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Adrika
Rian had a way of distracting me from my true feelings. Anger, uncertainty, shyness, all dissipated with just a touch from his fingertips. We had been married for only six weeks and my head and heart were full of him.
It was the night of the ball—our last evening before the seriousness of the Session meetings set in. I watched in the mirror as Kariann arranged a couple of loose curls to hang over my bare shoulder that she had dusted with a glittery powder. The dark purple dress Gwen had designed for me fit my form perfectly before flaring out from my hips.
This was the first time I wore a dress that made me feel like a woman instead of a child, one that had not been previously worn by my mother. How could an article of clothing make me feel so . . . empowered? I smiled and then turned away from the blush shown on my reflection as I anticipated Rian seeing me in this dress for the first time.
Kariann was just fitting my mask over my face when Deidre came hurrying through the door. “Are you about ready? Uncle Rian and Uncle Reagan just headed down stairs with Daddy.” The girl bit her bottom lip, her brows drawn. “You look fabulous, and I am jealous.” She never was one to hide her feelings, but any bad humor always seemed to pass quickly.
“You have nothing to be jealous of. I love your outfit and your beauty is effortless. It took forever for Kariann to make me look this way.”
“I love what she did to your hair. Mine is so . . . juvenile.” She grabbed the end of one of her long curls and twisted it between her fingers. She had been pouting ever since her mother had put a stop to her playing dress-up with my handmaiden. I really did not mind the time they spent together, but it was not up to me. Brianna was her mother.
I stood and reached for her hand before she twisted the life right out of that curl. “I think this still suits what you are wearing better than if it were pinned up.”
Her auburn tresses draped around the feathers on each side of her mask and framed her heart-shaped face perfectly. Feathers also protruded from her red, pin-striped bustier, giving her an angelic look. Small, metal cogs were sewn at the top of each gathering in her brown skirt. It was a youthful-looking outfit, which was exactly as an unmarried fifteen-year-old should appear.
It only took a couple of compliments to coax a smile from her, and then we headed down the servants’ staircase. The whole point of a masquerade was to add an element of mystery. This could not be accomplished if Rian saw me coming down the main stairs. The servants’ stairway let out just inside the kitchen door.
As we entered the great hall, I could see Brianna and Gwen coming down the stairs on the other side of the room. Brianna must have been the most spectacularly dressed female at the ball with her dress covered in layers of golden ruffles and lace shimmering in the candle light, but Gwen was a close second with her train of peacock feathers. Both queens were greeted by their mates at the bottom of the stairs.
I could not hold back my giggle at the sight of Rian looking up the staircase, anticipating my arrival. I grabbed Deidre’s arm and pulled her closer so I could whisper into her ear. “Go ask Rian to dance, and if he says he is waiting for me, tell him I am already on the dancefloor.” A giddiness bubbled up inside of me as she quickly made her way across the floor.
Now, I just needed to find a dance partner before Rian came looking for me. This would be no problem without the mask. As the princess of Dermot, I was normally paired for every dance, but dressed as I was, no one would know to ask me. I looked around the room and found that my options seemed to be plentiful. I had caught the eye of several men who were standing on the outskirts of the dancefloor and a couple of them walked towards me. Maybe I was not as anonymous in this mask as I had expected.
For over an hour, I was passed from one partner to the next without a break. My feet were killing me. As I was being whirled around the room by a man dressed in all silver with a metal mask, I was already planning to escape the ballroom for a moment of respite. At least this one was quiet. Most of the others had flirted boldly, choosing to completely ignore the emerald betrothal ring on my left hand.
I was seriously rethinking the appeal of this masquerade. Where was Rian? I had thought he would have claimed me for a dance by now. Did I truly look so altered that he could not recognize me? Or maybe he was avoiding me on purpose. The image of the blond I caught him with out in the stables came to mind. Were they off somewhere together? Studying the outskirts of the dancefloor, I tried to make out my husband’s image among the throng.
I momentarily lost my footing. My partner pulled me closer to keep us both from tumbling across the floor. “I am so sorry, Madame. Am I moving too fast? We can certainly slow down.”
“No, it was entirely my fault.” We had slowed, and he was still holding me closer than was proper. He let go when I pulled away as the song ended.
A hand to my shoulder had me turning to my next potential partner with every intention of denying him a dance, but even before I was fully turned, I recognized the deep voice, so close I could feel his breath on my neck. “May I have this dance?”
“Rian.” His name came out like a sigh, and I almost fell into his arms in relief. I was thankful for the slow song that allowed him to hold me close with his cheek pressed against mine.
“I finally get to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room. I have been watching. You are very popular tonight.”
Surely, I had received no more notice than any other woman on this night. They may not entirely ring true, but his compliments thrilled me like none other.
“If this dance should be interrupted, meet me on the balcony when it is over.”
“I am afraid my husband may not approve of such a tryst.”
His deep-throated laughter sent tingles across my heated skin. He leaned close enough that I thought he might kiss me here in view of any who may be looking. “If he should happen to catch us together, I am ready for the challenge.”
His smile faded as he turned to the man standing behind him. The gentleman’s mask was in the shape of a wolf’s head and covered most of his face. His words were carried away by the noise around us, but there was no doubt to his intentions when Rian bowed over my hand and turned away.
My fatigue returned as soon as Rian left. I was already anticipating our rendezvous when my new dance partner spoke, sending chills down my spine.
“I have missed you, Rika.”
“Brett.” I had not meant to whisper his name. Brett Eveny was the last person I expected to see here. I had not seen him since he left Dermot two years before with a false promise to return and ask for my hand in marriage.
“So, you do remember me. I hope more comes to mind than just my name when you think of me.” He ran one finger around my jaw until it stopped in the middle of my lips.
I jerked away from him. “Do not touch me.”
“As I recall, that was not your sentiment the last time we were together.” His lips curved up into a sardonic smile as he ran a finger up my bare arm. This man who had broken my heart and stolen my innocence was now mocking me?
I whirled away from him and searched the room until I gained my bearings. I headed toward the open balcony doors. I stopped just before the exit and took a deep breath. Rian was probably already waiting for me. While this thought brought me comfort, I did not want my husband to see that I was upset—especially not over the actions of another man. Hopefully, Brett had gotten the picture, and I would never see him again.
The narrow balcony was surprisingly empty. I slowly followed the path around the curve of the castle until I came just within the circle of light cast off by one of the lit torches. I wanted to be away from the doorway but still close enough that Rian would see me as soon as he stepped out.
Leaning on the balustrade, I looked out in the direction of the ocean. Everything was dark except for the crescent moon and its reflected highlights across the water. The salty breeze lifted the curls on my shoulder causing them to dance and twirl. I took another deep breath and let it out along with the tension that had built up.
I had pined for Brett for too long after he abandoned me. I blamed my father for the lack of his return. I had even blamed myself. But after seeing the smirk on Brett’s face tonight and with the disturbing way he touched me, for the first time I was glad we were no longer together. I had Rian now, and he was everything Brett would never be.
I turned at the sound of heavy footsteps coming from the ballroom, expecting to see Rian but finding Brett instead. He pushed the wolf mask to the top of his head and smiled as he continued my way.
I backed around to the other side of the torch but stopped where its light ended. I held my hand up in front of me. “Do not come any closer.”
“I just wanted to apologize, Princess. I behaved badly, and I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
My body relaxed a bit. This soft-spoken man was the one I remembered. This was the one I had been in love with. I could never go back to that, but maybe this was a time for closure so I could finally put Brett in my past where he belonged and leave him there for good. “You have changed so much. You never would have said or done those things to me before.”
He ducked his head and smiled. “I am truly sorry. You are right. I have changed.”
I tensed when he stepped closer, but he only leaned on the balustrade next to me and looked out toward the dark ocean. “I fear having to go on these last couple of years without the woman I love has hardened me. I have missed you so.”
“Why did you not return for me?” I hated the tone of my own voice. All the hurt I had felt over his abandonment sounded itself out in that one question.
He turned and looked at me. “Your father threatened my life. Did you know that?”
I shook my head. I could guess it now, but back then I thought my father had been clueless of my misdeeds.
He took a step closer and was facing me now. “I never stopped loving you. I would give anything to be with you still.”
He touched the side of my face, and I jerked away. “I am married now.”
“But does he love you?”
I looked down at the flickering light reflected on the balcony floor. Rian and I had a good life together, but he had never told me that he loved me.
“Rika.”
I looked up at the whisper of my name. Brett’s face leaned toward mine, and I pulled back. He grabbed me by the waist and tugged me toward him. He turned so that I was trapped between him and the rail behind me. He kissed my jaw as I struggled to get away.
“Let go. Stop. Let me go, Brett.” My breath came in short sputters as panic set in.
How far would he take this? I was helpless to stop him. My only hope was for someone to come this way before it was too late. If only Rian had met me out here like he said he would. Where was he now when I needed his protection?