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

69. Memory

“You know, if you keep frowning like that, your face will stay that way.”

Nicholas scowled at me as I desperately tried to draw a portrait of him. It was terrible and he was going to hate it when he saw it—laugh at me most likely—and tell me how dreadful of an artist I was. He wouldn’t be wrong, of course, but then I wanted to at least try and make some attempt.

“This is just my face, Annwyl.”

“Well can you at least try to smile, the sun is out. It”s finally not raining! And we’ve got a few hours alone before my parents come home for the spring.”

“I can’t believe they allow you to stay in this castle by yourself.”

“I’m not by myself. I have you, Kathlyn, and of course Hector and Marcus are here to keep me company.”

He rolled his eyes at me and looked away as his eyes went back to reading the book in his hands. An adventurous tale of a knight who chased after princesses and slayed dragons.

“I won’t always be here, Annwyl. I could be called back home at any point.”

“Oh, hush. You are stuck with me for the rest of your life, whether you agree or not.”

Poking my tongue at him, the corner of his lips curved into a smile. I felt my heart skip a beat. As our friendship grew, so did my feelings for the sweet stableboy. The boy who was slowly growing into a man and would one day in fact leave me to go back home. To become the head of his household, marry a sweet farm girl, and have many beautiful babies with her.

I wanted that for him. I wanted happiness, a life filled with laughter and joy, the sound of baby feet and gentle kisses from a wife who loved him dearly.

He deserved it all, for he was my all.

“Are you finished yet?” he asked me, seeing I’d stopped.

“Eh…yes—no—almost.”

I quickly finished the sketch as best as I could and handed it over to him, waiting patiently for his inspection. As he stared at the piece of paper, he began to chuckle. His chuck grew into a laugh, and he laughed quite loudly.

“Is this meant to be me?” he asked between laughs.

“It’s not that bad! Don’t be so mean!” I shouted back, my cheeks clouding with red from embarrassment.

“My nose is not THAT big!”

“Right, that’s it, give it back!”

“No! It”s mine now! I am keeping this forever!”

As I held my hand out, he held the paper tightly against his chest. I leaned forward to try and snatch it, but he held on tightly as he quickly got to his feet to run away. I was on my feet just as fast though, and began to chase after him—through the flower field we’d come to know and love.

“Give it back, Nic!” I shouted.

“If you want it so badly, come and get it!” he teased me as he ran backwards, waving the paper in front of himself.

I didn’t even think about it as I leaped forward and tackled him to the ground. Laying on top of him then, our eyes met. Our noses brushed against each other and my heart thudded greatly in my chest. Neither of us dared to move first, our breath mixing with the other’s.

A strand of hair escaped and gently fell in front of my eyes. Without even flinching, he brushed it back behind my ear. As his fingertips lightly touched, shivers went down my spine.

This handsome stable boy, the Fae I’d given my heart to many summers ago was looking at me as if I were a precious jewel worth stealing.

I stayed still.

Unable to move.

Unable to breathe as his knuckles brushed against my cheek and down to my chin. It was only then did he begin to close the gap. His lips brushed softly against mine, beckoning me to allow him in.

And so, I did.

Kissing him back, lost in the very feeling of him.

I wished only for this feeling and to chase him in the fields of flowers.

I belonged only to him.

I was made for him.