5. Sorcha

Chapter five

I slipped on my deep maroon ball gown and allowed one of the maids to do my hair. It was all tucked into a braid that formed a crown around my head. I even wore a slight bit of rouge I borrowed from Sage. She looked at me like I had three heads but didn't ask further questions. Everything had to go right.

We planned to make this our first real meeting, and we needed to play it up, make sure everyone saw us.

With one last deep breath, I made my way to the ballroom. I could hear the music and chatter of voices as I approached. My palms were sweaty. Though I had snuck around and skirted the rules, I'd never outright lied to my parents, and especially not my sisters. But I couldn't tell them. I couldn't take that risk.

The room was packed, royals and nobles milling around. A band played in the corner, and magestone lanterns were set to a low dim, bathing the room in a soft light. "Sorcha," my mama said once she spotted me. "You look lovely." She looked elegant in her sapphire gown, gems dripping from the skirt, making her sparkle as she turned. Her laugh lines were deep as she smiled at me, created by all the other times she had.

I hugged her. "You do too. Where's Mother?" I asked.

"Over there," she pointed. I could see my mother's dark hair sticking out of the crowd. "She's speaking with the Duke of Atrune." She leaned in further, speaking low. "That man is a terrible bore. I had to get out of there, and your mother was just an unfortunate casualty of my escape."

I giggle. "Mama, that's horrible!"

She laughed and shrugged. "That's what love is for. One day, you'll see."

"There you are," my mother said as she found us.

"How dare you do that to me? I had to have a twenty-minute conversation about horse racing."

Mama giggled. "And you survived somehow."Mother tried to look angry, but she couldn't help but smile. "You owe me."

"Whatever you say," Mama said with a smirk.

I smiled. Though we didn't see eye-to-eye about a lot of things, I loved my parents. They had always been so kind and loving, and seeing their love taught me learn what a good, healthy relationship looked like.

Which made the idea of lying to them even harder, but it had to be done. One day, they would understand.

It didn't take me long to spot Zarios in the crowd. He towered over everyone. Though there were many other beings here—fae, lizardmen, a few dragons—there was no one who matched him in height.

Last time I saw him, he was shirtless, but tonight, he wore a white dress shirt that looked as if it would rip if he breathed too heavily and the same kind of tight trousers he wore before. His hair still hung over his eyes, but it was all neatly brushed. Even his fur looked shiner. Though I hated to admit it, he cleaned up nicely.

He made eye contact with me, and I froze. I didn't even know how I knew he was looking at me, I couldn't see his eyes. It was almost as if I could feel rather than see his gaze.

I broke the connection and moved to the bar, hoping he'd take the hint. Though we planned a public meeting here, there wasn't any discussion on how everything would play out.

I stood, pretending to peruse the drink menu.

"Can I get you a drink?" that deep voice I recognized said.

I turned and had to tilt my chin up to look at him. "It's an open bar," I said with an arched eyebrow.

He shrugged. "It's not really about the drink, is it? Just a way to start a conversation."

"And you wanted to speak with me?"

"Very much."

My face heated, and that had nothing to do with our rouse. "I'll take that drink," I said evenly.

He gestured for the bartender and ordered us each an ale. Though I would normally sip wine at these events, I'd spent plenty of nights downing ale with the other recruits and actually preferred it. We were each handed a tankard, and I took a sip, the bubbly bitter taste rolling over my tongue.

"I don't think I caught your name," I said.

He smirked, playing into our little game. "I am Grand Clarak Zarios of Valcor."

"Grand Clarak?" I said as if I was confused. "That's an interesting title. Is it like a king?"

He huffed, and his tail whipped behind him, as if he were irritated. "Not exactly, but I am considered ruler of the land."

I had to fight to contain my laugh at his reaction. "Nice to meet you. I'm Princess Sorcha Yulean."

"Nice to meet you, Princess," he said.

"No need to be so formal. Sorcha is fine."

"Whatever you say, Princess."

It was my turn to look irritated. He smirked behind his glass before taking a sip. I downed half the tankard, needing a small hit of courage. This would be simple. Get to know him. Make sure others see.

Easy.

"Would you like to dance?" I asked.

He looked to the dance floor. "Not really."

Irritation fell on my features. "Are you sure I can't convince you? It would be nice to dance with everyone else." I tried to make the last part pointed, to convey my meaning. We needed people to see us dancing together.

It seemed he finally got the message. With a sigh, he threw back his tankard, chugging it all in one go. "Lead the way."

Instinctually, I grabbed his hand. It was large and wrapped around mine. When we reached the dance floor, he pulled me in, bringing me towards his body. I landed against him, throwing my other hand up to steady myself. It fell against his broad chest. Though he had a shirt on, I could feel the texture of his fur beneath it. It wasn't what I was used to, it did feel nice.

He swayed us around, easily taking the lead. "I see you've had some dance experience," I commented.

"A bit," he said. "My mother thought it was important for a proper man to know how to dance."

"So did my tutor," I said. "She told us once that if a man leads you in a dance and he misses the steps, move on."

His brow raised behind his bangs. "That seems a bit intense."

"It is," I confirmed. "She was intense. She also said if a man is truly interested in you, it's normal for him to act mean to you."

"That seems like it sends a bad message."

"I agree."

"I guess I better not mess up this dance then," he said with a smirk. "I wouldn't want to send you away when things were just getting interesting."

We swayed around the space, falling into step with each other easily. His hand was wrapped firmly around my waist, keeping me close to his warm body. I tended not to dance at these events, preferring to stand in the back and mingle when I must, but I found I was enjoying myself.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready for what?"

He didn't answer. I braced when he suddenly swung me around, spinning me out towards the crowd and back into his body before dipping us down.

When I came back up, I felt breathless. "What do you think your tutor would have thought of that?" he asked.

"That you were much too showy for your own good," I said.

He laughed, the sound rattling through his body and vibrating against mine. "That may be fair."

We danced to a few more songs, and I saw people start to take notice. Sage had outright stared as if we were a spectacle, and I knew my mothers saw me. When I looked, neither of them seemed to react, but they did glance our way a few times, whispering back and forth.

"I think our plan is working," I said, whispering into his ear.

"I thought it might."I scoffed. "Are you always this humble?"

"Another reason I'm such a catch," he said with a wink.

I snorted a laugh. What was wrong with this man?

After one more, I needed a break. He led me back to the bar, where we ordered more drinks. We sat around, talking about nothing. I was sure to lightly touch him occasionally, pushing his shoulder playfully and resting my hand on his. Though I had never tried to seduce a man, I'd watched Sage do it successfully for years and managed to pick up a thing or to.

Soon, the party began to wind down, and the room started to clear. "Can I walk you to your rooms?" he asked once our last round of drinks were done.

My brow quirked. "Seems a bit presumptuous, don't you think?"

"I only have interest in your conversation," he replied easily.

"Then I suppose I could allow it." He put out his arm, and I took it easily. I caught Sybil staring at us through the corner of my eye as we left. Great. Everyone had seen, and part one seemed to go according to plan.

The halls were dimly lit and empty, the two moons shining their light through the windows, casting the sky in a pink and blue glow.

"Do you think they believed us?" I asked once I was sure we were alone.

"Of course. My acting is great. And you were so flustered, even I began to believe you."

I smacked his arm, the sound echoing through the corridor. "I was not flustered."

"Whatever you need to tell yourself, Princess."

"Please quit calling me that," I grumbled.

"I think it has a nice ring to it," he replied.

I let out an irritated sigh, but soon, we were at my door. "I have training tomorrow, but I was thinking we could meet for lunch and walk in the garden after morning session."

"That would be good. I saw many people in the courtyard today, so it seems that would be a good place to be seen."

When I opened my door, he followed slightly until he was leaning against the door frame. He took a slight peak into my room, but he wouldn't find anything of note.

"See you tomorrow, Princess," he said. And then, he was gone.

When the door clicked shut, I leaned against the back, letting my head rest on the cool wood. Moons, this whole thing was ridiculous. I fought around until I managed to get my dress off, not wanting to call a maid to help me. I'm pretty certain I tore something, but I didn't care.

It felt like I was walking right into the life I didn't want. Being courted by royalty and attending balls. And Zarios didn't make it any easier. He was so sure of himself, so sure this plan would fall right into place. Not to mention exasperating.

Though I was playing the role I despised now, I needed to remember it was all to get what I wanted. After this was over, I would become a knight and never have to attend another silly ball or be expected to marry to enhance the bonds of a kingdom. It would all be worth it, it had to be.

After removing every in in my hair and taking a shower I threw myself down on my bed, ready for this all to be over. As I laid there, I realized we'd walked all that way hand in hand with no one watching.