Chapter 11

Char was supposed to leave the day after but instead he stayed. He told Derek he wanted to spend more time with him. For you, he told me shortly after that. The week he stayed I only saw him once every day. Derek and I still continued our walks as usual. I could put my whole heart and soul into it as I once did however.

Before I knew it, my wedding day had come and Char was still there. He had not left yet. I knew he was waiting for me to give him my answer. He would not stay for the wedding though. What he had said earlier was true. He could not bear it.

It was then as I got ready in my wedding dress, that I finally realized what was about to happen. I was getting married. And not to Char.

Am I ready for this? I asked myself.

Every time I asked that question before, I got the same reply.

Yes.

Why was it that this one day that the true answer finally came out?

No.

Everything was set. I was ready to walk down the aisle. Ladies-in-waiting came to fetch me, all dressed in a light green gown, their hair elaborately done. I clutched my bouquet of white roses tightly as they led the way to the Great Hall which had been decorated beautifully for my wedding.

The organ began playing the wedding march and it was my cue to start walking. I walked automatically, smiling as if on auto-pilot. I didn't know what I was doing. I knew this was wrong that I should stop. And yet I kept on going.

I reached Derek who was smiling widely at me but once his gaze reached my eyes he stopped. He took my hand and looked into my eyes. It was then I broke away from his gaze and instead looked to the audience. The one face I wanted to see though was not there. I gazed to the door way in through I had just come and saw him then. He smiled at me sadly and then turned away, walking quickly.

I looked back to Derek and squeezed his hand. "Can we talk?" I whispered to him my eyes filling up. He nodded and without another word, we walked to one of the side rooms which was a small library. Noises of confusion were sounded but still Derek paid no attention to them.

It was when the door was closed in the small room that I finally broke down. Derek held me as I sobbed out the truth to him. He was silent all the while letting me get everything out.

Finally my tears subsided. "Do you hate me?" I asked softly, in tiny hiccups.

He laughed a little grimly. "I never could. I knew you loved me once." His eyes were matured and wise. "But you always loved Char. Even now you do. I can't blame you for that. You were each others first." He smiled a tiny smile at me. His eyes were masked with pain. He tried not to show it but I knew him too well.

I stroked his face. "I'm sorry." I chuckled bitterly. "I sure do know how to make a mess of things." He cupped my face with his big hand and I kissed his cheek.

He pulled back. "Go on. Find him before it's too late. I'll explain." I kissed him again and nodded. I ran out of the room as quickly as my dress would permit. I flew past everyone in the Great Hall but I paid no heed to them with their noises of shock and indignation.

I ran to the palace stables as quickly as I could. With any luck I could catch Char before he was on his way to Kyrria.

But luck was not on my side. I looked in the stables but he was not there. "No," I whispered brokenly. I plotted down on a bale of hay and held my face in my hands. "No," I sobbed, "Char."

"Ella?" I heard someone ask softly. I hiccupped as I looked up. Char was standing there, his horse next to him.

I got up from the hay and wiped away my tears. I ran to him and he engulfed me in his arms. My tears were mixed with his as he held me close and kissed me over and over again.

"You," I whispered breathlessly, "I choose you."

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