The Betrothed (The Betrothed #1) - Kiera Cass Page 0,66

certainly a reason to celebrate!” he cried. “Music!” And the people cheered, and the musicians began to play.

And while the lords enveloped the king, I stared at the back of the room.

Twenty-Five

MY EYES STAYED LOCKED WITH Silas Eastoffe’s as the room swirled to life around us. I’d seen him dressed in his best before, but he seemed particularly handsome tonight. The Eastoffes, understanding the occasion, were wearing crowns of their own, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they were heirlooms of their long family lines or creations they’d made themselves.

Around me, people embraced and complimented each other’s gowns. People cheered, already managing to find large cups of ale to toast the king, the country, the night . . . anything, really. But my eyes were only for Silas, and his were for me. He swallowed, looking outwardly how I felt inwardly: decimated with longing for something I could not have.

“Hollis!” I finally snapped at Delia Grace calling my name. “There you are. We’ve been looking for you.”

Had I moved? How much time had passed?

“The king is asking for you,” she said pointedly.

I took some deep breaths, trying to bring myself back to my senses. “Yes, of course. Lead the way, won’t you?”

I slipped my hand into Delia Grace’s, and she walked me to the front of the room. I could feel her eyes coming back to me, inspecting. She knew my reservations, of course, and I sensed she could tell there was something more happening. There were so many people around us that she didn’t dare ask, but instead faithfully delivered me to Jameson.

“You are perfection brought to life,” the king said, holding out his arms to greet me. I noted the chalice in his hand, amber ale spilling from one side. “I absolutely love the flowers. Are they glittering?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing. Lord Allinghan, did you see sweet Hollis’s flowers? Aren’t they beautiful?” He didn’t wait for an answer but lowered his voice to continue talking to me. “We’ll have to do this for the wedding. Don’t you think?” His tone was higher than I’d ever heard it before, trilling into a frenzy.

“You are giddy, my lord.”

He laughed wildly. “I am! Ah, I’m having the best of days. Aren’t you?”

My lips may have been trembling when I answered. “Every day is the best one I’ve had until I meet tomorrow.”

He gracelessly brushed my hair back. “For you, I believe that’s true. So beautiful. You will look so lovely with your face printed on a coin, don’t you think? I’ve decided you will be on a coin, by the way. Are you well? You seem out of sorts.”

I couldn’t guess how my face looked, but it clearly wasn’t as happy as he was expecting. “Perhaps it’s the heat. Might I step outside for a moment? Catch my breath?”

“Of course.” He bent to kiss my cheek. “Come back soon. I want everyone to see you. And”—he chuckled, the sound coming across ever so slightly mad—“I have an announcement when you get back.”

I nodded, thankful for the many lords who always clung to the king like bees to honey. It made it easy to turn and run. I must have looked ridiculous, dodging elbows and weaving through couples, but it felt like my lungs were about to burst and I had to—had to—get out of that room. I wasn’t sure where to go. My ladies would find me in my rooms, or even my parents’ quarters. I could wander the castle, but there were still too many people here, with nobles coming into the palace just to be present for this feast. I turned then, making my way to the side entrance where dozens of carriages were waiting to take their masters home once the festivities had died out. I propped myself up against the side of one such carriage and allowed myself to cry.

I told myself to get it all out now. Jameson would expect smiles when I returned, smiles for the rest of my life. But how would I ever stop crying, knowing I was going to marry one man while ignoring the distinct calling of my heart toward another?

“Hollis?”

I turned and saw, under the light of all the torches, that Silas was hiding out here, too, and that he had been crying as well. We looked at each other for a moment, both shocked and amused, and then laughed to find one another out here.

I wiped at my eyes as he did the same. “I’m a bit overwhelmed by the celebration,”