Page 70 of To Fight and To Fold

She blinked out at the lavish ballroom as the thought occurred not for the first time in the passing days. She noticed the knights and guards lining the walls.

The party was in full swing. Musicians’ fingers danced across string instruments to fill the space with soft music. Tables lined the walls with refreshments and bouquets and little foods, while several couples swayed together on the dance floor. Rose was eying a handsome young man, trying to appear unflattered by his attention, and fondness swelled in her chest, chasing away the ever-present anger.

With a giggle, Rose leaned into her. "Tonight is going to be a good night, I just know it. And I really enjoyed spending time with you again these past few weeks,” she rambled endearingly. “I knew I was right. When the prince reminded us you wanted your peace, I thought, ‘Well, that won't do.’ We're practically sisters, after all, and I wanted to be there for you."

Aaryn paused, staring down at her wrist, at her brand, at the priceless jewels. "The prince said… what?"

Rose waved a hand. "Well, you know, when Starspark was first taken, he told us you were so devastated you needed space. And When Carissa… left, he said you were so disturbed by the turn of events that we shouldn’t bother you." She spun to face Aaryn. "But I’m glad he was wrong. A girl just needs her friends, you know."

Rose hugged her, the gems of her wristlet cold against Aaryn's shoulder.

Aaryn smiled weakly, and fresh fury flared to life in her breastbone that she tried to stamp down.

Thea was right after all. The prince had isolated her. Or he’d tried, anyway.

Aaryn was very grateful for Rose.

“Shall we?" Rose asked, and offered her arm.

Aaryn spied the young man finally making his way toward them, eyes on Rose. “You shall,” Aaryn said, and nudged her toward him. "Go have fun," she told her.

The ballroom was in the east of the castle, on the ground floor, and the large windows let the fresh night breeze in. The huge doors in the center of the right wall were open to the gardens, where couples could stroll to escape the dull noise of the dance floor.

Aaryn avoided the prince’s side of the room, and carefully made her way toward the small group of other Tethered. Maybe she could hide while this frustration broiled.

As she arrived, a woman was sweet-talking Wilma, and she led them, blushing, to the dance floor. As the others gossiped in their wake, she felt out of place next to the tables decorated with more flowers and tall candles.

Then their whispers hushed in an instant; her attention leapt from face to face.

"What is it?" she asked.

If the prince approached her, why, Aaryn would⁠—

A masculine voice spoke before anyone could answer her. "All of this couldn't have been done without the Tethered's hard work. Shall you not enjoy it from the dance floor?"

—Politely accept his invitation, rather than cause a scene, of course. But the audacity made her teeth itch. He expected her to be grateful, excited for such an event, when Aaryn was still without her dragon and he had tried to keep her friends from her?

All the women giggled at the prince's words, and Aaryn placed a smile on her face as she turned toward him. "Prince Jarrick, I trust you're enjoying the ball."

He held a hand out to her. "I think I would enjoy it more were you to join me for a dance."

Behind her, the Tethered downright gasped. Aaryn applauded herself for keeping a straight face. She couldn't turn down his offer, not without drawing attention to themselves, but Aaryn didn't relish the idea of spinning in the prince's arms like her mother would.

"I'd love to," she lied.

He pulled her onto the dance floor to join the swirling jewel tones of the other couples. It felt brighter and warmer here. Her temples felt tight, her feet heavy. Was everyone staring, or was she imagining it? Aaryn focused on putting her feet in the right spot, instead of on top of the prince's.

They fell into a group dance as the music melded into new melodies, and she breathed easier, but eventually, she made her way back to the prince himself.

His hand was warm against her back, and the music slowed again as the couples drew close. The prince smelled like cotton and metal and a man who had been dancing in too many layers.

"It's been a while since we've had a ball like this," he said. "The Tethered truly did a wonderful job on the decor. Such attention to detail."

Aaryn offered him the smile such words were expected to earn. "Of course. We also worked closely with the kitchens and the other staff to make it all come together. We don't deserve all the thanks."

The prince nodded. "I'll be sure to pass it along. How are you doing? And the others, under the unfortunate circumstances?"

Aaryn shrugged and waited while he spun her. The jewels from her wristlet dug into her palm around her scar. "I'm thankful we had the ball to prepare for, to fill our days," she hinted.