to be done, and their clothing shed. I dart my gaze
back to my plate, as if I'm intruding on something sacred.
I
sneak a glance at Darien, and his eyes lock on mine. A tender smile pulls at
his lips and he tosses me a wink. Flutters ransack my belly, and my fingers
fumble around my chalice as I drown my unease with wine. By the time dinner is
cleared I'm unable to tell if it's Darien making my head spin or the spirits.
Music
fills the space in the hall in between the snap and crackles from the fire, and
the chatter of new guests flooding into the room. With slow steps, I keep to
the outer wall, eyeing Rose and Marcus as they dance—a perfect facade to hide
their roaming hands. I stifle a laugh, intrigued by their eagerness and amused
by their lack of shame.
A
warm hand slides along my waist and spins me around. Dizziness attacks my head,
and I fight the whirl of nausea in my belly.
“ May I have this dance?” Darien asks. Before I can
answer, he sweeps me into his arms and whisks me across the floor.
A
hiccup escapes my lips carried on the wings of a giggle.
“ Why, Snow, has the wine gotten to you already?” he
asks with a laugh of his own.
“ I fear I don't partake of the drink often, and it's
already gone to my head. Perhaps it's time for me to retire for the evening,
before I can no longer blame the spirits for my actions.” I pull out of his
arms, dropping to a curtsy. “Thank you for the dance, Pri —Darien.”
“ You don't need to leave already. The party's barely
begun.” Defeat fills his eyes.
I
scan the room for any sign of my sister to bid her goodnight. “It seems Rose
and Marcus have already left.” I've not said but a few
words to my sister all day, and it sends an ache through my heart.
“ Yes, they dashed out a few moments ago. Which is
probably a good thing, from the way they were dancing and looking at each
other, I guess the lure of the wedding night became too much.” A sly grin brims
on his lips.
The
rush of a blush floods my cheeks and I avert my gaze to the floor, tucking a
lock of hair behind my ears.
“ Such a stunning blush on your porcelain skin, dear
Snow. But why
are you embarrassed?” Slipping a finger under my chin, he raises my face to
meet his.
“ We shouldn't talk about such private affairs. That
is their business, not ours.”
Tossing
his head back, he lets out a hearty chuckle. “It's their wedding night.
Everyone knows what's happening right now.”
Frustration
bubbles under my skin. His disregard for the private matters of the bedroom
disgust me. Men such as he is why I remain unmarried. Is nothing sacred
anymore?
“ Ah, yes. Well if you'll excuse me then, Prince
Darien. I bid thee a good eve.” I give a slight nod, and head up the stairs to
my room.
His
fingers hook the crook of my arm. “Snow, at least let me escort you to your
room.”
I
force a smile. “I don't want you to miss the rest of the party. I'm sure I can
find my way.”
“ Then you'll want to take the other stairs. Down the other hallway.” He forces back a smile,
fanning his arm in the opposite direction.
Biting
my bottom lip, I give him a terse nod and march back down the stairs.
He
shakes his head as confusion colors his blue-eyes a dull gray. “Have I angered
you? I'm sorry if something I said displeased you.”
A
ping of regret pricks my heart. “No. Exhaustion is taking its toll and clouding
my judgment. I hope to be more myself tomorrow at breakfast.”
“ Sleep well then, Snow White. I pray your dreams are
peaceful ones.” Whisking his hand under mine , soft
lips press against my skin sending a jolt of excitement through me.
I
whirl from his grasp and make my way down the dim hall. Tossing a glance over
my shoulder, shadows claim Darien's figure, merging him into the darkness that
swallows my path. A torch fights to stay lit, casting dancing images on the
walls. Goose bumps cling to my flesh, and fearful thoughts mix with the wine in
my head.
Perhaps
I
back to my plate, as if I'm intruding on something sacred.
I
sneak a glance at Darien, and his eyes lock on mine. A tender smile pulls at
his lips and he tosses me a wink. Flutters ransack my belly, and my fingers
fumble around my chalice as I drown my unease with wine. By the time dinner is
cleared I'm unable to tell if it's Darien making my head spin or the spirits.
Music
fills the space in the hall in between the snap and crackles from the fire, and
the chatter of new guests flooding into the room. With slow steps, I keep to
the outer wall, eyeing Rose and Marcus as they dance—a perfect facade to hide
their roaming hands. I stifle a laugh, intrigued by their eagerness and amused
by their lack of shame.
A
warm hand slides along my waist and spins me around. Dizziness attacks my head,
and I fight the whirl of nausea in my belly.
“ May I have this dance?” Darien asks. Before I can
answer, he sweeps me into his arms and whisks me across the floor.
A
hiccup escapes my lips carried on the wings of a giggle.
“ Why, Snow, has the wine gotten to you already?” he
asks with a laugh of his own.
“ I fear I don't partake of the drink often, and it's
already gone to my head. Perhaps it's time for me to retire for the evening,
before I can no longer blame the spirits for my actions.” I pull out of his
arms, dropping to a curtsy. “Thank you for the dance, Pri —Darien.”
“ You don't need to leave already. The party's barely
begun.” Defeat fills his eyes.
I
scan the room for any sign of my sister to bid her goodnight. “It seems Rose
and Marcus have already left.” I've not said but a few
words to my sister all day, and it sends an ache through my heart.
“ Yes, they dashed out a few moments ago. Which is
probably a good thing, from the way they were dancing and looking at each
other, I guess the lure of the wedding night became too much.” A sly grin brims
on his lips.
The
rush of a blush floods my cheeks and I avert my gaze to the floor, tucking a
lock of hair behind my ears.
“ Such a stunning blush on your porcelain skin, dear
Snow. But why
are you embarrassed?” Slipping a finger under my chin, he raises my face to
meet his.
“ We shouldn't talk about such private affairs. That
is their business, not ours.”
Tossing
his head back, he lets out a hearty chuckle. “It's their wedding night.
Everyone knows what's happening right now.”
Frustration
bubbles under my skin. His disregard for the private matters of the bedroom
disgust me. Men such as he is why I remain unmarried. Is nothing sacred
anymore?
“ Ah, yes. Well if you'll excuse me then, Prince
Darien. I bid thee a good eve.” I give a slight nod, and head up the stairs to
my room.
His
fingers hook the crook of my arm. “Snow, at least let me escort you to your
room.”
I
force a smile. “I don't want you to miss the rest of the party. I'm sure I can
find my way.”
“ Then you'll want to take the other stairs. Down the other hallway.” He forces back a smile,
fanning his arm in the opposite direction.
Biting
my bottom lip, I give him a terse nod and march back down the stairs.
He
shakes his head as confusion colors his blue-eyes a dull gray. “Have I angered
you? I'm sorry if something I said displeased you.”
A
ping of regret pricks my heart. “No. Exhaustion is taking its toll and clouding
my judgment. I hope to be more myself tomorrow at breakfast.”
“ Sleep well then, Snow White. I pray your dreams are
peaceful ones.” Whisking his hand under mine , soft
lips press against my skin sending a jolt of excitement through me.
I
whirl from his grasp and make my way down the dim hall. Tossing a glance over
my shoulder, shadows claim Darien's figure, merging him into the darkness that
swallows my path. A torch fights to stay lit, casting dancing images on the
walls. Goose bumps cling to my flesh, and fearful thoughts mix with the wine in
my head.
Perhaps
I
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