"Are you drunk," she asked, fighting a smile.
"Perhaps a little," he said, smiling.
"Well, you should drink more often. You're not nearly as scary," Aria said, teasing him.
"You think I'm scary," he asked, getting more serious.
"Sometimes. But you are the king, after all. Isn’t that what kings are supposed to be like? Don't you want people to be afraid of you?"
"People, yes. But not you," he said, looking at her in a way that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Oh," she said. It was the only thing she could think of.
Just then, Ben sauntered over. He was pretty drunk, too, if his stumbling was anything to go by. Aria felt uneasy. She wasn't sure what he might let slip.
"Aria! Dance with me," he said, putting his arm out.
To her surprise, Lex didn't say anything. He just looked at her.
"Um, maybe later. I don't really feel like dancing right now," she said.
"Oh, come on! Just one dance," he said. You're not married just yet."
That made her angry. Ben had basically made it seem like she wasn't allowed to or something.
"If I wanted to dance, Ben, I'd be dancing. But I'm not, and I don't want to. So I suggest you find someone else to annoy," she said.
He looked a little hurt. And part of her felt terrible. But she wasn't going to be talked to in that manner; she wasn't going to be put down.
"I really fucking hate that guy," Lex slurred once Ben had left. "Seriously...I can almost, almost deal with all of you. Except for him."
"And why's that?"
"He's a prick."
Aria laughed. It wasn't a perfect explanation, but it summed it up.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't dance with him later," he said.
"Excuse me," Aria said, a little offended.
"Relax, Aria. I only said I'd appreciate it if you didn't. Not that you couldn't. As I've said, you are free to do as you please. That was just a personal request," he said, smirking at her.
"That's funny, coming from you," she said before she could stop herself.
"What's that supposed to mean," he asked.
He was drunk. She was a little tipsy. She hoped that maybe he wouldn't remember this in the morning, and if he did, she hoped he'd decide it was because of the alcohol.
"You're telling me that you'd appreciate it if I didn't dance with him...and yet you're the one sleeping with other women?"
He looked taken aback. "Who told you that," he asked.
A part of her had hoped that he'd deny it.
"People talk. I hear things," she said.
"It's not true. Or, well. I mean, I have slept with other women. But not since you agreed to marry me. But would you really care if I did," he asked, sounding almost hopeful like he wanted her to care.
"Well, I guess I didn't think you'd care -or mind- if I danced with other people."
"And what makes you say that? I think I've done a pretty good job of letting you know that I would mind."
"And I haven't?"
"Not exactly. No."
"Hey, Aria! Want to dance," Martinez asked from across the table. Aria shook her head no, but she was silently grateful for the fact that he'd interrupted their conversation.
"Wow, you certainly are popular. Does everyone want to dance with you," Lex asked, a smile on his face.
She laughed. "Guess so. Why? Are you jealous," she asked.
"Yeah," he said, getting up to leave, "I am, actually."
He was jealous.
Aria didn't really know what was going on. She never expected to like him so much. And she never expected that he would come to care for her.
Eventually, she got up and danced with her friends. She drank some more, hoping that it'd help her fall asleep at the end of the night.
When it was time to go inside, she was stumbling a little. So was Mara.
Grace and Lex walked with them. They were both very, very drunk, but they weren't stumbling.
They kept poking and shoving at one another, picking fights. Teasing one another.
Aria and Mara enjoyed the show. And then all three girls ganged up on Lex. They teased him, poked and pinched him.
Mara went inside their room as soon as they'd reached it. Grace went right past it, heading to her own room. Aria lingered by the door; Lex leaned against the wall next to her.
"So...the next time I see you, we'll be getting married," he said.
Her heart rate sped up as she nodded.
"Calm down; I can't handle all your excitement," he said, rolling his eyes.
A smile played at Aria's lips. "Sorry."
"It's okay. I know it's not ideal, not what you pictured for yourself, but who knows? Maybe I'll surprise you."
"Well, you kind of already have, so..."
He smiled at her. "See you tomorrow night. Wear something pretty," he said, standing up straight.
"Goodnight, Lex," she said, and suddenly she had the urge to give him a kiss on the cheek. So she did, leaning forward slightly to plant her lips softly on his skin. It seemed as though he stopped breathing at that moment. She half-hoped that he wouldn't remember it in the morning.
"Goodnight, Aria," he said, smiling at her one last time before walking away.
Chapter 14
Aria woke to someone lightly, shaking her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but I'm afraid you have to get up now," an older woman said.
Aria looked around the room. She was the only person still in bed. The rest of the girls must have woken up earlier.
Aria glanced at the window and noticed that the sun was well into the sky. She'd slept late. Really late. Probably because of the alcohol. But luckily, she wasn't hungover.
She got out of bed and followed the older woman through the palace. They went into a room Aria was unfamiliar with.
There were a few other girls in there, she recognized them, but they were all Lex's people. A girl who looked a little older than Aria came forward.
"My lady, we've brought some food for you. Why don't you eat before we
