Chapter 10
1285 Words
Ten
Everly’s version of an apology for what happened at the club involved shopping. I had suspected that was Everly’s way of apologizing for most things. After shopping, we went to lunch where we sat together in the sun at some kind of fancy restaurant that served small portions with sauces that were decorating them like they were an abstract painting instead of a meal.
“I’m sorry,” Everly said for the thousandth time, “I honestly didn’t think they’d behave the way that they did. Especially Gable. I got distracted for one minute, and the next thing I knew you were gone.”
“It’s okay, Everly,” I said, “it’s not your fault. I didn’t have to take that drink, but I did. I…I wanted something to be normal about my college experience. A night at the club seemed normal, but I’m starting to realize normal isn’t a luxury I have anymore.”
Everly smiled. “If it makes you feel better, we make up for normal in Gucci and Louis Vuitton.”
“It does, a little,” I admitted, glancing down at the shopping bags we had surrounding us. “Can you…can you tell me what exactly happened though? I don’t remember most of the night, after leaving the VIP lounge.”
“Well, I turned around for one second, because there was someone there that I wanted to catch up with. The next thing I knew, you were gone, and I couldn’t find you or anyone. I was desperate, so I called Apollo. I don’t know how, but he found you. If it hadn’t been for his security guards pulling him away, I think he would have killed Gable, he hit him so many times. He had the security guards get me into the car, then he carried you out, bridal style. It…it was like something out of a movie. You saw the pictures.”
“I did,” I said softly, “I don’t understand it. We barely even know each other, but he seems fixated on me.”
Everly shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it either. He did say that he’s been interested in you since Mother showed him your picture, from the file. But Apollo isn’t something that let’s go of things easily. Once he gets an idea into his head, he holds onto it. I can’t recall the last person who told him no about something. He gets what he wants, and in this case, what he wants is you.”
Her words made my stomach flutter. “Can you tell me something?”
“Of course,” she answered.
“Is there actually a thing called The Awakening?”
Her eyes sparkled at the words. “Well, you and my brother covered a lot of territory the other day, didn’t you?”
I blushed. “I asked if we had to wait until we were married to have s*x, and he told me that virginity was a bit different here.”
“Well, he’s right about that,” Everly said, “we do have a celebration called The Awakening, and it does happen right after you have sex.”
My eyes widened. “Right after, right after?”
She chuckled. “No. Not right after. It usually takes a day to set up the celebration.”
“This isn’t like, one of those cultures that watches people when they have s*x are you?”
Everly shook her head. “No. I believe that’s something they only did back in the fifteen hundreds.”
“But after-parties are a thing?”
“We’re a weird culture,” she said, “in case you haven’t noticed, we’re very into the sun and the moon. My father and my brother are the sun, my mother is the moon, and so am I. One cannot exist without the other.”
“Is that why Orion is named after a star?” I asked.
“My father’s version of irony,” she answered, “he’s a King. He’s not well versed in empathy. He’s versed in being an asshole.”
“Good to know,” I said, “especially since I haven’t met him yet.”
“You will,” said Everly, “his birthday is coming up soon. I imagine they’ll want you there. Your engagement announcement is going to be coming out soon, aren’t they?”
“Yes,” I said, “I guess we’re supposed to go to the Opera first or something.”
“Oh, that would make sense,” said Everly, “the Opera is where the who’s who of Coleum goes to observe. If you can survive a night at the opera, you can survive anything. It’s the most scrutinized experience you will ever have.”
“Oh.” My mouth had gone dry suddenly. “Great. That’s just great.”
“Don’t worry,” said Everly, “you’ll be fine.” She shoved my cup of water into my hand.
I took a sip, swallowing it. What kind of world had I entered into? It didn’t matter, because I had already admitted that there was no way I could possibly go back.
“You’ll be fine,” Everly assured me.
“How do you know?” I said. “I’m just a girl that doesn’t belong here. I got lucky.”
“Because, you did something not a lot of people would do in the first place. You could have stayed home, gone to a state school, and been fine. Probably the safer choice. Instead, you put yourself out there, flew across the world to a place you didn’t know anything about, then you got wrapped up in their royal family. Not a lot of people would do what you did. You’re brave, Rose James. You’re not just some girl. You’re the woman that has the heart of the future King of Coleum. And remember, roses aren’t just pretty things that are there for people to look at and pluck. A rose has thorns to protect itself. Why else do you think he picked you?”
I stared at her. I had never thought of it like that. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re amazing, Everly?”
“Well, I’m a Princess,” she said, “it’s my job. You’re going to be Queen, and soon it will be yours.”
Queen. I hadn’t even thought of that. I’d been so wrapped up in being a Princess, I hadn’t even thought of what came after.
“Everly,” I said, “I want to learn about Coleum. If I’m going to be part of this country, I don’t want to simply stand by Apollo’s side like a little ornament. I want to know it. To love it. Can you help me with that?”
“I know just the thing,” she told me, “come on, let’s go.”
- Writer
