Chapter 2: The Hunter's Gaze
And just like that, the night came to an end…
The grand Royal Ball started late.
Before Nexi could take a breath, Duke Alaric's servants took her arm.
They forced her to walk quickly through the crowds of nobles. They didn't ask if she wanted water or rest.
On purpose, his servants kept her front and center, like a prize. Nexi thought they treated her like a new, expensive chair.
She looked over the crowd and searched for only one face.
"There you are…" Nexi found him right away…
The man the little witch was looking for was standing near the main staircase.
"High Priest Lucius…" A short mutter escaped her lips.
Lucius wore robes of black and gold. He wasn't smiling at all, and looked at every person as if they wore a sign that read, "Sinner."
Nexi knew his fame was dark. He was also one of those who hated magic. The priest believed every witch, demon, and vampire must burn.
Nexi knew that many innocent women died because of Lucius. The accusation alone was enough for him to kill them. He loved the smell of the fire.
Nexi shivered but held her smile tight. 'Don't look at him,' she thought.
A strong hand touched her elbow, and Nexi knew that Duke Alaric was there.
"You look beautiful, my dear," the Duke complimented her in a deep and flat voice.
But didn't look at her eyes. Alaric glanced at the way the light hit her silk dress. "Try not to fidget. Tomorrow you become my Duchess. You must show the kingdom you are perfect."
Nexi nodded. "Of course, Duke."
The Duke spoke about politics and land. Nexi didn't listen much. She just gave him small, pretty answers.
At some point, she felt like an actor in a play she didn't write. She looked past the Duke's shoulder, back toward the staircase.
That was when the music stopped...
A silence fell over the massive hall. The change of energy was so sudden it felt like a cold stone drop. The doors opened wide…
And Prince Kaelen Sterling entered the ball.
Surprisingly, he wore dark clothes that didn't look like party clothes, and that's when Nexi felt a spike of real fear reach her throat.
She looked at him quickly, then away. Kaelen was tall and walked like a hunter. He lost his right eye long ago.
Nexi knew he was the most dangerous man alive…
Standing near the Duke and trying to look small, Nexi couldn't hide her loudly-beating heart.
Of course, she tried to be boring since Nexi didn't want the Prince to see her at all.
'He won't look at the Duke's woman,' she hoped. He had better things to kill.
But Kaelen did look... His one eye went over the room. It passed over Lucius and the King, and then it stopped on Nexi.
His gaze was fast and hard that forced him to walk straight toward the King. He didn't even look at the Duke.
'Calm down…stop trembling…' Nexi told herself not to run.
The Duke pulled her closer since he was ready for his big moment. He wanted the King to see his beautiful, perfect bride.
The King was waiting on a platform and raised his hand for silence.
"My friends! Tonight we celebrate the bond of two great houses!" the King announced.
Duke Alaric took Nexi's hand. He held it too tight. Nexi felt the gold engagement ring press hard into her skin. She forced another perfect smile.
"I am happy to announce the engagement of Duke Alaric to the lovely Nexi Dorado!" The King declared.
"Congratulations!"
"They suit each other!"
"Such a beautiful bride!"
The crowd cheered loudly. Nexi curtsied low, her heart was beating like a captured bird.
When she stood up, she glanced quickly at Prince Kaelen.
He was looking right at her hands.
He wasn't looking at the ring. He was looking at her fingers...
Nexi's hands were shaking a little. She had scrubbed her hands raw to remove any traces of the woods.
But when she put on the heavy ring, a tiny burst of sparkling dust appeared on the skin between her index finger and thumb.
It was the same dust she left behind yesterday when she ran from the woods.
Kaelen's facial expression didn't change. He just saw the dust and knew who she was immediately.
Nexi understood what that look meant. It was a hunter's look, so hungry and cold. He knew she was a witch.
The man she tried so hard to avoid found her without trying.
'This can't be happening,' Nexi bit her lower lip...and breathing the rich air seemed impossible now.
The Duke leaned down. "Smile, my dear. You look pale."
Nexi needed to leave the room right now. She needed to think clearly without anyone staring at her…
'I'm getting married to a man who would kill me, and the Prince knows my secret. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten so much bread today.' The little witch joked in her head.
She pulled her hand from the Duke. "I am sorry, Duke. I need fresh air. This room is too hot for me."
The Duke looked annoyed. "Don't be long. Everyone is watching."
Nexi didn't look back. She walked fast across the hall and went to the large, stone balcony doors.
She leaned against the railing and took a huge, deep breath. "I need a plan... I need to run… I can't marry him now…"
Nexi spun around, and saw Prince Kaelen standing right behind her.
'So close…' Her breath stopped cold in her throat.
The prince was blocking the only way back inside.
"That was a fast walk, witch," Kaelen hushed quietly.
The music from the hall couldn't reach the balcony. They were completely alone…
Nexi's heart jumped high in her throat. She tried to speak, but unfortunately-she lost her voice.
"Don't pretend you don't know who I am," Kaelen continued. "And don't try to lie. I saw the sparks. That weak magic dust on your hands. You were in the South Woods yesterday."
Nexi swallowed hard. "I don't know what you mean, Prince."
The corners of Kaelen's lips were slowly rising.
"Oh, I think you do," He took one step closer. "That beautiful neck will wear my brand until you fulfill your purpose. Don't mistake a leash for kindness."
And so, the prince marked Nexi as his property.