CH 28
Without further adieu… Comments and A/N at the end of the chapter. – SJ :)
"Hey, Brie, ready to have your butt kicked by your big brother?" I walk into her room, stopping short as I realize she has company. Fae sits on the divan next to my sister, an art portfolio between them. Her eyes are wide and mine must be, too. I ignore her.
"Cal," Brie trills, "I'm a little busy."
I back up, using the door for support. "Sorry to interrupt. I'll see you for tea, Brie."
"Um, brother mine? Aren't you going to greet my guest?" Brie smiles, and bats her lashes at me a bit. "Do I need to introduce her again?"
"Of course not. Miss Baron, nice to see you again."
She avoids my eyes, which is a relief. "Likewise, Prince Calix."
"Now you may leave, Cal," Brie stands to wave me out. As she pushes me into the hall, she says quietly, "You can tell me why you're being so cold later."
"What do you mean?" I protest, wondering how much she knows.
"Come on," she hisses. "You're not as sly as you think. I know you dated her and I think you owe her some kindness. Being here isn't easy for her, you know."
I match her scowl, "I'm not exactly excited to see her, either. It didn't end well, Brie. And I don't like her being on the family floor."
"You don't have to like it. She's my friend and my guest, and you will be nice to her when you run into her this week."
"I am being kind, Brie. I'm giving her the space she requested."
She takes a step back from me, appraising my face. I don't know what she saw, but her voice softens. "Okay, Cal. I'll try to make sure you don't cross paths."
Brie usually does not back down so quickly. It takes me off-guard. "Thanks," I manage a half-smile. "And you'll be at tea to meet Viviana? It will mean a lot to me."
"Of course," she chuckles. "Wouldn't miss it." She ducks back into the room, winks at me, and closes the door. I lean against the wall a minute, and decide I'm not in the mood for basketball anymore.
….X.X.X.X….
I sit straight up in bed, willing my breathing to even out as I become aware. My eyes begin to adjust to the darkness, and I feel a small hand on my bare back. Fae? No, I remind myself. The dream may have been about her. But that's not who is beside me. I focus as I exhale through my nose, and wipe a hand across my face.
"Mi querido, are you okay?" her voice is quiet. "Your pulse is racing." She balances on an elbow.
"Bad dream," I whisper back, reclining again and gathering her into my arms. "Nothing to worry about." She settles into my shoulder, and I press a kiss into her hair. "I'm sorry I woke you."
She sighs a bit, "Don't worry. I wasn't really asleep. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No, I really don't," I respond definitively. Viv might know I've been with other women, but she doesn't need to know about Fae right now when the wound is still so fresh. The amazing feeling of loss washing over me would be hard to explain. It suddenly feels like just a few minutes ago that Fae threw me out of her room, declaring she didn't love me anymore. "Why were you still awake, Viv?"
"How could I sleep?" she jokes. "After the tea and the opening reception, my adrenaline won't let me sleep. I keep worrying that Auntie Nic doesn't like me or that Sutton saw me stumble on the way out of the reception."
I can't help but chuckle, "The one thing about Auntie Nic is that she is brutally honest. If she didn't like you, she would have said so in no uncertain terms. As for Sutton, he didn't matter much tonight, did he? He seemed to stay in his corner with his little contingent of yes men."
"You were the belle of the ball tonight, Calix," her voice teases. "Everyone wanted to have a word or shake your hand."
"What can I say, suddenly I'm a popular guy," I squeeze her side so I can hear her laugh. "Did you feel neglected?" She swats at my hand, and I bury my face in her neck, hearing her swallow a squeal.
"You don't fight fair," she gasps, getting her hands free and mounting a counterattack. "I finally got a break from you and spent time with your sister and her friend, Fae."
I stop, letting her catch her breath, and pulling her beside me again. I had noticed she spent quite a bit of time with Brie and Fae this evening, as did Charlie. "And what do you think of my sister?" I let my eyes close for a little bit more. The clock says it is a quarter after four in the morning, and I will need to leave soon.
"She's clever and kind, and is not sure I'm the best choice for you, I think," she answers quietly, placing a hand on top of the one around her waist.
That surprises me, "What did she say to you?" I restrain myself from hopping out of the bed, and going to wake up Brie. But I will get to her this morning. Before everyone else is up and around.
"She didn't have to say anything. She was perfectly sweet and gracious." Viv goes completely silent for a second. "Calix, who's Fae?"
Oh, not now, I silently beg into the dimness. I keep my voice neutral. "She's Brie's friend and Auntie Nic's researcher and personal assistant. She's filling in as translator on this trip." I hope she doesn't press further, because I really don't want to talk about this in the warm cocoon of her bed. There are so many other things we could be doing.
"I know that. But, who is she to you?"
I don't want to answer, but I hear myself saying, "Fae and I dated. And then we broke up. There's not much to tell, Viv." I brush my lips across her neck again. "And then I had the Selection and met you. And the end."
"Did you love her, Calix?" her voice sounds far away. She draws in a breath as she waits for my answer.
I sigh, "Viv, do you really want to talk about this right now? I can't think of anything worse than hearing about your last boyfriend while we're wrapped up in bed together."
"I need to know."
Honest. Simple. "Yes, but it didn't work out, obviously."
"She loves you. She can tell when you enter a room, Calix. And, she can't help but watch you when she thinks no one is looking."
My stomach does an odd flip, and I answer softly, "I'm with you, Viviana. And I only want to be with you." She tries to protest again, and I cover her lips with mine. She turns and relaxes into my chest, letting me pull her closer and responding eagerly. When we finally part, I ask, "Better?"
A grin slowly takes over her face as she nods, "Better."
I brush a hair from her forehead, and return her smile, "Still want to marry me?"
Her dark eyes glitter, as she pretends to sniff, "Is that a proposal?"
"I'm taking that as a 'yes,'" I answer, finding her mouth again. It takes more will power to stop this time, and reluctantly, I sit up to grab my t-shirt off the floor. "I have to go."
Viv groans, "Since when did you become a good boy? You know I got into this because of your reputation. The newspapers let me down."
"No, you were dared into this. And, I'm being good because of you, mi querida. I want to deserve you. At least, I want my ring here," I grab her left hand, "Before we—" I trail off, letting her fill in the blanks.
She squeezes my hand back, "Fine, fine. I'll see you at breakfast, even though I'm completely awake with nothing to do." She's smiling as she plants another kiss on my hand, and watches me don my t-shirt and trainers to go with my workout shorts.
I pull open the door, and waggle my eyebrows at her suggestively. "You could take a cold shower." I swallow my laughter as I dodge the pillow she launches from the bed and shut the door. The guard stationed at the door says nothing as I emerge, but a smile ghosts his lips. I nod slightly at him, grinning to myself as I head to the stairs.
In the half-light of almost dawn, a familiar silhouette stands silently by the window in an alcove next to the door. She startles and meets my eyes briefly, almost smiling. Then the realization of where I am coming from crosses her face. She covers her mouth and hurries away from the stairwell. My stomach drops as I realize tears are pooling in Fae's eyes. I pause, resisting the compulsion to follow her as she disappears into a nearby room. Nothing but sheer resolve wills me to open the door. Instead of heading upstairs to bed, I head down to the training room. A run will help clear my head.
….X.X.X.X….
"Calix, it seems to me that the two of you have unfinished business that you need to take care of, for closure."
I look at Viviana's face, soft and without a trace of jealousy. I just explained the awkward encounter from last night and how diligently I avoided speaking with Fae today except when absolutely necessary and required for decorum's sake. Even in spite of all the joint meetings and Auntie Nic's almost constant look of consternation. My throat tightens as I survey the ballroom. I mumble, "I think we're going to have some company."
Viviana's peacock blue dress shimmers in the dim light, and she nods at me, as we both watch Fae and Brie approach, walking around the perimeter of the dance floor. "It's okay," she whispers, and smiles brightly at both women before they can reach us. "Come find me when you're done." She turns her attention to my sister, "Brie, we really must go find Auntie Nic. I have a question for both of you!" I watch her moving away from me, and my sister and she locking elbows like long-lost friends, torn.
"I think we should talk," Fae's voice is quiet, but steady. "Maybe in the garden?" She motions toward the door, just a few feet away. I follow her out onto the path.
I blink to allow my eyes to adjust to the light, as I turn I try not to take in how her dark purple dress accentuates every inch of her and how the soft, understated details suggesting butterfly wings magnify her overall elegance. Her hair is pulled away from her face, and away from the delicate gold mask that covers her forehead and accents her eyes. Her eyes are impossibly dark, looking almost black in the dim light. The earrings in her ears are a pair I gave her that match the bracelet around her wrist. The emerald stones catch the light that filters through the ballroom doors. I swallow hard, and look past a point just behind her ear, hoping she will think I am looking in her eyes. "If you'd like," I stiffly offer her my elbow. Six months ago I would have pulled her into a dark corner of the garden and pressed her to me. I swallow again, pushing those thoughts from my mind. She's not mine to have. She's not even mine to think about. I can feel every finger as she lightly palms the inside of my arm. How is she staying so composed? Even the soles of my feet are aware of her. And she is behaving beyond reproach. Anyone watching us would think we were having a polite discussion. Just more small talk at the party.
"I believe I owe you an explanation."
As we walk, I respond, "You don't think it's a little late for that, Fae?" Our silence is uneasy, and I ask a question that has been bothering me. "Is that even your name? I don't know what to call you." My voice is tighter than I intend.
"My father called me Fae when I was little. It means fairy, and I am fond of it. It reminds me of when I could stand to look at him." She continues matter-of-factly, even as I cringe for her. I sneak a glance, and she is staring straight ahead. "Eveline is a variation of one of my given names. Baron is an ancient surname from France that has become commonplace. I never plan to go by any other name."
Putting a hand in the small of her back, I guide her to a bench. The fairy lights in the trees and along the path give enough of a glow that I can see her expression. It is strangely nostalgic and sad, but I press on anyway. "And, besides details about your parents, everything else you told me were stories of you?"
She allows herself to smile and removes the mask, wiping a bit of perspiration from her face. "All the times with Nicoletta, Swendway boarding school, my mother being too sick for my father to leave her side, my latent inability to kick a football…all were my stories to tell." She turns to look me in the eyes, and grabs my hands to emphasize her point. "Nicoletta saved me, Cal. There were threats of attacks on the island, and it was important that no one knew who I was. I wasn't even safe with my own mother. That's why I didn't simply move in with Nicoletta, and frankly why I never visit my father. I work as Nicoletta's personal translator and researcher, now, and no one knows that I am the long-lost French princess. Please don't be angry with her. She loves you like a son."
I look into her indigo eyes, and feel myself slipping away. My voice is husky when I say, "I would've given up everything for you that morning. Why couldn't you just tell me the truth? Why did you tell me you didn't love me?"
She squeezes my fingers a bit tighter, "Calix. I couldn't let you abandon everything you are for me. It's the only thing I've learned from my parents, besides devotion. How could I expect you to leave your family and your birthright? Being so near you and forcing you to go was the hardest thing I had to do. But, it was better this way, wasn't it?" I reach out a thumb, and wipe away an errant tear. "This way, we had time to get over each other." She takes a deep breath, forces a smile and looks at me expectantly, dropping my hands. "So tell me about her, Cal. I want to know everything."
"First, tell me about him," I touch the emerald on her left hand.
She looks down at her hand and then back at me, and raises an eyebrow. "Calix, I haven't had time to meet anyone else. This ring once belonged to my grandmother." She sounds like the old Fae I remember, not the overly polite woman I keep running into. She's holding back laughter, once again about my expense. "Now, about the girl you're going to marry."
I feel the flush across the back of my neck. "Well, I haven't asked her formally yet. That will happen later," I confess. But then I share about Viviana readily. About how her father was in the Northern Alliance, and was caught in the crossfire during the unrest when we were children. About her challenge to me on the very first day. About the morning I thought she would leave. Even her reaction to my maps and the princess suite.
"She's vivacious and charming, too, Calix. And she loves you. I can tell by the way she looks at you," Fae adds. I think there is some wistfulness in her voice. "She will make a wonderful queen."
I agree, and add, "And I want to make her happy. It is better that we split when we did, Fae. Could you imagine our story? Your father and mother trying to take over Illea? My uncle having an affair with your mother? It's ridiculous. It's a really bad play. A novel even Baer wouldn't finish. I could see the news taglines now." We start giggling then, each suggesting newspaper headlines if people found out two such unlikely people had paired off. Soon we are both laughing so hard tears are leaking down the sides of our faces.
The wind shifts then, turning the garden chillier, and I stand and extend my hand. "We'd better return to the party, Miss Baron."
"Yes, Prince Calix, I suppose we should." She lets me help her up, and she dabs at her eyes to make sure her make up is presentable and dons the mask again. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful, as always," I say earnestly, and mean it. We are still smiling, and I offer her my arm again as we approach the ballroom doors.
A small figure joins us; her red hair is braided down her back and rests between delicate angel wings and flowing white fabric. The costume seems ironic to me. "Ana," I say, and nod. "You remember Miss Baron?" It will be a relief to be rid of Ana. A part of me wishes I would have listened to Claire and eliminated her sooner.
"Of course," Ana simpers, and nods to Fae. "I didn't realize you knew our Prince."
Fae returns her smile. "Yes. We are old friends," she lies easily. "I just had to get some air, and Prince Calix was kind enough to escort me so I wouldn't have to be alone." A mischievous glint crosses Fae's eyes. "But I see you have been looking for him, so I will leave him to you." Fae smiles again and nods as she excuses herself and Ana clings to my arm. Fae smirks at me over her shoulder, as she joins Auntie Nic, Viviana, and Brie farther into the room.
...X.X.X.X...
Well, my fine readers, thank you for being patient for this update. I haven't been this sick on-and-off since I don't remember when. I am trying to stick to once-weekly updates. That said, at the most, the next update may take two weeks. Something major in my project changed, so I have to go through all the approvals, paperwork, etc. again within the next week. I really appreciate your thoughts and opinions. And, hope you liked this installment. Cross your fingers for me that everything works out for my project! XOXO, SJ
dolly123: I'm glad you liked the last chapter. Hopefully this one, too? I love writing Brie. :)
lilythemermaid: Such a sweet review. I'm sorry I make it hard to ship... but, not really... Fae's such an awesome character, but then again, so is Viviana. And really, Calix and Brie have such a fun big bro/little sis relationship. I love writing them together. Thanks for reading and leaving your thoughts, because the feedback means a lot. Any writer points for chapter 28? :)
prnamber3909: Hmmm, interesting theory. What did you think?
The Devil Wears Westwood: Hopefully, this chapter cleared up your question about who Fae is engaged to... :) I'm not sure I helped with the ship, either, this chapter. Also, sorry for the late update. Seriously, repeated but slightly different viruses. Craziness... Let me know what you think of this chapter! :)
MarMuffin: You made me laugh so hard. Your reviews came in one after another in my e-mail. I got weird looks. Seriously. Because I was in public. People were a little concerned about my sanity, I think. But I just snickered into my coffee and enjoyed the extra space. :) Brie is so fun to write, and while phone calls are great, she really is awesome in person. She's learned to polish herself up a bit, but like every girl with a bunch of brothers, she's pretty sure that she is always right. Because brothers are goofy. Hopefully, you haven't been rocking back and forth too long in your corner-though your calves would be awesome!-and I'm sorry for making you wait for a chapter. I hate being sick. And having projects implode. What do you think of this chapter? :)
username1096: Such a sweet review... Thanks for going back and re-reading. I'm honored someone would re-read! I'm glad it holds together as a complete piece. That's always my goal, and sometimes I don't know if I am hitting it! One thing I am thinking of doing is writing a short piece (maybe 9 chappies) of America's reactions to Calix's Selection. (Once it is all finished, of course.) Because, could you imagine America's realization of WHO Calix is spending his senior year with?! (That was the awesome suggestion of hushedhands, btw, because first person is so limiting...:) And, I have some ideas for third story that centers on Calix, but I haven't decided yet if I should write it. We will see! Hopefully, you enjoyed this chapter, too. Thanks for reading! :)
