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Green eyes the color of sanctuary bore into hers. “How can you show such strength in the face of what so clearly causes you pain. It is remarkable.”
The need to break the tension building in the air filled her. “If we stand here any longer people will think we are part of the decor.”
When she let go of his hand and they began to walk again, he balled the hand she had held into a fist and then stretched it. She wondered if she had made him feel uncomfortable and hoped not.
When they rounded the corner, Wren’s eyes landed on a lady of the court dressed in her dinner clothes and she cursed quietly.
Wesley grinned at her. “I heard that, Princess.”
She couldn’t bring herself to be sorry now that she realized it was nearly time for dinner. It would seem that dinners were an important function for the royal family and it was one of the demands the king had made of her. She had been so engrossed in Wesley’s company she had entirely forgotten about the impending evening of socializing and dancing.
“We need to get ready for dinner! I did not realize it was so late.” Wesley frowned just then, realizing the increase in formally attired people in the hallways.
“It would seem so. Would you like me to walk you to your rooms?” For some reason the polite request made her pause.
“I know my way back from here. I’ll see you at dinner!” She started for her rooms when she turned around and called, “Thank you, Prince Wesley.”
A few people made to stare, but he only smiled at her as if they were the only people that mattered and for the briefest of moments it felt like they were.
Chapter 16
Wrentookinasharp breath as the maid tightened the corset as if she were personally determined to see how tight it could be without killing her. She loathed dinners for the sole reason that she was expected to wear the cursed garment. When the maid was satisfied that Wren could take in just enough air to survive, she helped her into a dark blue gown.
Despite the corset that was threatening to suffocate her, she admired the gown that fit snugly around her waist and flowed out into fuller skirts from there. The neckline was in the traditional straight across fashion, but without the muslin of her everyday dresses to offer more modesty.
In fact, she was fairly alarmed at the amount of her showing, and when she said so to the maids, they brought her a beautiful gold necklace with a sapphire that fell perfectly to the center of her chest. Wren supposed it pulled some focus away from her and agreed to wear it. Her hair fell in loose waves across her shoulders. When she saw her reflection, she hardly recognized herself. She was different in some way, but she didn’t know exactly how.
Taking a deep breath, she opened her door and was surprised to see Malaki clad all in his formal black attire, leaning against the opposite wall. When he saw her, he straightened, pushing himself away from the wall. His eyes widened before he quickly settled into his normal bored countenance.
“I’m here to escort you to dinner,” he said absently.
“Truly? Here I thought you just made a habit of standing outside my door.” She was surprised to hear herself tease him. Her good day must have been going to her head.
Neither of them seemed to know what to do with her good humor and so she took his offered arm and mentally prepared herself for the inevitable awkwardness.
The silence was palpable until Malaki said, “Has anything changed?”
She shook her head, having just inspected the mark when she hid it from the maids. He didn’t say anything and barely acknowledged her the rest of the way. When they entered the dining hall, there was not the fanfare as there had been when they announced their marriage. Wren paused at that thought.
She did not feel as if they were married, but she supposed she knew that was how it would be. He was distant and if she caught a hint of something else, he did something even more awful to bury it. She didn’t understand him and she found she didn’t have the energy to try.
When they made their way up the dais, the king greeted her as if she were a most cherished daughter, pulling her into a hug. “There is something different about you, my dear.”
She could feel Malaki stiffen behind her and she silently cursed him knowing that his father noticed, too. As soon as dinner was done and the music began, the King stood and held out a hand to Wren.
“May I have this dance, daughter?”
Wren felt a bubble of panic rise in her, and she turned to Malaki for help, but his attention was focused on his father as if he could will him to sit back down. If the king noticed, he did not show it as his eyebrows rose at her hesitation. Not seeing a way she could refuse the king she stood and took his hand despite the pit growing in her stomach. They made their way to the dance floor, and she was acutely aware that all eyes were on them.
Wren searched helplessly for how to extricate herself from the king’s grasp, but Malaki sat straight-backed while Richard’s head was bent towards him, speaking rapidly.
“Tell me, how are you finding your new life here, Wren?” The king spoke casually as they began their dance.
“I find that there is much to learn about here, and it feels as if I am discovering something new each day.”
His silence and blank face made her wonder whether that was the right answer or not.
“I’ve never seen my son quite this put out before.”
