Page 69 of A Clash of Stars

I looked at him and spoke confidently, “Thank you, now let’s go. I have some people to see.”

Madok walked behind me a few steps to allow me into the ballroom first. “So what’s the plan?”

As we approached the room, I could hear the voices. The roar of a crowd waiting to be entertained.

Before entering, I took a deep breath and turned to answer Madok’s question, “Go along with everything I do tonight. It’s for your own good. They want to see a united front, and they certainly will.”

He nodded, and I reached out and grabbed his hand. He still trailed behind me, allowing me to lead this endeavor. I needed to find a way to leave this place and return to my parents, wherever they might be, so I could know what needed to happen next to break this curse.

The guards gripped the doors to the ballroom and pushed. The doors clattered loudly and then opened. All the eyes in the room turned to Madok and me.

Looking back at him, I saw he had a goofy grin.

I spoke through clenched teeth, “What is that stupid smile for? We’re supposed to be serious and angry.”

I purposefully strolled to make sure everyone noticed.

“It’s just that I’ve never seen you this serious. It’s cute,” Madok whispered.

I rolled my eyes at him and walked into the room towards the King of Aster. When I glanced at the thrones, I noticed Evander with the woman from my dreams in his lap.

How comical. I even told him this would happen, not on purpose, but it was definitely in my dream.

The senses and feelings in the room changed once the crowd noticed me and were silenced. Women were appalled at how I was dressed, but the men gaped at me with desire. I was sure the King did it thinking it would embarrass me, but it did the opposite. It empowered me and enraged me.

I could feel Evander’s eyes on me, but I didn’t bother to give him the satisfaction of seeing mine. I walked directly past the line of people waiting to speak to the King and Queen, skipping all of them.

When I stepped in front of a commoner, they all took multiple steps back, leaving plenty of room for an audience with the King and Queen. My eyes burned into the King. I knew I caught him off guard with how I was taking this whole situation, which made him a little nervous and brought his guard up just a smidge. I could feel the magical stone wall around him being reinforced.

I bowed and spat out the biggest lie, “Good Evening, Your Majesty. Thank you so much for our invitation to this fantastic event. Madok and I didn’t know if we would make it, but we are so glad we did.”

The King’s eyes pierced into me, wanting to know what game I was playing, but unfortunately for him, this wasn’t a game he would win.

“Yes, thank you, Princess Clara and Prince Madok. We are so lucky to have you join us. Oh, excuse me. I’m sorry. I guess I should announce you, our Victor.”

Little cheers rippled through the crowd before the King silenced them again, asking me his next question, “Would you do us the honor of beginning our court festivities by starting the first dance?”

He pointed towards the dance floor. I turned to look at Madok, but he knew to go along with it.

“It would be our honor,” I replied.

I took Madok’s hand, and we walked to the floor to prepare for the entertainment of the evening. Us.

Every time I took a step, I knew a new portion of me was becoming exposed in my dress. We positioned ourselves in the middle of the floor, and I looked into Madok’s golden eyes.

I was filled with sorrow and felt it was apparent I had an internal struggle. I had so much I wanted to talk to Madok about and apologize for being rude, but it wasn’t the place. I constantly went back and forth about whether it was okay for me to allow him back into my life. I did not want any other romantic relationships, at least not now.

Before the music began, I glanced over Madok’s shoulder, where Evander sat alone. No woman in his lap. His elbows leaned on his knees, and his eyes darkened. I could feel the jealousy radiating off him, making me want to smile.

I don’t know why he would be upset in the least; this was all a ploy, none of it real. He made that very clear when he forced me out of Manzanita.

The music started, and Madok glided me across the floor as we had done many times before. He spun me a little extra towards the quicker tempo portions of the song, which naturally made a smile grow. A laugh escaped me when I lost my balance, and Madok pulled me into him to catch me.

His hands gripped my hips, and my hands wrapped around his neck. His golden eyes filled me with hope at that moment. In front of everyone, I made a choice.

Here goes nothing.

He spun me once more, and when he spun me back into his chest, I turned my head towards him and leaned in for a kiss.

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