I freeze in place while I see Lord Vespi smile at me. His gaze calculating, almost predatory. For the life of me, I can't figure out why my father and brother are entertaining the idea of me talking with him, least of all dancing. I mean, sure, they don't know I recognize his eyes, but good looks, a title, and sassiness shouldn't be swaying them either. I try to make Malden stop what I know is coming by squeezing his leg. He chuckles and unclenches my fingers from his leg while he leans to whisper in my ear.
– Just give the man a chance. You might even enjoy yourself, and if you don't, at least some of your admirers will back off – he says. I look around and see that my brother is right. Other suitors are watching, waiting for their chance. I can't tell Malden or my father where I remember seeing this man's eyes without sounding crazy.
I shake my head no, fearing what the presence of this… stranger might entail. My brother doesn't deviate his eyes. I plead with mine, but he is relentless. I can almost hear him in my head. "Just one dance won't kill you, Valtara." I know it won't, and it would be rude not to accept since, technically, he hasn't done anything objectionable. I turn towards Lord Vespi to assess him and try, in vain, to figure out his intentions. I'm sure something's off, but then again, I have no evidence nor a reasonable motive to reject a dance, especially if he is indeed a Lord of the Surean kingdom looking to establish a more solid diplomatic relationship with ours. The eyes could be a coincidence or even a clue.
– Care for a dance, my Lady? – he says as he extends his hand to me. His eyes never leaving mine to wander.
– I feel like you are trouble – I answer, not committing myself to anything
– Oh. You have no idea, Lady. – he says, smirking, like the entitled ass I know he is. His hand gets closer to mine, waiting for me to take it. Can I risk it?
"Risk what, exactly?" I think to myself, but I'm not even sure. Nothing can happen in a room full of people and guards safekeeping the estate's perimeter. Maybe I could get some answers from him.
Finally, I take his hand. A shiver goes down my spine, nerves getting the best of me, but I don't let anyone see the hesitance, not even the pompous Lord. I'm not a helpless baby anymore, nor a lady in distress. I can handle this, him. Even if he isn't who he says he is.
Lord Vespi helps me get up and guides me towards the dance floor, where several couples are already dancing. He positions one of his hands on my waist, and with the other, he takes my hand, and we start swaying to the joyful rhythm that the instruments play. He watches me intently while we dance. I want to say something, but I don't know where to begin.
– So, Lady Solis, do you know who you are? – he asks, puzzling me even further.
– Heavens, I don't know Lord Vespi. Do I? Do you? – I ask sarcastically.
– I am perfectly aware of who you are and who I am, my Lady, the parts we must play. The question is whether or not you have that information. – he says cryptically, and I get unsettled.
He twirls me, and we follow each other in perfect synch. He is vague enough in his phrasing that he could be talking about either topic; my mother or our nations. I wait for him to continue the conversation, to give me some kind of clue about what he is talking about, but he doesn't. He dips me, and I follow, making a delicate flourish with my figure, and when he gets me up, our bodies are closer to each other. I get closer to his ear to whisper.
– Maybe if you spoke clearly, I could give you the answers you seek, my Lord. Since I don't know which information you are referring to, I can't confirm or deny any allegation.
Lord Vespi laughs. Something about the sound seems chilling and compelling at the same time, and I wonder if he is doing all of this on purpose just to get on my nerves or if this is his true personality.
– Very well, my Lady. Point made. I am discussing the history between our… nations and your role in it. Are you aware of your obligations? Of what your heritage and duties demand of you? – he answers as he searches my face for any reaction; I give him nothing.
The way he says "nations" piques my interest. It is as if he was trying to avoid saying something else. I had caught that before; I initially thought he was trying to sound ominous, but now I'm unsure. His mention of my heritage makes me wonder which of the two he refers to. He dances around words just as skillfully as he leads me through the dance floor, but two can play that game.
– I've been learning about duty and responsibility since I was old enough to talk, and my father made sure I took my role very seriously. – I say while I let him turn me around so we can fall back in step with each other – What about your upbringing, my Lord? What does your position entail? And is that distinctive color of eyes common in your kingdom? – I ask while he twirls me again. He eyes me suspiciously.
– Why, Lady Valtara? Do you like them? – he says as he grins. I laugh and shake my head.
– Perhaps, Lord Zavier, or maybe I just feel like I've seen them before – I ask, hoping he will take the bait. He assesses me.
– They actually only seem to appear in my bloodline. I bet the golden freckles in yours come from your late mother, quite a unique color, too – he says while he arches his brow, waiting. I wince. The way he talks about my mother, it's not difficult to assume she is not around since her absence at my ball is more than evident, but… I can't shake the feeling that he knows more.
– They are, or so my father says. Father says a lot of things.
– He does? I see – he asks, and I arch my eyebrow in response.
– Shouldn't he? – I ask menacingly. He smiles.
– Probably – he shrugs. The song ends, and we both vow to each other. He then takes my hand and gets me closer to whisper in my ear. – But I could tell you more…
My heartbeat quickens. Zavier knows I'm desperate for answers; he is just playing me. Father and Ora will talk to me tomorrow; this conversation can wait. That's what is prudent, what's safe.
– Walk with me? I think this matter requires a more private setting to be discussed – he says as he points towards the garden; I hesitate – unless, of course, you want everyone to know that you are not human. – he smiles, but it isn't the seductive, carefree smile from before; it promises danger and sin.
My eyes widen, and I shake my head. He knows, but I can't allow a scandal like this to break out surrounded by the highest members of society. This is a private matter, a family matter. My brother approaches us to check on me as we near the exit.
– Lord Malden! I'm glad we could find you; I wondered if your father would allow Lady Valtara to walk with me in the gardens. – my brother watches him confused, then turns to face me.
– What my sister decides should be acceptable to us. – he says, eyeing me intently. I try to swallow, but my mouth is dry. I turn to see Zavier, and his eyes glint with mischief as if toying with me was hilarious.
– It's okay. Lord Zavier has a lot to share, it seems. Could you find cogna Ora, though? I need some of the ointment she applied to my burn earlier. – I answer him trying to convey with my eyes that this man knows about me. Only the years we've been together made me notice his hesitation; he knows something is off.
– Sure. I'll go get her, and I'll let Father know too. – my brother says, and Zavier smiles as he continues to walk me towards the garden.
– So, the mark is stinging.
– A bit. Nothing I can't handle, though. – I answer him, and he chuckles.
– Sure, princess. You can drop the act now. – Zavier says, all the sass and charm gone. I tense up, watching my surroundings. We are alone, but the door to the salon is a few steps away. My eyes dart around, sensing the menace. Zavier laughs. – Aren't you ashamed? Here you are, hiding in a floating palace while your people mourn your bloodline needlessly? Don't you have any honor? – I look at him, confused. I only found out what I was an hour ago. What the hell is he talking about – It doesn't matter anymore. You will help my people now, whether you like it or not. – Zavier finishes while he snaps his fingers.
Two men come out from the shadows of the bushes. I take a fighting stance, but the dress isn't doing me any favors. I try to scream, but Zavier's hand covers my mouth at a speed that I can only describe as surreal. I kick him in the shinbone; he stutters but doesn't let me go. One of his men breaks my arms, and the other mounts me over a horse that seems to appear from nowhere. My muffled scream of agony is choked.
– If you at least care about your family, you will go with us without another sound, or dear brother and father will pay the price.
I keep quiet and stop struggling. I won't get out of this with force, not with my arms broken and in a ridiculous dress that makes movement unmanageable. Ora should be coming here. I just have to stall them, and someone can sound the alert. Zavier snaps his fingers again and leaves a note over the bench where my brother and I spend hours on end.
– Time to go, princess – he says, mocking me.
– Please, at least let me say my goodbyes – I plead, hoping he keeps talking.
– I don't think so. What is it with the sun court and its dramatics? – he laughs.
He took my mother, now I'm certain of it, and I'll be damned if he manages to take any more of my family away from me. I can survive this, and after I manage to escape, hell will rain all over him, and I'll watch with glee.