Dancing with Deception

Dancing with Deception (16 Part II)

My mother's continued presence at the castle had been a continuous reminder of how little I deserved the friendship of Prince Nicholas.

The prickly thorn of guilt that bled with every word my mother spoke in persuasion of using him to get the crown had made me avoid him so much so that I'd caught no more then a glimpse of his face before hiding in shame for the last two days. And even so, despite my cowardly behavior, he'd gone and picked out a stunning mare to accompany me on the tour.

I only hoped that removing myself from the castle and outside the reach of my mother's influence was a step towards being deserving of every kindly spoken word and thoughtful gesture I'd received from him since arriving here, with nothing but deceitful intentions.

My thoughts were abruptly cut off as someone let out a familiar squeal behind me, and I turned to see Clara, her hands clapped together in excitement, standing behind me.

"It's really happening!" She exclaimed gleefully, practically dancing where she stood.

I only let out a heavy sigh in response, a mixture of relief at what I was leaving behind, and trepidation for what was to come.

Clara punched me none too lightly in the arm. "Don't look so tortured Tally, we're going on an adventure, not to attend a funeral, how many times must I make the distinction?" She teased.

My lips pulled up into a reluctant smile at her exuberance. Adventure it might be, but my mind still whirled and spun in turmoil, and I longed for a taste of the mundane. Training in the mornings, laughing with Nicholas, the comforting headaches of dealing with the palace boy's animosity or even, dare I think it, arguing with Prince Alexander; all things that had become a normal part of my existence here.

"I am excited," I said finally, "I just..."

I was saved from explaining by the arrival of Ella, and silently thanked her for her impeccable timing.

Without a word, Ella threw her arms around the two of us, hugging us fiercely, and all at once the trip seemed real. She pulled back with her eyes wet with tears, and it occurred to me that this was the first time in my life someone would miss me.

And if the tight feeling in my chest was any indication, I reciprocated the sentiment, another first.

Never one for lingering on emotion, Clara broke the silence with a snort. "Look at us, standing around sniffling as if we'll never see each other again, before we know it a year will have passed and we'll be back together again," She said with forced cheer.

"With Alina and Prince Alexander flanking either side of you, I suspect I'll see you returned before the month is out," Ella teased, breaking the tension between us as Clara and I laughed in agreement.

"In all seriousness though, how long do you imagine it will take before Tally attempts to strangle the Prince?" Ella asked innocently.

I rolled my eyes as Clara hooted with laughter, but couldn't help a faint smile as they began wagering on what bodily harm I would inflict on the Prince and how soon it would occur.

My eyes drifted around the stable and my smile faltered as I saw Prince Alexander and Nicholas enter together. As if feeling my gaze, Prince Alexander looked up, and I felt my breath catch on a sharp inhale, waiting for his reaction.

It seemed a millennia passed before he arched an eyebrow, smirking slightly as I continued to stare, and the breath I'd been holding whooshed out of me in dizzying relief. 

I hadn't realized until this very moment how worried I'd been that he would suddenly begin to treat me differently, with pity, or worse, with kindness. I may have wanted to be respected, but if that time ever came I needed it to be because I earned it, not because of a weakness I'd never intended to share.