Kassia is waiting for us out in the hall, dressed in her usual pants and tunic embroidered with the royal seal. She has an impatient scowl on her face which vanishes the second she sees us.

She lets out a low whistle, looking us up and down. "I can't tell if you're trying to outdo each other or every other woman at the ball."

Willow giggles and twirls, her dress fanning out while Kassia nods in approval.

With an over-exaggerated bow, she offers her arm to Willow. "If you would do me the honor?" She arches a golden brow at me as Willow blushes and takes it. "Don't expect to get my other arm. I'd hate to make the captain jealous."

Sure enough, Sebastian is waiting for me in the next hall, dressed in his formal military uniform. He's all straight lines and crisp edges, polished boots and gleaming buttons.

His eyes widen when he looks at me.

"Hello Captain DeGray." Willow greets him with a curtsy.

He inclines his head, eyes still on me. "Willow, you look lovely beyond your years. And Talia-" he pauses, swallowing audibly. "You are simply breathtaking. Will you hit me if I say that I barely recognized you?"

"I most certainly will," I say primly and he laughs, extending his arm to me. I take it, feeling his firm muscle under the uniform.

Now would be a good time to start getting fluttery, I remind my heart, but it firmly ignores me.

We make our way to a part of the castle that I've never seen before, stopping in front of double door with a guard stationed on either side. They snap a salute to Sebastian then simultaneously swing the doors open.

I feel my mouth open in surprise as we enter the ballroom.

The castle had taken the winter theme very seriously, the result stunning. The huge ballroom is transformed into an icy wonderland, balconies covered in silver tinsel and frost glazed berries, the huge chandelier dripping with glimmering snowflakes and icicles. Whole trees painted silver and white are placed around the room, dusted in snow, branches hanging low under the weight of diamonds.

Even the buffet table has intricately carved ice sculptures of deer reared up, ferocious bears and snarling wolves. The massive windows lining the far wall are frosted with white to look like snow.

Sebastian laughs at my expression then pulls me close as we walk down the stairs to the main floor. "I'd forgotten that you've never been to a ball. I should have warned you that it looks a little ridiculous."

"It's magical," I breathe, still looking around.

The polished floor shines beneath my slippers. The ballroom is already packed with people, sumptuous gowns of every color and shade swirling together, gems and jewelry winking in the light. Men in velvet and silk tunics of masculine colors look like splashes of darkness amidst the whirlwind of color.

Sebastian had warned me on the walk over that he'd be require to shake hands and mingle before dancing, but I'm surprised by the amount of people that come to speak to him.

He introduces me as Lady Talia Kinsley and I nod politely then stand at his side, trading sympathetic glances with the other woman while Sebastian and some man talk about the war or military tactics. I try to make myself focus on their conversation but my eyes keep straying.

We do this at least ten times before I start to get restless. I don't blame Sebastian, as his position has certain requirements, but I want to go look around. View the ball from a balcony or examine one of the ice sculptures. Maybe snag a chocolate covered strawberry from the buffet table.

Willow left a while ago, throwing me an apologetic look over her shoulder before slipping into the crowd with Kassia. I see more than one pair of appreciative eyes watch her go.

I catch sight of Lady Bedivere looking formidable in a soft pink gown that's twice the size of her. She notices me looking and frowns, only frowning deeper after she gets a look at my gown. I just smile widely and offer her a little wave.

Finally, after what feels like every person in the room has shaken Sebastian's hand, we are left to ourselves.

"Sorry about that," he apologizes, guiding me to the edge of the room. "How about we eat and then I promise to be yours for the rest of the night?"

"You'd better wait to make that promise until after we eat; you might change your mind after seeing how much food I can fit in my mouth." I laugh, thinking about how surprised the recruits were when they realized I could eat as much as them. Gareth gave me a hard time for days about not eating like a dainty lady.

Sebastian chuckles. "I like that you joke about yourself so much. You're beautiful when you're laughing at yourself, like you don't have a single care about what the world thinks of you."

I feel myself flush and look away. "I often find that the world laughs at me anyways, so I might as well beat them too it."

"No one would think about laughing at you, not tonight." He takes my hand in his. "Did I mention how stunning you look?"

"Only once or twice," I joke, pulling my hand away from his to turn to the buffet table. I've always enjoyed our light banter but tonight feels different, the air between us tense with unspoken words.

"You may have to explain to me what exactly some of this food is," I say, changing the subject. I eye something that looks like an absurdly large roasted bird wearing a garland of fruit. "And whether it's safe to put in my mouth or not."

______

Half an hour later and I'm stuffed full of the most delicious food I've ever eaten and I managed to do so without dripping or spilling anything on my dress. A small miracle.

I try shaking up and down a little when Sebastian isn't looking, hoping all the food in my stomach will settle to the bottom and make room for dessert. It doesn't help; there's absolutely no room left in me. Damn this tight dress.

There's a bit of a commotion to our right and an older gentleman pushes is way through the crowd, ignoring the indignant mutters that follow in his wake. He grabs Sebastian's arm tightly and whispers furiously into his ear.

A look of alarm crosses Sebastian's face and he glances at me, looking conflicted, before nodding and muttering something too low for me to make out.

"I'm so sorry," he says to me, as the older man hurries back through the crowd. "Something urgent has come up. I have to go but I promise to be as quick as I can."

"Is everything okay?" I ask tensely, already scanning the crowd for Willow.

"Nothing to do with your sister," he reassures me. "I'll explain when I get back." He give me an apologetic look before taking off purposefully through the crowd towards the door.

I stand there awkwardly for a second, feeling lots of questioning eyes on me. Now what? Should I just go cling to Willow's side? Or ask one of these men staring at me if they'd like to dance? I flush. Perhaps I should just sneak out and return to Willow's room.

"How did I know that I'd find you at the buffet table?" An amused voice says from behind me. Hale.

I turn around calmly, not wanting him to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's surprised me. Dressed in dark pants and a black velvet tunic with green trim, his eyes look as bright as emeralds. My heart starts racing.

"How did I know you wouldn't be able to resist coming and passing up on the opportunity to tease me?" I say archly.

He acts like he didn't hear me, looking me up and down instead. I brace myself for a sarcastic comment or joke about my appearance.

But instead, he simply says, "Dance with me."