We all stood there in silence then the Prince suddenly laughed in a soft and pleasant way. I was stunned and so were the other Elites who were watching, I never saw him laugh that much before.
“I like you, you’re feisty” the Prince declared cheerfully this time and was grinning, “Let’s have a chat,” he said while he ushered her farther away from where we stood while continuing to ignore everybody else, and she obliged with a broad smile. I was dumbfounded, what had just happened? That someone as vain as the Prince enjoyed Ellie’s company, and he knew she was Beta. They continued to talk moments later, just the two of them but I can’t hear what they were saying. Once in a while I would hear him softly laugh then sometimes Ellie would giggle. The longer they talked, the more it became unbearable that it made me feel something that I have never felt before…. I was jealous of him.
I was startled when someone suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned around then.
“Ambrose! Congratulations!” I greeted while beaming then we shook hands.
“Thank you Curtis. It is indeed a happy day for me.”
“You should be, your mate is gorgeous.”
Ambrose chuckled, “So how are you and Lady Elaine?”
“We’re doing good,” I answered.
“Well after tonight, I think Lady Elaine is going to be very popular,” he glanced at Ellie and the Prince.
“I hope so because she really deserves their respect” I nodded and grinned.
Ambrose, Nigel and I continued to catch up until he was summoned by his father and had to leave. Then Nigel was approached by another Lord who was a friend to his father and asked about him. I stood there alone frequently glancing at Ellie until it was time for the Prince to say his goodbyes. He seemed delighted to be with her and was amused that he left the banquet more cheerful than when he arrived. As soon as the Prince left, others started to follow and the guests started to dwindle. I looked at Ellie smiling then she glanced and smiled in return. I silently motioned my head towards the balcony and she understood then nodded.
Ellie and I were alone outside fascinated by the surrounding shields and how it protected the hall from the cold. Snow was falling heavily tonight and everything was dark outside except for the white silhouette where the moonlight touches, and it reflected from the snow to the shields illuminating the balcony with a glow. The snow did not touch the shields as it fell freely while the two of us watched. Ellie slowly reached out her hand and gently touched the shield, and I could see her cold breath escaping then she smiled in amazement, and when she released, she stopped feeling the cold then. I turned to face her, the glow in the balcony made her look so divine that something took over me, and seeing her like this, at the brim of perfection of everything that she was, her beauty and even her faults made me powerless that I felt every being of me belonged to her.
“Ellie,” I tenderly called out her name.
She turned to look at me and suddenly it was hard to speak, and I never felt so nervous before.
“You were impressive tonight,” I said sweetly.
She smiled awkwardly then said, “Believe me there were times when I wanted to run away from here.”
I shook my head, “But you’re the bravest woman I know.”
She didn’t say a word then I hesitantly slowly started to get closer not taking my eyes off her, and I could see her breathing heavily. We were face to face that I could feel her warm breath. I desired to be near her, to be close, did she felt the same way as I did? I could sense that she was confused but I have never been so sure of what I wanted until this moment so I closed my eyes and slowly leaned forward and ever so lightly our lips touched reluctantly. I was in pure bliss when her sweet lips did not pull away from mine. I held her arm carefully, afraid that I might fall but it was too late, I had fallen so completely in love with her. She became my entire world and I was having great difficulty grasping the reality of this captivating moment and all the while hoping for the possibility of its eternity.
CHAPTER 11: Impulse
ELAINE
I was pleasantly alarmed when he came closer with those tender piercing blue eyes as we stood on the balcony. He was surprisingly affectionate and I did not know how to respond because I was unsure of my feelings towards him. Indeed he was kind to me but I was not ready to discover what lies beyond his kindness. I wanted to say something to stop this but I couldn’t, maybe I was just fascinated of the thought of what it would be like to be desired by someone so dazzling like him. My heart was pounding fast, yet everything seemed to move so slowly. My chest was about to burst when I unconsciously closed my eyes and my lips softly touched his. Was this a right choice? I had my doubts but I could not refrain myself from being enraptured, and the feeling was so intoxicating so I completely surrendered myself to him and to the surrealness of all this. I slowly wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him gently closer for a deeper kiss and he responded eagerly. My knees were about to falter as we let our lips silently tell each other’s longing impulse. We parted eventually but remained close that I felt his warm breath and I didn’t open my eyes right away as I was remarkably still overwhelmed.
We were on the shuttle the next day returning to Pinewood and that morning I woke up feeling surprisingly elated. Curtis and I continued to keep our distance while we flew with Andrew but Curtis was having a hard time maintaining a straight face the entire flight when he constantly smiled at me and stealing moments for a chance to touch my hand secretly. I was looking down at Blackard when our shuttle departed. Snow still covered the ground but it made the place look so magical and I was going to miss this place, and I couldn’t have been more relieved that the banquet was finally over. Talking with the Crowned Prince last night was very intimidating. I thought him to be respectable but he was like any other Elites in that hall except that he was vainer and more self-absorb but at least he was not pretentious, it was just who he was, and he knew what he wanted and how to get it and he was not shy about it at all. He loved talking about himself and his love for art, and he criticizes anything that displeases or does not interest him. I thought that his only reason for talking to me was his fascination of my predicament, a Beta turned Elite, but then I think he really wanted to talk to someone that was different from all of them. Despite all that, I was grateful that he chose to speak to me that night and I admit he was slightly amusing in his own way.
Curtis and I spent our time that day at the Parlour after we had our dinner back in Pinewood. He was playing the grand piano which impressed me since I didn’t know he played and he did it beautifully while I sat on the couch listening. He always would glance at me with such fondness and smile tenderly while he played, and I was not used to this new affections he had, I think maybe my feelings were not of the same degree as his but I liked the way he look at me though, I would simply melt, and sometimes I would yearn for his company, like tonight, just the two of us was enough without even the need for words. Our peaceful time together was suddenly interrupted by Andrew who entered the Parlour with Katherine following closely behind. He sat at the couch across from me and Katherine beside him. I felt myself frowning then Curtis stopped playing.
“What are you doing here?” Curtis said sounding annoyed.
“Can’t I spend my time here also?” Andrew defensively asked, “Keep on playing,” he ordered Curtis with a calm voice.
Curtis glared at him then resumed playing the piano. I wanted to leave that room, the mere presence of Andrew was dreadful like he obliterates any form of happiness and it pleases him so.
“So, how was your night with the Prince?” he asked in a surprisingly friendly approach while he looked at my direction.
I didn’t know how to answer him and I didn’t want to so I ignored him.
Andrew sighed, “Look, I just want to talk, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, right?” he said grinning.
I didn’t know what he was up to, he had a different mood tonight, and it was an odd thing and I didn�
��t trust him so I continued to ignore him.
“Fine! Do you want me to apologize? Then I’m sorry,” Andrew declared halfheartedly while he comfortably leaned his back on the couch.
He was toying with me. What was he up to?
“What did you talked about with the Prince?” he persistently asked.
I glared at him then studied his face then finally answered briefly, “Art.”
He smirked, “You were talking to the second most powerful man in the Empire and all you talked about was art?!”
I nodded confidently then I decided to play along with his game, “He seemed to enjoy it though, and he even insisted that I go take a look with him if I had the chance,” I declared proudly.
I saw Andrew’s face dropped. There it was. Do you think I didn’t know how to play the Elite’s game?
“He said he has a manor where all his precious art collections were stored and that I can stay there as long as I pleased,” I added snobbishly and I heard Curtis chuckled while he continued to play the piano.
Andrew clenched his teeth then smiled.
“Did he say you could bring more along with you?” he inquired reluctantly.
It was then when Curtis pressed the piano keys all at once then he laughed and stood up, and took a seat beside me.
“Face it Andrew, now is the time for you to be nice to Elaine,” Curtis declared triumphantly.
Andrew laughed, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
Curtis sneered, “You know what I mean. She has won the favor of the Prince while you remained outside the circle. When we will see him again, he will continue to ignore you while he will lavish her with all his attention just like what he did at the banquet,” he said so sure of his words.
Andrew sat in silence but in a flash that startled all of us, he abruptly lunged across the table at Curtis, his face full of rage. I heard Katherine shouted his name but he was so out of it that he punched Curtis on the face and then they fell on the floor with the couch and the table in disarray. Andrew was hovering over Curtis firmly clutching his collar and was about to hit him again with his other fist but before he could do that I threw myself over Curtis.
“Stop! Enough!” I shouted.
I thought Andrew was going to hit me as well but I didn’t move away though, “You wouldn’t hit a Lady would you?” I angrily demanded and glared straight at him unafraid.
Andrew finally relaxed his fists and I saw his face returned to its color while Katherine stood there not far from us frightened. He let go of Curtis then stood up and composed himself then left the Parlour without saying a word. Katherine stayed and helped me with Curtis on his feet then we placed him on the couch.
“I’m fine,” he groaned clearly in pain.
“I’ll go get help,” Katherine offered.
“No…. I said I’m fine,” Curtis insisted.
I looked at Katherine and assured her, “It’s okay, I’ll take care of him.”
Katherine hesitated then nodded and left the Parlour. I knelt in front of Curtis examining the red and blue discoloration on his cheekbone, “That’s going to darkened tomorrow,” I stated concerned. I was surprised when Curtis started to softly chuckled then sighed and said, “I finally got to him didn’t I?”
We both laughed triumphantly together. I smiled at him warmly as he gently held my hand that was on his face and he smiled back then placed a gentle kiss on my palm. It hurt me when I saw Curtis in pain that I wanted to protect him. I felt that I was the only one for him and he was the only one for me but I had my doubts if this was all even real, or was this something I only needed to ease my own pain for losing my past.
CHAPTER 12: Consequences
CURTIS
Peter and I were on our horses riding for Greendale forest on a cloudy day. We arrived at the agreed spot and Olfren was already there waiting. We climbed down from our horses and I gave the reigns to Peter, and then I slowly approached Olfren.
“What’s that on your face?” he inquired while squinting his eyes to examine the healing bruise from afar.
“It’s nothing,” I replied dismissively, “So where are we?”
He didn’t ask any further, instead he looked at me with confidence and replied, “Everything is set. The plan would be successful if all goes well.”
I nodded, “I hope it does, I did my part, now it’s time to do yours.”
“The information you relayed to us was very useful so no doubt the operation will run smoothly,” he explained.
“Good! Soon then?”
“Yes,” he nodded, “Any day now.”
Then I gave him a skeptical look, “What happens after?”
Olfren gave a faint smile, “Hopefully change will come, and if it does, it’s going to hit hard, and you and me my friend are at the front seat.”
“Let’s just keep it this way that none of them knows that I helped.”
“Your secret is safe with us,” he assured.
I studied his words hoping that he would keep it that way, “Goodbye then,” I finally said breaking the silence but as I was about to go back to my horse, Olfren called out, “I don’t know when we’ll see each other again, so now might be the perfect time to tell you that it’s time for you to meet Ryder.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Our leader.”
I was not too keen of the idea of meeting their leader because it was going to be too risky; getting caught would mean treason and death, but it was very tempting offer though.
“I am not so sure that would be wise,” I responded uncertain.
“But you would want to meet Ryder to have all the answers to your questions, it’s what you always wanted,” he insisted.
I didn’t say a word, and he must have noticed my hesitation then he came close for a whisper, “If you change your mind, go to Gelhem.”
He gave me one last stare that told me that I was in too deep involved with the Defiers that I cannot refuse this. Olfren rode his own horse but before he left he said, “Besides, aren’t you curious of the future?”
Weeks have passed since I last saw Olfren. Any day he said but the anticipation was killing me. I was with Ellie though spending another beautiful day outside in the garden. The wind was cool and the sun was trying to escape from the clouds but to no avail. We were walking across the garden and new flowers of different colors and shapes have fully bloomed. Squirrels had taken up residence on a nearby tree were they played around hopping up and down on the branches, and a couple of swans flew towards the large pond not far from here. In the midst of all this, I embraced and breathe in the wonders that surrounds us as we passed by and our presence unaffected them.
“You seem to be deep in thought.”
Ellie’s voice woke me from my reverie that I forgot that I was not alone then I lovingly gazed at her and smiled, “I have a lot on my mind lately.”
“Would you like to share it with me?” she asked sincerely with a hint of concern.
I didn’t want her to worry so I lied, “it’s nothing really, nothing to fuss about,” I assured her dismissively.
Ellie suddenly stopped then stared right into my eyes like she was searching for something.
“You’re lying,” she softly accused.
“What made you say that?” I defended.
“Because I could tell and you’re bad at it.”
I softly chuckled and held her hand, “I couldn’t tell you all the same.”
I saw the disappointment in her face but she nodded telling me that she understood.
“Soon things will change Ellie, I don’t know how or when but honestly, it is not too late for us to back out now if you decide to change your mind.” I added sincerely hoping that she knew I didn’t want her in any danger.
She squeezed my hand gently and responded, “We made it this far and we can’t back out now. People’s lives are depending on you,” she explained then added, “I’m not leaving you, and if we get caught, I am prepared to face the consequen
ces.”
I gave her a huge smile and she smiled in return. I was proud of her and at the same time feared for her safety, and I hoped the day we face the consequences would never come. I slowly leaned towards her and placed a gentle kiss on her soft lips letting the rush overcome me.
“I love you Ellie,” I confessed in a whisper as I lightly leaned my forehead on hers. The words came out of nowhere and it felt so right and easy, “I couldn’t imagine a life without you. I couldn’t understand how I could have lived my life before I met you,” I continued.
Ellie didn’t say anything when we gazed at each other, she just smiled affectionately but her silence didn’t bother me, and as long as she knew my true feelings for her that was enough.
We were suddenly interrupted by Miss Pattilyn whose face were flushed from running, “My Lord! My Lady! Such terrible news! Terrible indeed!” she declared urgently while catching her breath, “There was an explosion at the Steel Plants and it was reported that the Defiers did it.”
Ellie shifted her gaze at me without saying a word, and I silently looked at her intently.
The Protectors doubled their efforts patrolling the villages and towns in search for the Defiers responsible for the explosion of the Steel Plants. The incident halted the operations which only made Andrew’s fury worst. The plan pushed through, our efforts were finally realized and thankfully no one was injured since it happened before dawn when it was still dark. There was chaos when the Protectors round up the people demanding them, often forcibly, to go out from their houses while the Protectors search their homes for any signs that they helped a Defier or for any evidence that they were a Defier themselves. Villagers were pushed around and those who refused to cooperate or for no reason at all were force to kneel or were beaten up, and I was there on behalf of the Duke with Captain Furlong to give the orders and made sure the perpetuators were found. We interrogated everybody and those who were found suspicious were taken away on to a shuttle to be interrogated further in prison. They looked at me with hatred and anger while I oversaw the Protectors and their brutality with no remorse or guilt or even pity on my face as I pretend to do my part as Lord of Pinewood. The news of the explosion had spread across the Empire and everybody was restless regardless of station. The Omegas and Betas were terrified while the Elites and Alphas grew sterner.
The Premortals (The Premortals Series Book 1) Page 17
