Page 24 of Her Dark Reflection

The suggestion seemed to soothe him, and he released his hold on me.

‘I’ll be right back. Just wait here,’ I said, for a moment not caring how furious he’d be when I never returned. Fortunately, I was heading for the dinner room in any case, so he wouldn’t realise I’d given him the slip for at least a little while.

Following the smell of food and the streams of guests, I found my destination quickly. Long tables groaning with the weight of the feast that had been laid out lined the walls. Whole suckling pigs rested beside stuffed geese with skin crispy and speckled with spices. Cheeses and fruits were displayed on towers surrounded by jellies, trifles, and knotted pastries dusted with powdered sugar. I’d never seen so much food in my life. Footmen hurried around the room, serving plates and drinks, and replenishing the tables, darting through the press of bodies. This was a popular room. As I watched, a woman threw back her head in a laugh and stumbled back a step, sending a footman swerving around and over her in an impressive display of agility.

It was as I was watching this feat of dexterity that my attention was caught by the sight of Vanaria crossing the room, and I cursed. Faucher, the tepid chump, how had his confidence burned out so quickly? She must have skewered him to escape. And there was the king, standing in a knot of activity, and she was making a beeline straight for him. I huffed an angry breath and looked around. Mr Guilcher, the butler, lurked at the edge of the room, overseeing the staff with his hawk-eyed sneer, and I had an idea. I sidled up to him.

‘What a sensational party, Mr Guilcher. You’ve truly outdone yourself,’ I said.

He didn’t take his eyes off a gravy boat making its way across the room in the hands of a nervous young man as he grunted in reply.

‘I do wonder at Vanaria Rosach being here tonight, though,’ I continued. ‘She seemed so ill this morning.’

His eyes widened and his gaze flashed to my face. ‘Ill?’

‘Oh, she wouldn’t want anyone worrying about her. She’s a professional, after all. I’m sure she’ll make it through the night on her feet, but it looked a mighty painful rash.’

‘What rash? I see no rash.’ He looked over at Vanaria now, his brow pinched.

‘You wouldn’t. It was only on her back. I saw it coming out of the baths. A cluster of tiny little spots, about this big.’ I held up my thumb and forefinger to indicate the size, and the colour drained from his face. He pushed past me and stumbled towards Vanaria, his movements erratic. Within a few moments, he had accosted her and hurried her towards the exit despite her obvious protests. As they reached the door, she caught sight of me.

I raised my hand and waved.

The look she gave me should have set me alight, but a few moments later she was out of sight. I allowed myself a snort of amusement before I straightened up and licked my lips, drawing on that slightly boozy confidence still humming at the edges of my perception. I didn’t even bother looking at my reflection in a window or a platter; of all the things I had to be worried about, beauty wasn’t one of them while the glamour still heated my skin.

The throng around the king eddied and flowed as those seeking his attention won a position by his side, and were quickly displaced by others. I felt a little sorry for him for a moment. He looked tired, his eyes glazed and turned towards the wall. Even at a ball, he was managing petitioners. And I saw exactly what Vanaria had been able to exploit—even in this, the most salacious of affairs, he wasn’t allowed to simply enjoy himself. When she’d danced for him, she’d been offering him an escape that he felt he couldn’t take.

I had to be more compelling.

I swiped two glasses from a footman, because temptation should come bearing alcohol, and slipped around a red-faced man who spoke with such conviction that spittle periodically sprayed everyone around him. I took a deep breath and leaned close to His Majesty’s ear.

‘I thought the Armistice Ball was supposed to be fun?’

He turned his face towards me slightly.

‘Has it not met your expectations?’

‘Oh, I’m having a marvellous time. But it doesn’t look like you are.’

He turned far enough around to look me full in the face, and I watched as he took me in before I backed away with a smile. He spoke a few words to the spittle man before clapping him on the shoulder and excusing himself.

He came towards me with all the confidence and rippling expectation of a man used to his every need being met, and I felt a sudden pang of insecurity. Even with my glamour, what could I say and do that would captivate a king? How would I ever convince him tomarryme?

But I quickly numbed that pang with the thought of the apple in my drawer. I didn’t need him to fall in love with me tonight—I just needed him to want to spend enough time with me that I’d have a chance to feed it to him. Surely, I was a skilled enough maisera that I could manage that.

‘Does your idea of fun involve pocketing cutlery?’ he asked, then he smirked, as though he was quite pleased with his own wit.

I touched a hand to my chest. ‘Your Majesty, how could you suggest such a thing? I couldn’t possibly fit any more forks in my trunk.’

Disapproval flashed across his face. He smothered it quickly enough with a genial smile, but I was well-versed in reading what people wanted. Perhaps he preferred when his women simply laughed at his wit instead of matching it.

I changed tact. ‘I hear there are some wonders to see in the gardens, but I find I’m a little too nervous to go out there alone.’ Widening my eyes, I lowered my voice. ‘I hear there arefall spawnon display.’

His smile broadened and he offered me his arm. ‘There is nothing to be afraid of. The creatures on display are well contained. But I can walk with you if you’d wish.’

‘Would you? I’d be so grateful. Thank you.’ I placed my hand on his arm and he began to lead me back into the Grand Hall and out through the closest doors. As we went, I caught sight of Senafae standing by a pillar, scanning the room as though she was looking for someone. Her eyes fell on the king first and she looked as though she might begin towards him, then she caught sight of me. An odd expression crossed her face. I smiled at her, and she frowned.

I thought on it as we passed into the gardens. Was she jealous?

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