me to bring it to you this evening, but I wasn't sure when I'd have the pleasure of making your acquaintance.
She had the king's full attention. He was perched on the edge of his throne.
What's it look like? Are there jewels in its butt?
The ... the stock is hand-carved from cherry-wood, she said, feeding the king the details Bill called out from where he stood beside the king's chair. The bore was milled by--by--
Oh, what would sound impressive? By a Russian metalworker who has since gone to work for the czar. Bill leaned over the king's pastries and sniffed hungrily. These look good.
Luce repeated Bill's line and then added, I could bring it to Your Majesty, if you'd just allow me to go and retrieve it from my chambers--
A servant can bring the gun down tomorrow, I'm sure, the duke said.
I want to see it now. The king crossed his arms, looking even younger than he was.
Please. Luce turned to the duke. It would give me great pleasure to present the rifle to His Majesty myself.
Go. The king snapped his fingers, dismissing Luce. Luce wanted to spin on her heel, but Lys knew better--one never showed the king one's back-- and she bowed and walked backward out of the room. She showed the most gracious restraint, gliding along as though she hadn't any feet at all--just until she got to the other side of the mirrored door.
Then she ran.
Through the ballroom, past the splendid dancing couples and the orchestra, whirring from one pastel-yellow room into another decorated all in deep chartreuse. She ran past gasping ladies and grunting gentlemen, over hardwood floors and thick, opulent Persian rugs, until the lights grew dimmer and the partygoers thinned out, and at last she found the mullioned doors that led outside. She thrust them open, gasping in her corset to draw the fresh air of freedom into her lungs. She strode onto an enormous balcony made of brilliant white marble that wrapped around the entire second story of the palace.
The night was bright with stars; all Luce wanted to do was to be in Daniel's arms and flying up toward those stars. If only he were by her side to take her far from all of this--
What are you doing out here?
She spun around. He'd come for her. He stood across the balcony in simple servant's clothes, looking confused and alarmed and tragically, hopelessly in love.
Daniel. She dashed toward him. He moved toward her, too, his violet eyes lighting up; he threw open his arms, beaming. When they finally connected and Luce was wrapped up in his arms, she thought she might explode from happiness.
But she didn't.
She just stayed there, her head buried against his wonderful, broad chest. She was home. His arms were wrapped around her back, resting on her waist, and he pulled her as close to him as possible. She felt him breathe, and smelled the husky scent of straw on his neck. Luce kissed just below his left ear, then underneath his jaw. Soft, gentle kisses until she reached his lips, which parted against her own. Then the kisses became longer, filled with a love that seemed to pour out from the very depths of her soul.
After a moment, Luce broke away and stared into Daniel's eyes. I've missed you so much.
Daniel chuckled. I've missed you, too, these past ... three hours. Are--are you all right?
Luce ran her fingers through Daniel's silky blond hair. I just needed to get some air, to find you. She squeezed him tightly.
Daniel narrowed his eyes. I don't think we should be out here, Lys. They must be expecting you back in the receiving room.
I don't care. I won't go back in there. And I would never marry that pig. I will never marry anyone but you.
Shhh. Daniel winced, stroking her cheek. Someone might hear you. They've cut off heads for less than that.
Someone already did hear you, a voice called from the open doorway. The Duc de Bourbon stood with his arms crossed over his chest, smirking at the sight of Lys in the arms of a common servant. I believe the king should hear of this. And then he was gone, disappearing inside the palace.
Luce's heart raced, driven by Lys's fear and her own: Had she altered history? Was Lys's life supposed to proceed differently?
But Luce couldn't know, could she? That was what Roland had told her: Whatever changes she made in time, they would immediately be part of what had happened.