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She glanced at Malaki, not understanding what he meant, and saw he was tense, his clenched jaw visible even from where she was on the dance floor. Prince Richard had taken her seat next to him and was leaning towards him, saying something that earned him a biting remark from his brother.
“Truly, I find he often looks miserable.” Wren regretted the jibe as soon as she saw the king’s smile.
“You see what he wants you to see. Do you want to know what I see?” The king raised his eyebrow at her.
“I am not sure that I do,” she replied honestly.
Answering as if he did not hear her, the king said, “I see my son, who is fiercely protective of you. I am quite sure if it were not for his brother, he would have already intervened in our time together. I confess, I have seen Malaki take lovers before, but he has never looked at them in quite the way he does you. If I didn’t know better I would think you put a spell on him.”
Wren stared at him in disbelief, wondering if they were talking about the same person. The music stopped and the king bent, raising her marked hand to his lips. His lips lingered too long and her skin crawled, but she willed herself to not pull away. Even after he released her and moved to speak with the gathered nobility she stood frozen trying to fight the nausea that his touch left in her. She was about to turn and leave, not caring about the consequences when she heard a voice behind her.
“May I have this dance, Princess?” Wren turned and found Wesley, his eyes lit with concern.
She contemplated running, but then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He wore a combination of white-and-blue dress clothes that complimented his blond curls. He looked just as handsome as ever.
Dancing with him was precisely what she needed. With every dip and twirl the pit in her stomach lessened until she hardly noticed it. When the music ended they strode arm in arm to where a servant stood holding a tray of wine. After they both caught their breath again, Wesley met her gaze, something she couldn’t name dancing in his eyes.
“You are beautiful.”
Wren was surprised to find herself smiling at the compliment, despite the fact that normally she would argue with such a statement. The truth was, she did feel beautiful tonight. She felt alive, so full of life that she felt like it might burst from inside her.
“Thank you, you don’t look too dreadful yourself.”
He smiled. “A glowing review, truly.”
She laughed, and his smile brightened.
“The way you dance, Wren, it’s like the music is a part of you and you of it. I saw it the first night you danced, and tonight it is even more evident.” He said the words with awe in his voice, but there was also a sense of curiosity.
She shrugged. “I don’t know why, but I feel it. I feel like itisa part of me. I cannot explain it.”
“And you do not need to. You do not owe anyone an explanation.” He looked at her earnestly, and she was struck by the thought that if she were ever uncertain, she need only see his green eyes to know who she was. Before she could feel embarrassed at her blatant staring, he said, “I’ve written to both my parents and my sister to request her presence here at Haradon court.”
“I thought you said your parents would not allow it?” asked Wren.
He nodded. “I did, but I thought about what you said. About how she should be able to make that decision for herself. She has already found Prince Richard to be worthy, but she should be able to decide if this is the sort of court she wishes to live in. Like I told you before, it is vastly different from our own court. You made me realize that this was not a judgment I could make for her. I have urged my parents to reconsider.”
Wren didn’t know what to say, but felt inexplicable pride at having played a part in giving another woman control over her life. She took a deep breath and fought the growing emotion threatening to overwhelm her. It may have been a small decision to Wesley, but to her it was everything she couldn’t have for herself.
Misreading her silence for displeasure, he frowned. “I thought you would be pleased.”
Wren turned her head away, trying to regain composure. When she turned back, her voice was still thick with emotion. “I am. Truly. You are giving your sister something precious.”
He tilted his head studying her. “Wren, why is this so important to you?” He was suddenly frowning at her, and she noticed him look towards where Malaki stood across the hall talking with one of the nobility. “Wren?”
She could see the suspicion on his face and reminded herself that she needed to be more careful around him. Wesley had a way of making her feel safe enough to let down her guard. Worse—she trusted him. She would have told him everything even though they had only known each other a short time. There was so much she still didn’t understand, and if it put him at risk, she wasn’t willing to risk it.
“I only think that more women should have the chance to make the decision that I was able to and now your sister will be able to.” She tried to project confidence into her words, but looking at him, she knew she had not been successful in extinguishing his suspicion. To his credit, he did not push the issue.
A groan came from behind her. “There is not enough wine to tolerate this evening.”
Wren grinned as she turned to see Sophie approaching her. She wore a ridiculously elaborate yellow-and-green dress that’s neckline might have been more scandalous than her own. The other woman took another gulp of the wine she was holding and looked like she was restraining herself from downing the whole glass.
Wren laughed, “Why, in the name of all that is good, are you wearing that dress and not your pants?”
Sophie made a mocking face at her as she adjusted the gown trying to loosen it around her stomach. “My mother’s doing. There were threats.”
“She is quite a formidable woman.” Wren tried for sincerity, but couldn’t hold her smile back at her friend’s continued discomfort.
