He broke his hold on me and stood up suddenly, to my shock and displeasure. The cold air now separated us completely. I
turned away to leave, but he tugged on my wrist, turning me back to face him.
I watched as he turned it around and left a small kiss in the middle of my wrist before leaving me in an aura of wanting and
longing for his touch once more. I was losing my mind, that’s what this all was. I was locked in that memory with Dorian, and
this was my way of coping. I was still a child begging for help, that had to be it.
“Head home now, I will visit you soon. For now, enjoy the festival and your family's celebrations. We will see each other
shortly.”
As he went to walk away, I could feel my body ache with each step he took.
“Aren’t you going to walk me back?” I asked, hoping he would say yes.
“Not today, my sweet. I have some business that needs taking care of.”
By the time his words had registered, he was gone in a puff of black smoke. Leaving me with a flustered look and a body
that was desperate for him.
I stormed back towards the castle, hoping I wouldn’t bump into Lady Gelda, or Mother for that matter. I walked through the
side door and headed up the back staircase, aiming towards the small library that lived in one of the towers. I was still unsure
of my own thoughts and what was real and not.
Lord Cole was obviously real and perhaps there was something there, maybe sparks were flying, and damn my Mother if
they were. I was going to seek out his companionship and more. I no longer had a future husband, and I would be able to win
Father over and be allowed to pick my own. I was, after all, of age. Damn the responsibilities and requirements as a princess,
and if I were denied, I’d run away.
“Norok heard what you said to Gelda,”
Pushing open the library door and heading inside, I found Talia sitting at one of the oak tables with a book in her hand. She
lowered it down as she saw me enter, a teasing smirk dancing at the corners of her lips.
“He’s not upset, don't worry. I think he actually agrees with you. She did, however, tell Mother about your carriage ride
home.”
“No surprise there,” I replied dryly before heading towards the stacks.
I stopped at a spot in the back towards the more dustier books. I knew no one would choose to ever look here for their
preferred reading material. Reaching back, I pulled out a box and put Lord Cole's jacket inside. Inside the box was the same
book of fairy tales and romance I'd found a while ago, along with the ribbon I had worn in my hair the first time my shadow
man appeared in my room, and a dried wisteria flower.
I couldn't remember where it came from, I had it as long as I could remember, but it always made me happy when I saw it.