CHAPTER 18

As she walked through the door to the ballroom arm in arm with Thorin, Imara looked around the room in search of Ben. Not seeing him, the disappointment began to rise in her stomach.

“Where is he? Was he supposed to meet us somewhere? You don’t think he changed his mind about all this, do you?”

Thorin smiled to himself as his eyes darted around the crowd. “No, my dear, I know for a fact he wouldn’t. He’ll be here. Don’t worry yourself so much.”

Feeling...