A Queen Among Wolves
1045 Words
Chapter 7: A Queen Among Wolves
The palace woke early.
By sunrise, servants were already rushing through the corridors carrying flowers, silver trays, and rolls of embroidered fabric.
For the first time since her arrival, Elora had no idea what was happening.
A maid nearly collided with her while carrying an enormous vase of roses.
“Careful!” the girl exclaimed before hurrying away.
Another servant ran past carrying golden candlesticks.
Then another with baskets of fruit.
The entire palace seemed alive.
Busy.
Excited.
Elora finally stopped one of the younger maids.
“What is happening?”
The girl looked shocked.
“My lady, tonight is the Winter Court Banquet.”
“The what?”
The maid blinked.
“You weren’t informed?”
Apparently not.
The girl looked horrified by this failure and immediately began explaining.
Every year, nobles from every province of the kingdom gathered at the palace for a grand celebration. Dukes, duchesses, merchants, military commanders, scholars, and ambassadors all attended.
It was one of the largest events in the kingdom.
And this year would be even bigger.
Because everyone wanted to meet the Seventh Bride.
By noon, Elora regretted learning that information.
Three different dressmakers arrived.
Two jewelers.
One hairstylist.
And an elderly woman who spent thirty minutes arguing about gloves.
By the time they finally left, Elora felt exhausted.
When evening arrived, she stood before a massive mirror.
The woman staring back hardly looked familiar.
Her dark hair had been woven into an elegant style decorated with tiny silver jewels.
The deep emerald gown fitted perfectly.
For the first time since arriving at the palace, she looked every bit a queen.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
The door opened.
Kael entered.
And stopped.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Elora raised an eyebrow.
“Something wrong?”
“No.”
His answer came too quickly.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
“You were staring.”
“I was not.”
“You absolutely were.”
For the first time, she saw genuine embarrassment flicker across his face.
The sight was surprisingly satisfying.
“Come,” he said, clearing his throat. “The banquet is beginning.”
The Great Hall was magnificent.
Hundreds of candles illuminated towering ceilings painted with scenes from the kingdom’s history.
Musicians played near the center of the room.
Laughter echoed everywhere.
Long tables overflowed with food.
Roasted meats.
Fresh fruits.
Honey cakes.
Imported wines.
Nearly every important person in the kingdom was present.
And every single one of them stared when Kael and Elora entered.
The room fell silent.
Wonderful.
Exactly what she needed.
Hundreds of strangers judging her simultaneously.
Kael leaned closer.
“They’re afraid of you.”
Elora blinked.
“That wasn’t comforting.”
His lips twitched.
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
The music resumed.
Conversation returned.
Soon nobles approached from every direction.
Some were polite.
Others clearly weren’t.
One elderly duke spent ten minutes explaining why young women shouldn’t involve themselves in politics.
Elora responded by politely pointing out three errors in his understanding of tax laws.
The surrounding nobles nearly choked on their drinks.
Kael looked suspiciously entertained.
Later, Elora found herself speaking with Lady Vivienne Ashford, a beautiful noblewoman with golden hair and a smile sharp enough to cut glass.
“I knew the previous brides,” Vivienne said sweetly.
Elora immediately disliked her.
“How unfortunate.”
Vivienne’s smile tightened.
“They were all lovely.”
“I’m sure.”
“They died terribly.”
Elora sipped her wine.
“Your conversational skills are remarkable.”
Several nearby nobles struggled not to laugh.
Vivienne’s face turned red.
Before she could respond, another voice interrupted.
“Now that’s the Elora I’ve heard about.”
A young man stepped forward.
Tall.
Handsome.
Grinning.
His blue military uniform identified him as a high-ranking officer.
“Prince Rowan.”
Several nobles bowed.
Elora looked surprised.
Prince?
The man winked.
“Kael’s younger brother.”
Kael groaned immediately.
“Why are you here?”
“To save your banquet.”
Rowan looked toward Elora.
“He’s been terrifying guests all evening.”
“I have not.”
“You absolutely have.”
To Elora’s amazement, several nobles immediately agreed.
Within minutes Rowan had gathered a small group around them.
Unlike most people in the palace, he wasn’t afraid of Kael.
Or anyone else.
He introduced Elora to scholars, commanders, artists, and merchants.
For the first time since arriving, she actually enjoyed herself.
Then the dancing began.
Which created a new problem.
A very large problem.
Because tradition demanded the king and queen open the dance.
Elora stared at the dance floor.
“I should warn you.”
Kael looked concerned.
“About what?”
“I am a terrible dancer.”
His eyes widened slightly.
“How terrible?”
“Catastrophically.”
Five minutes later, half the ballroom was trying not to laugh.
Not at Elora.
At Kael.
Because the king had been forced to catch her three separate times.
At one point she accidentally stepped on his foot.
Twice.
Rowan was laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair.
Even Kael eventually surrendered and started laughing himself.
The sight stunned the entire ballroom.
No one could remember the last time the king laughed.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The fear surrounding the Seventh Bride began to disappear.
For one evening, the curse seemed distant.
For one evening, the palace felt alive.
Then the music stopped.
Without warning.
Every musician froze.
The candles flickered.
A cold wind swept through the hall.
And every person in the room turned toward the grand staircase.
A woman stood there.
No one had seen her arrive.
She wore black silk.
Her face was hidden behind a veil.
Silence spread across the hall.
Elora felt her pulse quicken.
The stranger slowly raised her head.
Then she smiled.
Directly at Elora.
A smile filled with recognition.
As though they had met before.
As though she had been waiting.
The mysterious woman lifted a wine glass.
Then spoke words only Elora could hear.
“Three nights left.”
The glass shattered in her hand.
The candles exploded.
And the woman vanished.
Leaving an entire ballroom screaming in panic.
And Elora wondering if the true game had finally begun.
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