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“If there is anything I can do to help—” I started.
“No, my dear. You are our guest. Larkspur will keep you company until we return."
Aster glanced back and forth between us, a slightly resigned grin spreading over her mouth.
“All right, Larky. Don’t you go stealing her away from me, now. She was my friend first, even if Lina perhaps finds you to be a little easier on the eyes,” she said, waggling her eyebrows at us before joining her mother.
I could hear Cassia scolding her about etiquette and being discreet once the doors were closed. A blush heated my skin before I could help it, but Lark was kind enough to pretend not to notice.
“That’s my sister for you.”
“I love her for it.” I laughed softly.
“I can tell you mean that.” He gave me a genuine smile. “I hope you’ll stay here with us.”
It was a curious echo of what Aster had said, and I began to have a sneaking suspicion of what she had been alluding to.
“I plan to,” I told him, honestly.
“Good. You belong here, and the people already love you.”
Suddenly the open-aired balcony felt claustrophobic as everything I had been pondering clicked firmly into place.
“Have you chosen anyone for the ball?” It was as close as I could come to asking what I wanted to know.
“No one definitive.” He cast a speculative glance my way, one that reminded me so much of Aster I almost let out an impractical giggle.
“And you,” he asked. “Are you taking your… friend?”
“No!” I practically shouted. “I mean, Aster is taking him. Edrich and me… we grew up together.”
“So there’s nothing more… between you?” He floundered a bit awkwardly, and it was endearing enough that I smiled before sadness chased the expression away.
I thought about all the things Edrich and I had said in the forest, then I thought about the reality of our situation, before settling on what felt like the truth.
“No. He’s leaving after the ball, in fact. He only came to make sure I was safe.”
There was a silence while Lark surveyed the breathtaking view, water droplets falling from one shiny green leaf to another so quickly it was like a waterfall just our size.
“Do you believe in fate, Lina?”
My stomach twisted.
“No, I can’t say that I do. I believe we make our own choices, right or wrong, and live with the results.” I grimaced because it sounded exactly like something Edrich would say.
Lark nodded and leaned toward me. There was a sincerity in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“You don’t think it could be fate that you wound up in Ellaria just before I was supposed to choose a bride? You, the daughter of Queen Hyacinth, who many people still feel loyalty to?”
My chest tightened.
“I can’t say that is fate, so much as a very, very unlikely, improbable, unrealistic coincidence,” I said, and he laughed.
“That could be.” He brought a finger up to his temple. “But consider it for just a moment, from my perspective. I’m not claiming to have fallen in love with you in the day since we met. I’m simply wondering how such an opportunity presented itself just before I make an important decision. There is still some unrest within the kingdom. I wonder if those who miss your parents’ rule would be satisfied with our alliance.”
I was impressed that I was able to keep my skin neutral throughout this entire conversation, because I felt anything but calm inside.
“Is this something that you actually want? You don’t even know me.” My voice was steady, though my heart was breaking.
