“Thank you for today. You have made one of my childhood dreams a reality. I know you didn’t know about that, but thank you.”
“Thank you, Adelaide,” he stresses. “I’ve not laughed like I did today in a long time. I can’t even remember the last time I had this much fun. I hope we get many more days like this one,” he says softly before kissing me gently on the cheek. I blush a little before climbing out of the car. He waves at me through the rolled down window.
“Well, that was different to what I expected,” Michael says as he saddles up beside me.
“He was different, too,” I say with a smile before heading in.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you look that carefree. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve actually ever seen you look that way before.”
“It was nice. I got to be the old Addie for a day, the Addie before the Academy was attacked. It seems like so long ago now, and I’ve changed so much. It was nice to be able to let go of everything that has happened and just enjoy myself, you know?”
“Oh, I know, baby girl. And if you’re happy, I’m happy. Even if it is with that jerk.”
“Michael!” I exclaim, knocking into his side as we climb the stairs to my room.
“Hey! What? He was a total jerk this morning. He didn’t make me free giddy and carefree. I get to continue to think he’s a jerk until he apologises to me,” he says, sticking his tongue out at me.
“You’re such a goon,” I laugh.
“Yes, but I’m your goon, and such a pretty one, too,” he says flicking his hair over his shoulder.
“Damn straight you are. I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
“You, too, baby girl. Now let’s get you tucked up in bed. It’s been a long day and staying this pretty requires a lot of sleep,” he says with his quirky Michael flair, and it’s impossible not to laugh at him. I could never be angry at him, it just wouldn’t be possible.
“I just want to check on Sophie,” I say.
He smiles and gives me a minute whilst I sneak open the door and head into the room that has become hers. It’s adjacent to mine with interconnecting doors. I creep over to her bed and see her all nestled in. She’s hot with sleep. I could stand for hours and watch her when she’s like this. I bend over and kiss her clammy forehead. She murmurs something and I soothe her with my voice. “It’s okay, Sophie, it’s just me.” She turns and settles, and I leave her through the connecting door. Michael is already in my room waiting.
“Is she okay?” he asks.
I smile. “She’s perfect.”
“That’s not the impression I got just now from the nanny who said she’d been a little monster most of the day,” he laughs. “Just like her…” he falters, correcting himself before he says something stupid. “Just like you!”
I know what he was going to say, and it’s the second time today that the universe has sent me a message.
I flop down onto the bed and stare at the ceiling. “It’s been a good day,” I say, sighing. Maybe this suitor thing won’t be so bad, after all? I play today back through my mind. I just hope the others are as good as today – or maybe I don’t, because if they’re all like today, then picking just one isn’t going to be fun. Who am I kidding? Nothing about any of this is going to be easy.
Have you ever woken up from a dream so vivid, so real, that when you woke it took a few minutes to realise it was just a dream and not real life? That disappointment clamps down on your chest so tightly it’s almost hard to breathe. That’s how I feel right now – like I’m unable to move. Last night, for the first time in a while, I dreamt of Xander. He was here at The palace with me, dancing, laughing; just living. For a moment when I woke, I expected to roll over and feel his warmth next to me – but the space was cold and empty.
It’s been a while since I felt this destroyed about it all. I can’t help but think I’m betraying him and this is happening because I had such a good day with Aleksandr yesterday.
I don’t know how long I wallow in the darkness of my room before Penelope whisks into my room, opening the curtains and letting the sunshine in.
“Rise and shine, Princess. We have a lot to do today before your trip to the Academy tomorrow.”
Oh right, I’d forgotten about that.
“I don’t know what we have to do today Penelope, but can we please just not. I don’t feel up to it today,” I say, pulling the covers over my head to create my own cocoon. Pity party for one please.
“I’m afraid not,” she says, pulling the covers off before shooing me out of bed. “Right now, I have a job to do. Nurseries are one thing, they’re young and won’t judge you for a misstep but Academies are a whole different beast – and that’s just the humans; don’t even get me started on the Fae system,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“We have a lot of work to do,” she continues. “Most royals have their whole lives to learn all of this, and I have nothing more than a few days to prepare you – all while you have four whirlwind romances and try to decide who your husband will be. It’s going to be a bumpy ride Princess.”
She hands me a pair of jeans, a vest top and a sweater before pushing me into the bathroom.
When I let out a groan, she smiles. “Shower! Princesses shouldn’t stink.”
I can’t help but laugh and finally, she cracks and laughs, too.
Once I’m out and dressed, she lectures on me on what I can and can’t say. Demons, bad; Fae and happy futures, good. It’s all pretty straight forward and mainly common sense, but she quizzes me on structures and hierarchies until my head hurts.
“Penelope, I get it. I’m not going to make you look bad, can we please quit for a while?” I ask, rubbing my temples.
“Fine, but if you mess this up, it’s not just your hide on the line. Please don’t mess this up. I brought you some light reading,” she says, hefting a book bigger than my head out of her bag.
“That’s light reading?”
“Haha. Yes, it is.This is nothing compared to some of the books in the library about State and Rulership, but it will give you more of an insight into the way the high councils work with each royal family, and how you will fit into it all. You need to know exactly who and what you’re representing out there.”
“Yes ma’am!” I salute her with a smile. I can tell she’s nervous and edgy. I guess I can’t blame her what with being in charge of all my crap.
“Oh, Penelope,” I call as she heads out of the room. “You need to learn to have some fun. Live a little. Maybe even take a day off,” I tease.
She harrumphs at me before turning away again and walking off to wherever it is she disappears to. It’s at that point, I realise my teasing was cruel. I’m not sure she has that choice.
A voice comes from the door. “Knock, knock.”
I look up from where I’m sprawled on the floor, reading the book Penelope left, to see Dante smiling at me. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, sorry.”
“You don’t look all that sorry,” I smile.
He really doesn’t, and I’m not sorry either. This book is dull as hell.
“Well, that’s because I’m in the presence of a pretty girl. I could never be sorry for that.” He leans against the doorframe and folds his arms.
I feel myself blushing and try to get control over it. “Ooh, charm and flattery. Now then, Mr. DeVaux, that will get you everywhere.”
“If that’s the case, we might as well call off this charade right now and call on the Master of Ceremonies.” He laughs and it’s infectious. His confidence is intoxicating, but he’s so laid back with it that it works without him coming off as arrogant or cocky.
“Now then, don’t get too ahead of yourself – all of these suitors, what’s a girl to do?” I tease.
“You could come out with me,” he winks. “Let’s ditch this snore fest,” he says offering me a hand to stand up and kicking my book under the bed. “How about a picnic? I know the perfect spot.”
“A picnic? Out in that glorio
us sunshine? I can’t say no to that, can I?” He’s still holding my hand and I’m trying not to let it bother me too much, but it is. Standing this close to him, I realise how much taller than me he is; I have to tip my head right back to look him properly in the eye. He smells like mint and fresh air, so natural.
“Well then, it’s a good thing I prepared and packed us a basket, isn’t it?” He laughs, leading me out of the room. He picks up the picnic basket he left in the corridor and we sneak downstairs, through to the kitchen, and out of one of the back doors, only being spotted by a couple of bemused staff, who I can tell from their smiles, won’t tell a soul about their reckless Princess.
Leading me through the garden, he takes me down a path I hadn’t even noticed before. The gardens lead to the wildness of the surrounding forest. Following the barely-there trail, he entertains me the whole way, and I’m almost giddy from the laughing. This is exactly what I needed today. I try to watch where I’m going, but being me, I nearly go ass over teacup more than once, which is ridiculous because I’m me, but this route it slippy as hell. Dante, ever the gentleman, keeps me upright when I stumble and helps me navigate the unknown trail.
“There’s not much further to go,” he explains, helping me over a fallen tree trunk, which is almost as high as me. I don’t really need his help, but it’s nice being looked after, to feel someone is caring for me – that I’m not doing everything alone for a change.
“Oh, my God – now I understand,” I tease. "You’ve lead me out into the middle of the woods to have away with me,” I laugh.
He tenses and suddenly, the ground doesn’t feel so solid. The terrible thought of a previous betrayal tries to sneak up from my memory.
“I would never, Princess! We can go back? Somewhere with other people, if it would make you more comfortable.”
“I’m sorry, I was only messing around. I want to see this hidden treasure you’ve found, and please, call me Addie. I hate that everyone gives me some silly title.”
“As long as you’re sure, Addie. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” That easy-going smirk is back, but it doesn’t seem as real as it did a few moments ago.
“Don’t be silly; let’s keep walking,” I say, following him through the thick of the bush in front of us. He stops when we reach a large flat rock, where he lays out a blanket before motioning to me to sit. I look out into the distance; we’re not quite on a cliff edge, but we’re real close. I can hear the nearby river running past and crashing over the edge and I wonder what if feels like, to just fall like that. This, combined with the vastness in front of me –with mountains in the background make me feel small, just a part of some greater thing, and the thought is so freeing.
“This is beautiful, Dante,” I say, breathlessly.
“Yes,” he says looking at me, but the look he gives me makes me think he’s not just on about the view and I blush a little.
“Tell me a little about you, Dante. I know the most important stuff, son to the wonderful Julian and Rayne; groomed for a seat on the council since birth but tell me about the man behind the name.”
“Well, where should I start?” he asks, tucking his legs up. It’s the first time I’ve seen his confidence fully slip. “I enjoyed a privileged childhood – too privileged, some might argue. I wanted for nothing; my parents loved me greatly and always let me know just how loved I was. I went to an all Fae Nursery and Academy, although ours are very different to the ones you experienced. There is no such thing as Defence or Home Economic classes. Instead, we had; Sports, Politics, History of the World. I was the captain of my hockey team, and I loved life,” he says with a small smile. “This was all before your time. I won’t tell you how much of a grandad I am, but let’s just say I’m definitely the more mature one here.”
I laugh, even though there’s something about that unsettles me a little.“Yes, okay grandpa, we’ll see. Keep going.”
He smiles but I see the flicker of pain and I feel the pang of regret at probing. “I once loved a girl very much,” he says. “You remind me of her. Her name was Megan, and she was the light of my life. She was fiery and fiercely protective of the people she loved. She wouldn’t accept that dreams were a far off thing; she didn’t believe in settling for the status quo. She dreamed big, and loved life.”
“She sounds wonderful,” I say softly.
“We were out exploring; she loved to see new sights and travel. It had grown dark and we had sent our guard out to try and find wood for a fire,” He pauses, and all at once, he looks like a lost little boy; my heart hurts for him. “I don’t remember everything, it all happened so fast. A group of Shades attacked us and I’ve never regretted being a privileged Fae so much as I did in that moment; I had no way to keep either of us safe. All that gentle, soft and loving childhood had left me unprepared for a world that was anything but. I only have fragments of memory, but I remember the time after – I relived it for years afterwards. I woke in a hospital bed and was told she was gone. It was the worst day of my life. I’ll never fully forgive myself for letting her down the way I did.”
“Dante, I am so, so sorry.” I take him by the hand, drawing out a sad smile from his lips. “But you need to forgive yourself for what happened. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I am not alone in suffering pain, I know that. I shouldn’t complain, and to you of all people. I just wanted you to know that I understand the pain and the darkness that takes hold of your very soul afterwards.”
“We all have pain; mine is no more significant than yours.”
We sit, contemplating our own histories in the silence. I never expected to like any of the men chosen as my suitors, but I was wrong, and now the ‘problem’ isn’t that I have to choose one, but that I have to reject the others. Dante is so like me; he has his darkness, he has suffered, too.
“Well, this has to be the saddest date in existence,” he jokes, trying to lighten the mood. “How about we have a bit of fun?” Mischief sparkles in his eyes, and it warms me to see his playful smile back.
“What did you have in mind?”
He has taken off his shoes and socks, slipped off his t-shirt and is now reaching for his belt.
“Eyes up here sweetheart,” he chuckles, and it’s a fair cop – my eyes have settled on his buckle and I can’t help the flutter in my stomach.
“Exactly what sort of fun did you have in mind?” I ask, smirking.
He’s now standing before me in nothing more than brief shorts and his ever growing confidence.
“You’ll see! Now unless you want to freeze your cute little butt off later, I suggest you take off a few layers, too.”
I’m still not sure what is going on, but I feel completely safe with Dante; whatever he has in mind, it’s alright with me. I do as he says, taking off my items of clothes purposely slow and enjoying the smile on his lips. I watch as his eyes roam my practically naked body.
“Eyes up here, sweetheart,” I taunt.
He laughs, grabbing my hand and pulling me behind him as he runs towards the cliff edge.
“Do you trust me?” he asks, and weirdly enough, even though I hardly know him, I do.
“Yes,” I breath.
“Then close your eyes,” he says stepping closer to me. I close them and he picks me up, making me squeak.
“Deep breath,” he says and then we start falling. I open my eyes as we fall towards the water below. The fall feels like it lasts forever. The feeling is so extreme that I don’t know how to deal with it. I’m laughing and screaming at the same time – and then we hit the icy water below.
And I can’t breathe. Jeez, I’ve forgotten how to breathe – but I’m still laughing. Eventually, I surface.
“Oh my God! This is freezing!”
He wraps me up in his arms, keeping us afloat.
“You’re insane!” I exclaim.
“Maybe, but you forgot everything else for a few seconds, right?” he asks and I nod. Water droplets run down my face and I laugh at the in
sanity of it all.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I say, looking into his coffee eyes. They’re not just brown but hold flecks of gold in them. He pulls me in closer, tilting his head down to me. My eyes close as his lips gently touch mine. I shiver as he pulls away from me and he looks at me questioningly, as if maybe he has overstepped the mark and ruined the moment. It wasn’t expected, but I didn’t dislike it either, and I have to accept that he could potentially be the man I spend my life with. I lean forward and kiss him again, one of his hands comes up into my hair while the other holds my lower back keeping me close to him.
“Oh, my God, I’m sorry,” a voice interrupts.
I hide my face in Dante’s shoulder.
“Who’s there?” he shouts.
“Sorry, Sir. My name is Aldery; I was sent to find the Princess. There’s a whole bunch of us out here.”
“Oh, my God – they sent a search party!” I mumble into Dante’s shoulder, putting my feet on the ground and turning to face the guard.
“Well as you can see, I’m quite alright. If you could please let the search party know I’m fine and in one piece, I’ll be back at The Palace shortly,” I order, before turning back to see Dante trying to stifle a laugh. He fails and I join him. What a mess.
“So much for normal life huh?” I complain.
“Hey, if this is part of life with you. I’m all for it.” He smiles. “Shall we get dressed; I don’t want them whipping me for running away with the Princess.”
“Lead the way.” I follow him back up to where we were sat before. “Thank you for sharing this with me Dante,” I say.
We climb the rest of the way up in a comfortable silence and then get dressed.
“Thank you for today, Addie, it’s been a long time since I felt comfortable enough with someone to just hang out and talk.”
“It makes me a little sad that you’ve not had that for so long. You can always come find me, and we’ll hang and chat – or not talk. Either is good.”
Soar (The Immortal Chronicles Book 3) Page 13
