Jala's Mask Read Online Free

king did not dance the male part of the courtship dance. Instead, he took her hands and pulled her close. They spun in the circle together. The air was hazy with smoke and chalk. His hands were strong, his fingers rough and calloused. Her heart beat too fast and too loud, distracting her from the rhythm of the drums.
    The king leaned in close and whispered, “It’s too noisy, and I’m tired of dancing. Is there somewhere quiet where we can talk?” His lips brushed against the tip of her ear.
    Jala didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
    She took his hand and led him out of the circle. They slipped out down a side hall, away from the guards who tried to follow and into the open air. Bonfires burned up and down the beach, and drummers played fast, lively music. One of the sailors was juggling knives. Another drank deeply from a cup, then held up a lit brand and spat. The ball of flame rose ten feet into the air, shaking the leaves on the palm tree overhead.
    They headed away from the fires and the crowds. The wind from the ocean was cool and salty. Jala took them past crowds of dancing villagers and along the walls of the manor. They stopped near a group of trees.
    â€œIt’s quiet enough here,” Jala said. Her voice was shaking. The king still held her hand. Her whole body ached when he smiled at her, his teeth almost glowing in the moonlight. It was a good thing this corner was well lit.
    â€œI’m glad it was only the four of you,” the king said. “Sometimes these things take forever. They parade girls in front of me for an hour, every second or third cousin they can pull out of a village and claim some semblance of royalty. Not that they really expect me to notice them, but they think it makes the right girl that much more enticing to me. With you, they only brought out two cousins, and of course that girl who scowled at me to try to make you look prettier. They shouldn’t have bothered. With any of it.”
    Jala realized he meant Marjani and felt suddenly protective. “And what’s wrong with scowling at you? Not everyone wants to marry you, you know, and they don’t much like being paraded either.”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with her,” the king said quickly. “I just meant that nobody there really expected me to look twice at her, not even you.”
    â€œWell, maybe you should have looked at her twice, then. Or three times. Or however many times before you saw how amazing she was. Wouldn’t that have been a surprise for all of them?”
    He laughed. “I don’t usually surprise anyone. It’s not really something anyone wants in a king. But if you’re right and she’s not interested in me, it’s all worked out for the best, hasn’t it?” The king shook his head. “You know . . . most girls try to talk themselves up, not defend their supposed competition. I think I’ve been trying to compliment you.”
    Jala felt her cheeks warm. “Her name’s Marjani. She’s my friend, not my competition. We’ve been friends forever.”
    â€œI’m sure most of the girls have had friends like that. None bothered mentioning them when they were alone with me, though.” He walked in silence for a while, then stopped. “This isn’t easy, you know. It’s not fun for me, ignoring girls I’d gladly kiss because their families aren’t worth considering, charming others because their families have as many ships as yours and I’m not supposed to offend them. It’s driving me crazy, and what’s any of it for? In the end my uncle will tell me who to pick, who he’s made the best alliance with. My family doesn’t even trust me to pick my bride for myself.”
    So, her family’s plans were for nothing after all. He already knew who he’d marry, and this whole trip was just for show. But how could he be so easily swayed by his uncle? “I