I'm amazed when I make it through the week without any incidents. All of the recruits are feeling the tension, the group more reserved and quiet than usual. Through the whole week, I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach that we're all waiting for something to happen. I just hope it's not Maddox murdering me in my sleep.

I resigned myself to waiting until the ball to explore the tomb, but it's been killing me. Especially when I go to visit Willow and she's in this black mood, a shadow of herself. She never seems happy to see me, snapping and snarling at people, muttering to herself under her breath. She's wasting away before my eyes. I'm just hoping her excitement for the ball will snap her out of it.

It's the day before the ball and the captain comes up to me as everyone heads off to dinner. Hale stops to wait a few feet away. It's been getting colder and colder, my hands often numb by the time we are done training. Gareth teases me about my red nose every morning after laps.

"Talia," Sebastian says, standing before me, hands behind his back, looking strangely formal.

"Did you want to speak with me?" I ask absentmindedly, thinking about Willow.

"Yes, I actually wanted to ask you about the ball." He pauses for a second, looking a little uncertain. "As captain of the guard, I'm obviously invited and allowed to bring a guest. I was wondering if you'd like to go with me. I know you're already going with Willow but perhaps I can escort you and er, dance with you. If you're into dancing that is. Which if you're not, is fine as well, we don't have to dance-"

He seems to realize that he's rambling, flushing slightly but keeping his eyes firmly fixed on my face. 

I feel stunned and a little embarrassed. I can't stop myself from glancing over at Hale. I've been half hoping that he's going to the ball and I've mentioned it a few times but he's never showed any interest. 

Sebastian is kind and a great friend to me. I'm aware of what the other recruits think about our relationship but he's never made me feel remotely uncomfortable. He's treated me with nothing less than respect. If I went with him, I would undoubtedly have a great time.

But the yes gets stuck in my throat as I make myself look back at him.

Sebastian has a calm, steady sort of warmth to him. He is comforting and reassuring to be around. But that's all. I've never thought about kissing him or wrapping myself in his arms. And I'm no fool, I've seen the occasional appreciative looks he gives me, the secret smiles. This invitation, though he won't say it, is most likely romantic. Do I want to encourage him by saying yes?

Again, my eyes want to go to Hale but I restrain myself. Perhaps I am a fool for considering saying no. Sebastian is a more than worthy of my company and here I am, thinking about turning him down after all he's done.

I can feel my cheeks burn with shame.

"Yes," I blurt out, a little too loud. I hold back a grimace at my own awkwardness. "Yes, thank you Sebastian. I would love to go with you."

His answering smile is radiant, lighting up his whole face, eyes a warm brown. 

"Tomorrow then," he says, lifting my hand up to press a kiss to the back of it. He strides away, while I stare at my hand. His lips against my skin did nothing for me, no heat, no tingles. I shake my hand, but still nothing.

I sigh. 

"What was that about?" Hale inquires, giving the hand I'm shaking a curious look. 

"Oh... Sebastian just invited me to go to the ball with him." I try to sound nonchalant but can't help watching him out of the corner of my eye. I didn't realize that I wanted a reaction so badly until there isn't one.

He is just quiet for a second, looking away. I study his profile, chest aching with how much I want to trace his face with my fingers. 

I take a step away.

"Sebastian is a great guy," Hale says slowly, almost cautiously. "One of the best men I've ever known. And he truly likes you, Talia. You would never find another man who could treat you better."

I laugh quietly around the tightness in my throat. "Are you trying to play matchmaker?"

Except that's exactly what it feels like he's doing and it isn't funny. Not to me. Even I can realize, with the zero experience that have, that if a guy is pushing you towards someone else, he's not interested in you.

Hale doesn't laugh, just looks at me, his green eyes serious. "I just want my friend to be happy. Both of my friends."

I feel ashamed again, ashamed that I had hoped Hale would be jealous. Ashamed that I would risk driving a wedge between these two friends, these two brothers, for my own petty feelings. 

I turn away, feeling sick with myself. 

____________

The day of the ball is finally here and I was up all night, tossing and turning. I'd been imagining the ball, dancing with Sebastian, wondering if he would try to kiss me. The thought had made me squirm in bed, unable to imagine Sebastian doing so.

I couldn't help but think of Hale too, despite telling myself I'd give Sebastian a chance.

I thought about how sometimes he'd throw his head back and laugh, the sound making my stomach feel hot and tight. Or when he'd come over and adjust my position during training, the feeling of his hands on my body and the heat radiating off of him making me want to turn around and- well, I've definitely been learning a thing or two about self control.

I don't know what it is about Hale that makes me feel wild and reckless, makes me forget about my miserable, hopeless life for a minute. He makes me want to lean on him, want to tell him my boring life story, reveal the parts of myself I keep hidden. 

It scares and infuriates me.

At least I know something isn't physically wrong with me; I can obviously feel attraction. I'm just feeling it for the wrong person. 

Waking up this morning, I firmly tell myself that there will be no more thinking about boys. I need all of my focus to be on Darius and getting to the tomb. I can't afford to be distracted, not when my opportunity for answers is finally here.

I head towards the castle around midday, Willow and I having made plans to spend the hours getting ready for tonight. I hate to admit it, but I actually feel really excited. What girl doesn't dream of spending the day getting pampered, wearing a fancy gown and dancing with a handsome man at a royal ball?

I want to look and feel beautiful for the first time in forever. 

I smile at the thought, nodding hello to the familiar guards that I pass.

All Willow has told me about what I'll be wearing tonight is that she's had several gowns made for me to choose from. And, according to her, they are all spectacular. 

The thought both thrills and frightens me, as Willow and I have very different opinions when it comes to gowns. She prefers big, shining, over-the-top monstrosities, while I like my clothing to be a little... less. I find beauty in subtlety, in soft colors and draping fabrics. 

But, no matter what horror she pulls out of the closet, I'm determined to go to the this ball with my head held high, feeling like the sister of a queen.

The thought freezes in my chest. Sister of a queen. The queen.

Imagining the disappointment and confusion on people's faces when they meet me and I'm introduced as such, cheers me up as I make the trek through the castle to Willow's room.