Forbidden Choices
Page 30
Chapter 30
“You know for being the only hope of our survival, you sure are jumpy.” Riley exclaims, as we soar higher in the air. He turns around to look at me and his eyes flash with excitement.
“Riley, you better make Felix go back to the reception.” I reply angrily. “And I mean this instant.”
Felix neighs in protest and then he soars even higher through the puffy white clouds.
“I know you’re afraid of horses and heights but that means you can’t get away from me when I talk to you.” He says looking dangerously handsome. “I know you’ll listen to me up here—it’s the only place you have a level-head and can think clearly.”
“You. Are. Frustrating.” I emphasize my anger by saying each word very slowly.
“I know and you enjoy every minute of it.” He replies in a mocking tone. He turns around to face me. He grips my face in his hands and kisses me with so much passion that I swear I can hear the sound of fireworks exploding off in the distance. I wrap my arms instinctively around him and we get lost up there for a while. I forget all of the problems and the decisions and the challenges I’ve had to contemplate the last few months.
I forget about Helena’s wedding reception and the chance of an imminent war brewing to seek revenge against Mathew. I forget about trying to save Theo from being his father’s prisoner. At this moment there is only one thing on my mind: Riley.
He lets go of my face, breathing heavily. We stop kissing and my heart starts to throb and ache. I need him to be close to me again. I need his warm hands pressed against my face. He stares at me with an intense expression.
“Did you make a decision?” He demands. “I need to know.”
I remain quiet. I still don’t exactly know my decision. I don’t want to make the wrong choice. Riley sighs exasperatedly and turns around furiously with his back towards me.
“Felix, please take us back to the wedding reception.” Riley requests in a deflated tone. The horse whinnies in acknowledgement and then darts off as quickly as he can to get us back to the castle. I close my eyes and tuck my head behind Riley. We arrive in a matter of minutes but Felix lands very softly and gently on the ground in front of the iron doors.
Riley hops off of his horse and then reaches his hand up to me so that he can help me down. I smile at him and we walk to the castle holding hands. His palms are sweaty.
I wonder why he’s not angrier at my indecisiveness. He didn’t get mad or yell or fight—he’s been peculiarly calm about the whole thing tonight.
We enter the Great Hall, which has been decorated to look like the evening sky with flecks of glitter and glimmering stars dangling from invisible strings and a translucent midnight-blue canopy of fabric hanging from the ceiling and from the middle of the ceiling are blue and black banners cascading and twirling around meeting every so often in certain places.
The tables have been set with an iridescent, shimmery silver cloth. The places have been placed perfectly in a set order with two forks, three spoons, two knives, a salad plate, a soup bowl and a main dish. Everyone’s eyes land on us. We are the last ones to enter. We walk quickly towards the center where the rest of our party sits waiting for the food to be brought to them on hot steaming plates. I can already smell the delicious scents wafting from the kitchen and the sound of clanking pots and pans is only faintly muffled by the loud music.
The first tray and servant arrive and a loud cheer erupts from the room. The sound of clanking metal and chattering are the noisiest when the last dish arrives at the table and everyone begins to eat their main course.
The woman behind us in a flowing pink dress plays the harp flawlessly, her golden waves bouncing with each exquisite note. Behind her sits a large orchestra band, which will be the evening entertainment for upbeat, lively music to dance to.
The food is delicious and soon my plate is empty. I’ve refilled my goblet with sweet white wine a few too many times and by the time we reach the Ballroom, I’m in a half-drunken stupor and Riley has to practically carry me from the dinner table.
We laugh. He’s had more than enough barley and wine, and he’s having trouble walking as well.
We dance gracefully for how much we’ve had to drink. He spins me around and I laugh and for a moment I forget all my problems again. I forget that there are other people in the room because he makes it feel like it’s just us there. He twirls me around and holds on to my waist protectively with each perfectly-timed, flawless step to the music.
“I told you I liked to dance.” He bellows next to my ear over the music. His hot breath makes me shiver and when he pulls away he has a smug smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
“I know.” I reply between hiccups.
“Did you have too much to drink?” He asks teasingly.
“I don’t think so.” I whisper, as my hand extends from his shoulder to caress his strong jaw and perfectly chiseled face. “You’re pretty.”
“Thank you.” He replies, spinning me around in elegant circles and ending the song with a perfectly matched dip. “But you are the most beautiful creature in all of the Otherworlds.”
He takes me in his arms and strokes my face lovingly.
The song ends abruptly and I decide that it’s now or never. I dig around in my clutch held tightly against my back.
“Which hand?” I test. He looks at me oddly.
“The right one.”
I reveal the hidden purple box with the white ribbon tied in a neat little bow from behind my back and he gasps, enveloping me in one of his signature bear hugs. His golden eyes gleam, appearing almost wolf-like in the dim light of the ballroom.
Did I make the right choice?