“Didn’t–didn’t even bother!? It wasn’t for lack of trying! The only point of even attending your party was to celebrate with you!” Alethea was dumbfounded. Didn’t even bother? She’d been hanging about, waiting for an opportunity all night! It wasn’t until he danced with Meghan that she had taken her eyes off him, and only to dance with Mordred. And then he’d vanished – out the door and into the stables, probably, to drink himself silly with Tarquin and the other boys. A small voice inside her head reminded her that she, too, had been a bit more tipsy than she would have liked to admit, but that voice was silenced by the roaring reminder that the whole situation had driven her to drink.
But that wasn’t the worst part – no. The worst was that he hadn’t noticed her. The worst was, in a room full of people drinking in her beauty, after she had put so much effort into getting ready – for him – he hadn’t even known she was there.
“I see,” she said softly, a quiver entering her voice as her lip trembled against the horse’s shoulder. She took a deep breath. And what did I expect? He’s the prince, and he knows it. Why would he notice me? The fact that she had been looking for him, had been eager to spot him, Alethea was not about to admit. It would have sounded silly, anyway. He hadn’t been difficult to spot at his own birthday party. She turned away from the stallion, dropping the brush onto the rack nearby, and steeled herself. Wiping a sweaty lock of hair out of her face, she stepped out to face the boy.
“I know you are the prince, Tristan,” she began, a bit pointedly, “you needn’t remind me. Although I don’t know how you expect anyone to tell whether you’re being dutiful or just enjoying yourself. I wasn’t about to interrupt while you seemed to be having fun at your party – that would not have been ladylike, or friendly. How was I supposed to know you’d rather spend time with...with me?” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at a point several feet to Tristan’s left, trying to reign in her feelings. It was much harder, she found, than reigning in the Black. “But I am sorry, if I hurt your feelings. I...didn’t intend to. Of course. It was your party, and I shouldn’t have presumed you’d be looking for me. Or hoped...Or...”
Her vision blurred slightly in the corners, and with a strangled cough she began walking briskly toward the door.
|
 |