by Sarah Olson
Roy wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into his side. I wiped at a tear that slipped free.
"I need to go home, Roy. I don’t think I can stand much longer being away from my family." The full force of homesickness had descended upon me with an unforgiving fury.
"I’m going to get you home, Aria," he said. "I’m going to get you home no matter the cost."
Chapter 31
T HE DAYS ROLLED SLOWLY BY without any sign of a ship that could take us to Asteria. As I spent each day fretting over the question of when I would return to my family, Richard’s and the village began preparations for the Summer Solstice. Islanders from all over the Coral Isles would be coming to Blue Isle for the celebration—some had already arrived.
I avoided the village as much as I could for everyone’s cheerfulness only made me ache more for my home. The Summer Solstice in Asteria was a celebration no one missed. Asterians from smaller villages flocked to the cities where merrymaking could be heard through all hours of the day and night as people sang, danced, drank and ate. Lords and ladies came to the castle where an exquisite feast was held in the gardens that were strung with colorful lanterns. Women arrived dressed in gowns of gold, reds, yellows and oranges as if they were the sun themselves. When the feast was over, everyone would head into the Grand Ballroom for a ball that would last into the early morning hours. This would be the first year I’d miss it.
Roy tried desperately to distract me, especially when a messenger came each day to inform Richard that no ships had been spotted.
On the morning of the Summer Solstice, I sat up in bed and watched as the sun seeped through the curtains. Juliette would be up already making certain that her gown was perfect. While she would not be allowed to attend the ball, an exception was always made for her and Gabriel for the feast. This year would be Gabriel’s first Summer Solstice ball, and I wouldn’t be there, the same way I missed his birthday.
The bedroom door opened, and Ethelyn slipped in. She was back to serving me since those in the household knew who I was.
"Good morning, Milady," she greeted with a dip of her head.
I sighed and looked away.
Ethelyn pulled the curtains open, and the sunlight streamed in, announcing the longest day of the year.
"If we were home, Lydia would’ve already begun getting me ready for the day," I said, almost to myself.
"And she would’ve had your gowns laid out and a bath waiting," Ethelyn added with a smile. Her face became serious as she stepped over to the side of my bed. "Even if a ship came today, you wouldn’t make it back in time for any of it, Milady. There’s no use in sulking. Join the festivities tonight and enjoy yourself."
"I have to go?" I asked, making a face.
"You don’t have to, but I doubt Regina or Roy will let you stay inside," she said.
I sighed. "I know."
There was a knock on the door and Ethelyn walked over and opened it slightly.
"It’s Lady Rebecca," she said, pulling the door open.
Rebecca swept into the room with a gown in her arms. "Good morning, Aria," she said brightly. "I know you haven’t been too keen about the festival tonight, but I thought I’d lift your spirits a bit and bring you something to wear. After all, a beautiful gown is always enough to get a princess out of bed," she teased. "I would know."
I smiled. "Let’s see it."
Rebecca’s eyes lit up as she draped the gown over the bed. "This was one of mine from when I lived in Asteria," she said. "I doubt I could fit in it now as I was around your age when I wore it, but I’m positive you would be lovely in it."
I ran my hand over the gold embroidery of the bodice to where its carefully crafted swirls spread out onto the white chiffon skirt.
"It’s beautiful," I whispered, looking up at her.
"Regina and Vivien picked it out," she said. "I wore this one to my first Autumn Ball."
At that moment, I could see how much the gown meant to her, just like my mother’s first ball gown. I shook my head. "I can’t wear this," I said.
"You can and you will. You may not be in Asteria right now, and the sailors and villagers may not know who you are, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress like the princess you are for tonight. This is not the only gown I saved from my past so don’t worry about wearing it, I promise."
I ran my hand over the fabric again and looked up at her. "Thank you, Rebecca."
We travelled to the village by boat as Richard said it was easier and faster. When we arrived, the sound of merrymaking drifted through the air. Some of the festivities had begun in the morning, but the main ones would begin in the late afternoon. We would first head over to an inn where Richard arranged rooms for us so we could all get ready. Rebecca had the servants pack everyone’s outfits along with anything else needed for the night.
As we walked down the streets of the village, I found myself trying to take everything in at once. There were so many decorations. Lanterns and streamers the color of the sun were strung between the buildings in zigzags while booths had been set up alongside the main street with festival games, puppet shows for children and small bands that were already filling the air with music. Crowds of people eagerly moved through the streets dressed in their best brightly colored dresses and doublets. This was more of what the cities in Asteria looked like during the Summer Solstice and reminded me of the handful of times I had gone to Eagle’s Nest before the feast at the castle.
"There will be a dance in the ballroom of the town hall," Regina said from beside me. She was holding on to one of my hands while Vivien was clinging to the other pointing out her favorite booths. "Then there will be a bonfire on the shore that will burn all night!"
"Sounds like we won’t be getting much sleep," I laughed.
"Never!" Regina exclaimed. "Not during the Summer Solstice!"
We arrived at the inn, and the frenzied innkeeper showed us to our rooms. I was sharing a large one with Ethelyn, Regina and Vivien, which I didn’t mind. We all had our own beds, and there was a large mirror for us to use while getting ready. Roy had one across the hall with Stephen who had been staying with us at Richard’s house. Richard and Rebecca’s was down the hall, and Lucas and Francis were staying at a friend’s house somewhere in the village.
I spent the afternoon being dragged by Regina and Vivien as they were eager to show me around the village as well as have me watch puppet shows and play some of the festival games. Roy followed behind with Stephen and Ethelyn—who would occasionally disappear into the crowd—joining in on some of the games and holding onto the girls’ prizes of small bags filled with sweets and pastries. I felt as if I wouldn’t have a moment’s rest until the girls stopped at a tent to get their faces painted for the ball.
I watched as an old woman painted swirls of red and gold across Regina’s cheeks when I felt Roy sidle up beside me. "I think you should get your face painted too," he teased, elbowing me playfully.
I laughed. "No thank you."
He looked at me and smiled. "It’s good to see you happy again. You’ve had me worried."
"It’s difficult to be not happy watching these two," I said, gesturing to the girls. Vivien was in the middle of giving specific instructions to the woman who was about to start painting her face. "But seeing all this makes me miss home."
"So you miss one Summer Solstice with your family, that doesn’t mean you will miss another," Roy reminded me.
"I know. I suppose I just hope that they’re enjoying themselves as well and not worrying too much about me."
Roy pulled a cookie out of one of the bags he had cradled in his arm and handed it to me. "They are probably worrying, but you worrying is not going to change that."
I bit into the cookie and looked up at him. "I know."
He leaned in close so only I could hear him. "So my thought is that tonight, we escape these two and have some fun."
I brought my face up to his. "Only appropriate fun."
"What do you think, Aria?
" Regina asked, not giving Roy a chance to respond. Red and gold swirls ran across her forehead and framed her eyes. "It will match my dress!"
"I love it," I said.
Regina beamed. "Vivien is getting pink and gold . . . she always gets pink and gold."
"Pink is my favorite color!" Vivien piped up from the chair.
"Hold still," the woman admonished as Vivien fidgeted in her seat.
"Are you sure you don’t want to get your face painted too?" Regina asked, hopefully.
I shook my head.
"I can do something simple and beautiful," the old woman who had painted Regina’s face spoke up.
"I don’t—" I began.
"Please," Regina begged.
Roy nudged me forward.
"All right," I surrendered. "Something simple."
The old woman nodded, and I took a seat, sending an annoyed glance at Roy. He was brimming with laughter.
"What color?" the old woman asked.
"Gold," I replied, thinking of the gown Rebecca had brought for me.
The old woman nodded, her eyes roaming my face. She reached for a brush and the small canister of brown paint.
"I said—"
"I know, child," she said with a laugh. "I know what I’m doing."
She began slowly outlining my eyes with the brown paint, her old hands surprisingly still. "The brown will bring out your eyes," she said as she worked.
The brush left a cool sensation on my skin with each stroke. It was difficult not to move with Regina and then Vivien standing behind the old woman watching.
After working on both of my eyes, she cleaned the brush and began with the gold.
"There you all are," I heard Stephen say. "Lady Rebecca said that if we found the girls, we needed to send them back to the inn to get ready for tonight."
Ethelyn appeared behind Regina and Vivien, a sly smile on her face as she knew I was one that always protested face paint for the Summer Solstice.
"I’ll take them over now," Roy said. He called the girls, and I heard him unloading the bags of treats in his arms to them. "I need to get ready too."
"Thanks for waiting," I said sarcastically.
"Keep still," the old woman scolded.
I heard Roy laugh. "My apologies, but I need to catch Richard before the ball, so I will see you back at the inn."
I rolled my eyes but kept my head still as I heard Roy leave the tent with the two girls and Stephen. Ethelyn remained, watching the woman’s handiwork.
When the old woman sat back and smiled, she handed me a mirror. "What do you think?"
I held up the mirror and gasped. She had kept it simple but beautiful. My brown eyes were outlined with a lighter brown that dramatically brought out the shape. Beneath my right eye and on the eyelid, she had scattered a trail of tiny gold stars. The stars on the left side of my face began halfway around my eye, up around the end of my brow and spotted up until my hairline.
"Do you like it?" she asked, proudly.
"Very much," I replied. "Thank you. What do you think, Ethelyn?"
Ethelyn smiled. "It will look great with your gown."
When we returned to the inn, our room was utter chaos. Vivien and Regina were getting into their dresses while one of the maids that had come down with us from the house was attempting to get both girls’ hair in order. The poor woman looked extremely flustered when I entered the room, and both girls raced over to me to inspect the face paint.
"I think it’s beautiful!" Regina beamed. "You will look like a princess tonight!"
"She is a princess," Vivien said.
"I know, Vivien," Regina said, dramatically raising a hand to her face.
"Then why did you say—"
"Girls!" I interrupted Vivien. "You need to finish getting ready, or your mother won’t be happy when she comes up here, and neither of you has brushed your hair. Come on."
The girls rushed back across the room to the waiting maid as Ethelyn laid out my gown for the evening.
I washed up, and Ethelyn helped me into a chemise and corset. She then did some quick work with my hair that I had washed that morning, pulling the top of it back with a barrette and leaving the rest to fall around my shoulders in long golden curls. Since the maid was finished with Vivien and Regina, the two girls were seated quietly on the bed watching Ethelyn and me.
"Time for the gown," Ethelyn said.
Regina jumped up excitedly and brought it over to us.
It had been months since I wore a gown. The last extravagant one I’d worn had been during the fitting of my wedding gown.
"I knew that one would be perfect," Regina said as Ethelyn finished lacing up the back.
I stared at my familiar reflection in the mirror—the me I hadn’t seen in too long. In a way, the face paint made up for the lack of a tiara.
There was a knock on the door, and the maid opened it.
"Girls," Rebecca said, stepping into the room. She was wearing an off-shoulder rose-gold gown that was elegant yet simple. "It’s time to go." She looked us over and smiled. "My, you all look exquisite."
Regina and Vivien blushed.
"Thank you again for the gown," I said.
"It was my pleasure. It suits you well," Rebecca replied. "I’m going to take the girls down. I believe Roy is already at the ballroom so when you’re ready, just cross the street, and you will find us."
"Don’t take too long!" Regina instructed as she followed her mother from the room.
I laughed and turned back to the mirror. Without any adjustments, the gown fit me perfectly. It was strapless which was good for a warm night, and the skirt wasn’t as large as most of my mine. The neckline dipped slightly showing the curve of my breasts a bit more than I would’ve liked, but I had to admit that I did look good—better than I had in a long time. I felt the familiar confidence before a large event surge through me.
"I will kill Roy if he tries anything," Ethelyn said playfully despite the underlying threat in her tone.
I rolled my eyes. "Don’t spend your night worrying about me. Are you going to change?"
Ethelyn was still wearing the same dress she came in.
She shook her head. "Stephen and I aren’t going to the ball; he wants to do some other things around the village . . . that is if you don’t mind, Milady."
I gasped dramatically. "Then how will you kill Roy—or are you trusting him?"
Ethelyn smirked. "I trust Richard because he cares for you and will be at the ball. I plan to meet up with you all at the bonfire."
I turned and took her hands, gazing into her eyes. "I’m happy for you, Ethelyn. It’s good for you to have some fun of your own. You have my permission to disappear for the entire night if you must."
Ethelyn averted her eyes and blushed. "Thank you, Milady."
Chapter 32
A S I WALKED ACROSS the street to the brightly lit ballroom, I let my thoughts of homesickness drift away. There was nothing I could do about it that day, or perhaps even the next, so I would try to enjoy myself.
All around, people were joyfully celebrating in the extra daylight. The doors to the ballroom stood open, and music floated out with the roar of voices.
I lifted my skirt, stepped up to the ballroom, and walked in. The room was large and reminded me very much of one I had been to in Eagle’s Nest. Children ran in between the dancing couples in the center while other people stood off to the side talking and drinking wine. I scanned the room searching for Roy. I spotted a couple of the surviving sailors in the back drinking with some women from the village as well as Francis and Lucas, each dancing with a lovely young girl.
"Good evening, Lady," someone said beside me.
I turned around to find a man I didn’t recognize.
"You look a bit lost," he said with a kind smile that attempted to mask the way his eyes roved over me. "Can I get you some wine or champagne perhaps?"
"No thank you, sir," I said trying to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in my gut.
"A dance then," he insisted offering his hand.
"Unfortunately, sir, this one is already spoken for," I heard Roy say as he came up beside me.
"But I appreciate the offer nonetheless," I said with a slight curtsy.
The man rolled his eyes and walked away, most likely looking for the next young woman to prey on.
"I apologize for not coming to the inn to get you," Roy said as I turned to him. He was dressed in a fine burgundy doublet with brown trousers and polished boots.
"You clean up well," I said with a smirk.
Roy smiled as I watched his eyes take me in. "Yet I will never look quite as good as you, Milady," he said, lifting my hand and kissing it. "You look absolutely incredible, and even those words do not suffice."
I rolled my eyes but felt the blush rise on my cheeks.
"Is this more of the look I’m to expect in Asteria?" he winked. "Without the face paint perhaps?"
I laughed. "I hope you are not making fun."
Roy shook his head. "I couldn’t. I mean it when I say you look beautiful. I realize you are only a princess but tonight you look like a queen."
I averted my eyes, unsure of how to respond to his compliment.
He offered me his arm. "May I have this dance, Milady?"
I took his arm. "You don’t need to call me 'Milady.'"
"Very well," he said, leading me to the center of the ballroom. "Norah when others are listening and Aria when we are alone."
I bit my lip to hold back a laugh.
Roy placed his hand on my waist. "Don’t do that."
"Do what?"
"Bite your lip like that," he said, taking my other hand. I placed my hand on his arm, and he pulled me close, bringing his lips to my ear. "You’re already tempting enough in that gown."
I felt the blood rush to my face again, but Roy didn’t give me a chance to respond as he spun me into a waltz.
It had been too long since I’d been able to dance, and the way Roy led me around the floor, I felt like I was home. No doubt his closeness to Surman royalty had ensured his skill. The room whirled around us in such a way that for a moment I felt as if he and I were alone. When he pulled me closer, I didn’t resist. I wanted him to hold me for the night, to bring the utter joy that surrounded me when I was with him into my life. I wanted him. For the first moment in months, I was suddenly happy and relieved that I found Thomas with Moira that day. It had been painful, but without that pain, I would’ve never met Roy.