Chapter 23
While I’d been a little anxious at the prospect of being dressed by someone other than myself, the girls proved to be credits to their profession. They chose a silky teal number with an empire waist. The bodice was studded with tiny, clear gemstones that glinted and sparkled in the light. The fabric flowed like water to the floor, swaying with my every move. Capped sleeves left my arms mostly bare, so the girls had chosen to adorn my left arm in a wrap bracelet that stretched almost the length of my forearm. It was silver with a teardrop diamond suspended from a short chain at my wrist. Around my neck, they placed a single string of silver rope that held a large matching teardrop pendant.
Leyona assured me of Mattie’s gift of bringing out one’s natural beauty, though I hadn’t questioned it. I felt it was more for Mattie’s benefit than my own.
Mattie had done wonders with my hair, winding it into an updo at the back of my head. Loose curls were artfully allowed to escape the twist and she framed my face with a few. She also rubbed a shimmering powder over my cheek bones, up toward my temples, and along my collar bones. When Mattie broke out a teal stick and announced she was going to trace my eyes, I argued. She finally convinced me to trust her, and the result was a subtle hint of color that highlighted shades of teal in my own eyes I didn’t even know were there. The finishing touch was a silver crown inlaid with tiny diamonds. The diamonds were so tiny that they were almost indistinguishable, save for the way they glittered in the light.
I was exceedingly pleased with my reflection for the first time in, well, I didn’t even know when.
Mattie and Leyona were almost as excited as I was by the time I was making my way to the door. They followed me out, wishing me luck and assuring me that I looked beautiful, before disappearing down the hall, giggling and satisfied with their work.
Footsteps echoed off the stone and I turned to find my parents behind me.
My father smiled his signature warm smile. “We were hoping we would catch you. Would you allow your old parents to accompany you?”
I grinned up at him. “Certainly.” I took the arm he offered and we walked with me on one side and my mother on the other and a contented warmth spread through me the likes of which I couldn’t remember ever having felt.
“Dani, my dear, we will be dining with company this evening. Nikolas will be joining us, as he often does, but Lord and Lady Belmont arrived just this evening and will join us as well, along with Brigitte.” My mother shot me a look of apology with that last name.
I tried really hard to muster a nonchalant smile. “That’s wonderful.” I forced out. Nausea settled in my stomach and my muscles tightened with the news.
We were first to arrive in the great dining room. It was massive and could accommodate at least twenty-five people at the table. The table was a dark wood with thick legs that curved downward, ending in clawed feet. Each of the chairs was made from the same dark wood with matching clawed feet. There were rich leather cushions fastened with studs to the chairs and the back of each was intricately carved into woodland scenes of trees and rivers and animals.
An immense chandelier hung at the center of the table shaped like tree branches. Scores of small bubbles like drops of rain held tiny glowing lights inside of them. The walls were adorned with many mounted deer heads, only these were pure white in color, antlers a stark black, no less than 20 points topping each of their heads.
A chair was pulled out for me to sit in to the left of my father’s seat at the head of the table. I sat and was scooted forward, impressed that the man who’d seated me could push the chair, much less with me in it. My mother was about to take the seat directly across from me just as a shrill screech pierced the air.
I startled, immediately believing someone was in danger. Color me surprised when I saw a short, slim woman familiar mahogany locks piled on top of her head making a beeline for my mother, arms outstretched. She was followed by a much quieter man, who glided easily along the stone as his stark bald head reflected the overhead light, a reserved smile forming on his lips. His easy grace, height, and handsome features made it instantly clear he was Nikolas’ father.
I stood and watched in awe as Lady Belmont greeted my mother like they were the very dearest of friends. My mother accepted her warmly, only a hint of uneasiness present in her eyes and the taut set of her mouth.
“Lady Belmont, it has been so very long.” My mother offered.
“Forgive our absence, Queen Isla, there seems to be so much to do.” Lady Belmont responded, bowing slightly before whipping out a fan with a flourish and waving it frantically at her face.
My mother nodded once. “Certainly.”
Lord Belmont made his way to my father, offering a bow before embracing him as an old friend. If there was any bad blood between the two of them, I couldn’t make it out. But then I’ve always found men to be far more forgiving than women are.
Lady Belmont spotted me and squealed, setting my teeth on edge. She bowed slightly as she approached me, then drew me in for a tight hug. "What a beautiful young lady you have grown into, Princess. We were so overjoyed with the news that you had returned!” She said as she drew back to take my face in her slim hands. The fan, still clutched in one, scratched at my face.
“Thank you.” I squeezed out, looking to my mother for help.
She came to my rescue. “Lady Belmont, do tell me of the places you’ve traveled of late!” She said with believable enthusiasm.
Lady Belmont seemed to jump at the chance to tell her stories, muttering over where to begin. My mother shot a wink at me as she lured Lady Belmont away.
Taking a cleansing breath, I dropped into my seat again.
My father’s deep laugh sounded off the stone walls and I looked to him and smiled at his ability to warm a room. Steps echoed through the hall and I felt my smile evaporate. Turning my head, my eyes locked with Nikolas’ and I had to steady myself as an overwhelming pull threatened to catapult me from my seat and send me running to him. He was beautiful in deep green tunic that somehow managed to make his blue eyes seem bluer. His black leather trousers hugged his legs, hinting at the well-defined muscle beneath. I wouldn’t have thought I was a leather kind of girl, but with Nikolas in those pants, I definitely could be. Black boots scuffed along the stone as he walked and the thin discs of a silver belt clinked subtly and sank to one side with the weight of his white-pommeled sword.
Like nails on a chalkboard, Brigitte’s tinkling voice raked over my nerves. Once again, she was melded to his side, chattering incessantly at him.
I just really disliked her.
Nikolas looked drained, and I could see how she could have that effect on him. She was having that effect on me and it had only been thirty seconds. Who knows how long he’d been enduring her company.
I felt angry…at her, at him, at his parents. But, also my heart broke for him. I couldn’t imagine what it must feel like to be promised to someone you could barely stand. And, he was such a good guy. He was a gentleman, he was an angel, he was perfect. He wouldn’t tell her how awful she was…and he was going to add martyr to the list of things he was. Nikolas would be a casualty of his mother’s social climbing.
I wanted to clean her clock for it, and Brigitte’s just for good measure.
I felt sick, like literally sick. Training my eyes on the table, I took deep breaths and tried to think of nice things like puppies and kittens…and Nikolas.
Dammit.
Distraction. I needed a distraction…desperately.
Liam.
Liam was offering to be my distraction. Liam knew I had it bad for Nikolas. Did that make it okay? It’s not like I was lying to him, leading him on. I would be straightforward with him, tell him how I felt…leave it up to him. Jeez…could I even do that?
Brigitte’s earsplitting laugh sounded close by, shattering my thoughts. “Oh, Princess! I am so glad you coul
d join us!”
I wasn’t sure, but I thought I heard Nikolas groan quietly.
I added the way Brigitte talked to me like I was some guest or an outsider to the list of reasons why I wanted to slap her. A nod was all I could conjure up in response. With a conscious effort, I kept my eyes from Nikolas, avoiding him like the plague, but his eyes were on me. I could feel it and my skin heated beneath his stare.
To my great horror, Brigitte sat almost right across from me, to the right of my mother’s seat. To Brigitte’s great horror, Nikolas sat to the left of mine. My mother, father, and the Belmont’s joined us at the table within minutes. It came as a great relief to me since I’d spent the interim folding a napkin across my lap repeatedly.
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint, Brigitte filled what could’ve been awkward silence with a detailed account of her dress fitting for the ball.
I spent the meal in silence, the majority of the conversation being ruled by Lady Belmont and Brigitte. They moved on from the dress fitting and discussed travel, Brigitte’s massive family estate, and of course wedding plans. When that subject was broached, Nikolas shifted uncomfortably in his seat and I felt like someone had taken a potato peeler to my heart.
Despite much poking and prodding about his opinion of the wedding plans by his mother and Brigitte, Nikolas remained remarkably tight-lipped when questioned, limiting his answers to generic responses like, “Um hmm.” And, “Uhhhh.”
My parents and even Lord Belmont offered little to the conversation, seemingly fascinated by the courses presented before them. Not that they’d have gotten a word in if they’d tried.
I’d had enough and was on the verge of excusing myself and escaping to my bedroom, or just anywhere that wasn’t here. But then, a figure flew into the room, panting and gasping for breath. My head jerked up and I recognized the silky golden mane of Sir Landon, the man that had practically raised Nikolas.
My father was on his feet almost instantly, but not before Nikolas, who was already striding toward his mentor. “Luther? What trouble is there?”
Luther was doubled over, hands propped on his knees as he tried to breathe evenly. Through labored breaths, Luther formed a reply. “That’s, that’s just it, Sir Belmont…not sure there is trouble.” He paused to take deep breaths. “It is just so unbelievable.”
My father clapped a hand onto Sir Landon’s shoulder. “Well, come then, tell us man.”
Breaths finally slowing, Sir Landon stood, eyes wide and flickering between Nikolas and my father. “The Connolly girl…the one that was taken, she’s here. She says her name is—“
The legs of a chair screeched across the floor as my mother rose and cut off Sir Landon. “Annette. Her Name was Annette.” Sir Landon nodded and my mother gasped placing fingertips to her lips. “Take me to her.”
Sir Landon nodded once. Nikolas and my father stood there looking lost or like they were both trying to divide 317,562 by 1,745 in their heads.
I was on my feet as well, without realizing I’d stood. “Me too.”
That snapped Nikolas out of contemplating his math problem. “Wait, we do not even know how that is possible.”
I tilted my head, imploring him with my eyes. “Please, I need to see her. She was taken because of me.”
Nikolas’ eyes sparked. “We do not even know if it is her.”
My father chimed in. “He has the right of it, sweet girl.”
I curled my hands into fists. “Please, Dad.”
My father glanced to my mother who nodded.
Nikolas pinned me with a glare. “You will stay behind me.” He looked to my mother. If I tell you to go, you must both obey.” His words were kind, but the way he delivered them left no room for argument. Glancing over at the table where his parents and Brigitte remained seated, Nikolas spoke. “My apologies for having to cut dinner short. I bid you all a goodnight.” With that he began to walk toward the door, Sir Landon by his side, my parents and me following behind.
A strange sound, like a mix between a huff and a squeal pierced the still air. “You. Are. Leaving?” Brigitte spit out the words one by one.
Nikolas never even checked up, he didn’t so much as turn his head. “Yes.” He said flatly as he led us out of the doorway. I couldn’t help but smile when Brigitte made some kind of noise that sounded like a cat being strangled.
As we trekked down the hallway, Sir Landon talked, hands flying animatedly as he spoke to Nikolas and my father, who had moved up to flank him. “There she was, walking along the bridge. She hasn’t spoken a word aside from her name and she looks at you as though she does not recognize you, not just as someone she knows, but as anything at all. She appears as though she does not even see you. Obviously, she’s had a rough go of it, but I cannot see any outward signs of injury.”
“And she just appeared there, no one was with her?” Nikolas questioned intently. I could feel his apprehension floating through the air around us.
“Not a soul, Sir.” Luther replied severely. “I cannot fathom how one in her condition,” he glanced to my father, “Sire, she is so frail, how is it possible that she has escaped? I cannot understand.”
“Nor I.” Nikolas agreed, sending a glance over his shoulder at me as though he thought I’d up and disappear. “I do not like this. It’s too much of a coincidence. She shows up here after all these years, immediately after Dani’s return?”
“Aye. It seems extraordinarily unlikely.” My father allowed. “But then, no one can verify that she has been kept at Castle Knox, can they? Do you recall seeing her when you were held captive?”
Luther shook his head emphatically. “No, Sire. I have never seen her, but then I did not have the run of the place either.” He stated. “But, I have spent time in their clutches. It would require some measure of humanity to release a prisoner…and they have none.”
Nikolas exhaled slowly as we rounded the corner toward the guards’ post near the main entrance. “There is at least one who does.” His words emerged from his lips grudgingly. “Summon Liam.”
“He is there, Sir. He was on duty at the main gate, seems to have gotten in a tiff, broken nose, and eyes beginning to black.” Luther gestured to his own nose and eyes. Apparently, Liam had not divulged the finer points of his injury.
I tried to keep my face impassive, but no one was looking at me just then anyway.
“He what?” My father asked, obviously not expecting his newest knight to have found trouble so easily.
Sir Landon was studying Nikolas, reading him like a book. Then, he looked over his shoulder at me and my cheeks burned with heat. I thought I saw one side of Luther’s mouth curve right before he faced forward again, answering my father. “Not to worry, Sire. These young boys still get into such nonsense.”
My father nodded once. “I suppose. I was young and always ready for a fight once as well.”
Nikolas seemed nearly unaware of the conversation, eyes focused as he stalked through the hallways.
We’d come upon the door to the guard tower and all conversation halted.
Sir Landon looked to my father, who nodded once and the door was pushed open.
No less than eight men stood in a circle around the girl I couldn’t yet see. I could hear Liam murmuring to her softly, though I couldn’t see him either. The rest of the men seemed to be standing and staring in awe, offering no real constructive solutions or suggestions for the situation, just looking on like they couldn’t avert their eyes. Expressions ranged from horror to anger to sadness, but each one was emotional. Some even looked to be on the verge of tears. I stepped forward, straining to get a better look, something in my gut writhing unsteadily.
Nikolas caught me by the wrist, halting my progress. He gazed at me with unbelievable blue eyes and rooted me to the spot with a silent plea and a gentle squeeze of his hand.
I moved no further.
&n
bsp; Nikolas let go of my wrist and walked slowly forward, followed by my father and Sir Landon. The men in the circle parted like the red sea before them, revealing Liam kneeling before a frail girl.
A girl about my age, sandy blonde hair hanging limply around her face. A face that was hollow, eyes that were sunken and empty.
Oh no.
This was the face I’d seen, this was my vision.
Danger. Danger. Danger.
She was just as Luther described, unseeing…but then her eyes focused and instantly changed, recognition flashing in them. She’d seen no one else in the room.
No one else but me.