Page 443 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Chapter 45

Boris had attended many feasts, even sitting at the king's right hand, but he suspected this was the one he would least remember, for he had eyes only for Rossa in her red gown. He'd never thought he'd want another woman in his life after Vica, but now…he wanted nothing else. And he'd give up the throne and all the honours Bela wanted to heap on him, if only Rossa would smile at him again.

Of course, he could scarcely see her while they both sat at opposite ends of the high table, and he'd lost count of the number of courtiers who'd come up to talk to him, hoping to earn a place in his favour early on. Much might have changed in two centuries, but the self-interest of the king's courtiers was ever constant.

Boris drank sparingly, waiting for the feast to end so he might seek out Rossa to speak with her. But King Bela had other ideas, commanding the musicians to play something they might dance to. Boris quickly realised he would only embarrass himself in attempting to join the complicated dances, for that much had changed since he'd last been at court. He glanced at Rossa, wondering if she knew these modern dances. Perhaps he could persuade her to teach him…

But her place was empty, as was her father's. Boris scanned the room, searching every face for the one he wanted most. It was her gown that caught his eye, a quick flash of red before she vanished through a side door.

Boris excused himself and followed.

The door led to a dark passage, then another, until he glimpsed light around the corner. He crept closer.

"I must apologise for my lateness. I promised I would stay at the ball until midnight, if she needed my help, but she did not. I waited until the very last moment, too. I hope she and her prince will be very happy. Even if she did lose her shoes…" he heard Zuleika say.

"Do your god-daughters usually marry princes? Are you supposed to act as matchmaker?" Rossa asked.

Zuleika sighed. "I'm supposed to help them when they have no other hope of happiness. Sometimes with little warning, too, so that I am forced to portal thousands of miles in a night in order to be in two places at once. I don't know how my mother managed it all, to be honest. But I infinitely prefer it to staying tied to one court, so there is that."

"I wish I could travel. This is the first time Father has let me leave Mother's lands, but the more I see, the more I want to know. Like whether all courts are like this one, or if everyone eats the same dishes, or does the same dances, or even plays the same music. Or what the ocean tastes like. Or how desert sands would feel beneath my feet. Or…"

Zuleika laughed. "Sounds like you should do my job for a while, if only to see some of the world. Heaven knows I could do with the help. Ah, but then there is your prince to think about…"

"Boris is not my prince." Rossa's voice sounded so flat.

"That's not what it looked like when I arrived at your home. Unless you've had a disagreement…in which case, perhaps I can help?"

Rossa sighed. "No, there is no disagreement between us. I agreed to help him win back his father's throne. The king has named him his heir before all the court – he has his heart's desire. He no longer needs me, so I should go home. Yet I have this yearning not to…"

"You wish to stay here, then?"

"No! I want to see the world. One court is not enough."

"A pity, for your prince will be king one day, and he will need a queen, for that's how succession usually works."

"Could you see me as a queen?"

"Well, you certainly have the bearing for it. Not to mention the right gown and jewels to impress even this court. You'd need to wear a crown, though…what of this one?"

"Don't be silly!"

"I see nothing silly about it. It's quite stately, in my opinion."

Boris edged closer, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rossa in a crown, if her godmother succeeded in persuading her.

"Here, let me help you," Zuleika said, turning Rossa to face her. She lifted his mother's ruby and diamond crown high into the air and took several tries to settle it among Rossa's dark curls.

Boris swore he saw Zuleika wink at him before turning her attention back to Rossa.

"Now, Crown Princess Rossa, nay, Queen Rossa, for that's who would wear such a crown, you must sit on the throne," Zuleika said.

"That's going too far. What if someone sees us?"

"Then you should do it quickly, for what other opportunity will you have to know what it feels like to be a crowned queen, seated upon your throne?"

Fearless Rossa did not hesitate. She ascended the dais, and took her rightful place upon the throne, staring out across the throne room as if it were filled with courtiers and not shadows.

Boris's mouth went dry. He would dream of this sight. Of Rossa in all her glory. And wish…

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