Page 164 of A War of Three Kings

I hesitate, unable to let Morgana go yet.

My grandmother materializes out of the crowd, and I feel Aldrin tense ever so slightly around me. She scoops the precious bundle out of my arms and gives me a stern look. “Off with you, girl. The two of you still have a lot of work to do to solidify Aldrin’s position here.”

As I tug Aldrin by the arm toward the waiting Dovers, I glance back over my shoulder to see my grandmother rocking Morgana and talking to Caitlin in a soft voice.

Aldrin is shown off to many of the powerful nobility while the masses wait to be let into the ballroom, and then well into the feast and festivities.

He looks regal in his deep navy jacket with leaves embroidered in gold thread across the lapels, plus a gold-trimmed navy vest to match and a white shirt beneath with slight ruffles at the neck and wrists.

I play with my pale blue silk gloves and brush my hands over the wide, ruffled skirts of my matching gown while we endure the awkwardness of being passed from one set of nobles to another, forced to make the same small talk again and again. Aldrin keeps an arm wrapped around my waist, his fingers trailing across the gold beads stitched in swirls across the bodice of my dress, practically announcing his ownership of me.

I can’t stop smiling at him, even when I should be following the threads of conversation.

“I want to be one of the first diplomats to venture into your realm, Aldrin.” Countess Lynna runs her hand along his arm tograb his attention as she passes us in the ballroom. “There is someone I would like to find.”

“And I want to be the first to discuss trade agreements with you,” Lord Bradford adds, sending us a charming smile before dragging Lynna to the dance floor. Lord Adalwolf has already made the same demands.

I am still staring after them when Lord Tomas’ stocky form stops short before us. He shuffles awkwardly on the spot, his eyes darting between us as a red flush creeps over his face.

“I was wrong about you, Aldrin, and your fae. For that, and my harsh words, I am sorry. I was as afraid and insecure as the rest of the people of this realm, and you proved me wrong.”

Aldrin’s eyebrows shoot up, and there is that gleam in his eyes that tells me he wants to push the man. “I am glad to hear it, Lord Tomas. Perhaps you’d like to be part of the first diplomatic party to visit my court?”

Tomas’ skin turns a mottled purple and his mouth works, no sound coming out. “You have my apology, and you won’t get anything else out of me.” He throws up his arms and rushes off into the crowd.

I turn to Aldrin, ready to scold him, but his lips are pressed together as he holds in his mirth. His amber eyes are breathtaking as they dance with amusement. We both burst out into laughter.

I drag Aldrin to the dance floor. We move as one under chandeliers with rows of crystal illuminated by tiny fire orbs, making the entire dance floor sparkle with light. A roar of voices envelops us, competing with the orchestra playing a slow ballad. One of Aldrin’s arms is slung low over my hips, and his other hand holds mine as our steps have us twirling around, our bodies pressed together.

He stares into my eyes with such intensity that it feels like we are utterly alone, despite all the people packed around us.

“When we return to my court, I want to teach you our dances. They are much more intricate and sexual.” His voice is low as he leans close to my ear. “And I won’t allow any other man to dance them with you.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I open my mouth to retort, but he suddenly lets go of my waist and pulls me into a spin. Just as quickly, I am back in his arms, completely breathless.

“I will bring horses into my court, just so you can ride them through the wilderness like a kelpie taken by the spirits. I will give you everything you love from this kingdom.” Aldrin spins me again and my heart rate accelerates.

“All I need is you, Aldrin, and to be able to visit my family. That is enough for me.”

The song stops after a crescendo and another starts, faster and more upbeat. Aldrin flicks his head to where Caitlin dances with Cyprien, the fae rigid in his movements.

“I can’t believe she convinced that old grump to dance,” he laughs.

“They are unlikely friends, aren’t they?”

“I think it has been a century since Cyprien has made a new friend. He was…different when we were boys. Daring. Less cynical. A lot has happened since then.” Aldrin’s eyes cloud over and a deep sorrow spills from him into me. I know he is thinking of his sister.

“She was right in the end,” I murmur as our bodies continue to sway together.Aldrin raises his eyebrows at me. “Lorrella was right about us being mates. I would have loved to have met her.”

“You would have liked her. She was always full of life, with a mischievous grin permanently on her face. I miss her. I always bloody miss her. That grief is my constant companion.”

His dark eyebrows pinch for a moment, then the expression is gone. Aldrin drops me into a dip, leaning his body over me as he holds the position.

“There is a lot in my court I would like you to see. We have tulip farms that stretch on over the horizon in long stripes of red, orange, yellow and purple flowers.” He raises me again just as the song ends. “I would like to take you to Cascade Falls, where multiple large rivers converge and churn down cliffs into a single valley. Hundreds of tiered waterfalls meet with deafening roars and refract the sunlight in just as many rainbows, so the sky seems filled with them.”

“I would like that,” I say, staring into his eyes with wonder.

The slow beat of the next song draws instant recognition from me. It will quickly ramp up into a fast melody. The paired-up dancers form a long line that curves around into a circle, where the couples face each other. I slot us into it while Aldrin looks around with confusion. Caitlin pulls Cyprien along, standing next to me. She shoots me a knowing half-grin.

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