Page 234 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

I suddenly stop.

Just as he is about to get close to me, I turn in his direction, and as I walk toward him, I purposefully bump into him and spill my drink on him.

His eyes widen in shock.

The people around us stop what they’re doing to try to help him and engage him in conversation, at which point I take advantage of the limited time he’s not paying attention to me to slide away.

The moment the party started, the ballroom was sealed so no one can wonder the palace grounds without permission. But as I take a detour to the lady’s room, I find a small staircase that leads to an alcove above the ballroom.

It’s so narrow, only someone with my slight frame could fit up the staircase. And as I get to the top, I note the small ceiling of the alcove that requires me to pull up my gown and shimmy inside on my knees.

It’s darker here than in the ballroom, the lighting source shining away from this hidden spot—the perfect nook to hide into.

But just as I reach the railing to gaze down onto the ballroom, I note I’m not alone.

“Argh,” a small voice whimpers as I bump into a warm body.

“Who’s there?” I whisper.

“I should be asking you the same,” she huffs, though her tone is more bordering on amusement than annoyance. “This is my spot.”

“Mind if I borrow it for a while?” I ask as I get a closer look at her when a beam of light shines over her face. She’s young. Much younger than me. Her hair is black and lustrous, falling down her shoulders in rippling waves. Her eyes are a deep green with specks of gold in them.

She eyes me up and down. “You’re small enough to fit in here. I suppose I can make an exception,” she adds, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Minnie,” I introduce myself.

“Wyn,” she replies with a smile. “I gather you are not too fond of these parties.”

“Is it so obvious?” I chuckle.

“Why, though? It’s so magical and wonderful,” she adds with a wistful sigh.

“Then why aren’t you there on the dance floor?”

She pouts. “I’m not allowed. I haven’t reached my majority yet.” She sighs.

“You’re not missing much,” I tell her honestly.

“Oh, I am missing far too much,” she replies as she directs her attention to a cluster of people at the ball. She has a dreamy expression on her face as she gazes at one of the males deep in talk with a couple other people.

“I wish I could be there. Then I could dance with him and—” She stops herself as she realizes she’s said too much. “Sorry, you didn’t come to hear me blubber about my love interest.”

“Aethon?” I raise a brow, recognizing the object of her rapt attention.

Her eyes widen as she drags in a sudden breath.

“You know him?”

“I know of him. He’s a general in Commander Azerius’ army.”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“And what do you think of him?” she inquires, though I recognize the underlying jealousy behind her question.

“I have no opinion on him.” I shrug. “I’ve heard he is a good soldier. Nothing else.”

A smile curves at her lips, making her seem dazzlingly beautiful. “Good, that is good,” she murmurs, more to herself.

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