The Last Dance (26)

Hello, so sorry for the long wait, I was having a bit of writers block but then I just started writing and got back on track.

So now, not only is this chapter finally up, the next is almost finished too, so if you want it fast be sure to comment and vote!

Comment and Vote?

Cheers,

xo.

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Recap:

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We stood apart, facing each other.

"Well, goodnight then" I said softly

"Night Cece, try not to pine for me too much while I'm locked away in my tower for the next week"

I laughed at the fake desolate expression on his face. And what 'tower' was he talking about?

How over dramatic, and yet so typically John. I smiled.

"I don't 'pine' John, I'll just have to break you out if I miss you too much" I teased.

He laughed "Now THAT I would love to see"

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Chapter 26 - Catching Up

I woke up feeling unbelievably refreshed after a night in my own bed. The ground just didn't compare, even under the light of the stars.

I got up slowly, savouring the light that filtered through the window and lit up the room in a sunburst of colors.

Standing up I made my way to the window and pulled open the blinds, letting the heat and light flood my room. I was surprised that it was well past sunrise, and almost around noon. I guess I had been more tired than I thought.

I continued taking my time getting dressed; happily throwing aside the dratted skirts I'd been forced to wear over the last days. It felt good being able to don the loose comfortable practice clothes I was so used to.

The hallways were empty of guests at this late hour and I assumed the new residents would be down at the market occupying themselves. For many young women this would be their first time at court, surely a big difference from the little fiefs they had grown up in.

I was grateful for the quiet but surprised that Mira and Lily hadn't come to find me yet; I knew word got around fast in the castle.

I turned my steps towards the mess hall, the most likely place to run into a familiar face.

"Cee!" I grinned at the ring of the familiar voice of one of my best friends.

"Lil'!"

We rushed towards each other and embraced into a bone crushing hug.

"I missed you!"

"Me too."

"How is everything? You have to catch me up on all the court gossip" I said with a grin.

Who ever thought I would miss the latest castle intrigue?

She giggled and raised an eyebrow at me. "Please Cee, I'd so much rather hear about your trip, stuck with John for all this time!"

"Wait, you knew about that?"

She rolled her eyes at me "Well of course we knew; the King wouldn't try fooling us about you staying at Anna's while the Prince was on the field. So what was it like?"

I shrugged "It wasn't so bad. Nothing special."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You mean you two got along? Oh, now this I definitely need to hear, as soon as we find Mira."

With that she grabbed my arm and started towing me down the hall. I found myself standing before the doors to the library for the second time in just a few hours.

Before I could say a word Lily had pushed open the door and shoved me inside.

"I'll be right back so don't you go anywhere" She warned.

I laughed and headed deeper into the room.

The door slammed shut behind her and I was left alone.

I took a deep breath, letting the smell of dusty books wash over me. I walked down an aisle, running my hand along the spines as I took in the familiar names. Now here was a place I wouldn't mind being stuck in for a week.

I turned around slowly at the sound of the door opening and made my way back to the chairs around the fire.

Mira and Lily were deep in conversation when they saw me and cut of mid sentence. Mira smiled and ran over to give me a hug.

We pulled the chairs close together and sat down.

"Alright go" Mira said excitedly.

"Go where?" I joked.

The rolled their eyes in exasperation. Lily opened her mouth to say something, but shut it quickly, her eyes widening.

Before I could ask what it was she had grabbed my wrist and pulled it towards her, almost pulled me off the chair in the process.

They ohhed and ahhed over the bracelet while I smiled fondly at it, admiring the way the light made it sparkle and shine. It still never ceased to impress me with its beauty.

"When did you get it" Mira asked in wonder.

"It was a birthday gift" I said absently.

I only realized my mistake when their eyes turned up to me. I knew the next question before it left their lips.

"From who?" They asked in unison.

I felt my face heat up in embarrassment.

"It was umm... anonymous" Perfect, not even a lie.

"Oh please Cee, do you think we can't tell when you're lying?" Mira asked.

"Even IF the fact that you're bright red wasn't giving it away" Lily added.

I sighed; they were going to get it out of me eventually, might as well just get it over with. And it might make it easier to explain my new friendship with John.

"Fine it was... from John" I mumbled quietly.

They heard nonetheless and their jaws dropped open in shock.

I fidgeted with the bracelet rather than meet their incredulous gazes.

My thoughts turned to John and I wondered where he was. Did he still think he was grounded? I bet he did. I really should go rescue him. Well, as soon as I was done catching up with my friends. A few more hours in his room wouldn't hurt.

I shook my head, that damn Prince had me missing him already.

"Are we still talking about the same Prince here?" Lily asked dubiously.

I tried to erase the silly grin off my face with no luck.

"I know... I hardly believed it myself. He's not even the one who told me, if I hadn't run into the merchant he'd bought it from I still might not know."

"Why would he buy it though?"

"I don't know... I don't even think he knows why."

We lapsed into a thoughtful silence.

I played with the bracelet, letting it catch the light from the sun. When I looked up again it was to see Mira staring at me with her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

I immediately let go and bit my lip wearily; it was too much to hope she hadn't noticed.

"You like him though don't you?"

Lily's eyes shot up in surprise, and she cocked an eyebrow.

I groaned internally, did she have to be so blunt about it?

That led to a whole mess of questions I wasn't ready to deal with. What was it about friends that they always seem to know what you're not telling them?

They were both staring at me intently, waiting for an answer. I could easily say no, or just say that it was only him who liked me, and it was unreciprocated.

I could, but I'd be lying, and for some reason unknown to me I didn't feel right keeping this a secret from them.

I nodded slowly and braced myself for their protests but none came. How could they take it so calmly when I could barely admit it to myself?

When they didn't say anything I decided it was up to me to break the silence.

"I shouldn't though" I said slowly "Not after everything he's done... right?"

The thought had been bothering me for a while now.

Lily looked thoughtful. "Well, I don't know about that. It seems like one of those things where it shouldn't work, but it does."

"I agree. You're personalities complement one another. And personally, I think you'd be bored with anyone else" She added with a grin.

"That's all well and good, but it's not like we'll ever be more than friends" I said sadly.

"Why, doesn't he like you too?"

"Well he better, he did kiss me" I mumbled.

This time I had to laugh at their shocked expressions. Bet they didn't see that coming.

"That doesn't sound like just friends" Mira said with a smirk.

"Definitely not!"

I shifted uncomfortably. Here's where things got difficult.

"It's more complicated than that."

"Then tell us."

"Right. Start from the beginning."

I started from the day after my birthday, when I'd first gotten the bracelet, and told them about the duel with its rematch and his apology after.

They looked surprised at that but I continued on, knowing if I stopped I might not be able to go on. Unlike when I'd told the story to Sir Corry, I skimmed over the main parts of what happened and talking about what went on between us the whole time.

I looked towards the empty fireplace while I talked so I wouldn't have to see their expressions. I told them everything up until the kiss, but didn't elaborate on it; it felt too precious to share.

Finally I met their gazes again and went on about what happened after the kiss, our talk outside the castle doors, and how I'd told him we could only be friends, letting him think I didn't feel the same way about him.

By the end they were both looking at me in exasperation.

"Why on earth would you let him think you didn't like him?"

"Don't you understand? I can't be queen, I can't live that life! If he knew how I really felt he'd never agree to someone else."

"But is being queen worse than seeing someone else be with him Cee?" Mira asked gently.

I buried my face in my hands. That question had been repeating itself in my head for days. I lifted my head weakly, not wanting to cry over that question again.

"We've only really gotten to know each other for the past two weeks. And even then it's been like treading over glass. I don't know what it would be like to really be with him. I don't want to rush into this; I don't want to lose what we already have. I know there's something there, but it's too early to tell how strong it is. What if it doesn't work? I can't risk that"

They didn't say anything, and after all, what could they say? I knew I'd managed to convince them, even if I wasn't fooling myself.

Did I care about him? Yes, absolutely yes. I could see that now. I could also see that it could be so much more, and that's what scared me.

I'd spent years learning to physically and emotionally protect myself from John. Letting him in now wasn't an easy thing for me to do. It was almost a natural instinct to push him away if he got too close.

Lily finally broke the tense mood, making some joke about the Prince, and the atmosphere between us lightened considerably. We talking easily after that, talking about what had gone on in the castle and I told them about our friends from the forest.

It was an hour past noon when we finally ran out of news to share and decided to make our way towards the cafeteria for a late lunch.

"Say, where is the Prince anyway? I haven't seen him all day."

I froze in my tracks. I'd forgotten all about him being grounded, taking for granted that someone would have told him. Did no one really tell him?

Mira noticed I wasn't behind them and shot me a curious look.

"I'm going to go find him."

Lily and Mira exchanged a look before leaving me alone in the hall.

I made my way towards the royal wing of the castle and found it empty of inhabitants. The only sound was the slap of my leather boots against the hard tile floor.

When I reached his room I slowly pushed open the door checking if he was still in there.

He was lying on his bed facing the ceiling and so engrossed in a book he didn't even notice my entrance. I had to smile. Guess he wasn't taking his grounding to badly.

I leaning against the door frame and cleared my throat.

His eye flickered over and he immediately sat up hiding the book behind him in embarrassment.

I smirked at him "So this is where you've been all morning, and here I'd hoped you were up to something interesting."

He smiled and looked past me, as if checking that no one else was there. Oh right, he still thought he was grounded.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered.

I decided to have a little fun with this and pouted at him. "What? Aren't you happy to see me?"

He rolled his eyes "Of course I am, but that doesn't explain--"

I cut him off by walking over to where he was and snatching the book from behind his back.

"Even worse than I thought, you've been in here reading!" I said in mock horror.

He laughed and raised an eyebrow at me. "So? There's nothing more attractive than intelligence" He said, repeating the words I'd once said to him weeks ago when he'd found my clearing.

I smiled, surprised that he'd remembered, and nodded my head at him. "Touché"

"So really, what are you doing here?"

I gave him a pointed stare; he should already know the answer to this. "I came to break you out obviously," I said when he continued to look confused.

He stared at me suspiciously before his face slowly broke into a grin.

"So I guess that means you missed me then" He said cheerfully before walking over and throwing an arm around my shoulders.

I shrugged it off and walked out the door.

He laughed and caught up to me, putting his arm back around my shoulders. "You didn't deny it" He teased.

"I'm just used to having you around, that's all" I said nonchalantly.

He rolled his eyes at me "Sure, that's it."

I tried to push his arm off again but he only tightened his grip, smiling innocently down at me all the while.

I sighed loudly, making him laugh, but let him keep it there. For now at least, since there was no one else around.

We walked down the hallways and I couldn't help but notice John looking around every few minutes. I couldn't help but smirk.

"What's wrong John, afraid of getting caught? You could always go back."

He scoffed and pulled his eyes back to face forward. "Please, I'm not afraid, who's going to say anything to the Prince?"

I stopped mid step and tilted my head to the side. "Did you hear that?"

"Where?"

He couldn't mask the hint of panic in his face and ducked behind me. Not the best hiding place since he was much taller than me.

I could only hold my straight face for a moment before I burst out laughing.

"Quiet Cece, they'll hear you" He hissed behind me.

This was so priceless.

I was bent over laughing, holding onto my knees for support while he continued to unsuccessfully hide behind me, begging me to keep it down.

"John... there's... no... one... there" I said between laughs.

He immediately straightened up and walked around to stand in front of me while crossing his arms.

"Why'd you do that?" He asked with a slight frown.

I tried to stand up as well, but it wasn't working very well.

"To see... your... reaction... of course!"

He grabbed my shoulders, practically holding me up.

"So you mean to tell me..."

He walked forward making me back up since he still held me at arms distance.

"...you made up hearing someone..."

I felt myself back up against the wall, unable to go any further. His eerily calm voice worried me. I wasn't sure whether he was mad or not.

"...just to see my reaction?" He finished.

I smiled nervously, my laughter long gone, while he took another step forward shortening the distance between us.

His hands moved to rest against the wall on either side of my face, trapping me in place while he leaned over me.

I forgot my witty remark, instead getting flustered by the intense look in his eyes that I couldn't turn away from.

"I... umm... well..."

I trailed off as he took yet another step closer, closing the distance between us so that his chest pushed me gently against the wall.

"That wasn't very nice" He whispered.

I gulped suddenly feeling my throat go dry as his head leaned closer, his eyes a swirling vortex of melted chocolate that pulled me closer.

My eyes flickered down to his lips and I found myself tilting my face closer to his.

He was going to kiss me again.

He leaned in closer leaving only an inch of space between us.

I could still stop him, it wasn't too late yet, but I knew I wasn't going to.

I was going to let him do it. I even found myself wanting him to.

He was moments away from pressing his lips to mine...

Footsteps echoed close by causing John to jump guiltily away from me.

His face was bright red and I knew mine looked the same.

It was just then that one of the castle maids came into sight. Her steps slowed down as she looked between us curiously. I could only imagine how this must look. We were this close to...

I bit my lip hard trying to look as innocent as possible.

As she neared us she curtsied.

"You're Highness, Lady Celia"

I could hear the edge of suspicion in her voice and prayed word of this wouldn't get spread around. After all, we weren't actually doing anything. Though if she'd come even a moment later... no, I wasn't going to think about that.

John jerked his head in a nod and I smiled tightly at her before she walked past us and turned the corner.

I blew out the breath I had been holding and saw John do the same.

He ran his hand through his hair nervously. I eased myself away from the wall.

"So... how about some air?" He asked cautiously.

I nodded and we turned our steps towards the main doors, keeping a considerable distance between us.

Before we'd even gotten to the end of the hall, John froze mid step and started mumbling under his breath.

I took a hesitant step closer to hear him cursing.

"What's wrong?" I winced slightly when my voice came out shaky.

His head snapped up in surprise.

"What? Oh, it's-- I have to go" He said frantically.

"Go where? Did what almost happen make things weird between us again?"

His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Not a chance" He said more seriously than I expected.

"I meant I need to get back to my room before that maid tells my dad. I'm in so much shi-- trouble."

I rolled my eyes at him, feeling relieved it was nothing to do with us.

"Alright one, you can swear in front of me John I'm not some delicate court lady."

He smiled slightly.

"And second, you don't have to go anywhere, you're not even grounded."

"Oh alrig-wait, WHAT?"

I took a startled step back, not expecting his voice to come out angry.