3
An arrow to the heart
I didn’t know what kind of nonsense Dara must have muttered before walking out the door, but whatever it was made Diego’s cheeks began to turn red like an apple. And I was starting to get nervous—because I couldn't hear what he was muttering, or maybe because I didn’t know what I was feeling. Many things at the same time, that was for sure.
I was afraid, and I was lost, and I didn’t know what to do. And he was also a very handsome man. And tall. And I was about to kiss him in front of a lot of people, and I—
“Gods.” He let out a long breath, running his hands through his hair.
He looked every bit the prince, his armor gleaming, long hair tied back, and his brown eyes soft, yet watchful, as if always observing. And I really had to stop and think hard about why I didn't want to kiss him… and marry him… and tie myself to a name, a title, and the same four walls for the rest of my life …
Yes, I knew why.
He cleared his throat, and I looked up at his face. There they were again, those dark brown eyes, and his big nose that I had accidentally broken when we were sixteen. My heart suddenly started beating faster when I noticed the little scar from back then.
I unconsciously smiled.
“Donna, you look…” He shook his head.
“Captain Hart.” I nodded. “It's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”
He chuckled and took a step forward. “I wanted to give you something first.”
I looked at him with a surprised smile on my face. “Is it a book?” I said, hiding my arms behind my back.
Diego laughed, took my hand, and without warning, he led me out of the room. And suddenly we were running through the castle.
“Diego, where are we going?” I couldn't help but smile.
It had been a long time since we ran like this, without caring, without looking back. And now… now we were adults, and he was the Captain of the Guard. Loyal to The King; the man who murdered my father in front of thousands of people with a smile on his face.
“Come on, we have to make it to the stables,” he whispered, loud enough for me to hear.
We kept running, and when we finally made it to the stables, we were out of breath, and I was laughing thinking about the last time we did something like this. “Do you remember when— ”
“Donna,” he cut me off abruptly and nodded towards one of the doors. “Look inside.”
When I stepped inside and saw it, I tried to cover the loud gasp that left my mouth with my hand. “Diego,” I exhaled.
It was the most stunning bow with a set of arrows I had ever seen in my life.
The bow was a beautiful rose gold that weighed enough to make me think that maybe it was made of real gold, and the ends of it were pointed and curled in a way that made it look like a mermaid’s fin. The arrowheads were also a light pink color, so sparkly that was translucent. So translucent they looked like…
It couldn’t be.
I touched one and almost cried in amazement. “Are these—”
“Diamonds. The hardest stone in the world and the most beautiful.”
I turned around to face him. “These are… magnificent. I truly doubt that any words could do them justice. Thank you.” I laughed, or I cried, I really didn't know. I was so confused because this was the most thoughtful gift anyone had ever given me, and I didn't even think it could exist. Until seconds ago, it lived in my imagination, it was a project that I never thought I would see come true. And now, I had it in my hands. “How did you…”
“I had them made for you. You used to talk a lot about how one day you would hold something like this in your hands,” he said while I took the bow and secured one of the arrows.
“I always thought it was a good idea, although a bit expensive. ”
He laughed, and took a step forward when I drew the bow. “You are going to ruin your dress.” I heard him whisper behind me.
I placed my index finger under my chin, with the string touching my nose and lips. And then, I inhaled once and let go.
The arrow pierced through the door and fell to the ground on the other side of the stable.
It was intact. Unbelievable.
I let out an incredulous laugh and started jumping with excitement.
“This is incredible, Diego! Can you see? This could change archery forever! I can’t believe you did this.” I hugged him. And he was hugging me back, and for a moment I forgot about everything because suddenly, I was sixteen again, and nothing else mattered—only this bow and arrows, and him, who had always been my friend despite everything, and who I knew still had that big heart of his.
“For you,” he whispered in my ear.
I drew my head back a little embarrassed, to see if he noticed my red cheeks. We were facing each other, our faces very close, and when he leaned in, his mouth just an unthinkable distance from mine, I lost myself again. But this time, I wasn't sixteen anymore, I was eighteen, and we were on that winter night when he confessed he loved me and he kissed me. And I acted like a fool.
And now, we were twenty, and he was whispering against my mouth, “Donna, I need to warn you about today—”
Right. Today.
So I walked away. “We’re going to be late for our own wedding.”
And I acted like a fool again.