The dim lighting in the ballroom prohibits me from seeing far into the rafters, but I can just make out a large number of people up there, shadowed. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, save the uniqueness of the acrobatic setup above the ballroom, but something sets me off. My senses heightened, I watch the attendees of the ball, mingling and laughing with one another. Servants line the walls of the ballroom, holding platters of foods and wines. I notice two rather small figures weaving through the crowd. They are exactly the same height with exactly the same straight, black hair. I can't help but smile at the sight of the twins, Ben and Peyton. They seem to be distracted, entertaining themselves rather than doing whatever it is they've been assigned.
Kyra's head turns on a swivel, looking for any sign of her family, or at least that's what I assume. She could just as well be looking for Argon.
I struggle to stand still. The orchestra tune their instruments in dissonant unison across the hall from me. The candlelit ballroom is quickly becoming humid and stuffy as more and more visitors enter. Soon, the king orders that the doors to the balconies be opened, letting in the brisk evening air.
The chain around my wrist threatens to break from my nervous tugging on it. I notice that the little chain vibrates slightly, much like the king's swords did when I held them. I do not ponder it, my thoughts whirling a hundred miles a minute.
The king turns to Kyra, who stands directly to his right. "Your father should be arriving soon, my dear. Don't look so nervous. This is a time of celebration."
I see the hilts of his swords around his belt. If I wanted to, I could unsheathe them and take the king's life in a split second. I'd have hell to deal with afterward, but I could do it. I shift my feet uneasily beneath the dress, wanting badly to move around the room, if just to get a better look at those milling about the quickly filling room.
I take a deep breath to calm my nerves when something moves in the corner of my eye. Argon stands beside me. Inexplicably, my courage returns, and I stand a little taller, though I still come two full inches short of Argon's height. He looks exceptional in a smart black tunic with gray accents and gold trimming. The hilt of his sword gleams at his belt, standing out starkly against his black pants and boots. His dark eyes sparkle in the candlelight.
I feel a slight pressure on my mind. Keep your eyes open, Argon's voice sounds through my head. He glances up toward the rafters, increasing my already strong suspicions. I wonder if he knows something. The pressure of his conscious immediately abates at the end of his sentence, and my mind is my own once more.
Leandry and Finnegan suddenly appear, both dressed handsomely in complementing colors of red and green, both with gold trim along the hems. Each prince takes a princess by the arm and takes to walking around the ballroom. I see Finn's gaze brush past Kyra and rest on me, taking in my form in a quick glance. Tucking away a blush, I look away, forcing myself to note that still, people file in, but the large ballroom is equipped to handle the crowd.
Argon turns to me. "Will you take a turn about the room with me?"
I smile kindly and take the arm he offers me. We walk around the room quietly, and it's all I can do to keep my head attached to my shoulders, turning and turning my head to take in my surroundings. I purposely avoid looking toward Finnegan and Kyra, who both look repeatedly toward Argon and myself.
"Be careful whom you trust," Argon says quietly beside me. "Not all are as they seem."
I nod, almost irritated at Argon's constant mention of trust. He knows more than you think, I chide myself. I realize that soon, very soon, I will have to make clear distinctions between my friends and acquaintances. As we walk, I take note of the black chain about Argon's neck, just visible where his collar doesn't meet in the front.
