Fifty six
*Freya*
I sat in my room, my mind drifting to the sweet moments I had shared with Rafe in the gardens just hours before. His strong arms around me, the intensity in his blue eyes right before he captured my lips in a hot kiss that left me breathless and weak in the knees. I smiled at the memory, touching my fingertips to my still tingling lips.
The door burst open and Grace, Flo and Clara hurried in, breaking me from my reverie.
“Miss Freya, the court meeting will begin shortly! We must get you ready,” Grace said urgently, already pulling open the wardrobe.
Flo ushered me up from the chair. “Into the bath, my lady. Quickly now!”
They hustled me behind the screen and helped me undress before I sank into the warm, rose-scented water. As I bathed, they laid out an exquisite gown of shimmering midnight blue, the silk embroidered with delicate silver flowers. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. “Wow, that is so pretty..” I whispered, staring at the beautiful dress.
Once I was dry, they dressed me with expert efficiency, lacing me into the gown. The smooth fabric hugged my curves before flaring out into an elegant skirt. Clara brushed my long dark hair until it shone before twisting it into an elegant updo decorated with glittering jeweled pins! while Grace dusted my cheeks with a hint of blush and painted my lips a soft pink.
“There,” Clara said, turning me to face the full length mirror. “You look absolutely stunning, my lady.” Hmm. Lady.
I barely recognized the refined, sophisticated beauty staring back at me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I imagined Rafe seeing me like this, announcing to the whole court that I was his favorite. It was like something out of a dream. But a tendril of nervousness crept through me too, knowing the other ladies, especially my stepsister Kelly, would be furious and jealous. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
“It’s time, my lady,” Flo said gently, handing me a pair of pink gloves.
I slid them on, took one last look in the mirror, and squared my shoulders, ready to face whatever waited for me in the court.
As I stepped out of my chambers, I saw my friend Addy waiting for me, her eyes widening as she took in my appearance.
“Freya, you look absolutely breathtaking!” she exclaimed, rushing over to embrace me.
I hugged her back tightly, grateful for her steady support. She looked so beautiful in a glittering yellow dress. “Thank you, Addy. You look even more ravishing yourself. I doubt Alpha Rafe will be able to take his eyes off of you”
Addy pulled back, her hands firm on my shoulders as she looked me square in the eye. “Freya, we both know it’s you Rafe will be looking at. The man specially has the hots for you. Anyone with eyes can see that!”
I nodded, feeling warm by her words. “You’re too sweet and positive, Addy. Thank you. What do you think the court meeting will be about?”
“I heard rumors that he may be choosing a title for one of us ladies. Whoever is his favorite,” Addy whispered excitedly as we began walking towards the court room. “Elevating those he deems worthy. Perhaps this is his way of making his intentions about who his favorite is known to everyone.”
My heart raced at the thought. Could Rafe really intend to officially court me? To make me his favorite? It seemed too good to be true.
As we entered the court room, I felt the weight of dozens of eyes upon me. Judging, speculating, envying. It was not news that I was the closest with Rafe right now.
I held my head high, even as my nerves threatened to overtake me. I scanned the crowd, seeing Kelly glaring daggers at me, Jessica smirking cruelly. I wouldn’t let them shake me. I took my seat beside Addy, gripping her hand tightly as we waited for Rafe to arrive.
The moment he walked in, The room fell silent, every head turning as Rafe strode in, his very presence commanding attention. My breath caught in my throat. He was devastatingly handsome in his formal royal attire, the black coat with gold cuffs emphasizing his broad shoulders, his hair pulled back to reveal the chiseled lines of his face. Power and authority emanated from him as he took his place at the front of the room.
I couldn’t help but stare at him, my heart racing, my skin tingling with awareness. A hush fell over the room, everyone waiting with bated breath to hear what he would say. But as his piercing gaze landed on me, I felt as if everyone else melted away. A hint of a smile played at his lips and I felt an answering one bloom across my face.
But then I noticed the other women, their eyes also hungrily fixed on Rafe, their expressions covetous and longing. I couldn’t stop the ugly twist of jealousy that shot through me. I wanted to march up there and stake my claim on him, to shove it in their faces that he had chosen me.
Instead, I sat up straighter, my chin lifted, refusing to cower before their envy. Rafe’s gaze stayed locked with mine a moment longer before he finally addressed the court.
“Lords and ladies,” his deep voice resonated through the hall. “I have an important announcement to make…”
As Rafe spoke, his words faded into the background, drowned out by the pounding of my heart. His eyes found mine again, holding me captive with their intensity. Slowly, purposefully, he began to walk towards me, his boots echoing against the marble floor.
Shock rippled through me and I heard the surprised murmurs break out around the room. What was he doing? Why was he approaching me in front of the entire court? My hands gripped the armrests of my chair as he drew nearer.
He came to a stop right in front of me and I had to crane my neck to look up at him. Confusion swirled within me but I couldn’t form the words to ask what his intentions were. He towered over me, his presence commanding, magnetic, impossible to ignore. I felt Addy grip my hand, her excitement obvious. I wondered why she was happy about what was happening. Didn’t she want Rafe for herself at all?
Then Rafe extended a hand to me, palm up. An invitation. A question. Hardly daring to breathe, I placed my hand in his, my skin tingling at the contact. His fingers closed around mine and he gently tugged me to my feet, pulling me closer until just mere inches separated us.
His other hand came to rest on my waist, the heat of it searing me even through the layers of my gown. I suppressed a shiver, my body humming in response to his nearness and touch. It was as if everyone and everything else ceased to exist – there was only him and the way he was looking at me, like I was the only woman in the world.
“Freya,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. “Do you trust me?”
I searched his eyes, trying to read his intentions, to unravel the meaning behind this bold display. But all I found was sincerity and an emotion I hardly dared put a name to.
****