The General and the Princess

Chapter 14 || Alleyni

 Evyn and Alleyni descended to the ball and made their way to where her father and Lyssa were seated. Ghael was smiling and looked surprisingly happy for once though his smile transformed to a grimace when he caught sight of his eldest daughter.

"Alleyni, welcome!"Ghael beckoned her forward as his guests wandered away.

Alleyni approached her father and curtsied. Best behavior, best behavior.

"See, you don't dress up too badly," he grumbled. "Now, listen. You can mingle if you wish, just make sure you to praise your sister. Understood? Your purpose is to make your country and your sister appear better. If I need you to meet someone, I'll call you."

"Yes, sir," Alleyni curtsied again.

"And by the stars, where is Luiz?"

At least I'm not the only one who is a disappointment.

"I'm sure he'll be here. Who wouldn't want to miss this?" She grinned sarcastically although her smile dimmed at her father's harsh scowl.

Lyssa caught site of Alleyni and waved, calling her over. Alleyni tried to pretend that she didn't notice, but Evyn firmly guided her to Lyssa. Lyssa's flock of men barely regarded Alleyni as they remained completely enamored with the belle of the ball.

"Gentlemen," Lyssa said, smiling sweetly, "This is my elder sister, Alleyni, and her escort, Evyn. I'm sure one of you would be so gracious as to take her on a spin about the courtyard."

Lyssa smiled at Alleyni as if she were doing her a favor. Alleyni felt a scowl growing over her face—only Lyssa could so easily mask an insult as a favor.

Before Alleyni could think of a sharp retort, an arm was wrapped around her waist and she was swept into the dance. With eyes dancing faster than her feet, Alleyni glared at her unfortunate dancing partner, but her scowl disappeared when she met eyes with Kyald and she found herself smiling from ear to ear. Kyald. She had managed to put him out of her mind ever since identifying him as one of Lyssa's suitors, but one glance from eyes that shade of blue sent every distraction out of focus.

"Hello, again." He winked. "You're looking much better this evening than the last time I saw you."

Alleyni tried not to become lost in his dark blue eyes as his arm held her waist.

"So, you're one of them," she blurted.

Your charm is bewitching.

"What?" he asked, eyes dancing with laughter.

"One of Lyssa's men. You're one of them?"

Alleyni hoped that this was all a misunderstanding, and that Kyald was here tonight for some other perfectly understandable reason.

"I...I'm only here because my father wants me here. I don't care about Lyssa. I'm here on a political mission only, unfortunately. But Alleyni," he said her name as if he was tasting the flavor of it, "you're the only person I've met here whose company I've actually enjoyed even if it was under rather unusual circumstances. I'm so glad that I've found you tonight."

His ocean eyes seemed to pour into her, full of utter sincerity. Alleyni felt herself believing him, even though every ounce of reason within her screamed in protest. He looked at her as if he was truly seeing her as a person—an interesting, compelling person—rather than a prop to be used and abused. He pulled her against him for a moment, his breath tickling the back of her neck. Suddenly, Kyald dipped her and spun her in a circle.

Alleyni felt like a princess for the first time in her life.

"Your majesty," he whispered as he twirled her again, the skirt of her dress circling around her like the petals of a flower.