Page 14 of Crown of Draga

Veri swept back into the ballroom, a winning smile on her face. She made sure to chat with every noble there. Even the Prince of Thieves was due a smile and perhaps a dance. The rogue certainly was handsome despite his disreputable nature.

The fire opal around her neck glittered and she tapped it as she talked with a lesser noble from Deytis. The answering glimmer across the room drew her attention and Veri saw Hayden run his hand through his hair, the opals at his wrist glittering under the candlelight. Who knew the sweet, submissive Princess Adelina had such a dark and romantic side?

Veri nearly excused herself to go speak with Hayden and make an apology for her temper, not necessarily her words. But she hesitated when she saw a different, darker sparkle of black. The noble had asked her something. She nodded without really paying attention to the repeated question and he swept her onto the dance floor. It gave her a better view of Hayden.

Hayden laughed and chatted with the royal family and the royal cousins, Princess Vasara and Prince Ajax. He smiled at Raena as she asked him something and then her tinkling laugh in response set Veri’s teeth on edge. How dare he flaunt such a thing in front of her so soon after their argument?

Accepting a proposal was one matter, actively seeking out a new relationship was another entirely. How dare he treat her like something disposable, something unimportant? She was not one to be scorned like she was no more than a scullery maid desperate for attention.

As the room spun again, she seethed. The warmth and love she felt for Hayden trickled away to be replaced by a need for vengeance, for justice. He should have simply told her they were through instead of leading her on as he had all these weeks.

“Lady please, you’re hurting me,” the lesser noble whispered.

Instantly she relaxed her grip on him. “I apologize, I didn’t intend to hurt you,” she said gently, truly sorry about the mistake.

The male smiled again, happy with her attentions. “I’ll be all right, but I appreciate your concern, Lady.”

Veri curtseyed as the song ended. If Hayden wanted to play these games with her, then she would play. Oh, how she would play.

Lord Hayden had no idea who he had just crossed, and if a male she thought had loved her would throw her away so easily – Veri didn’t intend to waste the energy mourning their supposed relationship.

She set her sights ahead to a more glorious future.

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