I came to the foyer, then passed through to the ballroom.
Staying in the shadows, I observed how splendidly it was decorated. Great marble pillars lined the hall, flowers and vines adorning them. A head table had an array of succulent food and roses. The chandeliers sparkled, casting a warm glow around the room filled with people dancing, eating, and joyously celebrating. My mother was predictably absent. She would have left as soon as they married us to go back and attend to my sisters. The king’s and queen’s thrones on the opposite side of the room sat empty, visibly showing their lack of approval for our nuptials. Though it didn’t matter that the bride wasn’t his intended—the nobles stayed to revel in the merrymaking and the coming week-long celebrations regardless.
Entranced by the music, I hung back in the shadows and watched jealously as bedecked ladies were spun around on the floor in a twirl of lace, their jewels catching the candlelight. The music was heavenly, played by the fingers of supreme artists. Closing my eyes, I momentarily forgot the pang of hunger as I listened to the dulcimer and viola. I rested my hand upon my chest, feeling my heart beating in contentment, and I opened my eyes and smiled. Maybe I could find happiness here.
Skirting the room, I made my way over to a side table filled with food and glanced up at the head table, hoping to catch a look at Prince Xander in the flesh and not through a haze of thick veils. I wanted to get a glimpse of my husband. Two empty chairs with equally bare gilded plates dressed the table. It looked like he never even came to his own party either. I wondered where he had gone off to. Sighing, I cast a hungry look at the glazed duck, roasted vegetables, and various sides that were awaiting the bride and groom, but I dared not approach the head table.
Get food and get out, I told myself, then carefully maneuvered around the flowing ball gowns. Snatching a filled pastry from a moving tray, I retreated to a dark alcove and watched my wedding celebration from afar.
Taking another step back into the shadows, I snuck a bite of my pastry and sighed in pleasure at the filling of sausage, potatoes, and herbs. When I finished my treat and licked my fingers clean, I debated going back for another. It wasn’t until I made to step forward that I realized I wasn’t alone in the shadows.
A gentleman leaning against the wall, nursing a glass of wine, addressed me. “Have you come to spy on the witch?” He raised his glass to point toward the empty head table.
I glanced up into the heated eyes of one of the most striking men I had ever seen. His dark copper hair was slicked back, eyes a golden amber that flashed by the light of the chandelier, his chin angular and strong, his jacket cut bringing attention to his broad shoulders and slim waist. My heart raced as I took him in.
“No,” I muttered, embarrassed that he had caught me slinking in the shadows, gawking at the head table. “In fact, I’m—”
“Lying,” he cut in. His eyes narrowed as he looked critically at me, then let his gaze slowly roam over me, not missing a single detail. “No woman as striking as you would hide amongst the shadows.”
“Maybe this woman prefers darkness,” I whispered, but my voice sounded husky.
“So you’ve not come in the hopes of finding a wealthy husband?” His brows drew back in surprise.
“No.” I couldn’t keep the rare smile from my lips. If only this handsome stranger knew that finding a husband was no longer any of my concern.
He drew closer, raising his arm above my head to rest on the wall behind me. He leaned in, the smell of wine on his breath strong as he whispered, “Then you are here for a clandestine meeting with a lover, perhaps? If not, I’m sure I could help you find one.”
“I’m only here for the food,” I muttered, then stared up into the animated eyes, a renewed heat rising to my face. A deep rumble came from his chest that I at first thought was a growl until I realized he was laughing—at me. Not one to enjoy being laughed at, I tried to duck under his arm and move away.
“Wait, don’t leave,” he said, grabbing my elbow and stopping me from escaping. “I find your candor refreshing.”