Page 88 of Kingdom of Dance

Basil nodded curtly, his eyes still lingering on Obsidian, who wasted no time in hurrying from the room.

He was two corridors away before his thoughts settled enough to think over King Basil’s other comment.

It was Zinnia’s birthday. He’d had no idea. And there was to be a celebration? It was almost laughable, really. Of course King Basil couldn’t know it, but the last thing the princess needed was another lavish ball.

Chapter Twenty-One

Zinnia woke in the early afternoon with a splitting headache. She usually felt weary and sore after a night in the underground cavern, but the disorientation was new. Why was her mind so confused?

It took her only a moment to realize why, and she sat up quickly, not eager to dwell on her decision to embrace the delusion. She hurried to dress, wanting to distract herself with any other activity. When she emerged into her receiving room, her eyes were drawn irresistibly to a certain chair by the fire. Her cheeks burned at the memory of her own behavior. Had she really been so brazen? It had all seemed justified at the time, but in the unfeeling light of the sun, she cringed to imagine what Obsidian must think of her.

He didn’t exactly rebuff me, though, did he?she reasoned with herself. It was true. The lieutenant had clearly been wary, but he’d followed her. He hadn’t even pushed her away when she’d touched his scar.

And, the most important point, she’d kept him alive. Not to mention away from Idric. She was still fearful of the dragon getting hold of Obsidian’s magic and using it for whatever nefarious plot he was hatching.

She was halfway to the door out of her suite when the internal door crashed open, and three of her sisters spilled in.

“Finally!” Violet said, grinning at her. “How could you sleep so much of the day away?”

Zinnia stifled a yawn. “How could I not? Didn’t you? We were up until almost sunrise.”

“Yes, any other day,” Violet said impatiently. “But not today. Not on your birthday.”

Zinnia’s mouth fell open. “Today is my birthday?”

“She actually forgot!” Daisy’s peal set Jasmine off, and the two of them went into gales of laughter.

“I can’t believe it,” Zinnia said, genuinely amazed. Her eyes widened in horror. “Wait! Does that mean I have to go to a ball tonight?”

Her words set them off again, their mirth loud enough to bring a trail of sisters through the suites to investigate.

“Of course Basil’s hosting a ball for you,” Lilac informed her, once she’d grasped the topic. “It’s your birthday.”

Zinnia sighed. “Just what I need.” Poor Basil. He was trying so hard, and it wasn’t his fault that he was unable to help her in the ways that really mattered.

The afternoon passed in a blur of preparation, barely leaving her a moment to draw breath. Certainly no time to surreptitiously observe a certain lieutenant, to try to gauge his true feelings about the previous night’s interaction.

“I’m afraid there’s no new gown this time, Your Highness,” the new maid informed her with a smile. “But a beautiful pair of slippers was just delivered.”

Zinnia waved a hand vaguely. “I don’t need a new gown. The one I wore last night is fine.”

Elizabeth bustled into the room, frowning at the gold gown. “It’s not fine enough for a ball,” she announced.

Zinnia shook her head dismissively. “It will do nicely. I’d rather be able to move than look like the perfect princess.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Let me at least add a necklace.”

“All right,” Zinnia shrugged, unconcerned. “If you like.”

“Don’t try to pretend that you don’t care how you look,” Elizabeth muttered, bending low as the other maid went to retrieve Zinnia’s jewelry box. “I happen to know that a certain dark and brooding soldier is going to be there.”

Zinnia scowled at her maid-turned-friend, but she was more annoyed with herself. Her traitorous heart picked that moment to go to double speed, and she had to fight a flush that wanted to rise.

“A necklace is a good idea,” she said with dignity.

Then tried to ignore Elizabeth’s smirk.

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