Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Family reunion
Anaisa swallowed her trepidation as Trace escorted her off the dance floor and towards her sister. It seemed ages since she’d seen Katia last, moreso because of all that had happened than because of the simple passage of time.

Her knees felt weak, and she clung to her husband’s arm more heavily than she probably ought to. After all, much of the crowd still watched her every move.

“This is the young woman I was telling you about.” Trace bowed slightly, and Katia curtsied deeply.

“Your Highness!” Katia exclaimed with bright eyes. “It is a delight to meet you–thank you! I’m so happy to make your acquaintance.”

Anaisa nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She blinked back a wave of emotion as she suddenly felt the urge to throw her arms around her sister’s neck and cry. That seemed such a childish impulse, and yet…

The stress of the evening was weighing on Anaisa heavily. Finally, she found some words to say to her sister.

“Your gown is lovely,” She complimented, and Katia beamed at her.

“Not half so lovely as yours! It must be magic at work to look like starlight, and it even matches your eyes!” Katia paused, confusion flickering through her expression. “You have such lovely eyes.”

Anaisa resisted the urge to look away. She’d altered her voice slightly to imitate Sapphira’s tone a little better, but it seemed her eyes would give her away after all.

“That is very kind of you to say. The magic users here do have the ability to alter my appearance a great deal.”

She hadn’t expected Katia to see through the disguise so quickly, but a seed of doubt might help keep the princess’s secret safe.

“I see. How interesting!” The older sister smiled, but the man next to her tugged on her arm, looking pale, and she spoke again. “Oh! Please do not feel obligated to speak with me. I know you must attend to all your other guests, and likely dance much more.”

Anaisa pursed her lips but nodded, knowing it was safer to not spend any more time around her sister.

“I was just about to ask Her Highness for the pleasure of another dance,” Trace put in with a smile, and Anaisa gave him a small smile.

“It was charming to speak with you,” The fake princess inclined her head in farewell as Katia and her husband curtsied and bowed.

Trace took Anaisa back to the dance floor and resumed a close dancing position as a new song struck up. Several jealous men glared at him for taking up more of the princess’s attention, but Anaisa couldn’t muster the will to care about that at the moment.

“Are you all right?” Trace whispered.

“No.” Anaisa glanced back at Katia. “I want to throw my arms around her neck and sob. Tell her I was wrong about everything.”

“Were you?” He blinked in confusion. “About everything?”

“I don’t know anymore,” She admitted. “I’m exhausted. I want to beg His Majesty to let me escape and go get some sleep.”

“How much longer is this supposed to last?” Trace inhaled deeply, as if suppressing a yawn. “Farmers usually go to sleep at sundown, you know. It’s far past bedtime.”

“I would always go to sleep early, if I had a world like yours,” Anaisa lowered her voice.

Pain passed across Trace’s expression, but she didn’t get the opportunity to ask him about it as someone tapped on his shoulder.

“I believe you had the last dance, may I cut in?” The over-eager suitor fixed Anaisa’s husband with a steady glare.

Trace glanced at her, and she gave an almost imperceptible nod. She should keep up good appearances for Sapphira’s sake and not spurn the attentions of someone so soon.

“Of course,” Trace backed away with a gracious bow, and Anaisa took the hand of the new man. She sent Trace a long look that told him she’d rather continue dancing with him. His lips curled into a smile.

“I hope to claim your hand again soon,” He told her, and her stomach tightened to match the emotion in his eyes. The new suitor didn’t like that at all.

“Princess,” He said, almost informally as he swept her into a new step. “I’ve been looking forward to dancing with you the entire evening.”

“Well, I’m glad I could finally accommodate you,” She tore her eyes from Trace and smiled politely at the new man. “I would hate for anyone to have a less than thrilling evening at my ball!”

The young man warmed to her attention and engaged in several attempts at flirtation which Anaisa kindly received while not encouraging him. She thought that was the best course of action, though he didn’t seem to understand her lack of interest.

“This is terribly forward of me to ask,” He said near the end of the song, and she was afraid he would ask her for another dance. His enthusiasm in both conversation and promenades made his presence rather exhausting.

“One should always exercise caution upon a first meeting,” She recited one of the tenets of etiquette to him in a teasing tone, hoping to lightly discourage him.

“But I can’t help myself! I must ask,” He leaned closer to her face, and she could feel his breath. She tried not to flinch, but it was difficult.

“I’m afraid I may not be in a position to answer such an ardent question,” Anaisa smiled tightly. “Perhaps you should save it for another time.”

“I cannot. Oh, Your Highness, will you not consent to let me court you, marry you?” His hand on her back pressed her closer, and her mind raced.

“Sir, I do not appreciate your tone, nor the content of your question,” She leaned away, “I met you only three minutes ago and do not even know your identity!”

Her distaste seemed to increase his desperation, and he clung to her. The room’s temperature seemed to sharply increase, making her lightheaded.

“I’ll tell you everything about me!” He promised, “Please, give me the opportunity!”

Anaisa panicked, putting both her hands on his chest and shoving with all her might. He stumbled away, but managed to pull her with him, causing the pair to tumble to the floor of the ballroom.

She gasped when a pair of strong arms caught her just before she hit the marble floor.