Chandeliers glittered over a room filled with partygoers dressed to the nines. Blythe herself was wearing a floor length designer gown in russet silk. Janice had said that it complimented her curvy figure, that the men at the party wouldn't be able to keep their eyes off of Blythe.
The only eyes she cared were on her were Tor's. Blythe wanted to look beautiful for him, and him alone.
She'd worn her hair in a half up, half down style she knew he would like, her natural brown waves touching her shoulders. The only jewelry she wore was a locket he'd given her, bought in the marketplace of Istanbul. Inside was a picture of Tor and one of Janice.
The two most important people in Blythe's life. Not that she would allow him to see the photos and he had no idea she wore his picture so close to her heart on a daily basis.
Gorgeously dressed tables were set around the perimeter of the room, over the top flower arrangements giving an elegant but celebratory aspect to everything.
But the center of the room was empty of furniture, if currently filled with guests standing and talking. The live orchestra played at one end of the room, the volume of the music not overwhelming, but not so quiet it could not be heard to dance to either.
Tor made a hand gesture in the direction of the conductor and suddenly perfect waltz music was playing.
Unable to do anything else, Blythe laid her hand in his.
His hold was perfect as always, his smile not as big and unfettered as he offered her in private, but it was genuine.
They danced in silence for several moments before other couples joined them. By the end of the song, the middle of the ballroom was filled and they continued to dance as the next one began.
"You won't really stay in the military, will you?" she asked him, unable to forget his father's words.
"Not doing what I have for the last two years, but there is value in having the leadership influenced by those who have actually served in hot zones."
"So, you would be an officer."
"I already am an officer."
"What would be different then?" she asked, her heart in her throat.
"I have been in the reserves since I turned eighteen."
"I know." He used to have one weekend a month for training and two weeks every summer.
She'd found out the first time he had to go away after they started their friends with benefits thing and wasn't going to be in Boston for a weekend she'd planned to see him. Blythe had been unaware of Tor's participation in the small island nation's military before that.
"I would continue with training and teaching one to two times per month as well as being part of the decision making process for our military."
"But no more dangerous operations."
"Unlikely."
"But not impossible."
"I have specialized training that could be called upon."
"But you are a prince."
"Who serves my country, not the other way around."
"You want to take the traditional role waiting for you."
"It depends."
"On what?"
"I think this is a discussion that should wait for later."
Looking around her, realizing how close the other dancers were, how easy it would be to overhear their discussion for someone determined to do so, Blythe nodded. "You're right."