Scorn and Devotion

Chapter 51

warnings - repairing family relationships, mentions of sex, mentions of abusive parent, mentions of negligent parent, not speaking to parent, fighting with friends, PTSD, Panic attack, Back in the Court of Torment, banishment, mourning death, mentions of murder and beheading.

Timothée and I were rushed to the medic wing along with the King. Gwyneria was still nowhere to be found and I had to wonder where she had gone. I didn't really blame her for abandoning us, she held no loyalty to either Timothée or I.

After we had been patched up, Timothée resolutely refused to stay overnight on a cot. He said he was taking his fiancee and sleeping in his own room. I was so grateful to hear him say that I almost cried. I didn't want to stay in the medic wing, I wanted, no needed, to be by his side, as close as was humanly possible.

The next morning I woke up next to Timothée and the wild happiness that filled my heart was intoxicating to say the least. He was adorably giddy as well as we engaged in some sloppy, yet, wonderfully enjoyable, morning sex. He wanted to spend the entire day in bed with me, but he knew he owed it to the other girls to make an announcement of his fiancee.

It took a while for me to get dressed since Timothée kept stopping me for kisses and hugs. He'd always been touchy, but now he was a pure clingy. I didn't mind it at all. I didn't fight back, and easily gave into his distracting ministrations.

Finally, we were both ready. I had to convince him to let us go down separately, but he finally gave in. I went down to where the other girls were and they gave me some strange looks. I supposed it was the wild smile on my face that made me look so different.

"I bet you are excited this is finally over," Katherine said, obviously trying to guess why I looked so cheerful. I didn't know how to respond. I was glad this was over, but not for the reason she thought. For the first time, I worried about how Juliet and Katherine would feel when I was chosen. I couldn't care less about Odessa, but the other two were kind girls.

"Where is Gwyneria?" Juliet asked me. I shrugged my shoulders, truly not knowing where she was.

"Shhh, he's coming!"

I stared at my Prince walking up onto the dias. He was so lovely in his black and gold garments. I sighed as he gracefully sat down on his throne. Everything he did was beautiful.

"Ladies, thank you for joining me. This process has been long and arduous at times," Timothée nodded at us. "In the end, the decision was very easy to make. It was the one I wanted to make from the start. I will truly be marrying the love of my life. I wish the rest of you well, and I hope you can all come to the wedding."

"The person I choose to be my bride is Lady Y/N Starfell."

I ran onto the stage launching myself into his arms. He spun me around, forgetting all the other people in the room. I kissed all over his face, my hands carding through his hair.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too."

That's when I remembered the other people that were here. Odessa's mouth was hanging open in shock. Juliet looked genuinely angry as did Katherine. Their glares were directed at me. I felt bad that I'd led them to believe I would never want to be chosen. I did believe they did like Timothée, but it could only be a shadow of how I felt about him.

I gave Timothée a meaningful look, and he nodded, knowing what I meant to do. I walked slowly off the stage to the three girls who were left. As I approached, Odessa bowed low, mumbling something insulting under her breath, and turned to leave.

Katherine and Juliet stayed. Both girls had knitted brows and crossed arms. I blew out a shaky breath, knowing this would not be easy.

"Let me explain," I tried, but Katherine shook her head.