Music wrapped around her from all sides, cheerful woodwinds overlaying a steady up-tempo drumbeat. The sounds of laughter and conversation drifted up from below along with the smoky scents of a hundred foreign dishes that all smelled amazing.
Once Lina had agreed to go to the celebration with Bain, her day took quite the turn. Apparently, attending with the prince wasn't something she could do on a whim. There was a whole army of people dedicated to making her look fit to be on his arm. Bain had told her not to worry, that it was all just tradition and she'd be fine, but now, looking down at the festivities without anyone beside her, Lina's confidence wavered. It wasn't that the dress wasn't beautiful — layers of soft gauzy fabric in an array of colors made her skirts shimmer like opals when her hips moved. The beading was exquisite, too, a sparkling arrangement of flowers that began at the strapless top and trailed down her side to the hem of the bodice. It was a wonder they'd managed to pull it all off in the span of an afternoon.
And it wasn’t that she didn’t look forward to the occasion; being around these people — possibly her people? — was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that Lina didn’t want to pass up, but still…
What if they didn’t like her? What if the whole night was a disaster? What if she embarrassed the prince — or worse, his formidable mother — in front of a delegation from another society?
She gripped the railing, her palms slick against the rustic, naturally curved wood.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you look nervous,” Bain’s warm voice danced through the air, caressing her softly. She offered a sad smile to the crowd below, not turning to face him.
“What makes you think you know better?”
He stepped up next to her now, leaning his arms on the railing too, their shoulders only a breath away from touching. “Well,” he began thoughtfully, letting the sounds of the party wash over them for a moment. “Because you have nothing to be nervous about, of course.”
She turned to him, exaggerating her skeptical expression. “You can’t seriously believe that, can you?”
Bain shrugged. “Oh, I suppose there are some things to be nervous about,” he said, and her eyes widened. “You could be shunned by everyone. You could insult our people and our customs without knowing it. You could break the law and be banished or… Oooh,” he sang the last word, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “You could insult the visiting delegation and launch an all-out war.”
Lina pursed her lips and nudged Bain’s shoulder with hers. “You’re kind of a jerk, has anyone ever told you that?”
His jaw dropped, his eyes going wide as he gasped and his hand fluttered to his chest. “You dare call the prince a jerk? Off with her head!” he said to no one.
Lina rolled her eyes and his mock-serious expression broke into a wide grin. “Oooooor, you could go to the party on my arm, charm everyone, and have a wonderful time all while being the envy of every girl.”
She couldn’t help smirking back at him now and perched a hand on her hip. “Because I’m lucky enough to be on the arm of the ever-so-handsome and charming Prince Bain?”
His grin widened. “I only meant that you look absolutely breathtaking… Though that is a good point. I’m glad to know we see eye-to-eye on the matters of my handsomeness and charm.”
She pushed back a giggle, trying to keep up her long-suffering exasperation, but it was hard with him just grinning at her like that. His smile did something to her — made her insides turn warm and liquid like she was floating in a hot spring. She hadn’t yet been able to stop herself from returning that ever-present smirk.
“You’re insufferable,” she said grinning.
“Insufferable and a jerk. I never knew I was so multi-talented. What do you say we go make everyone jealous?” he asked, offering his elbow to her. Lina slipped her arm through his, a shiver of excitement flitting all the way to her toes.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
The party was even more magical than it seemed from above. Bain led Lina down through the winding bridges and walkways that spanned between trees to a huge floating platform strung with twinkling lights and flowering garlands. It was something straight out of the fairy tales Mom had told her when she was younger. Like the one that had given her her name, even.
A few heads turned when Bain joined the festivities, and it was quickly clear that the people of Mabnoa were on friendly terms with their royal family. Lina had thought that maybe Farita had a monopoly on chastising the prince, but that wasn’t the case. Throughout the night, Bain was often the subject of teasing and a few good-natured stories at his expense. But the prince took it all in stride, laughing along and setting Lina at ease.
Now she could see why he’d thought it so funny she was nervous. This wasn’t the tense, pomp and circumstance-filled affair she’d expected when invited by the queen. This was an all-out party. This was fun.
“And here I almost felt bad for teasing you,” Lina said, sipping on a sweet and tangy drink that left her feeling bubbly and happy. “I didn’t realize it was a cherished pastime.”
Bain’s eyes glittered in response and Lina was suddenly breathless, caught in his springtime gaze. “Are you enjoying yourself, then?”
She took another sip of her drink and tilted her head back, her eyes drifting closed as the sounds and smells of the celebration bathed her. A cool night breeze meandered through the crowd and rustled her hair, bringing with it the fresh scent of the outdoors — damp soil, fresh green growth, the hint of salt from a distant ocean. She tried to imprint the moment on her memory. If she did somehow manage to find a way home, she’d never have this again. It would be back to the dingy basement with its musty smells and grimy windows.
With her head still tilted back, she inhaled deeply and opened her eyes to greet a sky full of stars.
As much as she wanted to get back to the things she knew and her mother, Lina had to admit, it would be hard to leave this behind. Finally, she sighed, smiling at the prince.
“Yeah, I am.”
“I knew you would. Care to dance?”
Lina’s eyes grew wide, staring at Bain’s offered hand, her pulse thudding wildly in her throat. “I uh…” Part of never having met another person her size was never having danced before. But how did she explain that to this handsome prince with his sparkling eyes?
“Don’t worry,” he said, leaning forward in a conspiratorial whisper. “I’m a fantastic lead.”
Hesitantly, already wincing at the implications, Lina slipped her hand into Bain’s and he whisked her into the spinning crowd. All around, happy faces and rainbow fabrics swirled in the warm glow of fairy lights.
The song was slow at first, and Lina stumbled only a bit but soon, the tempo picked up and she found herself tripping over skirts and stepping on toes with every move. “This was a mistake,” she said as the people around them gave a wide berth. Her face burned and she could feel everyone watching as she tripped and stumbled again. Being the center of attention wasn’t something she was used to. Normally, people didn’t notice her at all.
“You’re thinking about it too hard,” Bain whispered in her ear, his warm breath tickling down her neck, sending shivers through her. “Trust me to lead.”
Lina frowned. How did she do that? It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Bain, but every time she tried to focus on what steps he made, she only got clumsier.
“Close your eyes,” he said, wincing as she stepped on his toes again.
She eyed him dubiously. “I’ve only just gotten out of the hospital, are you looking to put me back there?”
The corners of his lips curled upwards and he shook his head. “I assure you, I prefer our interactions without Farita’s supervision. All I’m asking is for a little trust. Please?” he added after a brief pause.
Lina heaved a sigh, sending one last glance around the dizzying dance floor before turning back to Bain and closing her eyes.
Without being able to see, she had to focus more on her other senses. The music swept over her and Bain’s grip on her hand and her waist felt warmer than before. The intimacy of the touch was unsettling and new for Lina, but she had to admit that she liked it.
“Now,” he practically purred in her ear, making Lina jump a little. He was closer than she’d thought. “Follow me,” he said.
“But how can I—”
Before she could finish her question, the prince began to move. He stepped forward and Lina instinctively stepped back. When she focused on the spots on her body where his fingers rested, she could almost predict when he’d next make a move. She kept her eyes closed and paid close attention to the way his hips moved with each step, brushing against hers for that split second before she took her move.
Lina opened her eyes, grinning now. “I’m doing it!”
Bain’s eyes sparkled, and he lifted his arm, making her gasp as he twirled her and caught her in a low dip. “You are,” he laughed.
He pulled her up from the dip just as the song ended and they wound up too close, chests pressed together, both slightly breathless from the dance. For just a moment, time seemed to slow, their eyes locked together, the rest of the celebration forgotten. She thought he was going to kiss her — hell, she thought she might kiss him — but the crowd broke into applause for the band and it shook them both free of the connection that had transfixed them.
They danced twice more before Suriah came for him.
“Brother, your presence is requested,” she said smirking. “Mother wants the delegation to hear about your plans for the Southern Isles firsthand.”
His shoulders slumped for the briefest moment and he sent Lina an apologetic look. “Duty calls, I’m afraid.”
Lina nodded, sad to see him go. But he couldn’t put everything on hold for the girl who fell from the sky. He still had a life and responsibilities to attend to. As he walked away through the crowd his shoulders stiffened, and he transformed from the fun and charming man she’d grown to know, into a confident diplomat on a mission. Her eyes lingered on his lean muscular form and her heart thudded in her throat.
Maybe being stuck here wouldn’t be so bad. There were already many pros, but Bain himself was turning out to be the most convincing aspect.
“He likes you too, you know,” Suriah said, surprising Lina by being right next to her.
Lina spun around, her face already heating up. “What? I don’t know what you’re—”
“Oh, please,” Suriah said, waving a hand dismissively. “It’s obvious that you like him. I mean… who wouldn’t right? He’s my brother and a jerk, but even I can see the appeal to someone that didn’t grow up with him putting sap in their hair.”
Lina dragged her eyes away from the last spot she’d seen Bain. He’d disappeared in the crowd and now she couldn’t find him. “Oh… Well…” Lina said, looking down at her feet and the perfectly-molded iridescent shoes the staff had made for her that day. “I mean… He’s been very nice to me and…”
Suriah rolled her eyes and slipped an arm around Lina’s shoulders, leading her away from the middle of the dance floor. “Come on, let’s get some food.”
Lina let herself be led, but her heart was racing. She wasn’t even really sure how she felt about Bain yet, despite the little flutter her heart did whenever she just thought of his name, but his sister seemed to be able to see right through her. What if she told him about Lina’s little crush? That would just be mortifying.
Suriah didn’t say anything as she steered Lina through the crowd to a table heavily laden with sweets in a rainbow of colors. The princess took a plate and started piling on one of everything.
“Oooh, these are my favorite,” she said, popping what looked to be a chocolate truffle in her mouth before sending a surreptitious look around and adding two more to her plate. “Have you tried them?”
Lina shook her head. “I haven’t tried anything yet.”
Surie’s eyes went wide and she passed her plate to Lina, grabbing another and repeating the process. “Dessert’s the best part of these things,” she said, eating another truffle. Then she shrugged adding, “Well, I guess if you’re not the girl lucky enough to be dancing with Prince Bain.”
Lina’s face burned again and she tried to hide it in a cupcake.
Suriah just giggled and shook her head, reaching for a napkin. “You don’t have to be embarrassed,” she said. “There are tons of girls who’d kill to be in your position. Here—” she said, dabbing the napkin on Lina’s nose, where she’d apparently gotten some frosting from the cupcake.
“Thing is,” Suriah continued, her eyes drifting off over the party. Lina followed her gaze and found Bain standing next to his mother on a raised dais, talking to a group of dark-haired people in robes of liquid silver. “Bain’s never once taken an interest in any of those girls. Mom’s tried pairing him up with everyone she can think of, but he’s stubborn and really good at sabotaging any prospects.”
She paused, seeming to realize what she’d said, her eyes going wide, her mouth opening in a little ‘o’ of surprise. “Uh… don’t tell anyone I said that. He’s really good at making it seem like it was the other person’s decision to break off the courtship. If Mother knew he was doing it on purpose she… wouldn’t be happy.”
Lina nodded. “Don’t worry. Who would I even tell?”
Surie laughed and shoveled another sweet into her mouth. “That’s a very good point.”
Lina nibbled on a few different things, each more delicious than the last. She didn’t know how Suriah kept her slim figure with the way she inhaled the stuff, though.
They stood there in amicable silence for a while, both watching the prince as they ate desserts. Lina couldn’t help herself from thinking about what Suriah had said though. It niggled at her until she couldn’t stand it.
“So…” she finally said, clearing her throat. “You think he likes me?” The moment she said it, her face was on fire again. Why was she so embarrassed about such a silly thing?
But she knew why. Lina had never so much as met another person her size. Or a boy her age. Or one so cute… Put them all together and what hope did she have? There was no denying it: Prince Bain was her very first crush. She never really expected a thing like this to happen to her. She’d heard love stories and watched movies and knew about romance, but never dreamed to think it would have any place in her life. But now… Now everything had changed, and the prince made butterflies flap around madly in her stomach. He made her warm and tingly inside and most of all, he made her laugh. When she was talking to Bain, she forgot about how far away from home she was. She forgot about how she was stranded in this place, because suddenly, when she was talking to him, she felt like this place was home.
Suriah snorted indelicately and nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s an understatement. He’s only looked over here a dozen times in the last five minutes.”
This time, the warmth that flooded Lina’s cheeks was a pleasant, happy one. She pushed down a self-satisfied smile, but knew by the look on Surie’s face that she wasn’t doing a good job of it.
“Trust me,” the princess said, “he’s never looked at anyone that way. I think he was smitten the moment he found you. He never cared about staying with anyone else through the night while they were under Farita’s care. And he’s not like me — Bain normally goes to all these boring events. He still complains about them, sure, but he doesn’t just skip them like I do.”
Suriah shrugged. “He definitely likes you.”
Lina grinned at that and when she looked back his way, he was looking to her. Their eyes caught and a jolt of electricity shot straight to her toes. He smiled and turned back to the foreign delegation, nodding before shaking each of their hands.
“He won’t get in trouble for that, will he?” she asked, her breath caught in her throat as the prince held eye contact, sweeping through the crowd towards her.
“He was reprimanded earlier today, but I think our mother is more amused than anything. Seeing Bain distracted like this is… unusual. But more than that, he seems… happier. I’m sure she’s glad for that even if it does mean he misses some important events.”
Lina nodded and blindly reached behind her for another flute of the bubbly drink she’d had earlier. It seemed to have some relaxing properties and she could use all the help relaxing she could get right now. Bain was nearly upon them, his eyes never leaving hers, and her heart galloped with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and apprehension.
She knew if she was going to pursue this thing with Bain, she’d be giving up on her hopes of ever going home.
“Suriah,” he said with a stern tone as he approached them, “please tell me you’re not harassing our guest.”
His sister rolled her eyes as Lina jumped to her defense. “Oh no, she wasn’t… We were just—” She spotted the laughter glinting in their eyes and let her protests fall, melting into a smile.
“Have you had enough of this yet?” he asked, turning to Lina.
“Hmm?” she asked, lifting her brows as she sipped on the sweet bubbly concoction.
“My duties here are done. Business for the night has concluded and it will be nothing but celebrating for the rest of the evening. I was considering making a break for it, but if you’d like another dance, I’d be happy to oblige.”
Lina’s stomach fell just a little, like it had tripped and stumbled. She wasn’t quite ready for the night to be over with yet. She wasn’t sure what she had hoped for, but she liked spending time with Bain and the thought of them going their separate ways and ending this wonderful night sent a pang of regret through her.
Still, he had enough duties and responsibilities without tending to her in every spare moment. If the prince wanted some down time to himself, she couldn’t blame him. He’d earned it.
She managed a smile and glanced back at the dance floor before saying, “I think I’ve had enough dance lessons for one evening, but thank you for the offer.”
Bain nodded. “Quite right you are. Shall we?” He offered his arm to her and Lina’s brow furrowed.
“You want me to come with you?”
He chuckled. “Of course. There’s something I want to show you.”
“Oh!” She slipped her arm into his, feeling almost foolish for having been so disappointed just a moment ago. Suriah said that Bain liked her, and yet she’d still been insecure and unsure when he’d appeared again. But with her arm linked with Bain’s things seemed well in the world again.
She turned to her new friend and asked, “Are you coming, Surie?”
The princess shook her head. “Nah, I’m good. You two have fun, though.”
Bain didn’t wait for their pleasantries or goodbyes. He steered Lina away from the party, heading down through the canopy town toward the ground.