A Dance Of Twilight: (A Fae Dark Fantasy Romance Stand-Alone )

Chapter 16

Dancing my fingers, across the ivory piano keys, I let whatever musical notes that would come flow through me with ease. My mind clouded with despair and loss. Loss at the life I had before Norok’s accident. Loss at the life I could have had with Lord Cole.

Mother arrived bright and early this morning to announce that my wedding to Uncle Dorion would be this week. In four days” time. Rather than shout or cry in front of her, I just nodded in agreement, blocking out everything else she said until she was pulled away to take care of something else.

I had spent most of the day out in the gardens, avoiding everyone until I came to the small library in the tower. I wanted to escape. That’s where I found the untuned piano laying in wait for me.

With our entire court still here, and the castle in the woods still set up for Norok’s wedding, we shouldn’t let it go to waste, and therefore taking full advantage.That was the only thing I could recall Mother saying this morning. Turning the unhappy occasion of his accident into a happy one, despite him still not being awake.

My entire body ached for respite. I needed to relax, and rest, yet my mind stayed wide awake. Thoughts of Dorian’s hands all over my body again made me sick to my stomach, keeping me up at all hours of the night. I tried to cover my tiredness with worry over Norok as best as I could, but Kathlyn knew the reason. This marriage was not what I wanted.

Hiding out in the library, I stayed put most of the day. Even Talia knew to avoid me. I knew she heard the news before I did, and it vexed me to no end that my very own sister didn’t contest the disgusting idea either.

I had no doubt the court seamstress had been called to measure me up and began making my wedding dress with there being only four days to prepare. I didn’t care to know anything about it, let alone wear it.

C, E to G and then to E, G, and B. My fingers tapped lightly creating a melody as I closed my eyes. I was enjoying my own space for the moment, even if it was to last only a few minutes. This little time was mine.

I felt pressure against my fingers as they moved to different notes—not the ones I wanted to play. An ominous tone filled the air. Opening my eyes, I saw not another person’s hands, but wisps of shadows. I felt a warmth behind me, resting its head against my shoulder.

“You’re here,” I mumbled.

“You called.”

The warmth left after he spoke. Turning a little on the piano stool, I searched the room for him. I found him pulling a book from the stacks and flicking through some of the pages.

He looked positively deadly in his attire. He wore leather trousers and a crisp white shirt. He had the sleeves pushed up to his elbows and daggers strapped to his thigh. His hair hung in a loose ponytail, just at the nape of his neck.

“Did I call you? I don’t recall doing that.”

“You didn’t need to, princess. I heard your thoughts. Are you ready to come with me, yet?”

He leaned against the corner of the stack, his shoulder pressed against it while he flicked the pages of the book he found. There was a powerful way about him that beckoned me to move from my seat, demanding I cross the space between us and press my body against his. It was a strange allure that would not leave my mind ever since that night he had appeared in my bed chamber.

“I don’t know why you are so desperate for me to leave with you. Surely there are other women who are more suited to your eh…needs.”

He coughed a laugh, slamming the book shut before he threw it over his shoulder. The bookworm in me wanted to get up and shout at him for treating a book so poorly. Instead, I stayed rooted to the spot, watching his every move.

Every flicker of candlelight that ran across his face made him more captivating. I could see the way the muscle in his neck twitched. I could see how his strong forearms looked as if he had been chopping down trees all day. When he turned, my eyes travelled to his behind and down his robust looking legs.

It was as if every romance novel hero was inspired by him.

“There is no other woman I want.”

His voice filled with desire and seduction. I was lost, memorised by his entire being. I’d never met or witnessed any Fae like him. I didn’t even know if he was truly a Fae. Someone who could wield magic like him had to be something more—something greater.

“I bet you say that to all the girls you try to seduce in the woods.”

He chuckled a small laugh before clearing the space between us in a flash. He leaned in closer to me, pushing my back against the piano. I swallowed my sudden nerves. His scent surrounded me. The smell of pine needles and fire filling my nose.

He was intoxicating.

“I only say these things to one girl and the sooner you realise that…” he trailed off, pulling a loose hair from behind my ear and twirling it.

It was the same way Dorian had done it. In an instant, the light behind my eyes turned on. I slapped my hand against his chest, and started pushing him away.

He looked at me lost, confused, and a little hurt. I didn’t intend to push him away. I enjoyed these flirtatious moments and the way we endured each other’s words. But my heart pounded in my chest, and the ringing in my ears returned.

I was back at the tree line, with Dorian’s hand running up my thigh. I could feel the panic rising in my chest like it had in that very same moment. I knew it was just in my head this time, but I couldn’t stop my body from reacting to the memory.

I felt lost and he could sense it.

My shadow man. My saviour. He knelt down in front of me, and placed both his hands on either side of my thighs. I could faintly hear him pleading with me to look at him, to breathe, to do something—anything.

“Ornella, what happened? Please tell me.”

I watched as his eyes disappeared behind shadows then quickly reappeared, his body doing the same. Anger flashed across his face as he searched mine.

“I will destroy every last one of them if I have to,” he declared.

I didn’t know what to say or how to say the words that were at the tip of my tongue. I knew if I asked him, he would take me away from this place. He would rescue me. But where would he take me? I knew nothing of him. I did not know his name or where he lived.

Could I really leave Norok when he needed me? Or Talia? They may turn her into Dorian’s wife if I flee. Maybe they’d come after me, seeing as I was now heir to the throne.

But if I stayed, I would become a shell of myself. A puppet for Dorian to use and abuse. And I would regret it every single day for the rest of my life.

“What is your name?” I asked, again, hoping he’d answer me.

He sighed, rolling his eyes, and leaned back on his ankles. He crossed his arms in front of me as his blue eyes returned to normal.

“If I tell you, you will not be pleased.”

“Please, I need to know before I allow you to take me with you.”

He stood up abruptly just as the library door swung over and Mother marched in, followed by many of her lady’s maids. They all had angered looks on their faces. When I looked in front of me again, I saw that my shadow man was no longer here with me. I questioned if he was truly a figment of my imagination. Someone I made up in my mind to cope with the loneliness I had grown up with.

“You cannot hide here forever Ornella. We have to get you fitted for your wedding gown!” Mother ordered.

I was pulled from the stool, escorted out of the library and down the tower stairs. My head lowered with each step, as the feeling of hopelessness was determined to sink in.

“Come to me tonight, I must know everything before I agree.”

I sent out the thought, hoping he would hear and wished deeply I would receive the answers I needed to escape.

As the seamstress pulled at the corset ribbons of my undergarment, her assistant accidentally poked a needle or two under my armpit as she leaned different shades of blush pink fabric, making me wince. The seamstress was quick to smack a hand on the back of her assistant”s head. I wanted to shout at her as I hated any violence. But Mother sat there, keeping a watchful eye on me as she flipped through a book lined with different fabrics.

“Maria, I think this one will be best for the skirt.”

She handed the book to her lady’s maid who quickly showed the seamstress, Maria. Maria nodded in agreement and continued her work, circling around me like a vulture awaiting its prey.

I felt exposed and hated every second I stood on the dress tool with all eyes on me. Talia at some point walked in and squealed with excitement as she saw them dress me up in different garments, trying to pick a base.

We were using the under sheet of Lady Gelda’s wedding dress for the base of mine. Well, what would have been her dress. Ridiculous. I couldn’t wait to escape, run up to my bedroom and demand answers from my saviour.

I wondered if I should just accept his offer and run away with him. I’d be like all those damsels in the stories. Shouldn’t I trust him? He hasn’t done anything to make me think otherwise.

“Ornella! Aren’t you listening?!” Mother shouted, snapping me out of my thoughts as she stood in front of me. She had her hands on both her hips as she tapped her foot heavily on the ground. “Did you even hear what I said?”

I shook my head, waiting for the repercussions for my ignorance. Mother didn’t show any ounce of love to my siblings or me when we had company. I was used to her cold shoulder most of the time.

“I said, once you’ve been fitted for your dress, you are to head downstairs to have dinner with Dorian. To discuss the arrangements of your marriage with your father and I.”

My stomach turned at the mention of his name and the idea of sitting there, pretending to be grateful or happy with their choices as well as eating. No, thank you.

“Mother, as much as I would love to, I am not feeling very well, and I don’t think it would be a good idea to push myself before the big day.”

She tutted at me and turned on her heel, heading back to her comfortable seat and crossed one leg over the other, before she said, “You do not think about these matters. You just do them.”

I felt myself grow angry at her reply. I wasn’t going to sit there, look pretty and be quiet. I wasn’t that person and as much as my father would allow Mother to step all over him and run wild, I wasn’t going to let her do the same to me.

“Well, as heir to the throne. I am going to rest and perhaps tomorrow, if I feel better, then I will meet with my father and Dorian to discuss everything.”

I stepped off the stool and Maria began to protest before I turned to look at her with a coldness deep within my eyes. I may have been my father’s daughter, but I was also my mother’s and I needed to bring some fire to get myself out of this room before I threw up.

“And until I am dead, you will only ever be the heir.”

“Correction, dear mother, until Father is dead. You will then become dowager queen and Dorian may think he will rule, but he will not. Now, hurry up and get this over with, I wish to bathe.”

Clicking my fingers, the assistant worked quickly at getting the rest of my measurements. Maria played with fabrics or whatever around me. After another ten minutes or so, they were done, and Kathlyn was throwing my navy-blue dress back over me.

Talia was silently watching with a rather playful look on her face while Mother stayed silent. I could see the red-hot rage as it covered her face and spread down her neck. She was clearly biding her time with her reaction. I was grateful when I left the room minutes later, ignoring Mother’s protests as I headed up to my chambers.

“Kathlyn, I do not need your assistance tonight. I wish to be alone.”

“But, your highness, don’t you require me?”

Kathlyn’s voice broke a little and although I didn’t want to push her away or upset her, it suddenly dawned on me. She had been my lady’s maid since I was three and never left my side. If what Dorian did was real, where was she those nights?

Heading up the staircase to my rooms, she followed and if it weren’t for the fact the rest of the staff would hear, I would have turned on her and demanded she tell me.

Once I stepped into my room, she again followed me in and tried to offer some help. Perhaps to get me undressed and into something more comfortable. I told her no and dismissed her services. Then, I sat on my balcony, waiting for nightfall with the hopes my saviour would come.

To which, he did not.