A/N: Aw thanks everyone! You're all awesome! And without further ado, here goes...
15. Unexpected
Emily and I made our way toward the large double doors that stood open before us. I watched as some people entered up ahead; they all looked so refined. Emily had said everyone was welcome to attend the ball, but I still felt out of place.
We reached a wide marble staircase and walked up the steps. I took a deep breath as I stepped through the doorway and into the Grand Hall.
The first thing I noticed was the crowd of people moving throughout the room. I felt several eyes on me. I avoided their curious glances and looked instead at the marble pillars and the woven tapestries hanging from the high ceiling. Then I saw the golden thrones at the far end of the hall, next to which an orchestra was playing romantic music. It wafted across the gleaming dance floor.
"Wow," I breathed.
Then I remembered that Aaron had said he would be waiting for me inside the doors. I looked around but didn't see him. My gaze landed to my left where I saw a regally dressed man welcoming a flock of young women. They greeted him lavishly, dipping into low curtsies. Once they had moved away from the man, I began to approach him. He had familiar brown hair. The man was dressed in a finely tailored suit of red, white and gold. As he turned, he saw me and smiled.
"Good evening miss," he said in a smooth deep voice.
"Good evening..." I replied, and then stared as I got a better look at his face. "James? Is that you?"
The man gazed at me for a second, taking in my appearance.
"Briden!" His eyes grew wide with surprise as he recognized me. "You're here! You look beautiful."
"Thank you," I said, astonished. Aaron hadn't told me his brother would be attending. "It's good to see you, James..."
"Actually, James is my middle name." He smiled. "I usually go by Prince Nickolas."
I was confused. "Prince Nickolas? What do you—" And then I realized what I was saying. "Wait. You're Prince Nickolas?" I felt faint. Nickolas however, looked extremely excited about something. He turned around and gestured to someone. My brain was buzzing. Aaron's brother was Prince Nickolas? Then that meant—
And then I saw him. Aaron was walking toward me, wearing a suit similar to Nick's. He looked absolutely royal. Oh—my—God.
"Hello Briden," he said, a huge smile on his face, his blue eyes shining. "Wow, you look stunning."
I couldn't speak.
"You're, you're, you're," was all I managed.
"Prince Aaron," he finished for me. "This is what I've been meaning to tell you."
I just stared at him. I didn't notice Nickolas standing beside him looking thrilled. I didn't notice the people whispering nearby. And I didn't even hear Emily calling behind me, "Briden, do you, know him?"
I couldn't believe it. Impossible. I felt like I was going to fall over. Then Aaron took my hand, and his strong grip relaxed me. I looked down at it. It felt so real—I could have sworn I was in a dream.
I looked up into those familiar blue eyes and they gazed patiently back at me. Then my brain seemed to start up again. I took a breath, trying to focus on forming a complete sentence.
"I can't believe this," I finally worded.
Aaron's smile faded. "I'm sorry I never told you. You can't imagine how relieved I am that you now know. I hope you're not upset." He looked unsure, letting go of my hand. I reached up and stroked the side of his face, making sure he was really there and I wasn't hallucinating.
"I'm not upset. Just shocked is all."
He smiled again. I loved his smile. "Are you glad you came?"
I smiled for the first time tonight. I couldn't take my eyes off of the boy in front of me. He was perfect. How could I be mad at him for keeping this from me? I decided it was just as important as a fairy spell. I was so glad he had forgiven me for doubting him.
"Yes."
Then I heard the music reach us where we stood at the entrance of the ballroom. I looked around. I had completely forgotten that we were at a royal ball and that I was here with my best friend, my true love...who just happened to be a prince.
"Do you want to dance?" Aaron held out his arm to me.
I looked back at him, realizing we still had the whole night ahead of us. "Okay."
I put my arm in his, and he led me out onto the dance floor. People turned and stared as we passed. I found myself shaking with nerves.
"Don't worry," Aaron said as he faced me. We were in the exact center of the room where everyone could see us. I took a deep breath and tried to forget about everyone but him. Aaron took my hand and wrapped his other arm around my waist. I took comfort in the feeling of his hand in mine. I looked straight into his eyes as I placed my hand on his shoulder. And we danced.
My nerves melted away, far behind and forgotten. Aaron was a great dancer. I followed his steps easily as we moved back and forth. Unfortunately, the song couldn't last forever. As the song ended and flowed into another song, I pulled in close to him, not wanting to stop. He smiled and we kept dancing. The next song was a faster one. We laughed as we danced across the floor and he twirled me around and around. I relished the feeling of his arms around me. Things were going better than I had ever dreamed. I was having the time of my life.
Several songs and several dances later, my feet began to tire, and I reluctantly asked for a reprieve. Aaron led me to a chair at one side of the Hall and was immediately accosted by eager girls as soon as I sat down. I smiled to show him it was okay, and he led another girl out on the dance floor. He kept looking over at me as he danced, but kept up the courteous role of gracious host. I sat through the next songs as he danced with more and more girls, respectfully declining whenever other gentlemen would asked me for a dance.
I watched Aaron, smiling at the regal way he carried himself, surprised I'd never noticed it before. Then relief washed over me as I realized how knowing he was a prince didn't seem to make a difference to me. To me he was still the same guy I had always known, even better, in fact, now that he no longer had to keep secrets from me. I watched him for a few more minutes, willing my feet to rest quickly so I could get back out there and be with him. Glancing around, I spotted Emily on the dance floor with James. I mean Prince Nickolas. When the song ended, she curtsied respectfully, thanking him, and then made her way over to me.
She sighed as she sat down in a chair next to me.
"Are you having a good time?" I asked her.
"The best," she answered, a bit out of breath. "You looked great out there; happy," she said. "That dress was the perfect choice."
"Thanks."
Then she seemed to gain her second wind. She tore her eyes away from Nickolas and gaped at me. "I had no idea that your friend Aaron was Prince Aaron!"
I laughed. "Neither did I!"
Emily nodded. "That explains the look on your face when you saw him."
I shook my head. "I must have I looked like a complete fool, staring at him that way."
"No, I would have reacted the same way...maybe worse. You handled it very well, I thought."
I sighed, remembering.
"So, how exactly did you two meet?"
"I met him in Draeden. I didn't even know he lived in Bast until I moved here, and I had no idea he was a prince until now. I knew he was keeping something from me, but I thought he was just shy or something. I never dreamed it was something like this."
Emily sighed next to me. "Oh it's just so romantic."
I looked at her in amusement. Surprising is what it was, and confusing... but the more I thought about it, I guess it was sort of romantic. If only he saw me as more than a friend...
"Pardon me," I heard and looked around. It was Nickolas. "May I have this dance?"
I smiled. "Of course." I took his hand and stood, looking around for Aaron as we move to the dance floor.
"My brother has kindly given me permission to dance with you," Nickolas explained. "Seeing as he's preoccupied at the moment."
I followed his gaze and saw Aaron talking with some elderly men in bowties. I sighed. At least he wasn't with a girl.
Nickolas seemed to read my expression. "I think he's been polite to enough ladies this evening. I know I'm no Aaron, but I appreciate you dancing with me."
I smiled at him. "You're sweet. I'm surprised there are no girls cutting into our dance right about now."
"Actually," Nickolas lowered his voice. "I have a fiancée. It hasn't been made known to the public yet, but I've been dating Miss Rachel Bluefield for several months now, and we just got engaged." He gestured over to a pretty girl in red standing at the edge of the dance floor, smiling at us.
"Most of my time has been taken up by her, and I think people are starting to get the message."
"Wow, congratulations on getting engaged." I thought of Emily, wondering how she would take the news.
"Thank you." Nickolas smiled, looking back over at Rachel. "Yes," he mused. "Some women are going to be very disappointed when they find out both princes are taken."
I looked at him carefully. "Sorry?"
Nickolas peered back at me. "Well..." he said slowly. "I'm sure you and Aaron won't be engaged any time soon, but..."
"Oh," My eyebrows rose in comprehension, and I began shaking my head vigorously. "Aaron and I aren't, we aren't...together..." I finished lamely.
"Oh, I thought—" He turned as someone tapped him on the shoulder.
It was Aaron. "May I cut in?"
"Certainly." Nickolas muttered something to his brother, causing Aaron to look uncomfortable. Then he left with one last eager look in my direction.
Aaron took my hand and we swayed back and forth. "What were you two talking about?" he asked curiously.
"Um..." I searched for an answer. I was still caught off guard by Nickolas's assumption. "He told me he was engaged..."
"Oh, yes Rachel. She's great for him."
I smiled, enjoying the light touch of his hand on my back, and then tried to stifle a yawn.
But Aaron saw it. "Are you tired?" he asked. "Well, it is getting late. It's nearly midnight..."
"What?"
