Page 17 of Legacy of Glass
Reluctantly, she placed her fingers on the crook of his arm and started in the direction he indicated. The prince immediately drew her hand all the way through his arm, pulling her tightly to his side just in time to prevent a collision with a couple spinning past.
Olivia had intended to pull away as soon as they left the dance floor and whisk herself off. But somehow Prince Julius maneuvered them straight into a small alcove between two of the glass doors that lined the exterior wall of the room.
While Olivia was blinking and trying to work out what had happened, he collected two glasses from a passing waiter and positioned himself so they were at least partially blocked from the eyes of the room. Reluctantly, Olivia accepted the offered glass, her resentment building.
The prince obviously had as little desire to be in her presence as she had to be in his. So why wouldn’t he leave her alone? Was his pride stung because she wasn’t falling all over herself to dance with the prince?
He downed his drink with a single toss of his head, his expression as he looked at her reflecting her own frustration and irritation.
“Do you have to make this so difficult?” he asked with a slight head shake. “It isn’t as if this was a situation of my choosing.”
“Well it certainly isn’t one of mine,” Olivia snapped back, finally losing her patience completely.
The prince had been the one to approach her. All she had wanted was to enjoy the event from the sidelines, out of notice of the important members of the court and her aunt.
She almost groaned at the reminder of her aunt and tried, unsuccessfully, to peer over Julius’s shoulder. Even if Aunt Helen had missed Olivia’s dramatic arrival, she couldn’t possibly have missed her two dances and abrupt departure from the dance floor. And that meant she was probably making her way toward them at that very moment. She wasn’t likely to miss the opportunity of inserting herself into Olivia’s conversation and forcing an introduction between the prince and her daughters.
And what of Marigold? Olivia wanted to shake herself. She hadn’t even been looking for her friend. Marigold must surely have arrived by now, and Olivia had promised to be watching for her. How had she so entirely forgotten herself for half an hour or more?
She pushed forward, stepping sideways to get out from behind Julius and gain a better view. She couldn’t see far into the crowd and could find no sign of Marigold or Aunt Helen. But she couldn’t fail to notice how many people were looking in their direction. No one approached them, but everywhere small knots of people were talking, their gazes constantly flicking to the prince and Olivia.
Heat rushed over Olivia. Coming to the ball had clearly been a mistake.
She took another step away, intending to head straight for the ballroom doors, but Julius seized her wrist, stopping her. She immediately pulled free of his grip, but the furious expression on his face made her freeze.
“Who are you looking for?” he asked in an ice-cold murmur. “If it’s a lover, I’m warning you now that I will walk away from all of this. I’m willing to sacrifice much for Sovar, but I have my limits.”
Olivia’s mouth dropped open. She didn’t even know where to start. Sacrifice for Sovar?Hehad his limits?
“A lover!?” She fought to keep her voice as quiet as his. “Would I have been dancing with you if I was here to meet a lover? Are you trying to insult me?”
“I’m trying,” he said, frustration dripping from every word, “to have a plain conversation. From where I stand, it appears that you are the one trying to insult me.”
“Me?” Olivia wanted to protest further, but something kept her mouth shut. She had to be missing something—but what?
She wished Marigold would appear from the crowds. Unlike Olivia, Marigold had grown up as one of the court, never more than a stone’s throw away in Manor Row. She understood the palace and its inhabitants in a way Olivia didn’t. Perhaps she could act as interpreter between them because it felt as if they were speaking a different language.
She took a step back and tried to gather her thoughts. Storming off seemed like a dangerous option when she clearly didn’t understand what was going on.
When Julius stepped in front of her again, she could only think of all the interested eyes trained on them. This time his tall frame felt like a shield rather than a barrier.
But when her eyes caught on two figures sweeping across the ballroom floor toward them, Olivia realized that even Julius’s shoulders weren’t going to be broad enough.
“Their Majesties,” she said through numb lips.
Julius glanced swiftly over his shoulder, his face shifting to relief at sight of his parents.
“About time,” he muttered. “Maybe I’ll finally get some answers.”
Olivia stiffened, but the spear of anger at his unreasonable words was welcome, driving out her momentary nerves. She had done nothing wrong and had nothing to fear. She straightened her spine and lifted her chin, ready to greet the king and queen.
Chapter7
Olivia
As Julius turned his back on her, Olivia caught a glimpse of a charming smile on his face, aimed toward the crowd and his approaching parents. The bravest part of her wanted to step forward and meet them at this side, but her courage failed her, and she remained tucked away, mostly out of sight.
“Father.” Julius gave the king a quick half bow. “You look beautiful tonight, Mother.”
