Page 51 of Lake of Sapphire
That was not what I expected him to say. “Should I not trust your friends either? Is that the reason I’m not allowed to talk to them?”
“You can trust Peter, but not the others,” he said matter-of-factly as he gestured toward where Reagan and Alec were both standing. “Come, dance with me. It’s tradition that the engaged couple dances at least once at their own party.”
“I don’t want to,” I deadpanned. He ignored me, tossed my empty glass to the side, and grabbed my arm, careful to avoid the wrappings still on my wrist. “Sie, stop. I don’t want to dance.”
He pulled me out onto the dance floor and swung me around. My hand splayed flat against his chest as I crashed into him.
“You’re going to find, Scotlind Rumor, that it doesn’t matter what either of us want anymore. We are both going to have to do things we don’t desire.”
“I hardly see how dancing is something we have to do.”
“There are a lot of old traditions Tennebris has kept. There will be a lot that is expected of us.”
I didn’t want to know what other things we would be forced into, not now. I gritted my teeth. “What I meant is, I can’t dance. It’s not about not wanting to… I don’t know how.”
His eyebrows scrunched up as he assessed me, but he didn’t laugh. “I’ll guide you. You just have to get close to me.”
“What? No—”
“You can learn to dance later, but for now, just follow my lead. Like you said, I don’t want a wife who will embarrass me.”
I rolled my eyes as I looked up to meet his gaze.
“Come on, Scotlind. One dance won’t kill you.”
Hesitantly, I stepped closer to him, filling the gap between us. He placed his hand firmly on my back, drawing me in closer. My breathing quickenedas my breasts lightly touched his chest with each movement. A soft, quiet melody began playing from the musicians. I couldn’t tell where the music was coming from or where the musicians stood, but their song carried across the room as he guided me further onto the dance floor.
“You look beautiful tonight. Wearing a dress suits you,” he whispered into my ear, his breath hot on my neck.
“Th-thank you,” I stuttered. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Had he noticed? By the smirk he was giving me, I would think so. I looked away from his gaze and stared at his chest, which wasn’t much better.
I hated how my body reacted to him. How I felt dizzy in his presence. I couldn’t catch my breath, and my stomach twirled in knots. I didn’t want to be like the other doting girls that followed him around everywhere he went. I hated him, even if my body disagreed. My mind hated him.
Sie swept me down, leaning into me as my hair brushed against the floor. I caught Reagan scowling. Alec was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. Amusement flickered in his gaze as he watched us like a hawk. I scanned the room for Peter, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Try not to look so frightened,” Sie said as he leaned into me, whispering in my ear. “Right now, every single High Council member is watching your movements, seeing how you react. Look like you belong.”
“And do I belong here?”
“It doesn’t matter if you do or don’t. You have to now. You don’t have a choice.”
I couldn’t tell if he was helping me out of concern or for his own benefit. Synder’s words haunted me as I scanned the crowd. Sie was right. Every member had their eyes glued to me, watching our every movement as Sie twirled me around the now empty floor.
“Chin up. Just look at me,” he purred. I did. His dark eyes lightened. It was just a dance. Why did it bother me so much?
His Princess, a rank zero, makes you a very easy target.
It would be wise to stay close to your guards.
If people want to get to Prince Noren, it will be a lot easier going through you.
The use of abilities like compulsion are not monitored as closely within our walls.
The music finally faded out. I was thankful Sie kept true to his word and only requested one song. We both took a step back. Sie stared at me like he was waiting for something. I didn’t stay to find out as I turned in the other direction, storming out of the Hall before anyone could stop me.
I didn’t care that I was alone in a foreign castle where people might want me dead. Or at least, I didn’t care enough.
EIGHTEEN