Page 81 of Glass and Bone
“I’ll be careful, I promise.” She squeezes my arm with hers as we walk to the large ballroom.
Candles are hanging on thin wire from the ceiling, lighting the room with a million little stars. Buffet tables line all of the walls, filled with trays and bowls ready for food and drinks. People are milling about trying to finish off all the preparations before it’s too late. We look around the large room for a moment more before exiting into the hall. Tobias and my father are at the other end, engrossed in a heated conversation. Scarlett and I look at each other before slowly making our way over there.
“Husband.” I say loudly and with a smile. His frown disappears as he looks over at me, taking me into his arms and kissing me gently.
“Your Grace.” Scarlett says to Tobias and bows her head slightly. Tobias smiles at me before pulling back and I return it.
“Please, Scarlett, call me Tobias. We are going to be family soon.” He smiles and then kisses her cheek. She blushes before turning to my father and narrowing her eyes. As a Lady, and soon to be princess, of Noterra, she no longer answers to the Chatisian King, and I can tell it pisses him off.
“Father.” I say sternly, letting any anger I have fuel my words.
“Your Grace.” He mutters before bowing deeply at the waist. I turn back to Tobias who is looking at my father with distaste.
“What is the matter?” I ask, looking up at Tobias. He looks down at me, his arm still around my waist. Cupping my cheek, he kisses my nose and then shakes his head. A silent command not to pry, but he knows I’ll ask him later. I nod and pull out of his arms, looping mine through Scarlett’s again. “We are going to go for a walk with Tano.” I announce and we walk away.
“What was that?” Scarlett whispers as soon as we are out of earshot. I glance back at Tobias and my father, continuing their conversation animatedly and I shrug.
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
“You better share any juicy details.” She whispers before pinching me for a third time.
Chapter Thirty-Four
The day goes by quickly as we walk the courtyard and explore. I introduced her to Sybil and Wyclif and then she proceeded to walk around the entire stable before pointing at a beautiful silver stallion claiming him as her own. He didn’t have a name plate above his stall, so she yelled out until someone came running. She, very directly, instructed that a name plate be installed above the door stating that his name is Bijoy. We both laughed as he looked at Scarlett confused until I told him it was okay. He ran off so quickly that we both laughed even harder.
We ate lunch together by the stables and the grazing field, forcing Sybil and Bijoy to interact. They were both wary of each other but by the end of lunch, they were running across the grass side by side. We deemed it a success and then watched as the stablehands struggled to wrangle them back into their stalls. It seems Sybil and Bijoy only wanted to listen to us.
By the time we made our way back into the palace, the sun was setting, and we both smelled like hay. I found myself smiling the whole day, feeling more normal than I ever had. If this is a sign of how life will play out, maybe it won’t nearly be as bad as I thought.
Despite the day, I still had Enzo in the back of my mind begging me to not fight back. He seems to think I’ll be put in a position where I would want to fight, but I can’t see that happening. After today, everything seems to be getting better. I asked for flowers to be sent to Chatis and placed on Erik’s grave, which Donovan said he’d see to. While I miss my friend, I know that he had to have been hurting. He stood by my door for hours, protecting me all while he was suffering an infection. It still surprises me to think about it. To think he’s gone that fast. I know Tobias meant well by keeping it from me, especially due to my assumed instability, but I still find a small piece of resentment towards him for it.
I take a deep breath as we enter the palace arm in arm. The music hits us quickly as the beautiful sounds of violin and pianoforte float through the halls. Laughter and voices slip through the music as we grow closer to the ballroom. Crowds of people are standing in the hall, all holding glasses of wine and champagne. They all turn towards me at the same time, making me freeze.
“Your Grace!” They all say seemingly as one. They bow and curtsy and I find my cheeks reddening.
“Hello.” I say quietly and smile as they stand. They turn back towards their small groups and resume their talking.
“Was that just as weird to you as it was to me?” Scarlett whispers in my ear. My eyes widen and I nod in agreement, holding back laughter.
We enter the ballroom, and the smells of roasted meats, fruits, baked goods, and other culinary creations fill my nose as I take a deep breath. A hand yanks on my fingers pulling me away from Scarlett. I am spun twice before landing against a warm chest. My hands grip the black lapels of his jacket, and the scent of cedar overpowers the scent of food.
“My beautiful wife.” Tobias whispers before dipping me and giving me a dramatic kiss. Clapping ensues around us, and I look around awkwardly as he stands me back up. “Did you have a good day? You caught some sun.” His finger pokes my nose and I pretend to bite it.
“I did. Scarlett commandeered a horse and then we forced our horses to be friends.” I giggle and his eyes brighten.
“You seem happier.” I nod and lay my hands back on his chest.
“I feel happier.” He leans down and brushes my cheek with his lips. Another hand grabs at my upper arm, but Tobias keeps me tightly against him. I look up to see Scarlett pouting.
“Dance withme.” She says with a frown. I laugh again and lean up on my tiptoes to kiss Tobias before taking her outstretched hand.
We spin in circles and circles until we are dizzy and laughing. We drink glass after glass of wine and champagne and some other brown beverage that burns until we can barely stand. My crown slips off my head twice, with some random person catching it each time. After the second time, it ends up on Scarlett’s head, in addition to her tiara, as she spins in place, her dress flowing around her like waves of water. I giggle and clap, encouraging her. She lifts her arms in the air and picks up her pace. People around us begin to clap and cheer.
She turns and lands right into someone’s arms. Someone who is not Theo. He dips her and reaches for her face to kiss her before I pull her towards me. He looks at me with widened eyes before raising his hands apologetically. We both break out into laughter as we force our way through the crowd and towards more champagne.
I grab two glasses, handing her one, before downing mine. The champagne is cold and bubbly, gliding down my throat with a tickle. I set it down and grab another. I question whether or not I should, but I feel so good. My feet feel light, my head floating. The floor seems like it’s spinning around me, and I close my eyes to relish in it. I can spin forever. When I open my eyes, Scarlett has disappeared. I frown and walk towards the open door.
I look up and down the hallway, but I don’t see her. I take my glass and walk towards the open patio doors. The ballroom is on the bottom floor, but a fenced section off the ballroom creates a barrier between the courtyard and the hallway.
