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Nerves prickled my skin as I stood there, just outside the room that housed the party.
Olive fretted over my hair while we waited. She had re-done the stones that were braided and looped into the left side of my head, while the right hung freely with loose curls.
"For not growing up as a Bavadrin, you are quite skilled at this," I commented as her fingers did a last check of the work on my wild mane.
Olive smiled. "I never back down from a challenge of design, whether it be a gown or something else." Suddenly she straightened as if she heard something that I did not. Large, warm eyes turned to me as she practically bounced on her toes. "It's time!" She spun me around and gently pushed me through a door.
I didn't have a chance to ask if she would join before entering an enormously beautiful ballroom. Pillars supported a remarkably tall and skillfully painted ceiling. Artists crafted the entire palace into an enchanted castle.
Tables filled half the room, while the other remained free for dancing and mingling. At the far end of the chamber were massive archways framed by soft, flowing fabric leading to a balcony. As I moved into the space, it felt like hundreds of eyes landed on me, but I saw none of them, for my attention snapped to the Sidhe King.
"Ariana, the leader superior of the Bavadrins." He announced, and though he simply spoke the words, all heard his voice.
Clause's icy gaze traveled down the length of me, taking in the deep red fabric clinging to every curve before flowing to the floor. A chill moved through me, stemming from everywhere that his gaze touched, before rising to meet with mine once more. He tilted his head towards the table at his side, a silent command to join him and the others already seated. Half of them with necks nearly breaking to get a good look at me, their king's new puppet.
Gritting my teeth, I closed the gap between us. Those still standing parted for me, providing a path to their king. Somehow, besides the immense space of the room, I found myself at his side in hardly any time.
"Olive outdid herself. You are absolutely stunning," Clouse commented, taking my hand in his and bringing a knuckle to his lips. Though the touch was fleeting, I resisted the urge to yank my hand from him.
"Thank's. Maybe I will take her with me when I leave," I said with a tight smile. This was now a strange game I played, tiptoeing an edge where I wondered how far his hospitality towards me would go if I continued to stand my ground without apology.
It did not bother him in the least. Instead, a smirk curled at his lips and he gently led me to the table where he introduced me to several men, none of whose names I cared to commit to memory. The only familiar face was that of Malavika, someone I had not seen since my arrival. She flashed a smile at me, though the hate in her eyes was palpable.
I sat in the seat directly to Clause's side. It was the first time we didn't have an entire table between us while we ate, and I missed having that buffer. For the first several minutes, the men practically kissed the floor their King walked on with their words. Praise and agreement were the only things thrown Clause's way.
