Chapter Four
R aven
Ten years ago...
“Raven, darling, you need to get ready for the ball.” Mother said.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Yeah, and? What if I don’t want to go? It’s just some stupid dance that I have to dress up for. You know I hate dressing up.”
She chuckled. The woman was so graceful it was ridiculous. Everything about her was grace. There was never a black hair out of place, and I admired her for it. Even when she had to deal with Father’s raging temper on occasion. “Well darling, you don’t have a choice in the matter. Your father needs this dance to go over smoothly.”
I huffed and collapsed on my bed while she continued to rummage through my closet. “I didn’t ask to be a princess. I just want to be normal! Why can’t I participate in sports like the other girls at my school? Why can’t I wear jeans instead of fancy dresses?“
“When you become Queen, you can wear all the jeans you want. But for now, you must put on a dress, and act civilized towards your father. Can you do that for me?”
I rolled my eyes. Father and I getting along and acting civil towards each other would never happen. He was a big, fat jerk. Sometimes, I wondered if he truly was my father. He never hid his disdain for me and the only time I remember him being the doting father was when I was five. As I grew older, he grew colder. Yet, he was still the loving, caring husband to Mother. I guess I should be happy that he hasn’t turned his back on her like he did with me.
“Slade is going to be there,” she whispered as she placed a dress on my bed.
I sat up straight. I thought he had other arrangements...at least, that’s what he told me earlier. I frowned. Was the prick lying to me?
“He said he had plans earlier. Why would he lie?”
“He’s your best friend, darling. He probably wanted to surprise you. Plus, he knows how much you hate these things.”
Damn straight I hated these things. I never understood the art of dressing up and standing around talking all night when there were plenty more interesting things to be doing.
Mother’s lips dipped into a frown. “No. That just won’t do. I know for a fact I bought you a dress for this occasion. Now, where is it?”
I turned my head in the opposite direction and forced myself to look occupied. Of course I wasn’t going to tell her that I buried that thing six-feet underground so I would never have to wear it. The thing was absolutely disgraceful! It had ruffles. Ruffles! What the bloody hell was she thinking. anyway?
I heard a distinct tapping of her foot and knew she was putting the pieces together. “Raven...” Her voice was stern and caused me to look her way.
I sheepishly smiled. “What?”
“Did you do what I think you did?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mother.”
She narrowed her eyes, and like always, I fucking caved. “Well, do you blame me? It had ruffles! Why would you make me wear something like that? I’d look like a damn marshmallow.”
The corners of her lips tilted up and she shook her head. “Always the dramatic one.”
I shrugged and removed myself from the bed. I stretched my arms over my head. “So, I guess that means I’m off the hook? I’ll see you later?”
I tried bolting from the room but she reached me before I could escape. “Not so fast...”
I groaned, if only I’d known then what she had planned the entire time.
I STOOD AT THE TOP of the stairs glaring at Mother who wore a cheeky grin on her face. “You look beautiful, darling.”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. If she thought I was going to be wearing this all evening, she had another thing coming. There were hundreds of eyes on me, but I didn’t give a fuck because I didn’t want to be here.
She came up beside me and untangled my arms so to position them at my side. “Act like a lady,” she whispered, and I groaned.
We came down the stairs together, and I avoided the heated gazes from every man in the room. The dress I wore was a crimson, low-cut dress that showed off my curves. So instead of making me wear something simple and subtle, Mother sought her revenge by making me wear something a little more grown-up.
I grimaced when my heel landed on the last step because soon, Father would take Mother on his arm, and I would be left to the masses to be harassed. This was one of those coming-of-age dances that every Duke and Duchess brought their striking young men to meet the King and Queen’s daughter. Because at the young age of sixteen, it was already time for them to essentially pair me off and prepare me for the next stage of my life.
The King stepped in front of us and gave a bow, and we curtsied in return. “You girls look beautiful,” Father said. Gag. He looped his arm with Mother’s and gave me a warning look that said “Don’t fuck this up for me Raven.”
I rolled my eyes. As if.
Standing at the bottom of the steps, I pondered what to do. I saw the dessert table and pursed my lips. I could easily make myself occupied for at least the next hour at that table, and I had a sweet tooth that would not be denied. I made my way over to the table, but stopped when someone stepped in front of me. My lips morphed down. It was my least favorite person. Logan Richardson. Asshole extraordinaire.
“Raven. You are looking rather delectable today.”
This guy had some nerve. Delectable? Who the fuck said shit like that? “Logan,” I replied through gritted teeth. “If you don’t mind. I have somewhere to be.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. The sweets were calling my name.
I walked around him, but he gripped my elbow and forced me back. “And where do you think you’re going?” He turned me to face him and his green eyes turned darker; they were almost a murky swamp color. Absolutely disgusting.
“Away from you.”
I tried to remove myself from his grasp, but he wouldn’t budge. I looked around the room, but no one, and I mean no one, was paying attention. His finger touched my cheek and trailed down my jaw and to my neck. I was rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do, when a large, masculine hand forced Logan’s hand away.
“What the hell was that for? We were just having a conversation, King.”
“I thought you knew not to touch what was mine, Richardson.” Ah, he was here. The man of the hour, or more like, liar of the hour.
“Well, while you two have your little pissing contest, I’m going to be over there...stuffing my face. Bye!” I hurried away from them and moved to the sweets table. There was a plate of chocolate brownies that were calling my name.
As soon as I reached the table, I was once again turned around. “I swear if people don’t stop touching me, I’m going to fight-” I trailed off when I saw who was in front of me.
A pair of steel eyes watched me with amusement. His full lips were spread into a wicked grin that made me want to punch his perfect face. I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes. “Funny running into you here. I could’ve sworn you told me earlier you had plans.”
He grimaced. That’s right fucker, caught you in the act. “Well...”
“Yeah, not interested in hearing your lame excuse.” I turned away from him and once again, tried to go for the brownies.
“C’mon Raven, don’t be mad at me. I wasn’t planning on coming to this stupid thing either, but your mom guilt-tripped me.”
I laughed. Of course she did. I faced him once more. “Well, don’t stay on my account. You obviously had better things to do, anyway.”
He sighed and shook his head. He took a step closer, invading my space. God, he was perfect in every aspect. His eyes were so beautiful and clear that it almost looked like I was gazing at myself through a thin sheet of ice. His brown hair was shorter on the sides and longer on top, making it look neat, yet messy at the same time. I loved his hair.
He was dressed in black slacks, and a white, button down shirt that had no tie or jacket to accessorize it. He was the epitome of a heartbreaker in a nutshell. All of the girls at school went crazy for him. Hell, even some of the old ladies did on occasion. While his looks made them all googly eyed, his attitude is what made them swoon. He was a carefree spirit who would do anything, and I mean anything, to protect those he loved. And thankfully, I was one of those people. Although, it did come at a cost.
“What’s wrong, Rav?” he asked with a pout.
“What’s wrong is that I specifically asked you to come with me to this thing so I wouldn’t have to be here alone, but you had plans with your ‘girlfriend’ which I eventually came to accept. Then I come to find out you’re here, looking like the knight and shining fucking armor I needed to rescue me from this social disaster. Why couldn’t you have just agreed in the first place?”
He ran a hand over his face like he didn’t know what to do with me. That’s what he signed up for when he decided to be my friend. So, he can’t blame me for being unorthodox.
“Why are you always so damn difficult?”
I shrugged. “Maybe you should go ask my father that question. It seems he never knows what to do with me either.”
I stalked away from him and went outside to the garden. That room was suffocating with everyone staring like they’d never seen someone dressed up before. I walked over to the fountain and took a seat on the bench in front of it. The moon was out, bringing a beautiful glow to the garden, accentuating each and every flower. It made it peaceful, which was a stark contrast to my lifestyle.
I couldn’t figure out why I was so angry with him. Maybe it was because he originally did have plans with his girlfriend and it made me jealous. Or maybe it was the fact that I was second place in his life and no longer first. I used to be his everything, and now...well now, I was just his friend.
I had to sit by and watch him fall in love with someone else, and it killed me. I was in love with him, and the thought of him being with her...well, it fucking sucked. My parents were ready to pair me off with someone so that we could finish school together and then take the throne when we were ready, but I couldn’t see myself reigning without Slade by my side.
Hell, I couldn’t see myself as Queen in general. I wasn’t fit to be one. I was a carefree badass who liked to wear jeans, play video games, and eat an endless amount of chocolate; but because Father was King, and I was his only heir, the weight of the kingdom would eventually rest on my shoulders. Technically, it already did.
I glanced down at the dress and frowned. Not even this stupid, sexy dress had his attention. It’s not that I was really trying either. Slade had a girlfriend, and I respected that. I wouldn’t degrade myself to being the other woman. That was too much drama that I had no time for.
I kicked off my heels and tossed them to the side. Being a princess fucking sucked. It was too bad I didn’t have alcohol here, or I’d be throwing myself a pity party.
“So this is where you ran off to...”
I didn’t respond. I was so angry with him I couldn’t even think straight.
He took a seat beside me and sighed. “Raven...”
“Don’t bother, Slade. It is what it is.”
“What am I missing? Why are you so pissed off?”
Angry tears threatened to fall. If he didn’t already know, he would never be able to figure it out.
What’s the point?
I stood from the bench and wiped my eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve learned that my happiness will always come last. I’m gonna go upstairs and change out of this dress. See you later.”
I went to pick up my shoes, but they were already gone and in his hands. “No, we are going to talk about whatever the hell is bothering you. I’m tired of you running away from me.”
That’s it. My barrier broke, and frustration flowed like a stream of water.
“God, Slade! What the hell do you want from me? Do you want me to tell you how much it hurts to see you with Kyra? Or the fact that you’ve put our friendship on the back burner so you can be with her?” I paused and ran a hand over my face.
I met his gaze and never wavered. “My whole life has been about making everyone else happy. Not once has anyone asked what I want. So when you decided to go and get yourself a girlfriend, I shouldn’t have been surprised when you didn’t ask me how I felt about it. I’m glad you’re happy Slade, I truly am. But for the love of God, don’t put me on the back burner again, or our friendship is over. I’m done being pushed around.”
I left him standing there, mouth wide open, as I went back into the estate and up to my room. I swung the door shut and locked it, hoping that everyone would take the hint and leave me alone. I crumpled to the floor and sobbed, wondering if I would ever be as important to Slade as he was to me.