sorry people its extremely loveydovey and a confusing chapter.
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"Where are we going?" Selene laughed, slightly unnerved, as Corren skillfully guided her through the crowd without any mishaps.
He grinned, tugging on her hand, ignoring the flush that was growing over his cheeks. Pushing aside a curtain in a window far from the dizzying group of dancers, he led her onto a balcony set far above the castle grounds. "See?" he said triumphantly. "You can still hear the music, but no one can see you!"
A giggle ticked the back of her throat, his spontaneous charm making her smile. "Its amazing!" she exclaimed. Her delicate shoes tapped quietly on the polished floor, composed of beautiful lapis lazuli and pure white marble.
"Shall we?" he asked, extending his hand. Thanks to the deep blue of the sky, though starless that night, she could not see the slight tremble as he waited the tiny pause for her to accept or shy away.
Taking his hand, cheeks hot, she asked one simple question. "How?"
Stepping back, he spread his arms out in dismay. "I am not the most able teacher."
"Instead," she replied, "I suppose I shall sit, then." Selene, carefully so she would not crease her skirts, delicately sat on the polished blue bench. The prince sat next to her, and her shyness began to get the better of her.
Avoiding his gaze, she instead regarded their surroundings. Her green eyes took in the deep purple curtains, and the silver gilt lantern he had no doubt snatched from the crowded ballroom. "It's dark already?" she said.
He shrugged, staring at the moon. "It's quite late," he replied quietly. He patted the top of the lamp, placed next to them on the floor. "I brought this, because the hangings do block out much of the light and brightness of the party inside. I know because," he grinned, "this is where I hide during state occasions."
Her laughter filled the chilly air. "Truly? Will not your family miss your presence?"
"Of course not!" Corren said, indignant. "I've been doing this for years!"
She looked at him, dubious. "Are you sure?" Standing, she peered between the heavy velvet curtains. "Well...I do suppose you're right."
"Of course I am," he said smugly, looking up at her. With a exasperated sigh, she gently tapped the top of his head with her palm, her fingers tangling accidentally in his dark hair.
"Oh...sorry," she said, feeling horrible as one of her bracelets, emeralds set in gold, twisted in the silky locks. "Oh dear. This is terrible." She managed to dislodge it without much discomfort on Corren's part, as he tried to help even though he couldn't see.
"It's out," she told him. Smiling in relief, her palm still flat on his head, the prince took her hand and held it in both of his. Selene blushed as he drew her down next to him.
His eyes stared at her face, into her eyes, both worry and joy in their crystalline facets. She returned his gaze, tilting her head back slightly to accomodate the height difference. The flecks of gold in his kind, warm glance fell around her like stardust...and she knew. For sure. It was just as her father had said, a shower of love that surrounded her senses and warmed her heart.
Selene brought her other hand up to clasp his, wrapped around her chilled fingers. A breath of relief escaped his parted lips, a prayer of some kind, as she silently answered his unspoken question.
Dislodging one hand from their tangle, he stroked a wayward strand of gold hair away from her upturned face. Bowed over her, their eyes meeting, he swept her up in a tight hug, until she was lifted from the bench. Wrapping his arms around his neck, she sighed with happiness. "Mmm," he said, his forehead warm against the side of her face. Selene giggled as she was pulled upwards, joyfully swung and held tightly on his lap. "Selene!"
"What?" she laughed, as she placed her small hands on either side of his face and kissed him. Corren responded exactly as she hoped, both thoroughly enjoying each other's love.
When they parted, it was only to a hands width. "Corren," she whispered, "I love you."
He simply tightened his arms around her shoulders, bringing her as close as possible to him. "I love you back." His warm breath tickled the side of her face, heating the chilled pale cheek.
Tilting her head back, she watched his face solemnly. "Are you sure? A Crown Prince and a mere servant girl?" Her mind forced itself to forget her less-than-humble background. Just forget the past, she told herself, and only see the wonderous creature before you, whom you love.
He grasped her even tighter, refusing to let go. "I love you. Now and forever," he said firmly. "No matter what you are, what you do."
She snuggled closer with a small sigh. "I'm glad," Selene said, her eyes closed. "So glad." The girl, content, squeezed Corren's freezing hands. "Are you cold?"
He shuddered. "Positively chilled." Corren smiled, his bright grin lighting up her soul to its very center. "You?"
"Frozen." Undoing the button of his cloak, Corren wrapped both of them in the warm grey wool. "Now i'm warm," she told him.
She held out her hand, and he took it.
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