Catching Fireflies

Chapter Two

"Is there any reason why you're standing all alone, Princess?" Ariadna, who had been watching her brothers whisk village girls around the dance floor, jumped in surprise when she was spoken to. She glanced up at the man and almost groaned aloud.

"Hello, Zachary," she greeted him with a forced smile. His beady brown eyes appreciatively looked her over, noticing how her dark blue dress complimented her body in ways her usual clothing rarely showed. Tonight, Ariadna looked like a young woman, and he noticed. Zachary had always been uncomfortably fond of the young princess, but tonight he'd paid more attention to her than usual. He felt a strong desire to have her, but forced himself to hold back for now.

Zachary took a step closer to her. "Shouldn't the birthday girl be on the dance floor, mingling with men from the village?" He asked her, biting the words out to see how she would respond.

Ariadna suddenly felt crowded despite being in the castle's largest ballroom, and she became all too aware of his eyes on her cleavage. "I believe Mariana has taken care of that for me." Glancing up, she saw that her cousin was laughing, albeit too loudly, at something one of the guards had said. She had her hand lightly resting on his shoulder as she leaned into him.

Mariana looked perfect as usual, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. She was the type of girl that others envied while boys flocked to her for attention. Her bleached blonde hair had been woven into an intricate braid with diamond pins glinting in the light. She was taller than Ariadna by several inches with shapely legs that could make a blind man blush. She wore a light pink gown that emphasized her tanned skin not marred by a single imperfection.

What she wouldn't give to look like her cousin. Ariadna inwardly glowered at herself. Of course men flocked towards Mariana. She looked like a Greek goddess, whereas Ariadna paled in comparison with her unruly brown hair and freckles.

"Princess?" Zachary wrapped his hand around her wrist, trying to draw her attention back to him.

Shaking her head as if to clear it, she looked back up at Zachary. "I'm sorry, you were saying?"

Zachary shifted on his feet nervously, still gripping her wrist a little too tightly. Ariadna could feel the sweat from his palm rubbing against her skin uncomfortably. "I was wondering if, not that you have to, but if you would like to—"

"Ari, my dear cousin, you've been a naughty girl keeping this delectable guard all to yourself," Mariana purred as she walked over to them, curling her arm around Zachary's. "You must learn to share."

This time Ariadna knew Mariana was just trying to get under her skin. Zachary was definitely not the type of man her cousin typically sought after. Pulling her arm away from Zachary, Ariadna took a step back. "How could I be so rude?" She grinned. "Mariana Saville, may I introduce you to Zachary Dean."

Mariana turned her gaze away from her cousin, focusing her attention on Zachary. "Hmm...you're certainly a cute one. Why are you wasting your time over here? Come," she began to drag a stuttering Zachary to the dance floor.

When the two were out of hearing range, Ariadna let out the breath she'd been holding in. Keeping her eyes away from her cousin, she walked to her father's side.

"Ari, my love, come dance with your old man," his voice boomed. Ariadna rushed into her father's outstretched arms, breathing in his familiar smell. "How has your night been so far?" He asked as he twirled her around the dance floor in a waltz.

Ariadna smiled lovingly. "The party is beautiful."

Dimitrius sensed something was wrong. "Did Mariana say something to upset you?"