Page 22 of The Rose in the Shadows

The ballroom was sprawling, decorated with the same white marble and gold finishings of the rest of the palace, and yet it was finer. Impossibly so. The windows on the far wall faced the gardens, giving exquisite views of all the roses, poppies, and other flowers. From the far window, I could see the patch of Baby's Breath from which Geia had collected my hair accessories. The flowers weren’t just outside, though. The entire space had been filled with yellow tulips. Distantly, I heard Dimitri telling me they were the Queen’s favorite.

Still, it wasn’t the flowers, the glistening chandeliers, or the tables with fine silk cloths that caught my attention. It was the people.

Geia’s hesitation at my outfit suddenly made sense.

All around me, women floated in their finest gowns. Each one I saw was more elaborate than the last. Some dresses were adorned with crystals and beads, and others had the same shimmering fabric as the dress I wore to the court briefing. And the women themselves - well, they too were decorated. Their eyelids were shimmering or colored dark. Rouge covered theircheeks, and their lips were painted. Most wore their hair up in elaborate twists and braids decorated with all forms of diamonds and pearls. Those who left their hair down had ensured that it was immaculately pinned and curled to perfection.

I looked positively plain next to them all.

My dress was simple, and my hair was in loose waves around my face, with only a few strands tucked back to hold the flowers. My love for my ladies-in-waiting grew tenfold in that moment. Nessira had known my chosen wardrobe wouldn’t fit in, but she had allowed it, knowing it would make me more comfortable.

Not even Zion himself, King of the Gods, could have stopped the grin of gratitude that spread across my face.

Dimitri excused himself, and I went to stand by one of the little tables next to the feast spread. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but the position put me in the ballroom's corner and allowed me to watch the people of the court. The hall danced with life around me. Watching the court members interact was like watching animals in mating season. Each man competed to stick his chest out the furthest while the ladies gossiped and sent wandering glances. Several of their eyes followed the Crown Prince as he made his way to my table.

“Lady Moore,” he greeted me, dipping his eyes slightly. He had also worn finer clothes tonight, trading in the dark tunics he typically donned for an ivory jacket sealed with golden buttons. A scarlet sash had been draped across his chest, clipped together with the Athenian insignia - the dragon surrounded with five stars.

I curtsied. “Your grace.”

His eyes narrowed, “You look-”

“Simple?” I interrupted almost too happily.

“Beautiful.” He sighed. “You look beautiful.”

My stomach flipped in surprise at the compliment and I felt an embarrassed flush flood my cheeks

“Why was I invited to this?” I asked him, changing the subject.

I couldn’t imagine the Queen had personally invited me to her celebration, considering we had never been formally introduced. So, obviously there was some ulterior motive for requiring my attendance.

Couples had already populated the dance floor, their feet following elaborate steps I didn’t know as music spread through the air. Clayton came to stand by me, folding his hands and leaning onto the table, mirroring my stance. For a moment, we were quiet before he shifted his weight to look at me fully.

“You’re a member of this court,” he reminded me.

“So the Dragon wants to show me off again?”

He laughed darkly. “You should be thrilled to celebrate your Queen’s Birth Night.”

I wasn’t thrilled to be there, though. It was impossible to enjoy myself when I could feel the eyes and judgments of the room weighing down upon me. No, it all left me feeling a bit unsure of myself. Was I expected to dance or mingle tonight? Or would they frown at me for appearing joyful just days after the incident on the bridge?

“Behave tonight,” Clayton warned me, his voice low and harsh, even as he sent a sparkling grin at a flock of ladies across the room. I marveled at the ease of it. How simple it was for him to give a sideways grin and melt the hearts of half the women in the room even as he issued threats to me. I laughed under my breath, and he raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“You and your father are so similar,” I pondered.

He stiffened suddenly, standing at full attention. Golden light shined through his eyes with such a sudden fierceness that I faltered back a step away from him.

“I amnothinglike my father,” he told me.

Before I could respond or even recover from the sudden intensity of his anger, a familiar squealing filled the air. Irislatched onto me, grabbing me by the shoulders and holding me at arm’s length to examine my dress, with Lorelai close behind her.

“You look stunning!” Iris declared approvingly, shoving my shoulders to spin me around in a circle for them.

I glanced at Clayton as I spun, but his fury had quickly disappeared. All that remained was that mask of astounding arrogance once more as he leaned casually against the table and watched us, one eyebrow raised. I refused to look at him again, focusing on Iris and Lorelai instead.

“It surprised me when your lady-in-waiting took that one,” Lorelai admitted. “But it does suit you.”

“Suit her? Why, it’s the next court trend!” Iris declared gleefully. “Mark my words, by tomorrow, all these women will have their hair down! Oh Gods,the flowers!How positively quaint!”

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