The news startled Gigi. "Is it true?"
Davin gave an unconvincing shrug, leaning back on the railing. He turned his head away and worked to keep his features unconcerned.
"Most likely," he said, his voice floating over the people below them. "It would be a union that would greatly benefit the royal family. Her family has the largest holding," he glanced back at Gigi, "second only to that of your Grandparents. Their marriage would continue the peace of present and make it secure for another fifty years or so." He gave a careless wave of his hand. "That is what I have heard. It aligns with what the royal family has done in the past."
"How so?" Gigi asked, her mind spinning with the information.
"Queen Ashlyn was from a large holding in Talvin. The union between her and King Zavier was an act that brought peace to some of the stirrings there. Ever since we have known contentment. That isn't to say fights don't break out among estates and nobles but nothing like it had been."
Gigi stared at him transfixed. "How is it you know so much?"
Davin shrugged a simple gesture that lied about the knowledge in his head.
"Come," he said before Gigi could inquire more.
Rising from the railing, he stretched out his arm to her. Without a word, she took it, her mind still turning over all that he had said. Davin led her back to the stairs and they joined the wave of men and women heading towards the dining room.
"If they are engaged, how long has it been?" Gigi asked, unable to focus on anything else.
Davin kept his face blank, edging towards boredom. "The rumor started about a month ago. The exact time I am not certain of."
Gigi gave a nod, as her mind calculated the time Thayer was in the camp and when he had been returned home. She came to the rough conclusion that the engagement must have taken place only a couple weeks after he left. Gigi looked over at Davin.
"Do you believe her happy with the arrangement?" she asked, unable to stop her thoughts from buzzing.
Davin's face went stony, then morphed into a controlled look.
"I haven't talked the matter over with Everly," he said. He paused. "I mean Lady Everly."
Before Gigi could continue her line of questioning, they stepped into the dining room. All thoughts over Prince Thayer and his engagement vanished from Gigi's mind.
Three long, extravagantly decorated tables, forming a U shape, filled the expansive space. Candelabras lined the center of the tables, the soft flickering light glinting off the place settings. Â The vaulted ceiling was painted a muted gold. With the aid of the candles, it gave the room a feeling of being captured in a sunset.
Gigi forced herself not to gawk at the sight around her, all too aware of the glances that were thrown her way. What hit her after the beauty of the room, was the overpowering smell of savory dishes and the scent of spices.
Davin helped Gigi into a chair, before taking the one on her right. She settled in and surveyed her present company. Across from her were three girls about her age. All of whom were conversing among each other, in lowered voices.
The one in the middle had honey-colored skin, sweeping light brown hair, sharp features, and eyes the same hue of melted chocolate. Her companions were turned towards her.
The girl on the right had deep red hair, a round, pale face and soft green eyes, that reminded Gigi of springtime. The girl on the left was a vast contrast to her counterpart, with thick, dark brown hair, skin almost as tanned as Gigi's, cut features and violet eyes.
It was only a moment after Gigi had sat down that all three sets of eyes turned on to her. The suddenness of the attention froze Gigi in her seat. In their gazes, she saw the questions and speculations she had seen all evening. Their thoughts seemed to pin her to her chair and make her stomach flip. The girl in the middle shifted her attention to Davin, who was taking a glass of wine from a servant.
"Lord Davin," the girl said, her voice silky. "Do you plan to neglect your duties?"
Davin took a sip of his drink, before meeting the girl's haughty gaze. He leaned against one armrest, his entire posture a mockery to the stiff shoulders and straight backs of their neighbors.
"What duties is it that I'm neglecting this time, Lady Claudia?"
Claudia waved a graceful, thin-fingered hand towards Gigi. "Simply your duty of introduction. She is with you, is she not?"
Davin looked at Gigi, the edge of his mouth curling as if he was enjoying breaking tradition.
"Very well," he said, with his customary bored tone. "Lady Genevieve, allow me the pleasure of introducing to you, Lady Claudia," he waved a hand to the red-haired girl on the right, "Duchess Lavinia," he gestured to the girl on the left, "and Countess Viola."
All three girls gave Gigi their version of a welcoming smile. The sight eased some of Gigi's nerves and she returned the look with one of her own.
"I am honored to meet you," she said.
They all replied in kind, their voices smooth and hinting at different accents. Before they could proceed to ask Gigi the questions that were burning their tongues, someone took the seat to Gigi's left. She looked over to find a young man a few years older, with rakish good looks and hazel eyes staring back at her. His mouth curved into an easy smile.
"Did I miss anything?" he asked, his voice a warm tenor with an accent Gigi knew came from the north.
Claudia shifted forward, stealing the man's attention away from Gigi.
"We were just going over introductions, Sir Clay," she said.
"Were we now?" he said. He turned his gaze back to Gigi. "It seems I have impeccable timing. Sir Clay, at your service." He gave a slight bow towards her.
"Lady Genevieve," Gigi responded, unable to keep her cheeks from betraying pleasure at the flirty look in his eyes.
"Lord and Lady Brixton's granddaughter, correct?" he said, his tone interested.
This one small sentence seemed to heighten all three girls focus.
"I am," Gigi said.
Clay smiled, a smile that was eager and flirtatious all at the same time.
"Tell me, does Lord Brixton still have one of the largest stables?"
With this question, Gigi was pulled into an endless stream of inquiries. She answered them all the best she could, fighting back the overwhelming feeling of being talked to from all sides. Each inquiry pushed her bit by bit into her grandparents' fabricated history and further from her own.
The questioning came to a halt when the first course was served. Through the rest of dinner, the group around Gigi talked of gossip, the state of their parent's holdings, the latest fashion trend and other pieces of information Gigi felt left out of. She smiled through it, relying on Davin to jump in when she was at a loss. He did this with quick regularity, never seeming bothered by her need for help. When he spoke, his comments were put in such a way it smoothly diverted the focus from Gigi. Each time he did, she found herself more and more grateful to him and his presence beside her.
During dinner, Gigi had glanced towards the head table. Seated at the center was The King, beside him the Queen and the Prince. By Thayer was Lady Everly and beside her, Gigi supposed were her parents. This occurrence happened more than Gigi could help it, her curiosity pulling her eyes towards them. Whenever her eyes did flicker over, neither the Prince or Everly were talking with each other.
Only once did she see them exchange words. They did it in a quiet and reserved manner. Everly's face held none of the animations it had worn when talking to Davin. Before Gigi could even ponder over the situation, someone spoke, pulling her back into the conversation.
*****************
The ballroom was flooded with the strains of lively music once more. With the aid of wine, the guests let some of the stiffness in their manner crack. The dance floor quickly began to fill with twirling figures. Couples broke away and headed towards the balcony beyond the doors, searching for fresh air and solitude.
Davin led Gigi to the edge of the dance floor. Already she felt her heart keeping time to the rhythm of the music. With each note, the pressure of the last couple of hours at dinner melted away. In a world that was still entirely new to her, she found the one thing that was as familiar to her as an old friend. Flashes of Huck, firelight, bare feet on the grass and the sharp sound of a fiddle came to her in a rush.
Even with the sweetness of the memories, Gigi knew they couldn't compare to what lay in front of her. Couples danced in elegant circles, like leaves buoyed by the wind. Some faces were serene while others playful as they talked with their partner.
Davin barely had time to turn to Gigi, before Clay was by her side. He bowed his head and offered up a hand.
"May I?" he asked, eagerly.
Gigi didn't have to look at Davin to know, he could care less whether she danced with him or not. Slipping her arm free, she placed her hand in Clay's. A quick smile jumped to his lips. In two strides, they were among the dancers and he had his arm wrapped around her waist, as he clasped her hand in his. They moved as one, the steps drilled into Gigi's feet by the instructor her grandmother had hired. She fell prey to the music, letting it wash over her as she became another piece of the colorful tableau.
A smile, free and inviting spread across her lips. The sight widened Clay's own. Something sparked in his eyes as his hold on her grew stronger. She was spun around, feeling lighter than air, at home in something she knew well.
The song ended and barely had they taken a step apart before someone new approached Gigi. He bowed and reminded her that they had met earlier that evening.
"May I have this dance?" he asked.
Face flushed and enchanted with the world around her, she said yes. The next song began and he took Clay's empty spot. His dancing lacked the touch of playfulness that Clay's had, but Gigi hardly noticed.
Gigi moved from one set of arms to the next. The final notes of the song would still be ringing in the room when the next man would show up. Names and titles were quickly forgotten. Some made her laugh while others held her a little too closely.
Her sixth partner was just taking a step back and bowing when someone new walked over. Gigi looked over and found the brown eyes of the Prince staring back at her. An involuntary smile skipped across her face. Until that moment all thought of him had disappeared into the back of her mind. Her last dancing partner nodded to Thayer before leaving. Thayer held his arms behind him, as he met Gigi's gaze.
"As a sign of welcome," he said, in the same polite but removed voice, "I would be honored if you would dance with me."
Gigi gave a small curtsy. "I am the one honored, your Highness."
A single bow was pulled across the fiddle strings producing a deep, rich sound. The melody was picked up and joined one by one with the rest of the instruments. Thayer stepped closer to Gigi and slid his hand around her waist. She placed one hand on his shoulder and slipped the other into his.
In one smooth motion, he pulled her towards him and into the dance. He differed from all her previous partners. Where they seemed controlled by steps, he followed the feel of the music. He moved with a gracefulness that comes from confidence and making every step with complete certainty. In his arms, she felt like a bird lifted and carried away by the wind. She felt herself losing focus on anything but him.
With the closeness of him, she became aware of the way he smelled of soap. How in his eyes he had flecks of gold. How though his features were controlled, he was not serious.
"How have you found your short time here, so far?" he asked.
"It is like nothing I have ever seen, your Highness."
The smile, which his solemn expression had initially stolen, returned piece by piece. He studied her face, before settling his gaze elsewhere. "You grew up abroad, is that correct?"
"Yes, your Highness."
"You never came to Court before this?"
"No. Though I did wish it."
"Your parents were of noble birth?"
"One parent, your Highness," Gigi said, remembering her manners.
Thayer's eyes darted to her as if weighing her responses. Trying puzzle out things that lay behind them. In her face, he couldn't see what his mind remembered. In her voice and speech, he couldn't fit together the vague, harsh sound he had heard. Gigi met his gaze with curled lips, that taunted him. His wondering came to a halt when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, your Highness, I believe this dance is rightfully mine," a deep, familiar voice said.
Thayer turned, to find Raif standing behind him.
Raif bowed his head towards Thayer, but his eyes snapped to Gigi. In the dark gray was an untethered teasing look. A fresh shade of color filled her cheeks. The Prince released Gigi and stepped away. His gaze remained on her for half a second longer, the doubt of her identity still lingering there.
"Enjoy the rest of your night, Lady Genevieve," he said.
Gigi dipped once. "Thank you, your Highness."
He wasn't even out of sight before she was swept up into Raif's hold. His arms held her with a strength that spoke of fights had and storms battled. He guided her around the floor like a man who knew what it took to get what he wanted in life. They moved apart from the rest of the dancers, still in time to the music but unaware of others. In his grasp, Gigi felt like a ship riding the rough waves, it was thrilling and intoxicating.
The music shifted to a new song that was far more boisterous. Raif never let go and ignored half a dozen men who had been looking to taking the next dance. Gigi never noticed, lost in the warmth of Raif's steady hand on her back and the devilish glint in his eyes. A sight that made her feel more comfortable than even the music had. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.
"You are a stunning dancer," he said, his hot breath fanning her neck and sending shivers down her spine. "But I can not help but think you are more beautiful, barefooted and dancing around a fire."
He pulled back in time to catch the astonished and embarrassed look on Gigi's face. His smile pierced a dimple in his cheek. She laughed, unable to restrain the sound. Heads turned towards her, but their stares went unnoticed. Gigi's mood only rose from that moment on.
When the dance ended, Raif didn't let go.
"Come," he said, taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow. "If this is indeed your first ball, as I have heard, you will be in desperate need of some fresh air. I know the way."
Without argument, Gigi let him lead her off the dance floor. A man, Gigi's age, stepped forward, but Raif stopped him in his tracks with a single look. Gigi looked from the frozen man up to Raif. He smiled at her.
"I do not plan on letting someone else steal you from me. Do you object?" he asked, the question holding a real note of curiosity.
"Not in the least," she said.
He directed her through the crowd of tipsy guests, through the open arched doorways and out to the balcony. Instantly, they were enveloped in sweet, salty, cool air. The feel of it pulled a sigh from Gigi's lips. Every part of her felt hot to the touch and the night time breeze was bliss.
Above them, the constellations crowded the sky, blazing white dots in the cloudless, black canopy. The heat from the ballroom traveled out after them, only to dissipate before reaching them. The grounds stretched out in front of them, were illuminated with lanterns hanging from posts.
Raif guided Gigi across the balcony and away from the noise of the ballroom. Â The smooth, rounded pebbles of the path shifted beneath their feet. Behind them the palace looked like a beacon of life in the darkness, golden light spilling from every window.
They moved further from the balcony and down a lane that was boarded by shrubs that rose to shoulder height. The lane deposited them before a circular garden with a fountain at the center. Archways covered in vines with sweet honeysuckle flowers branched off to different paths. The trickle of water was peaceful in the serene setting. The music from the palace was still clear as it floated on the breeze.
Raif released Gigi's hand and turned towards her, his hands falling behind his back. His gray eyes surveyed her. The curl in his lips was the only hint at his thoughts. He continued to walk, Gigi following.
"Tell me, vagabond girl-"
"Vagabond girl?" Gigi said, startled.
The smile slipped from Raif's grasp as his look turned curious.
"Are you offended," he asked, "because you are one of those people who does not care for the likes of them?"
This question surprised Gigi even more than his previous statement.
"No," she said, "I was not aware that you did not think the same way."
The smile reemerged on his mouth.
"The Eldin vagabonds are the best horse trainers in the world," he said, his eyes holding Gigi's. "They have trained every horse in my family's stables, including the stallion I have with me. I have never encountered a more agreeable or controllable animal in my life." He gave a careless shrug. "I have no qualms towards them."
Gigi tried to control her smile, his words made her heart flood with warmth. "You must be the only one then."
He nodded his heads towards her. "Besides yourself."
She let out a soft laugh. "Yes."
"In that case, vagabond girl," Raif said, with a teasing smile, "tell me how you find the life of Court treating you."
"So far it has more than I could imagine."
"In what way?"
Gigi began to talk about all the things about the palace and the people that surprised and amazed her. Raif's eyes never left her face, a look of deep intrigue burning in them as she talked in awed tones. With each word, Gigi found herself relaxing into his presence. They made small rotations around the fountain, becoming more and more comfortable with each other's company. Their time together was cut short when Davin appeared, looking for Gigi.
"Your grandparents asked me to find you," he said.
Gigi looked back to Raif. He bowed to her.
"Till next time, Lady," he said.
Gigi nodded her head with the correct amount of respect, but her smile was wide and lit up her face. She took Davin's arm and let him lead her away, glancing back once. Raif's gaze never left her, until she was out of sight.
Though she exchanged conversation with Davin, her thoughts were back at the fountain and the man with captivating gray eyes who didn't despise vagabonds.
**********************************************************************
Huzzah!
(I think that works but I'm not sure what we're celebrating)
Alright, alright! Gigi and Thayer have shared a dance and the idiot has no clue who she is...or well isn't sure if she's the same person. What do we think of Thayer now that he has a new title, name, clothes and different disposition?
Renewed opinions of Raif?
On a completely different note (*sings* Laaaa) I have discovered the solution to my being single dilemma. (No, it's not stop being odd. Rude!) Let me explain, I have poor blood circulation which means I have cold hands pretty much all the time. Soooo in order to find my future husband all, I simply need to do is find a guy who runs hotter than normal. (In every sense. ð Hee hee) Like Jacob from Twilight. Once I do, BAM! I'll have found the one!
Question: is it illegal to go around trying to hold hands with random, hot (literally) attractive males?
Well, there is only one way to find out! I think I'll start with Dylan O'Brien and hope for the best! Wish me luck!
Find, Your, One! (Or vote, comment, follow)