Page 102 of Of Glass and of Gold

He thought I acted this way because of who he was, when in reality, I’d been the one to ruin everything we shared. Me, because I’d been swallowed by the hunger of revenge and made choices that set me against him for the rest of my life. Choices that, if discovered, would have me hanging by a noose for treason. Distance was my only option.

The idea remained absurd to even think there was anything for me to ruin. He was a prince, currently on the hunt for his future queen, and to entertain, for even a single second, that we could be who we wanted to each other, would only leave me empty and broken.

Our time was always destined to be short.

I ran my fingers through my hair, staring up at my ceiling from my bed. The others in the house were preparing our dresses for the intimate dinner. A dinner I now dreaded more than before.

The thought of facing him tonight already stole the breath from my lungs. I feared letting him go may be something I couldn’t do. But what kind of future could we have? Sneaking out at night, still working toward putting an end to the kidnappings. Long nights filled with close proximity, knowing I couldn’t touch him because he had a queen waiting at home.

Maybe I would regret throwing that option away. Maybe getting to be with him, no matter how small the amount of time, would be worth it.

Or perhaps tonight would be the last time I ever saw him again.

My blood ran cold considering this dinner held more at stake than just seeing a man my heart broke to be around. Melody’s presence was risky. I wouldn’t let her go if it wasn’t for Caine’s threat looming over us. Not that Melody would ever go forward in this competition, knowing all Nicholas and I had shared.

Seemed like no matter which direction I took, death was in a hurry to meet me.

Despite the elegant soft pink dress with layers of tulle that had been picked for me, I chose a simple black dress that had been stored away in a trunk. It’d been my mothers. Tonight, I needed more support. I needed her with me.

The sleeves were puffy at the shoulders, but tapered skin tight along my arms until a tiny loop notched my middle fingers, the fabric forming a point over the back of my hand. It fit like a second skin, cinching at the waist to push out slightly from my hips and fall to the ground.

The decolletage created a sweetheart neckline that on another woman would look considerably too provocative for such an event. For me, with barely a hint of cleavage, it was acceptable. Not high fashion, not expensive, not anything to look at compared to Melody’s stunning red ball gown.

They’d spent hours fussing over her hair, producing perfect curls and pinning them in elegant wisps upon her golden head. After I’d changed, I simply twisted my hair into a loop and placed a long hair pin through to hold it in place. Simplicity. No amount of shouting or shaming from Kenzie or Eucinda penetrated my hearing over it.

A carriage had been sent directly to our home, and the three of us sat in silence as it swayed through the cities. Kenzie, our default chaperone, kept questioning our strange lack of conversation that we both pointedly ignored. Melody’s white-gloved hand simply held mine the entire ride.

We arrived, one of only a few carriages tonight. A dozen other women lined at the ready, all much more elegantly dressed than I. Dressed to impress.

Staff dressed in formal attire offered each of us an arm, even Kenzie. Her shriek of excitement made a smile brush my lips. She’d been so disheartened after not receiving an invitation, but I was glad she could still join us for the experience. Her clothing matched the other ladies, making her seem all the more part of the event.

We were led down different corridors than previous occasions, though this time I wasn’t squirreling away the information to report. We filtered into an exquisitely dressed dining room with one long table spanning the length of the room. Painted white embellishments patterned the walls, lush greenery decorating the space amidst shoulder-height candelabras. A gargantuan, crackling hearth provided a lovely heat and comfortable ambience. Tall singular candles lined the table between extravagant floral bouquets, and exquisite dinnerware waited at each seat.

The staff showed me to my seat. A quick glance above my plate targeted a place card with my name written in decorative cursive. Assigned seating.

Though I hadn’t been first to enter the room, I was brought to the end of the table, furthest from the door we’d come through. Melody was placed opposite me, Kenzie next to her. I wondered if they’d sorted us by town.

Long-stem glassware topped the placement, and I leaned into the idea that wine would help me get through this evening as I sat.

I can do this. Eat a warm meal, drink some alcohol, and go home. Maybe I’m placed so far away that he won’t even see me down here when he enters.

All of us settled, whispers filling the room with gushing sentiments about the beauty of the decor.

Melody leaned in, saying quietly, “You’ll be okay.”

I lifted my gaze to hers, to show that I believed her. Faking it. Knowing that Nicholas walked within these halls at this moment was enough to send butterflies dive bombing in my stomach. The cherub-faced man I recognized from the other events tapped his silverware against his glass.

“Ladies, we are so honored to have you join us this evening. Your grace, elegance, beauty and charm have all caught our attention. Tonight provides a much less crowded setting, wouldn’t you say?” He smiled and nodded toward the few women close to him at the table’s other end. They giggled and nodded in reply.

“We hope you enjoy the meal provided for you tonight by our excellent chefs, and our most favored wine selection.”

“Good. Might help make this evening more bearable,” I muttered to Melody, earning a dirty glance from the woman beside me who had feathers as tall as my arm poking out from her updo. Melody offered me a smile full of sympathy.

“When the prince joins us, he requests that you do not receive him. He merely wishes you to carry on, enjoying your evening. So, with that said, let the appetizers be served!” He clapped his hands, and in perfect time, servers entered carrying identical platters, distributing them to each lady.

I gave my thanks as a truly delectable spinach and artichoke pastry puff was set before me. Most of the attendees remained unsure whether to begin, but I didn’t hesitate. I hadn’t eaten all day from nerves getting the better of me. In what probably should have been several bites, I fit the entire pastry in my mouth and made quick work of it, not caring that it was too big to chew while keeping my mouth closed. The flavors melted on my tongue, and I moaned in delight.

When I achieved working it down to a reasonable size, the doors to my left opened. Emerging in his golden glory, shoulder length hair falling in flawless waves, dark blue suit fitted perfectly to his manly frame, stood Nicholas. His smile barely reached his eyes while he did a respectful sweep of the room…until they landed on me.

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