Kiss of Snow

19

“Yes, please.”

He reached and plucked off a tall flute with a slender stem. Bubbles clung to the sides of the glass. “It’s my honor to serve you.”

“Thank you.” Disappointment coursed through me. They were all perfectly pleasant to look at, and possibly each as kind as Doc. I needed to give them a chance—I owed it to my kingdom and to Dahlia for the trouble she’d gone to in arranging all of this.

Besides, I was probably simply distracted by the recent attacks. Once I settled into life here at the summer palace and felt sure Iris was also safe, I would probably see all of this very differently. Currently too many of my thoughts were given over to the danger that might be lurking at either of my castle gates and the person who seemed to want to take my life. Was it Queen Riala?

I smiled again, the gesture taking less effort as I deliberately pushed my worry aside. I could manage that for tonight.

“Your Majesty, may I have the first dance?” Happy stepped forward, his hand out to receive mine, and I nodded, but as I did so, my gaze slid over the crowd, searching for Keane, the keeper of my worries this evening, the man who would protect from all danger.

I found him, and my heart beat a little faster as I took him in, his stance familiar and reassuring. As Happy led me to the dancefloor and we greeted each other with a formal bow and curtsey, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to feel Keane’s strong arms around me, his large hands at my waist. My breathing picked up at the thought, even though I knew it could never happen.

Thirteen

Keane

W

atching Lily with those seven men twisted my insides, torturing me, but I fought to keep my face calm and neutral. Hopefully, Princess Dahlia had done her job right and not let anyone murderous or crazy into the summer palace to woo Lily. Dahlia didn’t usually get her intelligence wrong, but I was glad I had all of them under surveillance—Lily was too important to leave anything to chance.

Suitor after suitor took her in their arms, each whirling her around the dancefloor, some with more grace than others. The men were peacocks in their finery, each carefully dressed to capture Lily’s eye and her heart, and for the first time I felt drab rather than honorable in my blue and white guard uniform.

None of the men were good enough. I didn’t care how wealthy or handsome they were. Lily deserved someone who truly knew her, who found her quirks lovable and unique. Not men who were simply marrying the next Queen of Talador. That idea turned my stomach.

I knew Lily. I’d been with her while she grieved her father, while the same crowds that chanted The King is dead also chanted long live The Queen. I’d watched the knowledge weigh on her shoulders, and I’d been there the entire time, supporting her, having her back. Even now I stood here, blending into the scenery as the music of string and wind instruments wound through the room, doing my job.

Those men weren’t good enough for Lily, but neither was I. My job was to guard Lily, not to love her. I wasn’t of noble blood, not like these men, who would always have the benefit of their title, regardless of whether they fell on hard times or behaved badly. She was destined to marry a man like that, even if she didn’t choose one of these suitors.

I sighed and gripped the hilt of my sword tighter. My path in life would never lead me to be with Lily, nor with someone like her. All the wishes in the world wouldn’t change that.

I shifted my stance, watching as Lily smiled in the arms of her final suitor. So far, she’d smiled at a man old enough to be her father and the same way at another who could barely hold her upright as they moved. It was the same smile she’d used on a young embarrassed boy, barely old enough to try liquor let alone hold it, and the same she’d used on a man who looked like he was more interested in one of the other men. One of the first men who’d danced with her was actually asleep in a chair on the other side of the room, his mouth wide open as he leaned against the wall, oblivious to whispers and stares directed his way.

Lily’s smile was slipping. It was becoming more of a grimace, although people who didn’t know her so well probably wouldn’t notice. Her feet were also becoming sore in those dainty slippers—she rubbed them more between dances and switched her weight from leg to leg.

I looked away from her. I needed to accept she would marry one of these men, the best contenders put forward by each of the kingdoms. I hadn’t made that list. It wasn’t any of my business.

At last, the music faded and the dance ended, giving everyone a short break. As the final note faded, the last man hurriedly released Lily and backed away as he fumbled in his pocket. Immediately I stepped forward, only stopping when he withdrew a white handkerchief, which he pressed to his nose to muffle a noisy sneeze. He’d done that repeatedly over the night.

She smiled, accepting his odd foible with grace, before turning toward the doors to the balcony. They stood open to allow cool air to enter the ballroom, but I had guards stationed just beneath the balcony to prevent unwanted guests joining us. I hadn’t been sure this much fuss was warranted on the first night of Lily’s stay, but Grimelda insisted she’d received strict instructions from Dahlia, and who was I to argue with the Queen of Secrets?

Lily looked around the room like she was searching for something, and when she found me, she smiled. She continued toward the doors, and I hurried to reach her, quickening my step until I found my usual position behind her.