Chapter 29 Amaryllis
AMARYLLIS
Kasimir leads me through a secluded grassy area hidden by blossoming trees and manicured shrubs.
We’re near the back of the palace, the golden walls of the empty ballroom stretching up high into the night sky behind us, while beneath our feet an apricot stone path glows under the light of the moon.
Each step we take, we stray further from my bedchamber, further from my dance circle, and of course, further from any guards.
I’d be afraid if I wasn’t so curious.
“Where are we going?” I ask for the fifth time.
Exactly like before, Kasimir shrugs and keeps his gaze fixed ahead of us. “You’ll find out when we get there,” he says, and then it’s back to silence. The only sounds I can hear are the faint buzz of crickets, our footsteps along the path, and then… music?
“Where is that coming from?” I start, but my voice trails off into a gasp as we step under a wisteria-covered archway.
Ahead of us, a white gazebo rises from the centre of a round grassy clearing, surrounded by tall shrubs. Candles light up the clearing, their warm glow touching each tuft of grass, each wildflower.
It’s a beautiful sight, but then again it always was.
I’ve been here before many times, in fact my sisters and I used to sneak out and dance here before Father had our dance circle made.
But tonight it’s different. Tonight, it’s more than beautiful because every inch of the gazebo, from its raised wooden base to the ornate top, is covered in spectacular purple flowers.
“Oh, Kasimir,” I sigh, stepping out of his hold. Wisteria hangs from the roof, while the sides have been wrapped in hyacinth, aster, foxgloves – more flowers than I could ever name and each one a different shade of violet. Tears well in my eyes. I can barely stand as I soak it all in.
“Do you like it?” Kaz asks.
“Like it?” I whirl around to face him. “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so wonderful, it’s…” My words fade away as soft music starts up again from nearby. “Is that the palace string quartet?”
Kaz shrugs. “I may have slipped them some gold to have them practise on the other side of the hedge.”
“Wait, you did all this?” My jaw hits the grass. “The music, and the flowers too?”
“And the candles. I had a busy afternoon.” He smirks, leaning against the archway with folded arms.
“But I don’t understand,” I say. “Why were you embarrassed to show me this?”
Wincing, he grips the back of his neck. “I had to pick a lot of flowers… And I spent a long time arranging them all.”
Our eyes meet, confusion swirling in mine.
“I’m just not used to all this courting shit,” he grunts, folding his arms again. “I used my daggers today to cut through more stems than they’ve ever cut through people. I’m new to romance. It doesn’t feel right for someone like me.”
“Romance,” I breathe. “Stars…” Laughing softly, I turn back to the gazebo only to have my breath abandon me once again.
It’s all so lovely, the winding flowers, the soft glow of the candles. Even the music makes my bones ache to dance, but instead I remain still, my knees trembling in awe.
No one has ever done anything as grand as this for me. I’m the eldest. I’m the one who plans the parties, chooses the gifts, makes those special moments for all my sisters. But now, here I am, standing in front of something more special than I could’ve ever possibly imagined.
“What are you waiting for?” Kaz’s voice slips through my thoughts. “You said you wanted to dance, didn’t you?”
With a teary smile, I turn back to him. “Thank you, Kasimir,” I say, unable to hide the butterflies swarming my insides. “This is the most enchanting gift anyone has ever given me. I’ll never forget this.”
Something flickers across his features. It’s a look that’s soft and unexpected on a face as chiselled as his. It makes me feel so warm inside.
“Your stage awaits you,” he says, gesturing with his eyes to the gazebo behind me.
I grin. Without needing to be told twice, I sprint along the petal-lined path just in time for a new song to begin.
Hours pass and I’m still dancing. The stars above watch like a twinkling audience while the moon slowly glides across the sky. Even as it dips below the hedgerow, I’m lifting my leg into another arabesque.
At first, Kasimir just watches me. As if I’m some goddess instead of just a girl in a sparkling gown. He keeps his gaze fixed to me the entire time, never daring to look away as I dance only for him.
At least until the quartet transitions to a more upbeat song, and he decides to march up the steps and join me. Then, it’s like we’re back in the ballroom, talking and laughing as he parades me in his arms. In between twirls, he lifts me by my waist, spinning us around in time to the music.
I can’t help but smile every time his hands touch my skin. With the wisteria curtains and the flickering candles, this all feels so magical, and I wish this night would never end. I wish I could stay like this forever, away from all my responsibilities, away from any other princes.
But the heavy ring on my finger is a constant reminder that Kasimir is not my prince charming.
And the moon rapidly sinking towards the horizon feels like any sort of happiness I could have is slipping away, disappearing beyond the trees just like Kasimir will have to when I’m forced to marry Orion.
As the music slows, I rest my head against his shoulder. Hot tears roll down my cheeks as I try my best to focus on my breathing.
“You know,” Kaz’s voice vibrates against my ear, loosening the tightness in my chest, “when I went to find you in your bedchamber, I was expecting you to be in bed.” His fingers draw small circles on my back.
“Thought I’d need to convince you to come with me,” he chuckles.
“But instead you were already in your dance gown, and you practically threw yourself at me. You’re insatiable, Ruby. ”
Swiping away the tears, I lift my head to glare at his grin.
“You’re very good at twisting the truth.” I scowl jokingly.
“I’ve never lied to you.” After spinning me around his tall frame, he draws me back to his chest. “And I never will. I can promise you that.”
My limbs melt like butter in his hold. Just for one night, I’ll give myself to him; every part of me before another man steals me away forever. With a soft smile, I bring my arms around his shoulders and lean into him.
“I want to know everything about you,” he murmurs.
My stomach dips. “I’m surprised you don’t already with how much you follow me around,” I tease.
Kaz snorts. “What’s your favourite food?”
“Really?” I laugh, raising an eyebrow. “That’s your question?”
Kaz just looks at me expectantly until I reply, “It’s strawberries. What about you?”
“Guess.” He smirks.
“I don’t know.” My fingers absentmindedly run through his hair while I think. “Probably blood or something equally as sinister.”
His lips press together. “I’m not a vampire.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” My head tips back as I laugh, too tired to maintain any sense of decorum. When I finally collect myself, I return my attention to Kaz only to find him staring at me with intense, hungry eyes.
“What?” My smile slips away.
“You’re beautiful,” he says without blinking.
“Thank you.” I blush, but the heat on my face drops to my core as his hands grip my waist possessively.
“Come home with me tonight,” he rasps into my ear, pulling me tightly against him.
“Come home with me tonight and I’ll give you everything you want.
I’ll turn the parlour into a dance studio.
I’ll have Bertie play the piano for you while I’m working.
I’ll fill the kitchen with strawberries and pay servants to bring them to you on silver platters.
Anything you’ll ever need, I’ll provide it for you.
I’ll be so good for you, Ruby. Please. Please, come home with me, and be mine, forever. ”
My lips part. Everything in me wishes I could say yes.
But…
“I can’t, Orion—”
“Fuck Orion,” Kaz seethes, stepping back to grip my arms. “Don’t you see?
Don’t you see what you’ve done to me, Ruby?
I can’t breathe without thinking of you.
Can’t sleep without seeing you dancing in my dreams. You’ve taken every part of me, but fuck, I want you to.
I want to be yours so fucking bad that I am willing to kill every damned prince that comes through those palace doors.
Because today…” He sucks in a breath, steadying his voice.
“Today when I saw you with Orion, it was like my world fucking shattered. I need you, Amaryllis. And I don’t care about what your father or anyone else has to say about it.
You were mine since the moment I first caught you in Night Alley, and I’ll be yours the second you tell me yes. ”
Everything stands still. The music is barely audible over the roaring of blood in my ears. I can’t breathe. Kasimir’s face is so severe in front of me, but somehow, at the same time so fragile.
Instinctively, I bring up a hand to cup his cheek. He shudders, closing his eyes.
“I hear you.” My voice sounds so far away. “But whatever there is between us, it cannot last beyond tonight. My life is here.” I bite my lip, holding back a sob. “And soon I’ll be leaving with Orion.”
His eyes snap open. “So you’re choosing him?”
“No!” I cry. “No, I would never willingly choose someone like that. But I can’t just run away, Kaz. My life is here. In the palace. With my sisters and with Father. I can’t just leave them.”
“But Orion will take you away from them soon.”
“Yes, but he told me that we’d visit often, and that I could write to my sisters everyday,” I say, as if saying it aloud will make me believe what Orion had told me in the garden earlier.
“Besides, I can’t exactly pop home to visit my sisters after running away with an assassin.
The guards would find me, then I’d be locked away in my bedchamber. ”
“I could sneak you in!”
“Like a criminal.” I scowl.
“It’s not a bad life,” he argues.
“Anyway, I’m sure there are much worse princes out there than Orion,” I say more to myself than Kaz. “And I’m sure he’ll tire of me quickly after I’ve given him a few heirs—”
“He’ll have to kill me before I ever let another man put a baby in you.” In one swift movement, Kasimir catches both my arms, spins us around and presses me against a flower-wrapped pillar.
I gasp as his full weight bears down on me. Heat floods to my core as the hanging wisteria tickles my reddening cheeks. I should not be enjoying this.
“You should go now.” I hold my breath, determined not to give my body the scent it’s so desperately craving. “It’s already so late, and anyone could see us out here.”
His grip on my arms loosens. “Do you want me to leave?”
Reluctantly, I nod.
“Fine, I’ll leave,” he says, scowling. “But—” The sharpness of the word makes me flinch. “I’m not going anywhere until you’ve earned it.”
My brow lowers. “What are you talking about?”
“Let’s play a game, Ruby,” he says, a wicked grin spreading across his jaw. “If you win, I’ll let you leave with Orion, but if I win…” His eyes darken. “You give yourself to me.”
My breath catches. I should say no. I should spin on my heels and return to my bedchamber. But curiosity is dancing with all the nervous flutters in my stomach, so instead I ask, “What kind of game?”
Hunger flashes in his eyes. “Hide and seek. I’ll find you.”
I almost laugh. “This palace is huge. You might never catch me.”
“Makes it all the more of a tempting offer for you, then,” he replies with a shrug. “And I’ll make it even more tempting. Once you find a good spot, count to a hundred, and if by then I still haven’t found you, you win.”
Narrowing my eyes, I cross my arms. “This game seems highly rigged in my favour.”
Kaz tosses me a grin. “At least you can’t say I cheated when I claim my prize.”
“You’re awfully confident for someone who’s going to lose.” I match his tone.
“Am I?”
We both chuckle as my heart stutters. I know what he’s doing. This is goodbye. Even if the desire burning in his eyes feels like the start of something wonderful.
“Fine. I’ll play your game,” I sigh. “But when you inevitably never find me, let this be our goodbye.” With an aching heart, I step forward and roll onto my tiptoes. Throwing my arms around his shoulders, our lips collide just as his arms curl around my waist.
Stars, will I miss this… We fit so perfectly together. His dark to my light. Like flowers blooming at midnight, or a rose painted black.
As our tongues clash together, I melt into him, never wanting this to end. But oddly enough it’s Kaz who pulls away first.
With hunger in his eyes, he murmurs against my lips, “You better leave now, Ruby, because you’ve got about two minutes before I hunt you down.”
My thighs clench.
“Run.”