Kai smiled politely at his dance partner, who was rambling incessantly. He tried to steer her through the crowded dance floor and away from the side of the room where his fan club had congregated. He discreetly looked around, hoping Elurra would return or someone would step in and save him. He tried to restrain himself, but he couldn’t help stealing a glance at Aleah, who was glaring at his adoring fans. A few of them looked very uncomfortable. Kai grinned, which made his dance partner giggle in delight. He sighed inwardly. She started in on a new topic, but someone tapped her on the shoulder, cutting her off. The girl turned and glared at the intruder. Kai knew she looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her. Some of the girls in the group gasped loudly, and a bubble of conversation started, like the newcomer had committed the ultimate crime.

“Excuse me, but this is my dance,” Kai’s partner said.

“Excuse me, but I would like to dance with my fiancé,” the brown-haired girl said with a straight face.

The other girl’s mouth flopped open like a dying fish, and Kai felt a crushing sensation as he identified his bride-to-be.

“Oh, darling! So glad to see you!” He exclaimed with a forced smile. He didn’t want to have a conversation with Rena, but he also didn’t want to deal with the chatterbox for another second, so he gracefully stepped around her and swept his fiancée into the dance. They swirled away quickly, leaving the girl with her jaw hanging open.

“You’re welcome,” Rena said, earning a hesitant grin from the relieved prince. “I am sure my name is not one you wanted to hear tonight,” she said quietly as she averted her gaze, “but you looked rather miserable back there. If you’d like, I can leave.”

Kai shook his head. Even though he never wanted to marry her, he liked Rena. She was sweet, witty, and kind, and she was a welcomed dance partner over most of the other women in the room. He’d heard from court gossip she had a history of flightiness, off-putting mannerisms, and mental instability, but he never put much validity in those claims since the other countesses and noble families hated her due to their engagement.

“I beg your forgiveness, Lady Zyorence, if I gave you the impression I did not welcome your company,” the prince hastily responded as he bowed his head in a show of apology. She smiled at him, although her heart wasn’t in it.

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“Have you found her yet?”

He gave her a confused look. “Found whom?”

She laughed awkwardly. “Forgive me for saying this, but the girl who will get us both out of this mess.” Kai snickered in a very unprincely manner, and Rena tried to conceal her laugh but ended up snorting despite her efforts.

“Lady Zyorence, you do have such a way with words.” He was honestly glad she had come to dance with him.

“Please, Your Highness, call me Rena.”

“Of course, Lady Rena, but only if you call me Kai. Being called Your Highness again feels odd after spending time with mannerless sailors.”

“Well, Prince Kai, have you found her yet? Your deadline was a month ago, after all,” she reminded him.

A new song started, and one of Kai’s fan club girls came to tap Rena on the shoulder, but Kai decided to dip her at that moment, then spun her around and glided off. With an amused smile, Rena watched the groupie stomp back to her friends.

“I really have been trying,” he said ruefully, color rising to his cheeks. “No offense.”

“None taken.”

He flushed a deeper shade of red and mumbled, “In fact, if I had not been trying to get out of our engagement, I would not have been kidnapped.”

“What do you mean?”

He sighed and looked down at his shoes. He dropped his princely air for a second.

“It’s a very long story, but now my parents want me to marry Elurra, but I cannot bring myself to because—”

“You don’t love her.”

“Yes, and—”

“Terrin is in love with her.”

He nodded, then his eyes widened. “How did you know that?”

She smiled mysteriously. “In summation, your attempt to wiggle out of our engagement almost resulted in a massive war?”

He nodded ruefully.

“And you still did not find anyone?”

It was a short hesitation. His eyes flickered for a millisecond to Aleah, who was frowning and watching them dance.

“Nope,” he said, hoping his cheeks weren’t red.

“I’m guessing that’s her?” she asked, looking pointedly in her direction.

Kai followed her gaze. Aleah’s reddish-brown hair stood out against her pale skin and brightly colored dress. Her brown eyes followed them, and she blushed and looked away when she caught Kai’s gaze. The prince sighed heavily, and his shoulders sagged.

“I think I’ve taken up enough of your time,” Rena said. “Go ask her for a dance before your fans steal you away again.”

A smile twitched at the sides of his mouth as they neared Aleah. Rena stopped and bowed, causing another burst of whispers from the group of girls nearby.

“Thank you, Prince Kai. I enjoyed dancing with you.”

“No, thank you, Rena,” he said softly. Before she could walk away, he caught her arm. “One more question.”

“Anything,” she answered.

“Have you found him?”

“I hope so,” she breathed before vanishing into the crowd.