A Battle of Pride and Desire

Chapter Twenty Three

Waiting at the bottom of the stairs in the hallway were Taran and the queen. They seemed to be engrossed in conversation so as Brigette walked down she took in what they were both wearing. The queen was clad in a long, emerald crinoline. The neckline was a simple one but the large necklace the queen was wearing drew attention to her long and slender neck. Her hair was worn out and down with a small hair clip that was a simple gold. She looked the picture of regality with long black gloves that adorned a large gold ring on her heart finger. However beautiful the queen looked, Taran stole Brigette's attention entirely. He was dressed in a form fitting navy suit that hugged all the right places. His white shirt complimented the long blue coat of his suit perfectly. Along the coat were Celtic swirls of sapphire and silver, matching Brigette's dress. He looked more than handsome, he looked Godly and far too good to be seen with Brigette. Before Brigette could drool on the staircase he heard her footsteps and turned to look up the stairs. She was suddenly very self conscious and made sure to put one foot in front of the other as she walked. Had she forgotten how to breathe? Yes inhale, exhale, good. Taran's emerald eyes took every inch of Brigette in, scanning her from head to toe. His eyes glazed over as he took in her face and he looked lost. Brigette touched her face to make sure nothing was on it, but it felt normal. He was reacting this way because of her, because of all the work the staff had done. She couldn't tear her gaze away from Taran's and they watched each other as she walked down the final few steps. When she reached the bottom Taran didn't move at first, but a slight push from his mother brought him to his senses and he held out a hand for Brigette to take. Brigette reached out and put her hand in his. He didn't look away from her eyes as he brought her hand to his lips. Slowly, ever so slowly, he planted a kiss there and Brigette took in the feeling of his lips there. They were soft and warm - perfect. When he drew his mouth away, her hand burned where he had left his mark. That part of her hand would be ruined for other men forever.

"You look beautiful," Taran said. "More than beautiful, you look magnificent."

Brigette gave a shy smile, "Thank you, you clean up well too."

A sly grin, "I always look well, Brigette."

Brigette rolled her eyes and turned to the queen, bowing low, "Your Majesty, you look lovely."

The queen gave Brigette a small smile, "Thank you, Brigette, you look very pretty as well."

Brigette bowed once more, very aware of her hand in Taran's.

"Shall we go in?" the queen asked. "Everyone will be waiting for us."

Taran nodded and held out an arm for the queen to link her own through. With Brigette on his right and the queen on his left, Taran lead them to the ballroom. Brigette could hear the sound of laughter and dancing from the ballroom and her stomach jolted with nerves. Everything was going to be fine, everyone was going to be fine. Two guards stationed at the door nodded curtly at the queen and Taran and opened the door for them. The large door opened to reveal the decorated ballroom which was full of people dancing and cheering. When the door opened, everyone's attention turned towards it and Brigette knew that the people were expecting them. This was the door for residents, so they would know the queen and Taran were entering. The band stopped playing their music and everyone in the room bowed to the queen and her son. Brigette felt rather awkward on his hand but she knew the people believed Taran and her were partners, lovers for life. She had to play the part. The three of them smiled at the crowd and the queen gestured to the band to continue playing.

"Please rise," the queen said and as the music picked up once more and the attention was off them, the queen turned to look at Taran and Brigette.

"I have it on good authority that there has been no movement from the fae, but I will alert you both if that changes. I will be listening to the guards for any update."