Falling In Grace

CHAPTER FIVE

I hurriedly made my way to thr ballroom. Hoping Leo would be there like he said he would be. My heels clicking against the stone and echoing as I moved. My dress flowing behind me.

I tried to not draw much attention to me as coven members were leaving the ballroom and going back to their rooms for the remaining night. But, I knew that there was court members who were at the ball that surely knew what was about to happen to me tomorrow night. The thought made me sick.

I smiled politely back at everyone and said my hellos and goodbyes. Can't be completely rude and draw further suspicion to myself.

Finally making it into the ballroom I find Leo quickly and make my way towards him. Suddenly his voice is filling my head:

"Don't stop. Keep walking. But not towards me. Find Minka on your right. Engage in conversation. She'll lead you out so we can talk privately."

Suddenly I hear Minka calling my name from the right. It startles me but I changed course and followed instructions as Leo asked. Out of the corner of my eye I see him slipping away back out into the gardens.

Minka takes us the long way to the gardens. We're discussing random things and pleasantries. Both clearly knowing this was all for show. Minka slowly becomes quieter the closer we get to the gardens Leo and I were earlier.

"Grace." Minka says quietly unlinking our arms from each other. "Please be careful with whatever choices you make. Think about them long and hard and what consequences you may have or face." patting my face she then walked away before I could say anything.

I was taken aback by her quick words that I couldn't even ask a explanation for. But, I quickly forgot about that as I heard Leo calling my name.

I walked over to him standing were he was before except this time facing me.

"So...you know now?"

"Yes. I do. Unfortunately."

"And you see why I couldn't tell you myself? Why it had to be Emilia?"

"Yes."

"I am sorry that I couldn't say it myself."

I looked at Leo as if it was for the very first time. So much clarity.

"I am not sure what any of this even really means." I replied motioning with my hands.

Quietly Leo asked, "You mean - what it means about us?"

"Yes."

Leo let out a loud sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. Shaking his head he gave out a simple laugh.

"It really depends on your answer."

"My answer?"

"Correct."

"To whom? You or Elijah?"

Leo frowned. "Everner."

"Do I get a choice of answers or is it already set for me?" I asked quickly thinking of my Mother who would have said "yes" on my behalf.

"You always have a choice, Grace." he said sullenly. As if I was stupid for thinking otherwise.

I looked at the ground for a long time. Thinking about everything in my life that led up to this point and why it seems to have been suddenly fated to be Queen Everner. Wife to Elijah. Who apparently knew so much about me even though I've open ever seen him and spoken to him all but a handful of times. None of this was adding up or making sense.

Leo continued to look at me as I thought. I could feel his eyes burning into me like a thousand suns. I thought I had more time to figure my feelings out. Figure out who I wanted to be and who I wanted to be with. Given I am to live forever everything is speeding up very quickly.

"I am not sure about anything right now." I said quietly. Leo looked like I punched him in the gut but he never looked away from me. "I thought I'd have more time. That we would have more time. You're my best friend and I don't want to lose that."

Leo nodded quickly and smiled.

"But, you see, Grace." he replied take a few steps forward. "I've had enough time. I've thought about it enough. I know who and what I want." he moved quick again and was holding me again as he did a few hours ago. Hand at my waist and face. I gasped again. Knees buckling.

"It has always been you, Grace Cortez. You've been the ever constant in my life these last few hundreds of years. I was waiting until I felt you were ready for me or showed you felt the same towards me as I do you. Even though I believe you do it still never showed above the surface. You never said anything. I felt like my heart was breaking every night. But it wasn't. It broke when I heard about Everner was going to ask you to marry him."

Even though we were outside I felt as if all the oxygen had left the Earth. I couldn't breathe. His smell was intoxicating and what he was saying I couldn't believe it was coming from his mouth. My heart was bursting and my belly full of butterflies.

"I can't and won't let that happen. I had you first, Grace and I am not letting you go. At least not without a fight."

My knees gave out at that moment and Leo caught me easily. Lowering me to the soft grass. I breathed in deeply. Trying my best to smell past him and smell the garden instead. When I finally gained my composure back I turned to Leo.