Charades

Chapter 16

     Ronan and I were laying on the couch. I was laying against him, my cheek pressed against his chest, my hand laying on top of his stomach. I could hear his heartbeat. It was a light thudding, a sound so soothing my eyes fell shut as Ronan kept his arms wrapped around me.

     Ever since we kissed, we found ourselves always touching, always together, always in each other's view. The kiss unleashed something raw and new, a feeling of yearning I'd never felt before. And with Ronan reciprocating every feeling, every touch, I was happy. I'd genuinely never been happier.

     "I'm happy," I confessed, my eyes peering up at Ronan, who wore a lazy smile. "I've never been happier."

    "Me, too," Ronan said. "You make me so happy, I-"

     I winced when the door flew open with a giant thud. My eyes darted to the door and I saw Devan there, panting, his eyes wide with panic. Ronan tensed beneath me.

     "Prince Emir is here," Devan said. "Indira and I were at the market and everyone is scrambling because Emir is demanding everyone meet at the centre of town."

     My heart froze, tightening painfully. Stunned, I was motionless, unable to process that Emir was here. After avoiding him for months, I couldn't believe it.

     "Must we go?" Ronan asked. "I rather not see that murderer."

     Ronan was tense beneath me. His heartbeat was picking up, his hands gripping onto me tighter. My heart was racing just the way his did.

     "We must," Devan said. "You know, Emir. We can't risk anything with him."

     Ronan sat up and I sat up with him, and pulled away. My eyes were on Ronan who looked exhausted, but there was a fear in him I'd never seen before. He was trembling slightly, his eyes wide with panic, and I grew worried as well. I had to wear my cloak. I couldn't let Emir see me.

     "Okay," Ronan said. "Let's go then. Hopefully it'll be quick."

     I jumped up and went to grab my cloak and only after wrapping it around me, I stood straight. And pulling my hood up, I walked to where Devan was.

     "Why do you need a cloak?" Devan asked.

     "It's cold," I lied.

     Devan shook his head and Ronan shot him a look. And without another word, we all left to where Emir was.

*****

     We were at the centre of the town. It was where the fountain was and hundreds of townsfolk were there, surrounding the fountain. They all filled the stoned area and faced Emir who stood on the ledge of the fountain. It was crowded and everyone was merely and inch away, and my heart was racing. As Emir's eyes scanned the crowd before him, my heart pounded and I hoped this would be over soon.

     "I hope all of you are here," Emir said. He smirked, his brown eyes lit with delight. "Because I must tell you what is going on."

     Ronan straightened beside me. Indira and Devan were also next to us, and Indira was bouncing on her feet. She looked nervous. So nervous, her hands shook with every second that passed.

     "You will be surprised to learn that I had a fiancé. And my fiancé was the Princess of Narakha," Emir said. Murmurs burst out in the crowd and their eyes glanced around. More rumours were being spread about me and my heart twisted. "And well as you probably heard, the princess was kidnapped by a man. This man blinded her, made her think he would give her a better life, but he is a terrible man. And we must find my fiancé and rescue her from this man."