Page 67 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

“Is the king really not going to attend?” Thalira mashed her lips together. “This is the ball before the final test.”

Rhielle twitched a shoulder. As a Shadow Fae, she seemed to understand how things were handled in the Shadow Court better than the rest of us.

“They aren’t quite as rigid here as in some of the other courts.” Rhielle placed a hand on her stomach like she was steadying herself. “I’m sure the king will appear eventually, and he’ll likely perform the ceremony then. Or maybe they agreed that any officiations or necessary formalities should happen after the ball. It’s hard to say.”

The music changed then, transforming into a waltz. Myantha gasped. “Oh that’s wonderful.”

My gaze turned to the ballroom floor, and my heart leaped, then sank. There was Vad, as devastatingly handsome as always with his cut cheekbones and broad shoulders and wavy dark hair. He wore a black velvet surcoat over a gold embellished tunic with tailored black trousers, his red-black wings on full display.

On his arm...was Kaylen.

I’d known he was going to dance with her, but somehow, this stung. He’d gone to her first. He hadn’t even come to find me or make sure I was here. My vision blurred, and I realized I was about to fall apart.

“Kaylen has the first dance.” Velessa laughed.

She moved beside me. She still had her arm in a sling, but the sling had been embroidered with roses and violets to complement her pale blue dress.

Thalira and Yuki giggled, exchanging glances as if sharing a secret. Rhielle appeared satisfied. Quen was nodding as well.

I couldn’t believe how cruel they were being. Why were all of them so happy to see him dancing with Kaylen? She swept across the floor in a bold yellow gown that, frankly, washed her out, but she didn’t seem bothered. She had one hand on his shoulder and the other tucked in his, her face upturned.

Rhielle nudged me. “Come on. They’re getting the first dances out of the way. I’ll show you where we should stand. It’s probably only going to be a two-minute song. Maybe three if I’m reading this properly. I’ll bet you’re the third dance.”

The others nodded happily as if that didn’t mean he was picking me last.

My hands clenched, and for a second, I wanted to smack them.

“Come on.” Rhielle winked. She took my arm, and we all moved to the far side of the landing and the stairs as the dance continued. I kept my back poker straight, not wanting to show my disappointment, and blinked back tears. I’d known better than to hope. In fact, I’d even tried to push the sensation aside. The two of us would never happen.

Rhielle stopped me at what seemed like a random point on the right edge of the dance floor between the fourth and fifth chandeliers. There was a small diamond etching in the floor as if to indicate this was where we were to stand.

“Would have been nice if they’d told us when to be here,” I murmured.

Rhielle side-eyed me. “The servants probably told him we were here. Do you want the second dance? You can have both.”

I started to open my mouth in response when someone plucked my elbow. “Well, well, well, Copper Chaos, look at you all fancied up.” Thalen slid in beside me, grinning bright. He wore a sharp navy-blue surcoat with an amber and crimson neck scarf and a crisp white shirt and navy-blue trousers. The amber embroidery on the surcoat looked like thin flames or gusts of wind.

“I see the prince’s first dance has started.” Thalen’s cheeky tone grated on me, but he grinned as if everything was going to plan. “Care to honor me with a dance, Chaos?”

“Step back there, Silver Streak.” Rhielle set her hands on her waist. “She’s got the second and the third dance, and you aren’t messing that up.”

I pressed my lips in a tight line, not enjoying myself at all. But then a heavy hand came to rest on my shoulder.

“I would like to ask for the honor of the next dance, Briar.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

Briar

My body tensed, and I turned to find King Merrick standing before me. He held out his other hand, waiting for my answer. He was dressed almost identically to Vad, but he wore silver instead of gold with a more decorative pattern.

The music changed, turning into a somber song with harps taking the lead.

Thalen’s mouth dropped open, which didn’t help my nerves at all. He was speechless, and that unsettled me more.

I swallowed hard, not truly wanting to go on the dance floor with the king, but also not wanting to insult him. “I don’t know how to dance, Your Majesty.”

He bowed his head ever so slightly and reached for my hand. “Don’t fret. I’ll instruct you.”

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