And Then... They Fell

CHAPTER TWO

This man's gaze was suffocating, and I couldn't look away. I can't hear what the king was saying anymore, as I am so focused on him, on his eyes, as we stare at each other. We stare into the other's eyes unapologetically for what seems like hours as I wait for his to look away- for every moment his eyes are near me, they are near my brother. We don't waver for what could have only been a minute or two but feels like so much longer. I am so entrapped by the beautiful brown eyes that it doesn't register when Charlie begins tugging on my arm until it is too late. The man's gaze slowly moves from me to Charlie, as I continue to watch him, panicked. His expression changes to shock and confusion as he looks from him to me until the man settles on me, his lips pulling into a slow, small smirk.

At that moment I realized my mistake and my body no longer has any fear present. No. My body is now filled with a complete and chilling terror. The mysterious man I was staring at moments ago had gazed into Charlie's eyes for a moment, and now...

Now he knows.

I don't have time to react as a deafening noise rings through the room. On instinct, I pull Charlie and Clara to me and force them to the ground, covering and shielding their bodies as best I can. My back begins to burn in immense pain as I cry out, unable to hear my own scream until I am finally given a moment of peace as my head hits the ground and everything goes black.

Asher

This party was barely different than the ones I had been to before. The only difference was this time I was trapped. This time I knew that I would spend the rest of my life going to parties like this one. I would be throwing parties like this one and I couldn't do anything about it. After tonight everyone would know. There would be another ball held to celebrate and it would be: Just. Like. This.

I tried to stay hidden tonight, occupying the space as far from my father as I could, for as long as I could. This would be the last ball I wouldn't have to host, so might as well stay as far away from it as I could. Everyone was to focused on my father to notice when I left his side, but I didn't dare leave the room completely. My cousin, Harry, kept me company. He lived for these balls: socializing, girls, drinking. I was surprised when he came to my side tonight but grateful for the distraction, nonetheless. There were very few people near us since most of the people chose to occupy a space near the royal family. We stayed back most of the night, Harry did most of the talking—I was too consumed in my thoughts to pay much attention to him right now, which I think he knew but he continued talking like I was paying attention.

We talked for more than an hour before I saw her. She was dressed in the same black knee-length dress, white apron, and short black heels as the other female servers, but somehow, she stood out. I don't know what it was, but I couldn't take my eyes off her.

I watched her as she offered drinks to the high standing lords and ladies before suddenly, her eyes met something across the room, and she became utterly still. She put her tray down and swiftly weaved her way to a girl clutching the hand of a little boy who moved along my wall keeping their space from those swarmed by the stage- feet away from where I stood.

I couldn't hear what they were saying as the girl that just entered talked in a whisper to the breath-taking servant girl. When she stopped talking, the girl didn't respond. She crouched down, eye level with the little boy, right as the king began speaking. She hesitantly stood up, after she lovingly ruffled the boy's hair, before standing up and pushing the boy behind her protectively. She looked around the room, while almost unconsciously taking the little boy's hand.

I knew I should be paying attention, if not only to listen for my cue to approach the stage, but I was overwhelmed with a need to know what this girl would do next. I watched her as she looked around with determined and fear-filled eyes. I waited for her eyes to reach mine, needing to see them, until finally her head turned, and her gaze settled on me.

We stand in a room full of people who moments before felt suffocating, but with this one look from her, I feel at peace. We are close enough that I can see the wonderful green that fills her eyes. She doesn't break eye contact, which I am grateful for because I could look into her eyes forever. Her gaze is puzzling as she looks hostile, fearful, and relieved all at once.

From the corner of my eye, I see a glimpse of the little boy trying to pull her attention to him. She still does not look away. Her eyes were so filled with fear before, but now they seem calm.

Did I do that?

I slowly and reluctantly shift my gaze to the little boy in front of me.

Purple. His eyes are purple. His eyes are a pale purple. He can't have purple eyes though, only one family has ever had those eyes and there aren't any left.

I can feel my cousin elbowing me, hear him telling me that that was my cue, that I need to move to the stage, but I brush him off, I have to figure out this girl and her mysterious boy with the purple eyes.

I look between the girl and boy again. I see the resemblance between the two. I try to think of any way this could be, anyway this boy and girl could be related to him. He can't have those purple eyes. It can't be true, unless...

... and then it clicks. I understand her frantic state and the clear stress rolling off of her, the way she looked around the room like everyone was a threat, and the way both girls stood slightly in front of him. Things fall into place, and I realize everything I didn't notice before.

My gaze settles back on her. Though she clearly did not mean for this to happen, she still stood bravely in front of me. She stood in front of me without flinching or breaking eye contact. I smirked at the thought because this girl stood in front of me with the only living threat to the crown. She has been hiding the overthrown kings' son right under our noses.