Thankfully it was time to head home. "Bye Micah," I waved to a colleague of mine, as I hugged the sweater tighter on my body, heading home. It was quite late, and I had to take a shortcut through the back street. I never worked this late but it was a last minute shift that freed up, so I took it.
CHARLOTTE Madeline sighed, "I’m just glad Caeson showed up when he did, and that nothing bad happened to you." We went silent, and it lasted for a long time. I was deep in my thoughts. I had no idea how Caeson knew I was there, or when to arrive, but I was glad nothing happened. Last night I ha
CHARLOTTE"My gosh Charlotte, you look stunning in that dress." Madeline gushed, as she went round me in circles, and I blushed, staring at myself in the mirror.I was having a date with Vance in a couple minutes, and I couldn't help but want to look my best. I straightened a crease on the side of m
"How are you?" Vance suddenly asked, and I snapped my head up at him."Good, what about you?""Splendid." He chuckled, his dimple popping out. "I figured we'd have dinner first before we do anything.”"Mhmm," I was feeling kinda hungry, so I guess it was a win for me. I rubbed my clammy hands, picki
CHARLOTTEMadeline opened her eyes, staring dazedly at me.She rubbed her eyes, blinking slowly. "Uh? Is that you Char?"I pursed my lips, my heart clenched and my mind spiraled with questions.How long had she been doing this? And I didn't notice it?"Madeline?" I called, and perhaps she was a litt
CHARLOTTE“And if I were to cash in that second date request right now, what do you think your answer would be?”I chewed my bottom lip as Vance’s question bled through the receiver.He was asking me out on a second date already.Goddess.My gaze shifted to Madeline’s corner of the room right then,
"I knew it wouldn't be a good movie but you didn't believe me."He gripped my waist, slowly leading me to a corner, "Watch it Char, or I might bite you." He growled playfully at me, amusement flashing in his eyes."Oh yeah?" I followed, lowering my voice, "I'd like to see you try."My voice was bar
CHARLOTTESitting on the bed, I stared at Madeline’s vacant corner across from me.It had been almost a week, and she wasn't back yet.Picking my phone, I dialed her line, hearing it ring till the machine directed me to her voicemail. I cut the call, huffing in frustration. For days straight, her ca
CHARLOTTE I trailed behind Taide and Reigh, keeping my distance as they moved through the halls. Their steps were steady and purposeful, and I made sure to stay just far enough behind so they wouldn’t notice me. They stopped at a door in the middle of the hall, one I hadn’t paid much attenti
CHARLOTTE I sat on the bed, trying to calm my breathing. My chest felt tight, and my hands trembled in my lap. I couldn’t stop replaying what had just happened. King Aurichad been here, in this room, and now he was gone. But the memory of his cold, cutting gaze lingered, wrapping around me lik
CHARLOTTE Caeson shot to his feet as soon as the words left my mouth, startling me. He turned toward the entryway, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the empty space. After a moment, he turned back to me, a deep furrow forming between his brows. Without saying a word, he spun on his heel and strod
CHARLOTTE I watched as Taide stepped away from Sean, smoothly sidestepping him without another glance. Sean looked after him for a moment, but Taide didn’t seem to care. I caught Madeline’s eyes, and she grinned before doing a subtle little happy dance. Her excitement was almost contagious. Taid
CHARLOTTE The seamstress stepped back, letting out a satisfied hum. I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my hands over the soft fabric of the dress I was wearing. It fit perfectly, hugging my body in all the right places. The sweetheart neckline and shoulder-less design gave it an elegance
The hell?I blinked, trying to understand. Then it hit.He was talking about yesterday, when I’d abruptly questioned him and then walked away without waiting for an answer.“You wouldn’t have participated anyway,” I said, using his analogy as I crossed my arms.“You don’t know that,” he replied.I
CHARLOTTEThe morning light streamed through the tall windows of the dining room, illuminating the grand breakfast spread that covered the long table.I could hardly believe how much food there was—it seemed like enough to feed ten people, if not more. The table was piled high with plates of fresh f
CHARLOTTEThe palace was something out of a dream.No, more than that—something out of a world I didn’t belong to.The long driveway was lined with perfectly manicured gardens, each bush and flowerbed so precise it looked as though someone had sculpted them by hand. Towering trees stood around, thei
CHARLOTTE We had our things packed and ready for the trip. Madeline’s birthday ball was this Sunday and now it was Friday already, the day of our departure. By the time we returned home it would be about a week before our junior year finals. And then, graduation. Which meant that we would be