Chapter 43

JACKSON'S POV

I stood by the window, staring out at the palace grounds. My mind was elsewhere—back at the ball, where Elise had been.

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. The way she had moved across the ballroom, graceful and poised. I had never seen her dance that gracefully before. Her gown was stunning and so was she.

My heart twisted painfully in my chest as I recalled how she had danced with Ferris, how they had looked at each other intensely. Elise looked at him the way she used to look at me, even more so. They looked in love, and the thought of them being so close made my jaw tighten.

I clenched my fists in annoyance. The memory of them together played over and over in my mind. I’d recognized her the moment she stepped on the dance floor, even though she was masked. Her scent, the way she carried herself, everything about her screamed Elise. I cursed under my breath. In that moment, I knew I would recognize Elise anywhere. It didn't matter what she wore or how well she tried