Page 21 of To Catch a Prince

So why did he wish to cover her up? Hide her from every eye, except his. He’d keep her locked in a tower and throw away the key. Or better yet, keep it around his throat and never share it with anyoneelse.

His dragon nodded his approval. Dammit. What was wrong withhim?

“Yes, Aleria,” he lied. “Of course. Quite the girl. No doubt, she’ll make a match here if she sowishes.”

He said it all without even looking herway.

“Ah,” the King said, catching the direction of his gaze. “Good luck withthat.”

On that encouraging note, he wrapped his hands around his wife’s waist and led her to the floor for their firstdance.

Males flocked towards the three newcomers, offering their hands and leading them todance.

Aleria was graceful and skilled, Demelza, wicked, as was her way; he saw them at the corner of his eye, all the while carefully observing his newfoundobsession.

Talia took a while to get the steps of their quadrilles; no doubt they danced differently back in her land. Her sister was quicker to learn, but when Talia’d stopped trampling over her partners’ feet, she made Vincent’s suffering ten times worse. For she was one with the music, she relished dancing; it was evident on her face. Watching her now, he hated her more, seeing clearly that there was no evil in her. Just innocence, grace, pleasure, and beauty. Above all, beauty. For beauty, to him, was soul deep and he could have sworn he saw her soul shine through as she twirled andlaughed.

He stepped away from the corner where he’d planted himself and went to stand next to the one man who might help himnow.

“Tell me of the Riders’ bloodlines,” hedemanded.

Nathos didn’t ask why. He didn’t turn to Vincent, either, his eyes also fixed on the dance floor. Thankfully, for it wouldn’t have done to kill an Elder, he was watching the oldersister.

The Elder had, no doubt, studied every volume in his large collection the moment Xandrie had stepped foot in theirland.

“I’ll check relevant details particular to this… situation, as soon as the ball comes to an end,” Nathos replied. “This can’t be a coincidence. They’re sisters and they all fit in, when practically no other human womenwould.”

Vincent inclined his head, unwilling to say morenow.

After a while, the Elder was the one to break the silence. “This isn’tnormal.”

Nathos didn’t clarify what he meant by that, but Vincent could guess. The immediate visceral attraction and the pull making him take leave of his senses. No, normal it wasn’t. But he’d heard of it before. Worse yet: he’d witnessed it before. He’d seen it when his cousin landed at the gates of Tenelar with Xandrie on hisback.

It was time to stop denying the obvious and admit that the only thing wrong with that woman was that he didn’t want her to leave hisside.

Possibly notever.

13

The Dance

Amonth ago,when they went on their way, and every day since, as she heard frightening tales of a woman carried off by a monstrous beast, following a trail south, Talia would never have imagined that she would now be dancing, and laughing, with her twosisters.

She couldn’t recall ever having a merrier time. Music had never been so vibrant and melodious in Malek and the Goddess knew the suitors had certainly not looked like the men of Farden. What was there in the water in the south? Every single person in the room seemed handsome, and happy. Her chest tightened when a little voice with dreadful timing reminded her that she’d be leavingsoon.

There were more men than women in the assembly, she noted; a fine thing, for no lady sat out any dance unless she wished to do so. Each time the music stopped for a moment, a group of prospective partners appeared, offering their hands. Aleria, obviously, had twice as many prospects, and these were twice ascharming.

Another dance ended and, after tilting her head to thank her partner for his time, Aleria walked fast, with great, confident strides, as she always did when she was moved with a purpose. There were men foolish enough to attempt to stop her progress, but she didn’t spare them anyattention.

Talia exchanged a glance with Xandrie, who raised a brow, as their elder sister stopped right in front of a handsome, brooding man who had a distinguished air about him. He bowed, she curtsied and talked, visibly informing him that he was to dance with her now. The poor shmuck had no other choice than to lead her to the dancefloor.

Talia was so taken by the entertaining and uncharacteristic scene - for when did Aleria go against the proper way of things? - that she didn’t hear or see Pretty Man approach. All of a sudden, he was right in front of her,though.

She was too startled to frown; besides, the infuriating man did look annoyingly agreeable, for such a dislikable character. In a dark uniform that seemed to confirm her first impression of him, distinguishing him as a military man, decorated with plenty of ribbons and medals, he would have made any woman swoon. She even liked his hair, now tied at the back of his head, although he still had a braid on oneside.

How inconvenient that he should be quite so gorgeous. And why were her lips so dry whenever he was about? She wet them, biting down on her bottom lip and licking some moisture ontothem.

Vincent bent before her and smiled amiably, holding her hand up to his lips. Her skin tingled and her insides melted, so, finally, she managed a scowl. What was his gamenow?

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