Chapter 78

The song was just ending as Eli led Kit back inside, and as the new one began, he offered her his hand, placing the other on her narrow waist. He could tell that the anxious feeling he had inside wasn’t his alone but that she was also unsure of what this new development would mean for their friendship. In all the years that they had known each other, both of them had been fairly certain that the current predicament could never be—that even if somehow Eli were to be selected by his province, Rona would make sure that something occurred to prevent him from taking his place among the other Representatives. Now that he was here, it was difficult to digest what this could potentially mean.

The scent of honey and lavender filled his lungs as he pulled Kit’s body close and moved her around the dance floor. Her hand was warm, and the light touch of her palm on his shoulder was a comfort. Everything he could’ve possibly spoken to her about his hopes and dreams had been said outside. Now, it was just a matter of trying the situation on for size. The idea of sharing her was much more appealing than a world where she could never be his, and though it never escaped his thinking that she could potentially choose someone else to be with in the end, at least now he’d have a chance.

It was hard to look her in the eyes. Hers flickered about as well, as if they were somehow learning each other all over again. In a way, they were. The dance they’d been engaged in for so many years as friends wanting what could never be was different than this new entanglement they’d embarked on as something more, and Eli feared he didn’t know the right steps and would end up making a mess of everything if he wasn’t careful. He knew she needed space and time, and he was willing to give that to her. Eventually, he hoped she would come around to the idea that he was no longer forbidden, and perhaps they’d learn to move together in harmony once again.

Since he wasn’t capable of looking directly at Kit, his eyes gazed past hers, and he noticed Cassius standing in the center of a group of other Representatives. It was no surprise to see him there; everyone genuinely liked him, or so it seemed, at least the ones who were worth their salt. Eli thought back to the beginning of the ball when Cassius had approached him, congratulating him for his victory and welcoming him to their little group. He’d said, “You’ll fit in with those of us who are here for the right reasons straight away,” and shook Eli’s hand.

It was a kind gesture, one that hadn’t been necessary, but Eli appreciated it just the same. Even though he’d played a game of slingball with some of them just before he’d been sent back to Eastbury, he certainly didn’t feel like one of their group. Knowing that Cassius welcomed him would make fitting in all the easier.

Kit stirred in his arms, and Eli looked down at her. The soft candlelight glistened off her tiara. She was easily the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. “Is everything all right, Princess?” he asked, coaxing a smile out of her.

“Yes, thank you. It’s just...” she turned to look over her shoulder, “the song will be over soon, and then I shall have to choose a new partner. I’m weary of making such difficult decisions.”

A chuckle caught in his throat. “I’m afraid you’re in the wrong line of work then, dearest.”

Pink tinged her cheeks. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Kit let out a sigh. “It’s so difficult when there are so many. I do wish mother would let me send some home already.”

“Why won’t she?” he asked, avoiding another couple who smelled of wine and were laughing so hard they weren’t paying careful attention to where they were going. He thought the man was one of Kit’s Representatives, one she didn’t much care for, and the woman was an invited guest of the queen.

“She wants to make sure all of the provinces believe they’ve had a fair shake.” Kit scrunched her lips to one side of her face in thought. “I am certain there are at least eight or ten I would like to never see again, but she won’t let me send any of them on their way just yet.”

Eli thought through the candidates he’d met while he was still serving as Commander of the Princess’s Guard. He could think of at least that many who didn’t deserve to be here. “Perhaps you should compile a list of those you’d like to send off, make sure you spend at least a small amount of time speaking to them, and then once your mother agrees, go ahead and dismiss them. That way, you only need to think on them once, and then you can put them out of your mind.”

A smile formed on her beautiful face. “What a perfect solution. See, I knew having you around would be beneficial. Although, this isn’t quite what I had in mind before. Not that I’m complaining.”

He knew what she was speaking of. Before he’d left for the election, she’d ask him to help her, to get to know the Representatives as her commander, and make recommendations based on his observations. “I can still do that, you know. You have six more gentlemen to choose. I certainly don’t mind helping you narrow it down.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You’d do that?”

“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I? Naturally, I will recommend myself.” He winked at her, and Kit giggled beneath her breath. “But seriously, I want you to find the men most suited to you, Kit, so I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“You already tried to warn me about Jecob, and I didn’t listen.” Her eyes fell to the floor for a moment. “I should know better than to let something like that happen again.”

Eli shrugged. “It’s not as if you were seeing him the same way that I did. Our families have known each other for a very long time. Yours was not the first Choosing where Goedwigs and Noblewoods have competed for the same woman.”

Puzzled, Kit tipped her head to the side. “It isn’t?”

It occurred to him that he may say too much if he wasn’t careful. “Our families have a long history of disliking each other.” He hoped that would be sufficient. Now was not the time to get into the history of Choosings. His eyes skittered over to Rona for the first time since he’d taken Kit out to the dance floor. The queen was staring at him, an angry glower on her face, and he wasn’t surprised in the least. If she knew he would begin to unwind the secrets he’d been carrying for so long, she would shoot darts at him with more than just her eyes.

Kit was looking around again, and the song was ending. “Perhaps you will be able to tell me all about it—some other time when we have more privacy.”

“Yes, of course.” It would be easier to agree to it now and then put her off later than protest at the moment.

The musicians played the last notes of the song, and as Kit had predicted, they were swarmed by gentlemen beckoning the princess to let them be next to swing her around the dance floor. Kit looked overwhelmed, not sure who to choose, and he imagined the choices would only get more difficult from here. Unsure what to do, he continued to keep his hands on her, waiting to see if she’d made her selection or if she needed assistance getting to the periphery of the dance floor.

Kit glanced past the row of men, over toward where Cassius was still standing, and Eli assumed she wanted to dance with him again. By his estimates, that would be at least the third time that night, though he may have missed a round. But it wasn’t Cassius she was looking for. “Jate!” Kit cried, pushing between two of the larger men who had asked her to dance. They parted for the princess, and she crossed the dance floor. Eli lowered his hands, resting them on his hips and watching her. She had slipped away so easily.

He only watched her for a moment to make sure she arrived at her destination before disappearing back into the shadows. Rona’s eyes were still heavily focused on him, and he didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself at this point. She’d already given him a stern talking to, and there was no point in generating a reminder. For now, at least he’d had the opportunity to speak with Kit, and they seemed to agree that from this point on, their relationship had changed. Whether or not that was for the better remained to be seen, but as the princess chose her new dance partner, Eli felt something bubbling up inside of him that he hadn’t experienced before—hope.