Page 11 of Glass Hearts
He groans as I walk away, and I feel his eyes on me. I would put money on his gaze being on my ass. So I’m sure to add a bit more sway to my step.
My last mark is Sylas. I look around the ballroom until I spot him. The handsome bastard has been giving friendly smiles to his ongoing rotation of gorgeous females on the dance floor. Twirling them with expertise and confidence, like only a royal can manage. He must feel my eyes on him, the only one not chasing me with flirtatious attempts or questions.
The room heats as he keeps my gaze from across the room. His intensity feels almost overwhelming, like a palpable weight in the air. Downing my beverage, needing air, I head to the balcony I’d seen upon arrival. I grab another hors d’oeuvre and put it in my clutch for Bert & Kip.
“Break time. Here is a little snack. Please don’t get it all over the jewels.” My only response is happy chittering.
The cool evening air greets me as I exit the ballroom into the glittering starry night. The view from the balcony is breathtaking. All the lights from the houses are sparkling in the distance, the river along the castle jostling below with relaxingsounds. I am shocked I am the only one taking in this peaceful spot until I hear a deep, growly voice.
“The Hinterlands must not be so prosperous if you are putting hors d’oeuvres into your clutch.”
I turn to meet the gaze of the green-eyed beast that is Prince Sylas. Up close, I can see a hint of purple at the edges of his eyes. A bruise? I have heard that his family likes to focus on battle strategy and wars. Perhaps he had a mishap? Why is it I want to fret and inspect?
“Snack time’s over, crew. Prince Sylas is here.”
“Perhaps I just can’t get enough of the delicious little bites and want a snack for the road home. Pleasure to meet you, Prince. I am Carmella, Duchess of the Hinterlands.”
He chuckles and gets closer to kiss my offered hand. We are toe to toe. My back is against the balcony rail. The moonlight glitters in his green eyes.
“You seemed to have caught the eye of my brothers.” But not him? It’s not a question or a statement, so I nod slightly .
“It appears so, but does that encompass you too, my prince?” I fix his collar, just for an excuse to jostle where Bert and Kip are working. Something about him has me on edge, as if he would be the one to spot my ruse.
“Hmm. I am not so sure.”
I try to hide the sadness on my face at this statement with a smirk, as if I find his rejection amusing. Of course,The Shadowwouldn’t impress him. That means he definitely wouldn’t find plain ol’ Arabella impressive. Not that it matters.
“You see, I worry about my brothers. They want to brush off responsibility and duty. So it’s my job to keep us all in line. And you, Vixen, seem to be a potential problem. No female has enticed all my brothers like you have this evening. Nor has one shut them down as quickly as you have. Though I would ask you to remove your hand from my collar,Duchess.”
Man, do the princes ever talk, and shit I was holding onto his collar longer than needed. His scent of pine and wood smoke enraptured me; I hadn’t realized I was holding onto him. I clear my throat and back away, giving us,me, more distance.
I seemed to have lost my mind with all the princes. Once again, I feel the weight of my companions as I pull away even more. He notes the distance and takes a step forward to close it back in. Our own dangerous dance.
“We got the necklace, Arabelly! With the gold coins found and the necklaces, we are running out of room in here.”
“My apologies, my prince. I should mind my hands. But you will not have to fret about me and your brothers anymore. You won’t see me after this evening. I will be nothing but a mere memory. I am sure you will find your future brides.” He looks puzzled, but before he can interrogate me further, Bernice, of all people, saunters out onto the balcony. I try to keep my face neutral, despite the rise in my heartbeat.
She sneers at me, and just when I think she recognizes me, she turns to Prince Sylas. “My prince. It would be an honor if you danced with my girls. Councilman Hendrickson had promised a round before the end of the evening.” She gives me the stink eye, though again, not with any familiarity. She must think I am just another woman aiming to get my name on that infamous list.
“Of course, I will find my brothers and have us escort your daughters to a dance, Mrs. Baudelaire.” He turns to me. “Have a pleasant evening, Miss Carmella.”
He stalks away, leaving me with the hag. She turns to me, eyeing me up and down with a sneer. “Look here, girl, you can show up looking like a harlot, but those princes are formydaughters. I saw you with the other princes. Stay. Away.”
And with that, she leaves. I am almost insulted that I am not the only one she talks down to.
“Alright, Kip, Bert, I think that is my cue to leave.”
I call for a bird close by to deliver my message to Valak and Carliegh that I am ready to part. It will be a few minutes’ wait. I take a few breaths and get one last look at the view of my city before I re-enter the ballroom.
As I make my way around the dance floor towards the exit, I notice all four princes dancing with the Quadias. Well, Grayer is on the side of the ballroom, talking to one of the Quadias. He really doesn’t seem to dance. They smile at them and seem to be engaged in conversation. The Quadias may be ugly on the inside, but they are quite pretty on the outside. I get a sour feeling as I watch them sway and smile with my stepsisters. Feeling a set of eyes on me, I look across to see Bernice giving me an evil smirk. I shake my head and decide to make my way out of the ballroom. She will forever haunt me, even in anonymity.
Valak and Carleigh are waiting just outside, their figures visible as soon as I step outside of the castle.
Though triumphant with my haul, a strange melancholy settles in my heart as we drive away, leaving me puzzled.
Archer
None of us catch Carmella leaving the ball as we finish dancing with the quadruplet sisters. I think I am dancing with Pia… or is it Zia?
