Princess Elodi's Arc

Chapter 8 of 55

The music slowed and a new set began. Elodi stood at her mother's side, ready to slip away, but the Queen had other plans. From her throne, Queen Evangeline waved a hand. "Let the young men dance with her," she said. The order passed through the hall like a wind. Suddenly Elodi was surrounded. One by one they came. A lord with sweaty palms held her too tight. A merchant's son talked only of his father's ships. A knight counted his victories while they turned. Elodi smiled and nodded and answered nothing. Her feet moved through the steps. Her mind slipped down to the vent, the tunnel, the forge below. Each man was a wall between her and the door. Her mother watched from the throne, pleased, certain her daughter was finally giving in. Every dance stole another minute. The night was passing. Elodi felt the crown of flowers press her forehead and wanted to tear it off. Then a hand touched her shoulder and the knight stepped back without a word. A man stood where he had been. His tunic was deep sapphire blue. His hair was dark and curled loose over his brow. His eyes were a pale brown, steady on her face. "They keep you spinning," he said. "You look like a girl planning her escape." Elodi's breath caught. No one else had seen it. "Perhaps I am," she said carefully. He bowed. "Prince Damon. Dance with me. I promise not to speak of ships." She took his hand. He led her into the turn with an easy grace, and for the first time all night her feet did not feel like chains. He did not brag. He did not talk over her. He watched the doors as she did. "You keep glancing at the far hall," he said quietly. "The one servants use." "You watch closely," she said. "I know a caged bird when I see one." He turned her under his arm. "My father sent me here to court a princess. I did not expect to find one who wants out of her own castle." Elodi looked at him hard. He was handsome, yes. But it was his knowing that pulled at her. He understood the walls. "And if she did?" she asked. "Then I would keep her mother's eyes on the dance," Damon said, "while she found her door." The words landed like a key in a lock. Elodi stared. Here was a stranger offering to cover her escape. But he was also a suitor, sent to win her, watched by the Queen who wanted them wed. Trusting him could set her free. It could also chain her to a new keeper. Across the hall, the Queen rose from her throne and started toward them, smiling. Elodi made her choice. She leaned close to Damon's ear. "Then keep her talking," she whispered. "Give me a count of one hundred." He squeezed her hand once and turned to meet the Queen. Elodi stepped back into the crowd, toward the servants' hall, and slipped away.