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“Ugh, no. It always gets stuck in my teeth.” I leaned forward and started to carve breast meat off the roast chicken. “White meat or dark?”
“Dark.”
Somehow, even though I was sitting next to the King, I felt like a simple girl at that moment. Nobody special. And it feltgood. I had no idea how important it was for me to be nobody special… all my life, I’d been someone. I trained for years to reclaim my place as heir to the crown. And yet… was that what I wanted?
“You look beautiful,” Araki said as he leaned back, his plate full. “Do you like dresses? I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to ask you earlier.”
I smiled at him, a lightness coming to my chest. “I do, yes. They’re beautiful. And thank you for sending Mhrandir to help me. Although she’s certain, there are, uh… indecencies between us.”
Araki gave me an almost bashful grin. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s what everyone has been thinking about the two of us. It’s one reason I wanted to introduce you as Nadine’s cousin. They’ll change their thoughts with any luck and assume we have a secret betrothal.”
“A betrothal?” I repeated, my eyes widening.
“Not that it’s binding in any way,” Araki quickly added. “I just… don’t like people thinking the worst. In any case, I’m glad you like the gowns. I chose them myself.”
Grateful for the change of topic, I pinched the hem of his jerkin between my fingers. “I figured that when I saw your matching patterns. I hope you don’t mind that I changed the jewellery choices.”
“Of course not. I want you to be comfortable.”
Why, though? Part of me wanted to ask. It didn’t make sense for him to be so kind to me. To give me such freedom. With the Nightshade poised to strike at him again at a ball like this, it would be safer to lock me up or better yet, kill me. He couldn’tknow what I would do if faced with my people coming to my aid. Not even with the union spell between us. But I didn’t want to destroy the moment. Asking the question would only bring up our suspicions of one another. People kept arriving as dusk faded into night. Lords and ladies all made a point to stream to the table, bowing and fluttering to the King and exclaiming how happy they were that he chose to appear.
Araki greeted them all graciously, if coldly.
“I’m so tired of all these fake smiles and false good wishes,” Araki muttered to me after the fifth time. “Everyone here hates me.”
“I don’t hate you,” I blurted.
He started, looking at me.
I swallowed down the increased pace of my heartbeat. “I’m pretty sure neither Klaus nor Nadine hates you, either. Mhrandir seems to like you, too.”
“I, uh… suppose I was being somewhat sarcastic.” Araki looked away.
A string instrument started to play. I pushed my chair back, but he had already stood before I could ask him to join me in the ballroom for a dance, hoping to ease this sudden tension between us.
“I must attend to some business. Please enjoy yourself.” His tone was suddenly formal. I wasn’t entirely certain why. I’d admitted I didn’t hate him—the first time, even to myself—and he had to pull away from me in response.
“Araki,” I called softly, but he walked away.
I wasn’t hungry anymore. I placed my plate down and headed into the ballroom with Mhrandir trailing behind me. Another woman wearing similar clothing, clearly another chaperone, had joined her, whispering arm-in-arm to each other. The ballroom was even more impressive than it had been last time. Shimmering vines wrapped around the columns while candles and the last fall flowers floated over our heads, moving in gentle patterns as though they floated in a river. The dancefloor sparked with frosted images whenever someone stepped down. Children raced through the crowd, giggling, and thrilled with chasing their snowflakes. Turnips, squash, and gourds lined the walls on shelves shaped like crescent moons. Each had a horrid face carved into it. The fire flickered inside the mouths while the eyes glowed with red coals. Magic swirled through the air, more potent than it was before. The smell of it permeated the ballroom. Klaus stepped up to my side. “You can talk and mingle with people, but you’re standing on the wall, watching, and moping. What’s going on?”
“I guess I’m just trying to figure out what is going on. Why I’m here.” I folded my arms around my waist. “I’m also not used to being around this many people.”
Klaus hummed as he leaned against the wall. “Araki finds these sorts of celebrations tiresome. I must admit. I don’t like the normal pomp and circumstance… although having people from Evemere city involved makes it more enjoyable. Less about the stiff rules of protocol and more about the celebrations.”
“And an excellent way to draw out any further Nightshade assassins?” I guessed. “Perhaps to see if I make a move to escape?”
Klaus ignored my words and spoke. “At least we get good music.”
I let out an exasperated breath. “You are very good at not giving any straight answers. You know that, right?”
Klaus laughed. “Thank you. I try.”
After the incident in the warehouse, it was good to laugh with him. I couldn’t help but laugh as well. He’d saved my life. As much as I tried to rationalize it away that he was saving Araki, I still found myself feeling some sort of kinship with him. We fought together. He had seen me grieve for Master Briggs.
“It’s amusing that you picked ginkgo leaves for your gown tonight and your jewellery earlier today,” Klaus said, nodding toward the heavily embroidered skirt.
“Oh. I—”
