Page 31 of Legends of Sorcery
As his decision to accept began to solidify, his mind wandered back to Valaria. He knew she was unobtainable but reasoned that she was the closest woman to him and represented a desire for a wife and the love and companionship that came with it. But at the moment, that longing waned next to the path of the High Keeper.
Chapter 12
Arion stood in the crowded ballroom awaiting the princess’s arrival with all the other guests. Over the last week as his hands continued to heal, he’d had a lot of time to think things over. He still wasn’t one hundred percent certain, but as his birthday had at last arrived, he knew a final decision would be expected of him.
Valaria and Garron had both visited him frequently checking in to make sure he was okay after the accident. Arion had chosen to lie low and help Zallon more around their home. He realized how much of his life he had been taking for granted and made a personal vow to do better.
When Valaria had stopped by the day before to confirm he would be coming to the ball, she had made him promise to save a dance for her.
The feast had been amazing. The food had been grand and plentiful, and his belly was now full and miserable for it. His only disappointment was that he had been seated in the far back corner of the elegant dining room, so far from the King’s table that he hadn’t even gotten a glimpse of Valaria during the meal. Now they all stood in the grand ballroom awaiting her entrance.
He looked around the room realizing he knew no one in attendance. The King was on the far side near a large staircase where the elite had made their grand entrances while being announced. There was a line of men, some young and some old, standing in a line as the King spoke to each of them in turn.
Suddenly the lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone at the top of the staircase. Arion looked up and his heart caught in his throat as he sucked in a sharp breath and tried to steady his beating heart.
There stood Valaria looking far more beautiful than he could ever remember seeing her. She was wearing a regal dark purple dress and her hair was swept up into an ornate braid beneath her crown. He had to remind himself that that was still his Valaria, his best friend.
As she descended the staircase she smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes and make them twinkle the way a genuine smile would. Her father met her at the bottom, taking her by the arm and escorting her over to the line of men he had been talking with. Arion quickly realized that they must be the suitors she had mentioned, and he instantly hated each and every one of them.
She had made him promise her a dance, but as the night wore on it was clear her dance card was already filled. Arion sat at a small table and just watched from across the room feeling sad and sorely out of place.
“She sure is beautiful tonight, huh?” Garron asked as he sat in the vacant seat next to him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
Garron shrugged. “Working. Figured I’d pick up a few extra wages when it was offered.” He set a tray of jellied meats down on the table and pushed it towards Arion. He had tried them earlier and thought they were the most disgusting thing he’d ever eaten despite being heralded as a rare treat.
“No thanks,” he said.
“Already tried it, huh?” Garron said with a laugh. “Have you seen Princess Valaria yet?”
“Who hasn’t? She’s been in the spotlight all evening,” Arion said roughly.
“But have you had a chance to talk to her? Have you even danced yet?” Garron persisted.
“No. I only came because she forced me to,” Arion admitted.
“Suit yourself,” Garron said. “Better get back to work before they see me mingling with the guests and fire me.”
Arion watched as his friend got up and truly did mingle with the guests as he smiled and walked around offering the delicacies to each guest as he weaved a path through the crowded room heading straight for Valaria.
Arion had had enough and rose, stretched, and headed for the exit. Before he reached it she cut him off.
“You promised me a dance tonight. You can’t leave yet,” the princess told him.
He slowly turned without a smile. “Looked to me like your card was already full tonight.”
“I’m sorry about that. I did warn you though. These things are terribly boring. Come, dance with me before you leave,” she insisted.
A fast-paced song was on. It was one he knew well, but while he loved to dance, he wasn’t exactly good at it. “It’ll be a risk,” he teased her watching her face light up as she genuinely laughed for the first time all night.
As he took her hand and led her to the dance floor, Valaria turned to the conductor and nodded. The song immediately ended and transitioned to a slow one.
“But I knew that dance,” he complained.
“Perhaps, but I know you, Arion, and the risks to my life that dance could have brought,” she teased.
He threw his head back and laughed as he pulled her into his arms and led her around the dancefloor far more gracefully than she imagined. They continued to talk and tease while they danced. One song turned to two, and then to a third before an older gentleman stepped in.
