“Sounds fun, but I think I’ll pass. Besides what would your girlfriend have to say about that?” I rolled my eyes.
“Well, maybe you could double with Talbott?” he suggested softly. “He doesn’t have a date yet.” This was getting ridiculous.
“Yeah…. maybe,” I laughed sarcastically, “Thanks, but no thanks your Majesty.” The bell rang and I was thankful to be done with Kingsley, at least for the day.
“That’s not funny,” he said defensively. I gathered my things, hoping that this conversation was over. If he followed me out the door and Principal Saint saw me talking to him, I was going to be in big trouble. “Eden, please wait,” he grabbed my wrist gently and I turned to look at him. Something in his eyes looked sad, like he was sorry for something.
“I just think that you would have fun if you came to the dance,” he gave me a saddened version of his custom smirk, and his eyes twinkled a little bit. The rest of the class was quickly leaving and I was afraid we would be alone in a second.
“Really, I can’t dance. If I went, it wouldn’t be fun for anyone…. trust me,” I tried to sound sincere, but my voice was breathy as Kiran pulled me a little closer, his fingers left my wrist and intertwine themselves with my fingers.
“Eden, are you ready?” Avalon was beside me and in an almost defensive stance. Oh no. I remembered my promise to Avalon and felt guilty for indulging myself with Kiran too long.
“Yes, almost,” I turned and smiled at him, refusing to drop my hand from Kiran’s. What was wrong with me? My magic flared at the memories of the last time we were this close and I regretted the fact that we were at school.
“Come on, let’s go,” Avalon’s voice was anxious and I was surprised that he was so impatient. The usually focused and clearer sensory perception that came from being around him felt tense and put me on edge. Avalon glared at Kiran, but every once in a while he turned to give me an impatient frown.
“She said she’ll be right there Avalon,” Kiran pulled me closer to him, blocking me with half of his body, and took an equally defensive pose. I could see Talbott out of the corner of my eye begin to make his way over from where he had been waiting for Kiran in the doorway.
“Let go of her,” Avalon nearly growled.
“No,” Kiran growled back and Talbott took his side, clearly protective.
“Alright, everybody just settle down.” I made my voice light, trying to soften the mood. What was going on?
“Back off Avalon. I wouldn’t do anything that would get you into trouble if I were you,” Talbott tried to step in front of Kiran but Kiran didn’t let him. He stepped forward as if he to challenge Avalon. Avalon mimicked his movement and stepped forward too.
“He’s right Avalon, you wouldn’t want to get into trouble…. again,” Kiran mocked him.
“Are you sure about that?” Avalon threatened in a deep, growling voice.
“Alright, I’ll see everybody tomorrow,” I dropped Kiran’s hand and headed for the door quickly. I was not going to get in the middle of some ridiculous boy fight.
I could feel Avalon’s presence behind me, but I refused to turn and acknowledge him. I headed straight for my car as fast as I could, hoping he’d get the hint.
He didn’t and continued to follow me, but he also didn’t try to say anything until we reached my car. He never even tried to walk beside me, although his long legs could have easily outpaced mine. He stayed behind me almost as if he was protecting me from whatever else was back there. I became even more irritated.
“I’m sorry about that Eden,” Avalon finally broke the silence as I searched for my car keys deep inside my book bag. “He just, ugh, he’s just so infuriating,” Avalon punched one of his fists into his other hand and I watched him clench his jaw.
“Well, he’s not the only one,” I gave him a fierce look and dug deeper in my bag for the keys to my Land Rover.
“Why do you even bother talking to him? I thought you weren’t allowed,” he looked at me with an intensity that I didn’t understand.
“It’s not like I try to talk to him. He is just always there! What do you mean I’m not allowed?” I defended myself, but wondered at Avalon’s use of the word “allowed.” I searched through my memories, trying to remember a time when I had been outright forbidden to talk to him.
“Oh nothing, I mean, it’s just that, like the whole betrothal thing,” he blurted out and I didn’t know what he was talking about.
“What do you mean?” I repeated.
“The betrothal between Kiran and Seraphina. I thought everyone knew. They are engaged to be married,” I stared at him confused until he continued, “I thought that was the whole reason he was at this school; he’s like supposed to get to know his future wife.” And then the meaning of the word “betrothal” sunk in. Kiran was going to marry Seraphina; no wonder she thought she was his girlfriend: she was. In fact she was more than his girlfriend, she was his freaking fiancée. Freaking Monarchy with their freaking tradition. What century did we live in? Betrothal? Out of control.
Talbott’s warning suddenly made sense, in fact, a lot of things suddenly made sense and I felt like such an idiot. He really was just using me for entertainment this entire time. I felt sick; how could I have not known.
“Oh,” was all I could manage, and my lips stayed formed by the word. But my heart dropped into my stomach.
“Hey were you planning on going to the Fall Equinox dance?” Avalon asked out of the blue, changing the subject quickly.
“Not anymore,” I reminded myself to breathe and willed myself to forget the nauseous feeling rising in my throat. “It’s not really my thing anyways.” I said softly, hoping I wasn’t letting him down. My mind was still reeling from the wedding news.
“Oh good…. Yeah, those things are dumb anyways,” his face looked visibly relieved and I didn’t understand why.
“We could hang out though; you could come over tomorrow night and we could like rent a movie or something,” I said, not wanting to sit at home, alone on a Saturday night, when the guy I had kind of liked or kind of hated or whatever I kind of felt was out having a great time with his future wife. Ugh.
“Oh no, I can’t, sorry, I already have plans. But you should definitely stay home and not go to the dance,” his expression was completely serious, and I was completely confused. “I hear it’s going to be really terrible. See you Monday, Eden,” Avalon turned and walked away to his car, leaving me standing alone, completely baffled. Boys could be so confusing.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Eden…. Eden,” A gentle voice encouraged me to wake up and I tried, but I found myself in a very heavy sleep.
“Eden, come with me,” I grudgingly opened my eyes slowly and took in my surroundings. I was in the middle of a forest, unlike any forest I had ever seen before, although vaguely familiar at the same time. Tall flowering trees surrounded me; all unique, all yielding a distinct, but beautiful blossom of every color imaginable. The forest floor was covered in wild flowers as unique as the blossoms on the trees. Butterflies and dragonflies buzzed energetically around me, never intrusive, but fun to watch.
I found myself sleeping on a long boulder, but I was not uncomfortable, in fact I was very relaxed and felt slightly sedated. A carpet of vibrant, green grass surrounded me, layered with the petals of flowering trees. The petals in all different colors floated tenderly down to the earth like a beautiful and colorful snow. The sun shone brightly above me, warming my skin and casting rainbows on the rock. I felt completely at peace.
“Eden, come with me,” the voice beckoned to me again and I forced myself to stand, legs unsteady and my head somewhat dizzy. I did not want to leave this enchanted place. However, I followed the voice into the trees, searching for the body it belonged to. I noticed I was wearing my pajamas and felt faintly out of place in a black tank top and plaid, baggy bottoms.