The room made a collective sigh at that news and then he went on.
“As much as I would like to get to know each one of you personally and make my decision for a new wife based on compatibility…” He paused. “That will not achieve the outcome I desire, which is a healthy heir.”
Everyone went dead silent. His openness was not expected, at least not from me.
“I would like you all to enjoy your meal. We will be pulling you out in groups of five to test your magic. If you cannot produce enough dragon-folk magic to my physicians’ liking, you will be sent home early with payment as promised for the full month.”
The room erupted into shocked gasps and whispers. Kendal, Joslyn, and I traded a wary glance. The king was clearly in a hurry, and a lot of the girls were having fun playing dress-up, but it seemed that fun was over. I was torn about whether or not I wanted to manifest enough magic during my test to keep me here. He’d just said that I’d be getting the five hundred jade coins whether I stayed the full month or not. I’d give some to Narine to help with her sister’s wedding and I’d take the rest to my mother. But… did I want to be sent home? To never see him again? Or worse, watch him marry another? It might be better than the alternative. To manifest so much magic that he found out who I really was. A pure-blood that apparently had magic that could harm him. Wasn’t that what my mother had said?
After spending time with the king, I was certain now that he wouldn’t hurt me if he found out who I was.
Right?
ELEVEN
It was a beautiful night. One I would cherish forever. It was how I imagined a big highborn wedding would be like. There was a four string musical ensemble, an endless buffet of food, dancing… it was magical. All except for Regina pulling groups of five girls out, and only one, or in some cases none, coming back. The room was starting to thin, and Kendal and I could no longer stomach dancing. The nervous anticipation of what was to come had us all on edge.
“What do you think the test is?” I asked, but Joslyn shushed me.
“Enjoying yourselves, ladies?” the king’s voice boomed behind me and I went rigid.
“Oh yes,” Joslyn cooed up at him.
“Such a lovely evening,” Kendal told him.
“And you, Arwen?” he asked me.
I spun in my seat and pointed to my empty plate. “The food is divine.”
“Would you dance with me?” he asked, holding his hand out to me.
I froze, immediately starting to sweat. Dance with him? Why? He hadn’t danced with anyone else.
I looked at Kendal, who widened her eyes as if saying you did not reject a dance with the king.
I stood. “Uh, sure, but I warn you I tend to step on toes.” I took his outstretched hand and allowed him to bring me to the dance floor, my mind running wild.
He watched me curiously, then his gaze fell to my lips. I swallowed hard to wet my throat. Wild and free dancing with Kendal was one thing, but slow dancing with the king of Embergate was another story.
He placed a hand on my lower back and took my palm into his as we slowly rocked back and forth to the music. I struggled to breathe this close to him, his body lightly pressed against mine. I could feel the entire room’s eyes on me, and yet it felt so right. It felt like I was made to be in his arms and I didn’t want to let him go.
Leaning into my ear, he said, “You look breathtaking.”
My stomach heated at the compliment.
“Thank you. How did the issue at Grim Hollow go?” I asked.
He peered down at me. “It was the Nightfall queen. I lost some men, but they lost more.”
That was a relief.
“Tell me about your parents,” he asked suddenly.
I stiffened a little, but then smiled to cover my nervousness. “My father worked in the Cinder mine. He would go drink at the tavern every weekend, and that’s where he met my mom. She was the barmaid.”
He looked at me coolly, as if testing my response for lies more than actually having an interest in what I was saying. “And your father was a quarter dragon-folk you said?”
I dropped his hand and stepped back as if I’d been burned. “Are you interrogating me or getting to know me?” I snapped, causing a few nearby girls to turn in our direction.
Redness crept up his cheeks and he stepped closer to me, taking me back into his arms, this time more forcefully than before.
He pressed his hand into my lower back, my stomach going flush up against his. He leaned into my neck, whispering into my ear: “I’m trying to find out how a girl who claims to be a quarter dragon-folk explodes like a magic bomb in one of my washrooms. A girl I very much like and am interested in.”