The Temple of Indra’s Jewel: Read Online Free Page B

door? My eyes perused every inch. I walked to the armoire and opened it. There was no way out. What was I missing? Shivering, I rubbed my arms, realizing there was a draft coming from the far right of the wardrobe. I moved the dresses and pushed on the panel. It moved, sliding to the side. I felt space but all I saw was pitch black.
    I ran into the other room and grabbed a candle off the mantle, quickly lighting it. I pushed it into the darkness. A tunnel. Holy shit!
    Leaning against the wardrobe frame, I thought of perhaps barricading it with something to prevent any further surprises.
    “Sapphira!”
    I slammed the doors shut. My heart pounded at the shrillness of her voice.
    “What are you doing?” Gabriella asked, scrutinizing me with her icy glare as she marched into the dressing room.
    Cold sweat broke all over my body.
    I ignored her question, wandering back into the bedroom. “Did you want something?”
    She gave me a hard look. It was clear there was no love lost between us.
    “I’ve come to see that you get to dinner on time. Why aren’t you dressed? Where’s Anais?”
    “I don’t know. Where is she?” I questioned, wondering why Gabriella was here.
    “Right here,” answered a cheery voice from the other room.
    I was bustled in and out of garments in a matter of minutes. I stood under Gabriella’s scrutiny while Anais primped my hair and fluffed my face. Looking over my shoulder, Gabriella stared at the room where the wardrobe sat. Did she know about the tunnel? It sure seemed like it. I thought back hard to my encounter. Was I sure it had been a man?
    “All done,” Anais said, leading me to the mirror.
    I hated looking in it. It was a reminder of everything that was wrong.
    Gabriella tapped her foot rudely, so I pushed past her into the hall and then stepped aside so she could lead.
    Maria was seated at the head of the table beside the Comte de Chalais, and I was placed to his immediate right. While I mused, Viktor spoke at length to the courtier on his left, but the roar of chatter was now too great to hear what they said. I dropped my roll back onto my plate, annoyed at having been seated so far from him. Every now and then I would hear something about politics, books or paintings, but no one asked my opinion.
    Maria stood up to speak and the table fell silent. “My dear friends,” she began. Her smile recognized the whole room, and from the corner of my eye I saw several men looking up at her with adoration.
    “We are here, as you know, in another attempt to honour Graf Von Württemberg, who saved the life of the Princess two days ago. Please raise your glasses.”
    There was a series of clinks and praises.
    “Now, my fair daughter,” she went on, “has a particular love for dance. And I know she is probably most eager—”
    My wine was swimming in my mouth at the time, and I spat it straight back out in a most uncouth manner. All heads twisted in my direction.
    “I choked,” I murmured. “Sorry.”
    Henri whispered in my ear. “Such things are easily absolved in your company, my lovely Princess.”
    I faked a smile.
    “Begin,” she instructed the musicians. “Our guest will honour us by dancing with our fair Princess.”
    Viktor came for me. Panic made my legs shake like jelly.
    “Don’t forget I’m next,” Henri called out, waving a little booklet in the air.
    Thoughts of tripping in front of all these people loomed in my mind. As the musicians began their simple, slow song, I could feel the sweat gathering, and I longed for deodorant.
    “I don’t dance,” I whispered, which wasn’t entirely truthful because I loved dancing, but ballroom dancing wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence for me.
    “You dance beautifully,” he whispered back, leading me with ease.
    I looked down, trying to follow his steps.
    Halfway in, I began to loosen up and almost enjoyed it, apart from the audience. Of course that’s when the music ended. Maria and the guests clapped enthusiastically,