Charades

Chapter 29

     The day of the coronation came. Before Flynn would be crowned, a ball was held in the grande ballroom, where royalty all over the country of Celestia stood in wearing gowns and suits. It was a colourful spectacle and the ballroom was filled with Kings and Queens chatting on the sidelines and princes and their lovers twirling around the ballroom, underneath the shimmering chandelier.

     I was standing off to the side alone, admiring the scene before me. Flynn was dancing with Helena and he was staring down at her dreamily as they twirled across the ballroom. Helena's green gown spun around her and near her was Diana and Alexander also dancing, their eyes glued to each other's as if they'd never seen someone so beautiful.

     Everyone seemed so happy, but I couldn't relate. As my heart hammered against my chest, I dreaded the attack we would perform on the queens, my uncle and Emir.

     Queen Astoria was by the snack table with her husband, King Orion. They were chatting along with some other royals and I searched for the other royals we would soon slay. My uncle nor Queen Truman were in the ballroom. Neither was Prince Emir. But, they would be making moves - I was sure of it. But, the question was when?

     "Amara."

    I jolted and turned around, my grand red dress swirling with me. Ronan stood before me wearing a black suit that hugged every muscle and curve on his body and I gulped. He looked like a prince who'd come out of a fairytale.

     "Yes?" 

     We hadn't spoken since he stormed out of the ballroom. I barely slept the night before as I feared he would never speak to me again, but there he was staring at me as if I was precious.

     "Can I have this dance?" Ronan asked.

     He extended a hand towards me and I hesitated before I reached out and took ahold of his hand. He then led me towards the centre of the ballroom where one hand dropped to my hip and the other held my hand, and he spun me into dance, where we twirled around the ballroom.

     Ronan wasn't experienced. Unlike Helena, Ronan hadn't been raised in a ballroom, so his lack of experience was showing, but yet, to have him holding me as he tried to sweep me away made my heart flutter.

     "I never want to be on bad terms with you," Ronan whispered. His dark blue eyes held my own and I gulped, feeling myself shiver at the way he stared into my eyes. "I'm sorry for storming out on you. I shouldn't have done that."

     I gulped. "It's okay. You've been through a lot and to see me disagreeing with revenge must be hard."

     Ronan's shoulders relaxed. He gave me a grateful look and I smiled. Because no matter what, I would always love Ronan, even if we didn't agree on some things.

     "I know violence seems cruel," Ronan said. "I really wish we could resort to something else, but..." He shrugged. "We have no choice. At this point, violence really is the only answer."

     I bit my lip to fight back the words I wanted to say. Because we always had a choice. Whether we thought so or not, we always had a choice on what to do.

     "Well, you and Flynn and everyone else thinks this is right, so maybe it is." I tried to smile, but I failed to. "I could be wrong here, so don't worry, I will assist you in this plan."

     Ronan smiled now. My eyes wandered off to where Indira stood alone. Her hands were clasped together and she stood awkwardly off to the side. No one paid attention to her and I grabbed Ronan's hand to stop him from dancing.

     "Indira is on her own," I said. "Let's cheer her up."

     We walked towards Indira and I searched for Devan, who was nowhere in sight. Frowning, I tried to push past my worry as we reached Indira.