Orlson sat inside Croenda’s house relieved she had at last stopped ranting about the commitment band and also Bri and Dorcas’ pub performance. He had not been able to help but smile at what they were doing, especially when they had come to their table and given both he and Xander a kiss. He had caught a wink from Bri and he hoped that the action meant their argument was now over. They may just get through this with their relationship intact.
He listened to Croenda busy herself in the kitchen and he sat back in the chair and allowed Marx, her blue fur-ball cat to wrap himself around his legs. Croenda’s home had been in her family for generations and though considered by some ramshackle, it was much sturdier than some. Books and aged jars filled shelves along with pictures of family members gone by. A large open fire roared beside where he sat and above it was a stuffed shark’s head that apparently her father had caught when she was young. Orlson had always hated the thing, with its jaws wide open threatening to devour him and with that thought it dawned on him that this house could full well become his home.
Croenda came in from the kitchen and sat herself on his knee, stroking his hair with her hand. She smelled of the inn and strong flowered perfume and her body felt warm against his as she wiggled on his lap.
'I know we said we would leave it. But all I want to know is how much longer before we can marry?'
He looked at her brown eyes. He did find her attractive. She was the polar opposite to Bri, with her dark gypsy looks and dark alluring eyes. Her figure was much fuller and curvier than Bri’s; however, they both had the feisty attitude and maybe that was what he liked in her. She reminded him of Bri, although he would be stupid to ever admit that to her.
He did like Croenda and even desired her, but loving her was so different, not when he had already given his heart away years before they had met.
'Is there any rush?' he said softly. 'We are alright as we are, aren't we?'
He felt her hand stiffen on the back of his neck and he too tensed.
'Dinner is ready,' she said shortly and went back to the kitchen.
Orlson dragged his body to the table and rubbed his head, this was going to be a long night, he could tell. She came back from the kitchen and dropped the wooden bowl full of hot soup before him, almost spilling it and then sat down opposite. Orlson picked up his spoon and began to eat, but then the sound of Croenda’s spoon hitting the table made him jump once more.
'Do you want to leave her?' she asked, her eyes ready to spill tears.
'I have no choice but to leave her. But what does it matter as long as we are together?' he answered wearily.
He did not fancy having another fight with anyone else and he had kind of hoped that this would have been a much better night than what it was turning into.
'Oh I see, because you have no choice but to leave her, then it is OK for me to have you?' she said sarcastically.
Orlson pushed his dish away and sat back in his chair. 'That is not what I said,' he tried to reason, seeing tears fall down her cheeks.
He hated seeing her cry. He never knew how to handle the tears. He pushed back his chair and went to comfort her but she pulled away.
'I can't be second best Orlson. Tell me that you love me, that is all I want,' she cried.
'Croenda, please,' he pleaded.
'Tell me I’m not second best. Tell me that you love me.'
His throat tightened as he tried to form the words. Could he really lie to her? Was it fair to do that? However, his silence caused her to stop crying and he saw nervously that her brown eyes had turned hard and cold.
'Orlson, are you a prince?' she asked calmly. Far too calmly.
'You know I'm not,' he answered.
'Well, unless you are, you will never be with her. Never, and the sooner you realise that I am the best you are ever going to get, the better everything will be.'
She turned, slamming the door behind her, leaving him to sink his tired and confused body into the chair. She was right of course. There was no way in Celestia that he and Bri would ever be together and he’d already made a promise. Whether he wanted to or not there was no other way. Croenda would become his wife and he would spend his days living in this house remembering an old life where there was only himself and the only woman to have his heart.
Chapter Sixteen
Celestia's Tales: The Lybiria Scales Page 19
