Chapter 3 – Instant Regret

1 year later:

Mare POV:

It had almost been one year since I left. Since I left my choice, Cal, and his proposal. Once I left the castle, I didn't know where to go. I had options, but in the end I chose Montfort. Davidson and Carmadon accepted me and gave me my own place to stay. It was a small but cozy cottage in the outskirts of the city where I still had plenty of room to train and practice using my ability.

Over the past 12 months I was starting to adapt and have my own routines as well. Every early morning, I would get up for a long jog. The cool Montfort air and crisp breeze made me more than content. Then I would train and spar with whoever was around. Usually Evangeline when she wasn't busy. People seemed to come and go nowadays. But, I was getting better about controlling my ability as the days went on. After training came breakfast. I typically chose something light and plain. Today, fruit and oatmeal. Then, came my free time to do whatever I wished, which usually meant more training, visiting Farley and Clara, or even hanging out with Evangeline and Elane talking about useless things. Finally, dinner with my family, and then sleep. Repeat. The same routine continuously.

I knew I was going to return to Norta one day, but I never thought it was going to be so soon and for this specific reason.

It was one of those days when Evangeline was arriving back from one of her "once every other week" trips from Norta as Cal had named her official ambassador to Montfort. I arrived at the base to greet her. When I arrived to Montfort, she slowly opened up to me. As ex-enemies you wouldn't expect us to get along with each other, but in her I had found a friend and companion.

"Hey Mare!" she yelled as she walked off the jet with open arms.

"Hey" I smirked receiving her embrace.

"So… missed me so much you just had to come back?"

"Haha Mare… You wish".

"I'm only here for a week so enjoy it while it lasts!" she smiled.

I shook my head and led the way. Together we walked side by side down the loose dirt pathway to my house. I unlocked the door to let her in and we both sat down on my small, yet comfortable couch.

"Drink?" I asked.

"Obviously!" she said, rolling her eyes as though she thought I was joking.

"What'll it be?" I teased, even though I knew exactly what she wanted. She always asked for the same drink.

"Come on Mare! You should know this by now! I'll have a tequila sunrise!" she said exasperated.

I laughed. These were moments where I appreciated Evangeline being a friend I could joke with and have fun with.

After I made her drink and got myself a glass of wine, I sat down next to her.

"So, why are you really here? Besides the fact that you obviously missed my company", I joked.

"First of all the second part is so not true and you know it. Second of all, I know you're not going to take this easy once I tell you why I'm actually here so just stay calm."

Now she had me worried. What was she going to tell me? Had someone died? My hands started shaking as I clutched my drink.

"Calm down Mare! No one died!"

"Ok then get to the point!" I said, relaxing a small bit.

She set both of our drinks down on the coffee table in front of us and grabbed both my hands.

"Cal-", She could see me flinch as she mentioned his name. Wounds still fresh from the last moment I had spent with him.

"Cal has asked me to travel here to Montfort and officially invite both you and your family to his wedding to Layla Skylar."

I almost barfed. Did she just say wedding? Amber? What the actual fuck was going on?!

I sat in silence trying to comprehend what I had just heard. Cal. Tiberias Calore was getting married. Getting married to someone who wasn't me. I scolded myself. You left him remember? If you had wanted to be with him, you would have stayed.

"Mare?" Evangeline asked tentatively. "Are you okay?"

"What? Oh yeah…"

"Did you even hear what I said?"

"Yea, Cal getting married, to Layla…"

"Oh, okay. Just don't yell at me when I tell you this but I kind of already said that you and I would go?"

"EVANGELINE!" I practically yelled. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Well I mean you've been stuck here for a while and you haven't been in Norta in a long time so I decided we could also have some fun together?" she explained nervously.

"Can I just make it clear that I have never liked you" I said half joking half serious.

"Note taken!" she chuckled.

Cal POV:

The warm air was a comfort as I approached the fourth mile of my jog. Easily passing the green trees and thick bushes, I lost myself in my thoughts. Tomorrow was the official mark of one year since Mare had left. That disastrous night when I attempted to propose to her and she left me instead. I still had the broken pieces of the ring that I was going to give her. It was still in its box tucked away in my night stand.

But, tomorrow was the celebratory night of Layla and I's engagement. I knew Mare was coming. Evangeline said that she would drag her here if that's what it would take. My head was telling her to not bring her, but my heart told me the opposite. So I listened to my heart.

I definitely loved Layla. After that night where I had yelled at her to get out of my room, she came back. She came back for me. Unlike Mare. She chose me even before I had chosen her. Slowly we got closer. I learned that she used to work in the factories until she got a job at the palace. She also had 3 sisters and 2 brothers to look after when her parents died from a mine explosion where they are working at. I loved her. But maybe not as much as I loved Mare. Loved… Why did it always come back to her? She was out of my life. I had to focus on Layla and tomorrow night.

"Fuck!" I cursed, as I tripped over a fallen tree branch.

Falling on the ground and scraping my knee, I slowly got myself up.

"Better turn around then" I said to no one.

When I arrived back at the palace I ran upstairs to my room. Layla wasn't there. She was probably getting things ready for tomorrow. Taking a deep breath, I took to my bathroom to take a quick shower.

The scalding hot water was enough to relax my tense shoulders. I could finally relax with the prospect that soon I would be marrying the woman I loved. At least I hoped. Before closing my eyes and losing myself in the warm steam, I saw a fleeting image of Mare Barrow.

(A/N)

Wow! So here's the next chapter! Tomorrow I'll hopefully update with the engagement party which also happens to be the anniversary of when Mare left Cal. I won't always update once a day but I'll do my best!

Don't forget to review with your opinions!

Love you all,

Katelyn