.
Brigid wrestled her mouth back into a demure tilt at the corners, instead of grinning ear to ear like a madwoman.
Sai straightened and extended his ungloved hand, palm up.
His glittering gaze embraced hers as the corners of his eyes crinkled in a barely-there smile.
“May I have this dance, fair maiden?”
