Hand in hand, they leave the gardens to head back inside the palace, and we follow silently to bear witness.
Chapter 14
Ella
The prince takes my hand and leads me to the two thrones at the top of the balcony, overlooking the ball. Everyone stops what they are doing and stares, watching us with curious eyes as we approach the king and queen.
The queen stares down at me imperiously, as her gaze moves up and down my form. Her golden hair is twisted up in a series of braids atop her head, and I note the several white strands threading through it. Her eyes are as blue as the ocean, the same as her son’s, but there is little warmth in their depths as they move over me.
The king has peppered gray hair and deep brown eyes that seem to look straight through my soul as I stand before them. His features hard and worn with age.
Alexander bows, and I do the same.
“Mother, Father,” he begins, “I have chosen Ella to be mine.”
The queen arches a condescending brow. “Are you certain you want her? You’ve not even given the other maidens here a chance.”
He squeezes my hand. “I am certain.”
I can hardly believe this is real. It’s all happening so fast. Did the dressmaker cast some kind of enchantment upon the material? Am I really about to become the princess of the kingdom?
Even as all these thoughts run through my mind, I find myself thinking of my guards.
Of Cash, Finn, Nyx, Kai, and Devon.
The prince is handsome, there’s no question about that. But I feel as if I’m betraying my heart by agreeing to be his.
“Very well,” the king answers. He stands then moves to the balcony to address the crowd below. “My subjects. I must inform you that my son has made his choice.”
His words are greeted with silence and not a few sounds of pitiful sniffling and tears from the many women who realize their chance to become queen someday is now gone.
He continues. “There is still much food and drink to be had. Let us celebrate my son’s choice of...” He looks back to us and whispers. “What is your name, my lady?”
“Ella,” I reply, deciding to give him my real name because my stepfamily will find out eventually anyway. Might as well let them get used to this now that the prince has chosen me.
“Ella,” the king proclaims to the crowd.
The scattered sound of applause rings out below, and the music begins again. I note several people make their way to the doors, realizing their goal for the evening is now unattainable.
The prince tugs on my hand to lead me out into a long hallway. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going to show you to your rooms.” He smiles.
“But what about—”
He cuts me off. “Do not worry about your things. We will send for them in the morning. This is your place now.”
I note the way he says “place” instead of “home.” That’s rather odd. I am, however, glad he’s taking me to separate rooms. I’m not sure I’m ready just yet to be completely his. I’ve never made love before, and I’ll admit the thought unnerves me. I have heard that the first time can be rather painful, and I... I’m just not sure that I want to rush into something that intimate so quickly. After all, I’ve only just met the prince—my future husband. Surely, he will understand that I want to know him better before we do something so intimate.
We reach a large door at the end of the hallway, and he pushes it open. I turn, meaning to ask him if he wishes to spend more time talking, but he steps inside with me, locking the door behind him. He moves his hand to my waist and presses me against the wall.
His gaze holds mine as he slides my dress farther down to expose my breasts.
“Alexander, wait, I—”
He cups my breast, running his thumb across the already stiff peak. A soft moan escapes me because it feels so good, igniting a burning deep in my core.
But it’s all happening so fast. I want to slow down a bit.
“So responsive,” he murmurs. “I like that.” He cocks his head to the side. “I assume you are untouched.”
Confused, I look down at his hand and he chuckles.
“No other man has ever touched you like this, have they?”
I shake my head, unable to voice my answer.
He grips the skirt of my dress and begins to lift it toward my waist. His fingers skate along my inner thigh and trace lightly over the small scrap of silken fabric between my legs.
I smooth my hands firmly over my skirt to push it and his hand back down.
He gives me a curious look as I smile nervously up at him. “I, uh... thought we might talk for a bit first. I mean... I’ve never done this before, and I’m a bit nervous and—”
He begins kissing my neck again as his hand snakes up my thigh. “We will talk later. Right now, I must have you.”
“Wait, I—”
He pulls back and gives me an angry look. “You would deny your husband?”
I’ve had enough of this. Prophecy or not, I won’t be pushed into something I’m not ready for. I meet his eyes evenly. “Yes. I’d prefer us to know one another before we go any further, Alexander. Is this acceptable to you, or not? Because if it isn’t, then I cannot be yours.”
He blinks down at me as if he cannot believe what I’ve just said. “You really would deny a prince?”
I tip my chin up. “Yes.”
He huffs and then levels a dark glare at me. “I had wanted to give you pleasure before I followed through with my plan, but now you’ve ruined it.”
“Your plan? What are you talking about?”
An evil grin curls his lips, and I watch as
