Page 50 of The Rose in the Shadows

Not to mention, I still had plans to sneak out of this damned castle to meet Mara in a few nights. That task had seemed impossible with Dimitri standing guard constantly. With a team of ten, it was unthinkable!

“I don’t need a guard team!”

The ladies-in-waiting made some excuse about taking their leave, obviously uncomfortable, and Nessira squeezed my hand in support on the way out. Rankor sighed and raised both hands as if to say,What can you do?

“It’s for your safety,” he reminded me patiently.

I could tell from his pained expression that he had expected this kind of reaction from me, and though I knew better than to shoot the messenger, I couldn’t stop myself.

I placed my hands on my hips with a stern expression. “You’re an army general, Rankor, not some glorified babysitter!”

He sighed dramatically and came to stand behind me. After placing a hand on the small of my back, he pushed me gently in a silent but firm gesture to show I would not talk my wayout of this. The guards parted like a sea for us, but did not hesitate to form two long lines on either side of me as we walked through the palace hall. They were practically ritualistic in their uniformed movements. It made me want to gag.

“He was worried about you,” Rankor told me, his voice low. “You haven’t left your rooms.”

“Then he could have talked to me. He could have asked me if I thought this was necessary!”

Rankor smirked and rolled his eyes as if I was missing the punchline of a joke. “He’s the Crown Prince, Thea. He’s not accustomed to asking things of others, and no one tells him what is or isn’t necessary.”

It was my life. I should have gotten a say in how it was conducted.

And yet, it was his kingdom.

So I knew I wouldn’t get a say.

I let the topic drop, knowing any of my arguments against the guard team would be unsuccessful. And besides, I could feel butterflies swirling in my stomach as I began to hear the commotion of the party. I could hardly meet the standards of my own king; I shivered at the thought of having to impress the rest of the nobles who awaited me in the ballroom. Clay’s decision to commission a guard team without my consent wasn’t my primary concern. It couldn’t be, not when the Dragon and my suitors were all waiting for my arrival.

Ihad never seen so many colors in one room. The golden flag of Athenia hung proudly in the center of the far wall, highabove the lofty thrones of the Dragon and his Queen. The flags of the other nations flanked the Athenian banner, each reflecting its heritage and unique color. Light blue for the ice lands of Gelumont, bold orange for the deserts of Tenebris, forest green for the mountainous Republic of Inanis, and elaborate swirls of purple and yellow for Promissa.

The most influential people in the world twirled effortlessly around the room, doing intricate dances and laughing merrily. Each dignitary was dripping with diamonds and pearls, both male and female alike. The women wore sweeping gowns with their hair pinned up elaborately, and their partners sported jewel-encrusted sashes and the finest tailored jackets.

Even the decorations were extraordinary. I’d seen the ballroom decorated before, of course, but for the Peace Ball, no expense had been spared. Ice sculptures sat glistening in the corners of the room. Floating candles hovered above the dancefloor, reflecting light against the giant sparkling crystal chandeliers. Food that seemed to double as artwork covered tables along the walls.

I smirked as I took it all in. I was simultaneously amazed by its beauty and ruefully impressed by the Dragon's display of power. This was a party to celebrate peace, but I could also recognize it as the performance that it was. This was the Dragon showing just how wealthy and powerful Athenia was.

I spied my friends across the room, laughing happily. My first instinct was to run to them, to lose myself in their company and pretend I wasn’t a princess for an evening. But already, the Dragon had spied me and was making his way through the crowd. I wanted to turn and retreat, to flee from the towering man who no doubt would want me on his arm all evening, but even I knew when a battle was futile.

“Miss Moore,” he greeted me, eyes scanning over me appreciatively. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you actually look like the princess you’re supposed to be tonight.”

Of course, I did. He and his son had dressed me up like I was nothing more than a doll for them to play with. I was just another tool for him to show off Athenia’s power.

Begrudgingly, I extended my hand to him and dipped into a deep curtsy. “Your majesty.”

As he kissed my knuckles, I felt the stubble of his graying mustache and was grateful that my bowed head concealed my flinch.

“Looks can deceive, though, can’t they?” He chuckled.

Lookscouldbe deceiving. After all, someone could look like a dutiful king and loving father when he was actually nothing more than a psychopathic, abusive asshat who murdered the mother of his child.

And a long-lost princess could appear thrilled to be at the party of the year, meeting everyone who’s anyone, even though every fiber of her being was screaming at her to flee.

The Dragon held onto my hand, wrapping it around his arm and declaring that I needed to meet some people. Unsurprisingly, he warned me to be on my best behavior, to smile and nod, lest my friend Iris pay the consequences. My eyes flickered to her instinctively, and the Dragon laughed, knowing his threat had landed.

He dragged me to the throne, where the Queen spoke quietly with the visiting dignitaries. She kept her eyes low, muttering only one or two-worded answers while the others prattled on around her.

“President Jonan, always a pleasure.” The Dragon greeted the man speaking to the Queen with a stiff handshake.

Though not by much, the man was older than the Dragon, with hair that had long since turned white. He wore a gray jacket withthe green sash of Inanis across his chest. He dipped his head politely at The Dragon, but his eyes glinted with hidden anger.

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