through my words. “Cole, please. We are friends.”
Friends? That sounded foreign to me. I didn’t think women were allowed to have male friends, unless they were old and
married. I smiled at the thought. Perhaps we would just have to stick to being friends. Unless my future husband forbade me,
which was usually how it went.
“People would call me strange for thinking such things. Odd even. I am not like most ladies of the court. All they do is sit
and drink tea all day. I want adventure and to explore,” I said honestly.
“I should hope you’re not like those boring ones.”
He brushed his shoulder up against mine, bumping me a little. I opened one eye to look at him. He had his head in the same
position as my own and we sat there unmoving, just looking up at the sky.
“You know, I quite like you Cole. You don’t seem to be afraid to speak your mind to me,” I admitted quietly.
He laughed softly, “I am glad, princess. I enjoy your company, too.”
“I hope we can continue building this friendship, even if my future husband tries to forbid me.”
He again laughed as he turned his head to look at me. Those grey specks sparkled in the moonlight. His eyes appeared a lot
darker today. He looked tired, and as our eyes met, I wanted to ask him what troubled him.
“There you two are. Ornella, will you take Talia to bed?”
Norok’s voice broke our peace and Cole quickly sat up, straightening himself.
“Get one of her ladies to do it,” I grumbled.
“Mother has ordered you to.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. I was finally starting to enjoy my evening. I stood up and looked at Cole. He gave me a sorrow
filled smile before taking my hand and kissing it gently.
“Until we meet again, princess.”
“Yes,” I agreed, brushing my hands down my dress. “Goodnight, brother,” I murmured, dipping my chin to Cole. “Until we
meet again, Cole.”
A small smile pressed against my lips as I curtsied. As I walked away, I could hear Norok asking why I was addressing
Cole informally. It caused a laugh to bubble up in my chest.
Heading back inside, I found Talia waiting patiently for me. I linked my arm through hers and the two of us headed upstairs
to bed. Cole’s words about being friends continued to run through my mind. I wondered if I could still persuade Father to let
me pick my future husband and not marry the one he’d selected.
Chapter 14
ORNELLA