Page 128 of Journey to the Elderoak
She smiled broadly. “The feeling’s mutual.”
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The music sounded, violins playing a slow dance, as the royalty in attendance took their places at the center of the floor. Plush brown and gold couches sat in the corners of the ballroom to allow for casual conversation and the lights were dimmed for a more intimate ambiance.
“It’s customary for the royalty to dance the first dance,” said Thorne, leading Ava to join the other dancers.
“I don’t know the steps,” she whispered.
Taking her hand in his, he placed his other on her waist as she laid her remaining hand on his shoulder. “Follow my lead,” he said as he led them in a waltz.
The other royalty danced around them. Orion with Seraphina, Soren with Astrid, Aelerion with Thalia. Jareth had found some attendee, a high fae woman whose breasts were practically pouring from her tight red dress, and he sneered at Ava as they moved past.
She ignored him and focused on learning the steps.
“Well, they definitely don’t like me,” she said to her brother.
“They don’t like anyone but themselves. Don’t worry about it.”
“Why did they come then?”
“Good question,” he replied. “I think they wanted to meet you and they take pleasure in insulting others. It makes them feel powerful, the morons.”
“Do you think they’ll join us in this war?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “Dinner didn’t help with that.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, it just came out,” she lamented.
“Don’t be sorry. I was on the edge of losing it as well, you just did it quicker than I.” After a moment he added, “You remind me so much of Mother.”
She tilted her head as they moved across the dance floor. “How so?”
“She was like you. Kind, caring, warm to all the creatures and citizens of town. But insult her loved ones and she would turn into a formidable opponent. The Kingdom loved her. She was a fair and kind ruler,” he said sadly. “Unlike father.”
“I’m sorry you had to deal with him,” Ava said. “And that I wasn’t here with you.”
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
The dance came to an end. Ava scanned the crowd, when she noticed a man standing in the back, staring at her. Something about him seemed familiar…but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“What is it?” Thorne asked, noticing the direction of her stare.
She looked at him, then back to where the man was standing. He was gone. Shaking her head, she replied, “Nothing. I thought I saw someone. It was nothing.”
But she couldn’t shake the strange feeling that she knew this person.
The royalty split apart, the rest of the guests now taking their places for the next song. Ava parted from Thorne and made her way to a group of couches where Remy sat with hisbrothers. She yearned to know how he’d truly been these last few months.
“Princess!” he exclaimed. “Come sit. Sit sit sit.”
She lowered onto the velvet couch next to him. “How have you been, Remy?”
“Oh, just wonderful.” He rocked in his seat as his brothers watched her with curiosity. “I’ve been enjoying my home. So happy to be reunited with my family, yes.”
“I’m so happy to see you,” she said.
“And you’re the Princess! I knew there was something special about you. Yes yes yes.”
