The Descendants of the Ascendance Series - Nessa's POV

Chapter Ten

The next few months flew by with gowns, dancing, and horseback rides. Before I knew it, the day of the ball was here. Addy, Evangeline, and I were getting ready together in Addy's room. As the servants did our hair, we talked.

"Addy, are you going to dance with anyone or just sit and be lonely the whole time?" I asked.

She pretended to think. "Just sit and be lonely."

I groaned. "You, my dear friend, are boring."

Evangeline chuckled. "Boring? More like the smartest out of the three of us. Dancing is boring."

"Dancing is not boring," I scoffed. "It's sweet and it's romantic."

Addy and Ev made eye contact before fake gagging. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my book off my lap, picking up where I left off. Evangeline and Adelade continued talking, but I wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying until I heard Silas's name.

" - and then there's Silas," said Adelade. "But I'd never dance with him in any romantic way." She scrunched up her face in disgust. "That's just weird. And I am in no way looking for a love life. That's a you two thing."

I chuckled as Colette finished tying back my hair. She helped me get into my gown and clasped my silver necklace, the one that my parents had gifted me last Christmas, around my neck. I slid my shoes onto my feet and pulled my ring onto my finger.

"I'll see you two later," I told Ev and Addy. "I have to go meet Tyler."

"Of course you do," Addy groaned.

I stuck my tongue out at her and left, making my way out of the castle and down towards Drylliad. When I arrived, I sat down at the fountain, as I had promised Tyler I would. I felt myself staring off into space, getting lost in my own brain. As I sat, I felt someone sit next to me and tap my shoulder. Snapping out of my thoughts, I turned to see Tyler next to me, wearing nicer clothes than I'd ever seen him in.

"Close your eyes," He whispered.

I did. He placed something around my neck. When he had given me the okay, I opened my eyes to see a gorgeous silver necklace with a small flower made with emerald and ruby.

"It's a rose," He elaborated. "For Nessarose. Rose. I think I'm going to call you that from now on."

"Rose," I echoed. "That's a new one. But I like it."

He chuckled and held his arm out for me. "Shall we?"

"We shall," I smiled, linking my arm in his.

Together, the two of us walked up the familiar path to the castle, occasionally making small talk, but mostly just enjoying each other's company. Once we got up to the castle, we walked towards the ballroom and entered just as the band began to play the first song, a lively tune written in Carthya many years ago.

"Care to dance M'lady?" He asked.

I nodded wordlessly. He pulled me towards the dance floor, wrapping one arm around my waist, the other gripping my hand. I put my free hand on his shoulder and we began to dance and dance full of spins and turns and dips and lots and lots of giggles. We stayed dancing like that through the next songs, slow songs, fast songs, and any songs in between. I was so swept up in the moment that I didn't even realize when Fink and Nila walked up to us.

"So Nessa," Fink started, notifying me of their presence.

I turned. "Yeah?"

"Who's this?" He asked.

"Fink, this is Tyler," I introduced. "Tyler, this is Fink. And Nila."

Tyler eyed me suspiciously. "You know the king's brother?"

I cursed under my breath. I hadn't told him yet!

Fink smirked. "She does indeed. She also knows the king's daughter. And said daughter would not be too pleased at Nessa's actions."

"Fink," I warned.

"Too late," He smiled, turning on his heel to go find Addy, Nila trailing behind.

I turned back to Tyler. "I probably owe you an explanation."

He nodded.

"Follow me," I said plainly.

I guided him through the castle halls up to the roof, my favorite place.

"Care to explain why you know the royal family?" He asked.

I took a deep breath. "Tyler, I'm not who you think I am, and I'm sorry because I should have told you this sooner, but - my dad's a regent."

He opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by Addy running up to the roof, clearly out of breath and in deep distress.

"Nessa!" She gasped. "Ev and Walker just got taken!"

"Why didn't you get Roden?" I asked.

"Silas is getting Roden," She told me.

"Why were you with Silas?" I exclaimed.

"Not important," She sighed. "But this problem kind of is."

I turned to Tyler. "I'm sorry. I'll talk to you later. I have to go!"