In Chains by C. Noble (ebook reader with highlighter .txt) 📕

his father was off at the bar. She could see Dante and Mary Ann standing together near the band, presumably dancing.
Will was standing at the back of the room, almost wholly concealed by one of the same massive pillars that introduced her to Hadrian. He was holding the hand of a somewhat familiar girl. Her blonde hair was up in an elaborate bun, and Darcey could see the deep blue of her eyes even from her elevated perch. Her mermaid cut aquamarine gown was trailing behind her. She assumed that the girl was Carissa Romero.
The music began, and the couples began dancing again. Hadrian turned Darcey around and walked her into one of the thick velvet curtains at the entrance to their grand balcony. In the inner room of the box, they were completely hidden from their guests and censuring chaperones.
“You know, my love, you’re really missing something tonight,” Hadrian’s eyes sparkled. “And it’s kind of important.”
“Whatever do you mean, sweet prince?” Darcey’s shoulder blades met with the soft scarlet velvet backdrop lining the walls.
“I mean, beloved princess, that you seem a little…bare,” the joke was playing out clearly on Hadrian’s face, much to the irritation of Darcey.
“How, I wonder?”
“Perhaps this,” he said, pleasure radiating from his face as he pulled a small golden box from his jacket pocket, “will help.”
His eyes were filled with glee and love. He casually flicked back the lid to reveal a gorgeous row of diamonds and rubies beset on a silver and platinum band. The ring was so brilliant that illuminated both of their faces.
“Hadrian…it’s so…” Darcey gasped. She hadn’t expected anything at all like this. Her eyes welled with tears and she bent her head onto Hadrian’s muscled shoulder.
“Hey, hey. It’s ok,” Hadrian tipped her chin up to face her. “Darcey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Hadrian. I just…it’s just…so beautiful. Are you really sure that this is ok?” The tears were still spilling down her cheeks.
“Darcey, you’re my fiancée. I love you, and it’s time that our peers know it,” Hadrian grabbed her left hand and, kissing it gently, placed the beautiful ring on her finger. He bowed his head gallantly.
When he rose, he cupped Darcey’s face in his palms. Gently wiping the tears from her eyes, he said: “Come on, love. We can’t have you ruining your pretty little face with all those tears.”
Hadrian kissed her gently and led her out into the empty menagerie. They walked together down the stairs. Darcey’s hair bounced around her tiara, the light playing at the diamonds on her throat and now on her finger. Hadrian’s finely constructed suit was such a bright black that it seemed to reflect the chandelier light.
Gentle applause greeted them when they reached the floor. The crowd parted as the young couple moved wordlessly to the center of the ballroom. The band struck up a soft waltz and they began dancing. Almost simultaneously their guests noticed the bright ring on their princess’s finger and let out a singular gasp.
Darcey didn’t notice any of them. All she could focus on was the man in front of her and the sweet sound of music encasing them. The world melted away and faded into her subconscious, which was exactly the way she wanted it.
Slowly her surroundings returned. She noticed for the first time how well she seemed to be dancing. Madam Rosita was doing an excellent job, she thought.
Eventually the nobility around them began swaying to the music again. The world stopped spinning and sound returned to Darcey’s ears. Over Hadrian’s shoulder, she could see her parents beaming at her. Ignoring them, she turned back to Hadrian’s happy eyes.
Her parents, however, were not to be ignored. Without losing their smiles, they parted the crowds and marched up to them. Thessilia grabbed her daughter’s arm; Miguel clasped his hand on his future son-in-law’s shoulder. They were pulled to a strangely familiar column and pushed back into its shadows. Suddenly it clicked: this was the pillar that she had first seen Hadrian behind.
Miguel seemed discontent with the pillar, and with a nod to his wife, Darcey and Hadrian were dragged farther into the depths of the palace. Darcey looked around in wonder at the places she saw. Through dark hallways lit only by candles in coves carved into the walls, down cold stone ramps, and into a black room. The floor was wood, and there was a distinctly wealthy smell about the room.
Her mother let go of her elbow. Darcey groped in the dark, looking for Hadrian. His hands met hers and he held her close. A small flicker of light appeared to Darcey’s left. It took a moment to register that her mother had lit a candle. Her father was on the other side of the room, silently lighting more. Slowly the room became darkly illuminated. It was not a place that one would choose to be seen in. Like something from a haunted house.
There were heavy maroon curtains hiding floor to ceiling windows. The walls were lined with built in bookcases. Dusty books covered in hard leather and copper bindings filled them. Several more were piled on thick, circular stained oak tables that looked like they’d be more at home in a medieval castle. Deep red suede settees lined the curtained windows and formed a large semicircle in front of a fireplace that looked almost devilish in appearance. Black marble shone in the candlelight, blood red stained wood flickered.
A hand reached forward and threw a lit match into the fireplace. In seconds the wood caught and roared to life. The light grew brighter and revealed the other people in the room.
The Dosciers and Palmas, Hulio Montoyez, and Hadrian’s parents sat on the smoky settees. Will and Mary Ann looked up when they saw Darcey. Will’s eyes darted to Hadrian’s arms around Darcey’s waist, then flew to the opposite side of the room. Darcey’s heart sank. Mary Ann saw this and smiled sympathetically at her best friend before the fire light shone on Darcey’s hand and her diamond ring sparkled, lighting up the room. Mary Ann gasped quietly and reached out for a pillow.
Hadrian’s arms held her tighter. Darcey glanced around the room. Every pair of eyes was on them. As Darcey looked around the familiar faces, there was one who was notably absent. Dante was nowhere to be found.
“Darcey, honey…” Thessilia began, but her voice cracked. She sank into a cushioned wing chair by the fireplace weeping, her face buried in her hands. Her father quickly knelt at her side, his hand rubbing her back.
“Daughter…the worst has happened. General Thane has started an army, and is sending them here. For you,” his eyes began to water. Darcey couldn’t seem to draw breath. She could feel Hadrian’s stomach and chest muscles twitch and tighten. His arms drew her closer still, turning her slightly away from them.
“Hadrian, please stop,” a voice from the bookshelves said. Darcey wheeled and saw Hadrian’s father, the ever drunken King Julian, looking as sober and stern as he ever had. His brow was furrowed; in his hand he held a book.
Hadrian’s jaw dropped, his arms fell from around Darcey. It was very possible that he had never seen his father so serious. She looked up and saw his eyes widen. It was frightening, watching the person she depended on most look so stunned.
“Dad, Mom…what’s going on?” Darcey’s voice squeaked out. “What is this place?”
“Darcey, darling, we don’t expect you to understand everything right away. It’s a little confusing,” Thessilia put a hand out to Darcey.
“This place,” Miguel stepped forward as he spoke, “is like our sanctuary. Nobody but those present know about it, except Dante Doscier, who is absent for one reason or another.”
Will whipped his head around and scanned the room. His slumped shoulders confirmed what Darcey’s father had said. She could not see into the whole of the room, but she knew and trusted Will’s body language.
“In any event, this is our safe house. It is invisible outside the castle. The windows are inconspicuous from the exterior, and tinted to prevent them seeing in. In any case, we keep the curtains drawn.” The tall, lean king walked to the fire and prodded it rather violently. “We trust you to keep this place a secret.”
“Of course we will, Dad,” Darcey spoke for herself and Hadrian, but Will and Mary Ann nodded their ascent. Hadrian wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her close. He then addressed his host: “We will, my King.”
“Very well. Now that we have sorted out our exact location, perhaps we could discuss the matter at hand? It is rather critical,” Miguel’s voice was strained and touched with anger. Without any more interruptions, he continued: “General Thane has sent a communication ahead of his armies. He intends to force a hostile takeover of Dijoubwe, taking us all hostage. Obviously, this must not be allowed.”
“Miguel, I have a suggestion,” Hadrian’s father, broke in. “Why not come and stay with us at our island? At least until the danger has passed from you own. We have an army where you refuse one, and we would be happy to offer their services for you and your family.”
“Julian. I could not take advantage of your hospitality like that. And what would become of our people? No, I could not leave them here.”
“Miguel, listen to reason. Your wife and daughter are at stake here. As soon as you come with us, my army will leave for Dijoubwe. They, along with your Royal Guard, will protect your citizens. Does not your family deserve safety? The future of both our nations,” Julian turned his gaze to Hadrian and Darcey, who blushed deeply, “depends on your decision.”
King Miguel paced the length of the generous room, his head down and his hands folded behind his back. His silk cape rustled over the ancient Persian carpets. Finally, he turned on his heel and walked quickly to the fireplace, where his remarkably studious counterpart stood.
“Julian, you are right. I cannot endanger Thessilia or my daughter. I have lost her once already, and I will not do so again. Yes, we will leave with you. When were you planning to push off?”
“Originally, we were to stay the year, if you recall. But under the present circumstances, perhaps it is better to stay only another day? We will leave tomorrow afternoon, if it is convenient to you. It allows you to pack what you need for comfort and to explain the situation to your people and guests.”
“You are a true friend, Julian! Yes, I think we will leave. Say tomorrow afternoon at four? That gives us plenty of time to get ready and to distribute the news.”
“Begging pardon for my interruption, but what are we and the Palmas to do?” Will’s father spoke up from his seat by the fire. Until now, he had held is head down in silent contemplation.
“Paulo, old man! You and Teresa and your sons, and Tiberius and Matilda and their daughter must come! We have plenty of space! And if you do not wish to stay in the palace, there are many grand villas we own on the beaches. You shall have your pick.”
“My King, you are very generous,” Mary Ann’s mother, Matilda, bent low in front of the tubby monarch. Her champagne colored dress fell in ruffles around her.
“Not at all, Countess. Now, I suggest that we all go back to the party. We’ve been gone long enough. Your guests will begin to wonder at our absence, Miguel. Let’s just be careful not to drink too much. We don’t want any hangovers for tomorrow; we’ll need to get up early.” Darcey’s attention was shifted from this change of residence plans and attempts on her kidnap to this