I Choose All of You

Chapter Thirty-Five

The next day I spent avoiding Prince Jeremiah. Every time I recalled the night, I wanted to slap myself in the face. I wish that pole knocked me out.

I sighed to myself and closed my eyes. The sun's rays warmed my skin. I was sitting outside alone by the fountain, letting myself get lost in thought.

There has to be something else I can think about. Maybe that cryptic warning that strange woman, from Isaiah's store, gave me? Something about a warrior tattoo and an important choice? Then there was that mysterious man I met in the coffee shop. He said we were destined to meet again. Then I thought about the hidden passagewaysthroughout the castle. What other places do those tunnels lead? Of course there's the Resistance uprisings. And that note Atlas sent me. To top it all off, there's a partytomorrow, and I have to somehow get close enough to the meeting place, to eavesdrop.

I groaned aloud and brought my hands to my head. I could feel a headache coming on. How did my life get so complicated so quickly?

I rubbed my eyes and leaned back. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Prince Kalum walking towards my direction. He almost looked as overwhelmed as I did.

"Hello, Your Highness," I called to him.

His eyes landed on me and looked surprised. I guess he didn't notice me on his way over.

"Good afternoon, Miss Hart," he cleared his throat and stopped in front of where I sat.

"You seem stressed," I commented.

 The Prince narrowed his exhausted eyes at me.

I began to wave my hands frantically in front of me, "No! I didn't mean it in like a-.... Ugh. I am overwhelmed too. There's a lot on my mind." I paused for a moment to make sure he knew I didn't mean to sound condescending, then continued, "You can sit with me. If you want."

Kalum glanced at the open space beside me, then at me, then back at the space. He breathed out heavily and complied, sitting so his knee barely brushed mine.

"So you're overwhelmed too," Kalum asked, staring at the hands in his lap.

"Uhh yeah. It's a laundry list of things. I don't even know where to start or what to focus on first." I didn't want to give too much away. Plus he probably doesn't even care about my problems anyways. Maybe I'll try deflecting, I'm good at that. "What's on your mind," I tried asking.

He glanced up at me slightly confused. His brown locks fell just over his eyes, but I could still easily imagine his dark eyebrows knitted together. "Do you actually want to know?"

"Well, sure. I'm too tired to fight with you right now, so rant away!"

I saw the corner of Kalum's lip twitch up before he leaned back with a groan. His hair fell loosely behind him, and I watched the ends of his curls, dance silently in the breeze.

"Same as you, I suppose. A lot is going on at the moment, but currently I'm most worried about tomorrow's party," Kalum said in hushed tones. Just audible enough for me to hear.

"Why do you say that?"

"I just have a bad feeling. I could just be paranoid, but I still want to stay safe. I want to keep everyone safe. I feel like I am in charge of everyone. After all, my future wife is here, among the contestants. I can't be too careful with you all," his lips immediately pressed together at that last part.

Shit. That's right. One of us will become Queen by the next few weeks. That's a terrifying thought, knowing Nessa and Valentina are still here.

Still though, it was sweet he knows that, and therefore wants to keep us safe. All over a little gut feeling.

"Future wife, huh," I smirked, bumping his shoulder.

Kalum looked down at me, "Some more than others. Some less."

I can only assume which one I fall under. Spoiler alert. It's less.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Kalum interrupted me, by standing up, "Please excuse me, I have things to take care of."

Just as quickly as he sat down, he walked off again.

I'll take what I can get at this point. I left my place by the fountain and went to my bedroom.

Isaiah and Hannah were chatting inside, gleefully. I gave Isaiah a quick hug, and he asked if I was okay. He immediately noticed my weird vibes, and the image of me running out of his store, was probably still fresh on his brain.

I assured him I was alright. I know he didn't believe me, but he thankfully moved off the subject.

"Sarah, you are going to look so good in the dress Isaiah brought," Hannah beamed.

"Can I see it," I asked. Isaiah's creations always lift my spirits.

I walked towards Isaiah, who was holding the dress is a zipped up velvet bag. When I tried taking it, Isaiah spun away from me and shook his finger in my face.

"No peeking until tomorrow night. It's a surprise," Isaiah teased. I watched him hang the dress-filled-bag in my wardrobe.

"What's the harm with me seeing it? Also shouldn't you hang onto it till the party? Nessa stole my dress last time. Won't she do that again," I asked, crossing my arms.

"I have a home fitting tomorrow, so I can't hang onto it. Plus," Isaiah shut the wardrobe doors and latched a giant lock through the door handles, "This should keep it safe." He then flung a key into the air, for me to catch.

"Have fun tomorrow," Isaiah sang as he walked towards my bedroom door to exit, "I know you will."

Isaiah sent me a wink and left swiftly.