In the beginning, I sat next to my husband. Few mingled around while many continued to enter. Kandi came in soon enough, but eyes weren't directed towards her. We never announced the engagement.

At the time, Rachel and Zianna thought it was foolish to hide such news. Garroth and I shared our engagement before we had our own ball. This was the practical way Zianna liked.

Kandi got into Garroth's head about the thrill of a surprise. If we throw a ball, they can announce it there. Zianna didn't favor this idea, but she came around to it. For all anyone knows, this ball is dedicated to a royal baby announcement.

Garroth looks over at me. "They're going to begin to dance soon. Would you mind if I steal your first dance?"

"I'd like that very much," I say, standing from my spot. Garroth smiles at me and reaches for my hand. We're a bit of a distance apart, but that doesn't stop him from decreasing the space between us.

This dance differs from the first dance we ever shared. There's much more confidence between us, and I can feel his gaze on me with every movement we make. His hands are firmly placed on my body. It's as if he refuses to allow me to slip past his finger tips.

"You dance much differently than you had when you were seventeen," Garroth chuckles.

I eye him slightly. "Funny, everyone says that. It's as if I've aged," I say.

He rolls his eyes at this. The dance is rather slow, traditional. It's simple as our feet carry on with their counts. I can look at Garroth now and believe he has confidence in himself not to mentally count each individual step. We've become far too used to dancing for either of us to do that now.

Garroth's eyes divert away from me. I try to match where he stares. I eventually am able to do so, but his gaze doesn't linger long.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

The music slows down before halting. I lower myself into a slight curtsy and place my hand on his arm.

Garroth offers me a smile, but I can tell it's strained. "Tonight is strange. Many things are. . . strange."

I nod my head before I feel a hand on my own arm. I turn around to see Vylad and smile widely.

"Brother, you wouldn't mind if I requested her next dance, would you?"

Whatever was bothering Garroth before vanishes. He approves Vylad's request, but we all know I would've done it regardless.

I turn back to Garroth before walking off with Vylad. This will be a much livelier dance. I can feel it already. "Love, why don't you speak with Kandilyn? Ease your nerves."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

"Everything is planned out?"

"Of course it is. Garroth will call for an important announcement hallway into the night," I state, trying to keep my voice hushed between Vylad and I. "Then he'll announce the engagement. This is a different way of going about this, but not every tradition remains current."

There's a saddened smile on Vylad's lips. Between him and Garroth, I've seen enough sorrow for the night.

"I know you'll miss your sister, Vylad, but you'll still have all of us. We aren't going anywhere anytime soon."

His expression shifts to that of confusion. My face mirrors his. I don't understand what changed his mood. I was only trying to cheer him up. Had I said something wrong?

"He. . . He hadn't told you?" Vylad's voice almost comes off as a whisper. It's hesitant. A sudden knot forms inside my stomach.

"Told me what?"

"Al, Garroth told Zane and I he wants us to begin looking for wives. He thinks it's best."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

The rest of the night felt tainted. Vylad's words laid heavily onto my shoulders. I couldn't speak to Garroth about it, and I didn't want to ruin the event for Kandi with my pettiness.

It's hard to believe how sudden they'd all be leaving. Rumor had it within the halls that Zane had taken a liking to an upper class lady, but little came to light about its reliability. Vylad hadn't shown a single interest in anyone. His interest is more so within a book.

Zianna has been pressuring me to consider conceiving. Endless statements of legitimacy spew from her mouth in urgency. She fears the line is at stake.

Could everyone be pushed away so I can focus solely on creating an heir?

"Tonight went better than I expected. It's been a while since I saw everyone so happy." Garroth has slipped into my room. He places his hands on my waist and kisses my neck despite myself changing into bed clothes. "You're already preparing for bed? It feels so early."

"Yes, I'm quite tired. Please, let me go so I can dress."

Garroth retrieves his hands from my waist. Instead, he goes to the back of my dress and begins to strip it off of me. I turn away from him, finishing the work myself.

"Are you alright? Are you ill?" He seems worried.

"I'm fine."

"Alex, this isn't like you–"

"I said I'm fine, Garroth." My tone has become snappy. I step out of my dress and reach for my nightgown laying on the bed. My back is towards him now, so I cannot see his facial expressions. "Why didn't you tell me about the marriages? Kandi is already going away. Must you make Vylad too?"

I turn around when I've dressed myself completely. Garroth has fallen silent, and I am unsure if that is a good thing or not.

"We're getting older, Alex. They'll need to marry soon, especially my sister. You need to focus on an heir."

I shake my head, crawling underneath the covers. I bury myself deep within the bed, only allowing parts of my head to show. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Garroth."

"Alex–"

"Goodnight, Garroth."