Chapter 6
"Get out!" I yell at Ashley trying to push him out of my room but to no avail. "I'm going to change!"
"Which I'd gladly like to see." He says smirking as he goes and lays on my bed casually.
I scream in frustration as I glare at him. I then smile at him sweetly a plan forming in my mind.
"Fine." I say and then spin around to pick an outfit out. I quickly choose a plain fitting black t-shirt and blue skinnys and then glance at Ashley who had a huge smirk on his face.
I smile back and then walk to the bathroom and wave my fingers at him teasingly. His face turns from a smirk to shock as he jumps off the bed. I start to close the door but a foot stops the door from closing. I look up and see Ashley standing there smiling at me.
"Nice try sweetheart." He says winking.
"I hate you." I answer glaring at him.
"Aw come on babe, don't say that." He says entering the bathroom.
He then takes the shirt I held in my arms. Holding it out in front of him.
"Give it back!" I say trying to grab the shirt.
"You're going to wear this? But it doesn't even show your mark." He says holding the shirt out od my reach as he raises his eyebrow at me.
"Maybe because I don't want to show it." I reply giving up and crossing my arms.
"But you should. It's shameful to hide it. Every Ungarian woman shows their mark with pride. Showing everyone who their heart belongs to."
"Well in case you haven't figured it out, my heart doesn't belong to you, it belongs to me." I reply still glaring.
"Lucy, I'm hurt." He says, but I could tell he was teasing me.
"Good." Was all that I reply. "Now if you'll hand me back my shirt and politely leave the bathroom..." I say holding my hand out for the shirt.
"How about I'll leave if I pick you out a different outfit. One that shows that pretty, little mark of yours."
"Fine." I reply handing him the skinnys.
He smirks as he leaves the room and disappears into my bedroom. After a few minutes he comes back with a different pair of clothing.
"Thank you." I say still glaring at him as he hands me the outfit.
He winks and then leaves like he said he would. I lock the door behind him, not trusting him on his word. I quickly change into the outfit he had given me. I had actually worn it before, but now I couldn't because the mark was visible just above the top of the shirt. I sigh as I lace up the converse he had given me and then went to my jewelry box to put some that matched on. After sliding a bracelet on and hooking on a pair of earrings. After brushing though my mess of a hair I exited the bathroom.
"Much better." Ashley says as he sees me.
"Shut up." I replied crossing my arms.
He chuckles and then takes my arm with his and then leads me out of the bedroom.
"Where do you think you're taking me?" I ask as he drags me down the hall.
"Remember I said I was introducing you to Titus." He says looking back at me.
"And who is this exactly?" I ask slightly curious.
"My best friend." He says.
"You mean you actually have a friend? I'm shocked. I didn't think you were capable of making people like you." I say sarcastically.
"I'm full of surprises." He says winking, making me roll my eyes. "Now where is he?" He mumbles to himself.
Suddenly there was a loud sound of something crashing and then lots of yelling.
"Found him." Ashley says smiling and then starts running in the direction pulling me after him.
"You know I'd prefer not to get dragged around like a doll!" I yell at him.
"How about carried then?" He asks spinning around and picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder.
"This isn't what I wanted!" I yelled. "Put me down!"
His only reply was a chuckle.
I cross my arms and kick him in the chest.
"Ow!" He exclaims but doesn't slow his pace.
He then enters the door to the throne room where we run head on into someone. I scream as I slip out of Ashley's arms and land on the floor on my butt.
I sit there glaring at Ashley who was smiling sheepishly at me and another boy who looked just plain amused.
"Hi!" The boy says smiling. "I'm Titus!"
"Sorry Lucy." Ashley says.
And as much as I'd hate to admit it, he did look sorry. He extends his hand out to help me up, but I ignore it and get up on my own.
"I'm Lucy." I say extending my hand out for Titus to shake.
He smiles and shakes it. "If you ever need someone to comfort you in the middle of the night from that jerk, I'll be there. In my bedroom where anything can happen." He says winking.
I stare at him in shock and slap him across the face.
"Feisty. I like that." He says putting a hand up to his face. "Anyway I was just kidding. If I were to touch you, he would personally kill me. I see you're mark and all." He adds raising his hands innocently as he chuckles.
"Now I see why you managed to get a friend." I say glaring at both guys.
They both start laughing making me glare harder at them. I then turn around and start to leave. I had had enough of Ashley and his pathetic little friend.
"Aww Come on babe!" Ashley says between laughing as he takes my hand and pulls me back to him.
"I told you not to call me that." I reply.
"Anyway Titus said dinner was almost ready and I'm starving. And you need to show me to the dinning hall."
"Whatever." I reply taking my hand out of his and start my way to the dining hall. "Follow me."
I was actually starving too. I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday at lunch.
Ashley catches up with me and hooks his arm with mine as Titus walks behind us.
"I really need to find a girl. Do you know any hot girls that you could introduce me too?" He asks behind me.
I don't reply as I continue to walk. When I enter the dining hall I saw that my seat had changed. A lot of the seating had changed. There was no longer a head of the table. Instead my mother and father sat across from each other, and Ashley's parents beside them.
I smile as I see Willow sitting awkwardly in her neat seat next to me. So Kaleb had done what I asked and they had let her. I uncross my arm with Ashley and run to sit between her and Annastasia. The seat across from Willow and I were both empty and I frown knowing who's seats they belonged too.
"Will!" I say sitting down next to her.
"Luce, did you have something to do with this?" She asks motioning to her seat.
"I asked Kaleb if he could do it. I really need you with me." I reply folding my napkin in my seat.
"Well hello beautiful!" Titus said as he sat down across from Willow. "I'm Titus!" He says to her.
She blushes and stumbles her name.
I roll my eyes and turn my wine glass upside down like normal thinking nothing of it. I look up to see Ashley smirking at me.
"What?" I ask raising my eyebrows at him.
"Temperance?" He says stating it more as a statement than a question. "I don't see how you could go without it." He adds filling his up to the brim.
"I didn't ask your opinion." I reply. "So please don't give it."
Never Say Never ~An Arranged Marriage Love Story~
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romantic_story
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- Joined: 17 Aug 2015 17:28
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romantic_story
- Expert Member
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 17 Aug 2015 17:28
Re: Never Say Never ~An Arranged Marriage Love Story~
Chapter 7
I breathe a sigh of relief as I walk to my bedroom. I was free at last to be by myself for the night. I had spent the last couple hours after dinner with Willow out in the garden. It felt nice to spend time with her alone. To catch up on tings that I missed and to fill her in on my life. Of course I did a lot of complaining to her and I felt bad for it, but she listened without complaint. Staring at me with compassion from her big green eyes.
When it had grown dark and Willow had to go to finish her jobs I left and decided to go to my bedroom which is where I was now. I felt better now though, I had vented out all my anger and frustration when I had talked to Willow. The only thing that could take me out of my mood at the moment was Ashley.
I sigh again with relief as I make it to my bedroom without bumping into him and hurry inside and lock the door. Happy I had escaped him until morning.
"If I had known you were this enthusiastic about being alone in a locked room, I would have came and got you hours ago. Which by the way, where were you?" A voice behind me asks making you jump as you spin around.
"What are you doing here? This is my room!" I yell at the figure who was casually laying on my bed.
"We're sharing a room now. They're actually modifying another room to be ours, but it's not finished yet. So we'll be in here till then." He says smirking at me.
"Can my life get any worse?" I mutter to myself, not even going to argue knowing it would make the situation only worse. At least for me. But there was no way I was going to share a bed with him.
I walk over to the closet grabbing my usual pajamas, sweats and a tank. Walking to the bathroom and locking the door, I slowly change and then pull my hair up into a messy bun.
When I walk out of the bathroom you see that Ashley hadn't changed his position. He was still laying on my bed with a smirk, but there was also traces of surprise on his face. Probably from the lack of fight I put up. I also noticed he was shirtless and let me say that boy had some abs.
"You liking what you see?" He asks winking.
"Only in your dreams." I reply walking over to his surprise.
I smile sweetly and grab a pillow and the top blanket and then walk over to the couch by the windows.
"Have fun in bed." I say and wink at him.
He looks shocked at first, but quickly recovered as he replied. "I will, but you'd make it much more enjoyable. But you'll be in here with me soon enough."
"Maybe if you keep dreaming it, it might be true." I reply sarcastically before curling up on the couch.
I was in the same woods as before, but this time I felt no threat. It was still night and the moon's beams lit up most of the area. I walked down a small dusty pathway that didn't look that well traveled.
Despite the peace however, I didn't feel alone. It wasn't a dangerous feeling, but just as if they were watching me.
Then everything went dark. I couldn't see a thing, but I could hear. And I could hear someone approaching me. Nothing seemed peaceful anymore and I was starting to panic.
"Who's there?" I call out.
I had my arms out trying to find something I could use to defend myself. I scream as I trip over a loose rock and fall head first on the path.
Hands grab my waist and pull me up before I could fall however.
"Ashley?" I ask nervously as they spin me around and pull me close to them.
"I'm hurt. Would that jerk just save you from a fall?" The voice whispers in my ear. Their mouth almost brushing it.
"Who are you then?" I ask my voice shaking.
"Someone who loves you more than that jerk ever could. I know you hate him and it kills me to see you with him. I could make you so happy." He says his lips trailing my neck. "I want you, no I need you, Lucy. I loved you the moment I saw you. Please tell me you love me."
"I don't know you." I breathe out trembling. I wanted to move so badly, but I couldn't find the strength to do so. "So h-"
He cuts me off with a rough kiss, pressing his body close to mine. I struggled pushing him back.
"Get away from me." I say succeeding as I step back away from him.
"You will not act like that." He growls and I feel a sharp sting on my cheek as he slaps me.
He pushes me back roughly so that my back was against a tree.
"You will be mine, Lucy. I will kill Ashley for you. And then we can be together forever." And with that he disappears leaving me alone in the darkness.
"Lucy! Lucy, wake up!" A voice says as someone shakes me.
It all seemed so far away at first, but gradually it all became clearer and clearer. I heard screaming and then after a second I realized it was me who was screaming. My eyes open and my mouth closes as I see a pair of blue eyes looking at me with concerned.
I blink slowly letting everything sink in. I was awake now, but why had I been screaming. My cheek still stung from my dream and I absentmindingly put my hand up to it as I slowly sat up.
"What's wrong?" Ashley asks and I realized not only was he holding my hand, but he seemed genuinely concerned about me. "What are you doing?" He then asks moving my hand from my face.
His face turns from concerned to enraged in a split second. "Who did this to you? Who entered your dream? What happened in it?" He asks quickly.
"I don't know. I never saw his face." I say slowly scooting away from him and curled up in a ball at the edge of the couch. He may have seemed concerned, but I didn't trust him. This could have all been an act. "It was all dark."
"Lucy, if you know who did this then please tell me. I will personally kill them." He says as he moves his face close to mine.
I smile bitterly as I reply. "Funny, they said the same thing."
"Tell me what happened." He says putting his forehead on mine as he looked into my eyes. "God, you're cold." He adds as he then sweeps me up in his arms and moves me over to the bed.
"It was nothing. I'm fine." I say as he sits me down. "Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about."
"Lucy, just tell me." He yells at me. "I can help."
"I don't want your help! Just leave me alone!" I yell back. "None of this happened until you came! Just worry about yourself, like you usually do. Don't try to gain my trust by pretending to be concerned."
I then turn away and lay down on the bed, my back turned towards him. He was right though, I was cold. I laid on the bed shivering, but I didn't want to give him any satisfaction. The only reason I didn't move back to the couch is because I was too tired to.
At some point I felt covers being pulled up around me and then Ashley wrapping me in his arms as he pulled me close to him. I was too tired to protest and it was so warm. So I just relaxed and let sleep overcome me, hoping that I could rest in peace.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I walk to my bedroom. I was free at last to be by myself for the night. I had spent the last couple hours after dinner with Willow out in the garden. It felt nice to spend time with her alone. To catch up on tings that I missed and to fill her in on my life. Of course I did a lot of complaining to her and I felt bad for it, but she listened without complaint. Staring at me with compassion from her big green eyes.
When it had grown dark and Willow had to go to finish her jobs I left and decided to go to my bedroom which is where I was now. I felt better now though, I had vented out all my anger and frustration when I had talked to Willow. The only thing that could take me out of my mood at the moment was Ashley.
I sigh again with relief as I make it to my bedroom without bumping into him and hurry inside and lock the door. Happy I had escaped him until morning.
"If I had known you were this enthusiastic about being alone in a locked room, I would have came and got you hours ago. Which by the way, where were you?" A voice behind me asks making you jump as you spin around.
"What are you doing here? This is my room!" I yell at the figure who was casually laying on my bed.
"We're sharing a room now. They're actually modifying another room to be ours, but it's not finished yet. So we'll be in here till then." He says smirking at me.
"Can my life get any worse?" I mutter to myself, not even going to argue knowing it would make the situation only worse. At least for me. But there was no way I was going to share a bed with him.
I walk over to the closet grabbing my usual pajamas, sweats and a tank. Walking to the bathroom and locking the door, I slowly change and then pull my hair up into a messy bun.
When I walk out of the bathroom you see that Ashley hadn't changed his position. He was still laying on my bed with a smirk, but there was also traces of surprise on his face. Probably from the lack of fight I put up. I also noticed he was shirtless and let me say that boy had some abs.
"You liking what you see?" He asks winking.
"Only in your dreams." I reply walking over to his surprise.
I smile sweetly and grab a pillow and the top blanket and then walk over to the couch by the windows.
"Have fun in bed." I say and wink at him.
He looks shocked at first, but quickly recovered as he replied. "I will, but you'd make it much more enjoyable. But you'll be in here with me soon enough."
"Maybe if you keep dreaming it, it might be true." I reply sarcastically before curling up on the couch.
I was in the same woods as before, but this time I felt no threat. It was still night and the moon's beams lit up most of the area. I walked down a small dusty pathway that didn't look that well traveled.
Despite the peace however, I didn't feel alone. It wasn't a dangerous feeling, but just as if they were watching me.
Then everything went dark. I couldn't see a thing, but I could hear. And I could hear someone approaching me. Nothing seemed peaceful anymore and I was starting to panic.
"Who's there?" I call out.
I had my arms out trying to find something I could use to defend myself. I scream as I trip over a loose rock and fall head first on the path.
Hands grab my waist and pull me up before I could fall however.
"Ashley?" I ask nervously as they spin me around and pull me close to them.
"I'm hurt. Would that jerk just save you from a fall?" The voice whispers in my ear. Their mouth almost brushing it.
"Who are you then?" I ask my voice shaking.
"Someone who loves you more than that jerk ever could. I know you hate him and it kills me to see you with him. I could make you so happy." He says his lips trailing my neck. "I want you, no I need you, Lucy. I loved you the moment I saw you. Please tell me you love me."
"I don't know you." I breathe out trembling. I wanted to move so badly, but I couldn't find the strength to do so. "So h-"
He cuts me off with a rough kiss, pressing his body close to mine. I struggled pushing him back.
"Get away from me." I say succeeding as I step back away from him.
"You will not act like that." He growls and I feel a sharp sting on my cheek as he slaps me.
He pushes me back roughly so that my back was against a tree.
"You will be mine, Lucy. I will kill Ashley for you. And then we can be together forever." And with that he disappears leaving me alone in the darkness.
"Lucy! Lucy, wake up!" A voice says as someone shakes me.
It all seemed so far away at first, but gradually it all became clearer and clearer. I heard screaming and then after a second I realized it was me who was screaming. My eyes open and my mouth closes as I see a pair of blue eyes looking at me with concerned.
I blink slowly letting everything sink in. I was awake now, but why had I been screaming. My cheek still stung from my dream and I absentmindingly put my hand up to it as I slowly sat up.
"What's wrong?" Ashley asks and I realized not only was he holding my hand, but he seemed genuinely concerned about me. "What are you doing?" He then asks moving my hand from my face.
His face turns from concerned to enraged in a split second. "Who did this to you? Who entered your dream? What happened in it?" He asks quickly.
"I don't know. I never saw his face." I say slowly scooting away from him and curled up in a ball at the edge of the couch. He may have seemed concerned, but I didn't trust him. This could have all been an act. "It was all dark."
"Lucy, if you know who did this then please tell me. I will personally kill them." He says as he moves his face close to mine.
I smile bitterly as I reply. "Funny, they said the same thing."
"Tell me what happened." He says putting his forehead on mine as he looked into my eyes. "God, you're cold." He adds as he then sweeps me up in his arms and moves me over to the bed.
"It was nothing. I'm fine." I say as he sits me down. "Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about."
"Lucy, just tell me." He yells at me. "I can help."
"I don't want your help! Just leave me alone!" I yell back. "None of this happened until you came! Just worry about yourself, like you usually do. Don't try to gain my trust by pretending to be concerned."
I then turn away and lay down on the bed, my back turned towards him. He was right though, I was cold. I laid on the bed shivering, but I didn't want to give him any satisfaction. The only reason I didn't move back to the couch is because I was too tired to.
At some point I felt covers being pulled up around me and then Ashley wrapping me in his arms as he pulled me close to him. I was too tired to protest and it was so warm. So I just relaxed and let sleep overcome me, hoping that I could rest in peace.
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romantic_story
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Re: Never Say Never ~An Arranged Marriage Love Story~
Chapter 8
The sound of birds chirping woke me up. I opened my eyes and rolled unto my back. Someone had left the window open letting a light breeze inside the room which ruffled my hair as I sat up and stretched. The bed beside me was empty and no one else was in here. I couldn't remember how I had gotten inside the bed either. I remember the dream I had and Ashley waking me up asking me about it, but that was about it. He must have carried me into the bed.
As I looked outside I realized it was late. Almost midday. I wondered why they let me sleep so long, or why Ashley or Willow never woke me up.
I slide out of bed and quickly take a shower and get dressed. I quickly put on a dress, not worried about anyone seeing the mark since they all saw it already. At dinner last night I couldn't get Annastasia to stop gushing about it and when I did she only started going on about her own.
Slipping on a pair of heels I walk out of my bedroom and towards the dining hall. I should be there just in time for lunch. And I was right, though I was a tad late and many faces looked up when I entered, including Ashley. I ignore them all and walk over to my seat.
"Ashley told us that you had a rough night, but wouldn't say what happened. You know you can tell me." Willow whispers when I sit down. "He said that you needed the extra sleep."
"Meet me in the garden after lunch." I reply, smiling slightly at her.
So it was Ashley who had let me sleep late today. I look up at him, but he wasn't looking at me, but laughing with Titus.
"I'm afraid that'll have to wait. We have to go over the plans for the ball tonight." Annastasia says overhearing us.
"I'll tell you tonight then." I whisper to Willow who nods.
"Have you got a dress picked out yet?" Annastasia asks me.
"Not yet, but I ha-"." I reply not wanting to upset her.
"Well, I have the hardest time picking out dresses. They all look so good on me that it's hard to pick one, you know?" She says smiling after she interrupts. "One of the many struggles being a woman. A man can put on a suit, but there are so many options for a girl..." I tune her out as she continues to rattle on.
"Do you mind if I help you pick one out." Ashley asks apparently hearing our conversation.
"I don't need-" I start, but Annastasia interrupts again.
"That's a wonderful idea. That way you can color coordinate." She says excitedly.
"How wonderful." I mutter and as I look up I can see Ashley smirking.
I ignore him and eat the rest of my meal in silence. Instead I think about my dream last night. It had to be an Ungarian, only they could enter my dreams. It also had to be someone here in the palace. They had seen me before. It could possibly be one of the hundreds of guards they brought with them. It had to be one of them.
I glance over at Willow and see that her and Titus were casually flirting with each other. At least I could probably rule out him. Not that he was bad looking, because he wasn't. Not as cute as Ashley, but he was close. It was just his flirty and over energetic personality. It was just too much for me. He catches me looking at him and winks making me roll my eyes.
After lunch as we made our way to the ballroom, Ashley walks beside me and intertwines his hand with mine. I look up at him and see he was looking at our hands. I look down and see my small pale hand in his larger slender hand.
"I still want to know what happened last night in the dream. If you tell me, I could help you figure out who it was." He says softly.
"It doesn't concern you. Like I said, don't worry that pretty little head of yours." I reply looking up at him.
"If someone wants to kill me, I think it does concern me." He snaps back.
"Fine you want to know what happened?" I say raising my voice. "Some guy is obsessively in love with me and wants you dead so he can have me. Are you happy now?"
I stare at him for a moment with a hurt look in my eyes, when his expression changed to shock I left and hurried up to catch up with the others.
I stare at myself in the mirror in my bathroom. I stood in the dress that Ashley had just picked out. It hung loosely on the top as of now because I couldn't get it zipped all the way, but I did have to admit it was beautiful on me, hugging my curves in the right place. The light blue also brought out the blue in my eyes, making them see bluer than they actually were.
My hair was also pinned up at the top of my hair, which felt strange in a way. I almost always wore it down, except when I was sleeping. My nails were also just painted thanks to Willow. I stopped staring at myself and turned to my vanity to put on my makeup.
I had just set my brush down as I had just completed my makeup when the door opened. I jumped and bit my lip to keep from screaming. I guess I had bit down too hard, because I tasted something salty in my mouth. I hurry and grab a towel to wipe it off as I turned to the door to see who had entered. Of course it was Ashley. Who else would it have been?
"Why are you in here? I could have been changing for all you know! You scared me half to death making me bite my lip! You're lucky the blood didn't get on my dress! Does it kill you to knock?" I yell at him as he looks at me amused.
"Hello to you too." He says chuckling. "Anyway I'm in here because I found the perfect mask for you, and I wouldn't have minded coming in here on you changing, actually I would prefer that. I'm sorry you scare easily and yes it does kill me to knock." He replies grinning as he answers al my questions.
I blush and throw the towel I had in my hands at him. "I bet you think you're hilarious." I mutter at him.
"I crack myself up all the time. You on the other hand could lighten up a bit." He says dropping the towel and walks over to me. "Need help with the dress?" He asks, but spins me around anyway.
I shiver as his hands touch my bare skin making my hear flutter too. His hands trail down to where the zipper laid and slowly zipped it the rest of the way up. His hands hesitated on my back for a second before he spun me around.
"Aren't you going to get changed?" I asked him looking at what he was wearing, his usual black skinnys, a black graphic tee and converse. His tattoos on his arms showing and his usual snake bites in. I wonder if it hurt when he got that pierced.
"I could go to a ball looking like this and still be the best looking guy out there, but I'll change just for you." He says winking.
"I'm flattered." I reply taking the mask that he held out for me.
He smirks and replies. "I'll be in the bedroom changing. You're welcomed to walk in at anytime."
"I think I'll pass."
"You're loss." He says shrugging and then turns to leave. "Oh and babe." He adds as he turns back towards me. "I forgot something."
Before I know it he put his arms around my waist and pulled me close as his lips pressed against mine. It was still a rough kiss, but more passionate then the one in my dream. I close my eyes instinctively, but don't move. The only thing not keeping me from pushing him back was the pleasant feeling in my heart. He breaks off the kiss and leans his forehead against mine. I open my eyes and stare into his.
"I know they're going to expect us to kiss tonight. I wanted to really kiss you before then, so I wouldn't kiss you too long or hungrily tonight and embarrass the both of us. I don't know if that helped though. It only makes me want to kiss you more." He says barely over a whisper.
I don't reply, but I back off away from him and turn around. Why was he acting so sweet now? Last night and now. It made me feel horrible when he did. I hated him, I know I did. But when he acted like this something inside me sparked. And I couldn't, just couldn't fall in love with him.
"Anyway I'll be in the bedroom changing. My offer still stands." He says as I turn back and see him winking.
He was back to his normal self.
"Keep dreaming." I reply without an expression on my face.
The sound of birds chirping woke me up. I opened my eyes and rolled unto my back. Someone had left the window open letting a light breeze inside the room which ruffled my hair as I sat up and stretched. The bed beside me was empty and no one else was in here. I couldn't remember how I had gotten inside the bed either. I remember the dream I had and Ashley waking me up asking me about it, but that was about it. He must have carried me into the bed.
As I looked outside I realized it was late. Almost midday. I wondered why they let me sleep so long, or why Ashley or Willow never woke me up.
I slide out of bed and quickly take a shower and get dressed. I quickly put on a dress, not worried about anyone seeing the mark since they all saw it already. At dinner last night I couldn't get Annastasia to stop gushing about it and when I did she only started going on about her own.
Slipping on a pair of heels I walk out of my bedroom and towards the dining hall. I should be there just in time for lunch. And I was right, though I was a tad late and many faces looked up when I entered, including Ashley. I ignore them all and walk over to my seat.
"Ashley told us that you had a rough night, but wouldn't say what happened. You know you can tell me." Willow whispers when I sit down. "He said that you needed the extra sleep."
"Meet me in the garden after lunch." I reply, smiling slightly at her.
So it was Ashley who had let me sleep late today. I look up at him, but he wasn't looking at me, but laughing with Titus.
"I'm afraid that'll have to wait. We have to go over the plans for the ball tonight." Annastasia says overhearing us.
"I'll tell you tonight then." I whisper to Willow who nods.
"Have you got a dress picked out yet?" Annastasia asks me.
"Not yet, but I ha-"." I reply not wanting to upset her.
"Well, I have the hardest time picking out dresses. They all look so good on me that it's hard to pick one, you know?" She says smiling after she interrupts. "One of the many struggles being a woman. A man can put on a suit, but there are so many options for a girl..." I tune her out as she continues to rattle on.
"Do you mind if I help you pick one out." Ashley asks apparently hearing our conversation.
"I don't need-" I start, but Annastasia interrupts again.
"That's a wonderful idea. That way you can color coordinate." She says excitedly.
"How wonderful." I mutter and as I look up I can see Ashley smirking.
I ignore him and eat the rest of my meal in silence. Instead I think about my dream last night. It had to be an Ungarian, only they could enter my dreams. It also had to be someone here in the palace. They had seen me before. It could possibly be one of the hundreds of guards they brought with them. It had to be one of them.
I glance over at Willow and see that her and Titus were casually flirting with each other. At least I could probably rule out him. Not that he was bad looking, because he wasn't. Not as cute as Ashley, but he was close. It was just his flirty and over energetic personality. It was just too much for me. He catches me looking at him and winks making me roll my eyes.
After lunch as we made our way to the ballroom, Ashley walks beside me and intertwines his hand with mine. I look up at him and see he was looking at our hands. I look down and see my small pale hand in his larger slender hand.
"I still want to know what happened last night in the dream. If you tell me, I could help you figure out who it was." He says softly.
"It doesn't concern you. Like I said, don't worry that pretty little head of yours." I reply looking up at him.
"If someone wants to kill me, I think it does concern me." He snaps back.
"Fine you want to know what happened?" I say raising my voice. "Some guy is obsessively in love with me and wants you dead so he can have me. Are you happy now?"
I stare at him for a moment with a hurt look in my eyes, when his expression changed to shock I left and hurried up to catch up with the others.
I stare at myself in the mirror in my bathroom. I stood in the dress that Ashley had just picked out. It hung loosely on the top as of now because I couldn't get it zipped all the way, but I did have to admit it was beautiful on me, hugging my curves in the right place. The light blue also brought out the blue in my eyes, making them see bluer than they actually were.
My hair was also pinned up at the top of my hair, which felt strange in a way. I almost always wore it down, except when I was sleeping. My nails were also just painted thanks to Willow. I stopped staring at myself and turned to my vanity to put on my makeup.
I had just set my brush down as I had just completed my makeup when the door opened. I jumped and bit my lip to keep from screaming. I guess I had bit down too hard, because I tasted something salty in my mouth. I hurry and grab a towel to wipe it off as I turned to the door to see who had entered. Of course it was Ashley. Who else would it have been?
"Why are you in here? I could have been changing for all you know! You scared me half to death making me bite my lip! You're lucky the blood didn't get on my dress! Does it kill you to knock?" I yell at him as he looks at me amused.
"Hello to you too." He says chuckling. "Anyway I'm in here because I found the perfect mask for you, and I wouldn't have minded coming in here on you changing, actually I would prefer that. I'm sorry you scare easily and yes it does kill me to knock." He replies grinning as he answers al my questions.
I blush and throw the towel I had in my hands at him. "I bet you think you're hilarious." I mutter at him.
"I crack myself up all the time. You on the other hand could lighten up a bit." He says dropping the towel and walks over to me. "Need help with the dress?" He asks, but spins me around anyway.
I shiver as his hands touch my bare skin making my hear flutter too. His hands trail down to where the zipper laid and slowly zipped it the rest of the way up. His hands hesitated on my back for a second before he spun me around.
"Aren't you going to get changed?" I asked him looking at what he was wearing, his usual black skinnys, a black graphic tee and converse. His tattoos on his arms showing and his usual snake bites in. I wonder if it hurt when he got that pierced.
"I could go to a ball looking like this and still be the best looking guy out there, but I'll change just for you." He says winking.
"I'm flattered." I reply taking the mask that he held out for me.
He smirks and replies. "I'll be in the bedroom changing. You're welcomed to walk in at anytime."
"I think I'll pass."
"You're loss." He says shrugging and then turns to leave. "Oh and babe." He adds as he turns back towards me. "I forgot something."
Before I know it he put his arms around my waist and pulled me close as his lips pressed against mine. It was still a rough kiss, but more passionate then the one in my dream. I close my eyes instinctively, but don't move. The only thing not keeping me from pushing him back was the pleasant feeling in my heart. He breaks off the kiss and leans his forehead against mine. I open my eyes and stare into his.
"I know they're going to expect us to kiss tonight. I wanted to really kiss you before then, so I wouldn't kiss you too long or hungrily tonight and embarrass the both of us. I don't know if that helped though. It only makes me want to kiss you more." He says barely over a whisper.
I don't reply, but I back off away from him and turn around. Why was he acting so sweet now? Last night and now. It made me feel horrible when he did. I hated him, I know I did. But when he acted like this something inside me sparked. And I couldn't, just couldn't fall in love with him.
"Anyway I'll be in the bedroom changing. My offer still stands." He says as I turn back and see him winking.
He was back to his normal self.
"Keep dreaming." I reply without an expression on my face.