Armor of Deceit

Chapter 10

The picture on the side is what the inn's dance floor looks like :)
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By the time the moonlight blankets over the Earth, we decide to stop at a fancy inn at the edge of the village. This town was different and beautiful from the rest of the towns I've been to, it's full of magnificently crafted architecture and is mounted on top of a hill.

Asher payed for all of our rooms, but it didn't happen without a fight. I urged that I could supply for myself, but he insisted that I could pay him back later at the pub. I agreed because it seemed as if he wouldn't give up.

The inn had an outdoor pub with a cobblestone dance floor in the middle of a garden, strings of lights scatter on the trees to the pillars around the pub. Only a few people were drinking at the tables though, including the men and me.

Now here I am, drinking wine, watching couples take turns dancing under the lights. But the abundant stars outshine those stringed lights; they glittered like diamonds in the cloudless sky.

After a few cups, I start to feel tipsy and confidence pumps through my veins, so out of nowhere I speak to with Asher who sits on my right. "It's Arabella," Asher turns to face me, his eyes filled with confusion as the stars twinkle in them.

"I mean my name, is Arabella," he smiles that beautiful smile and I almost smile back but I'm too embarrassed so I lower my eyes to my drink, the same thing I did when I first saw him.

"It's beautiful, fit for a lady just as exquisite," I look up at him, noticing how he gazes at me softly and almost dream-like.

How does always know the right things to say? How does he manage to make me feel so different? I clear my throat trying to calm down my pulsing thoughts.

"Okay Asher, I've already bought you a bottle of wine and gave you my name, what else do you wish?" I say to him and he gives me a playful frown. "Can I not speak lovely words?" He nudges me gently and I can't help but roll my eyes, however, deep down, I knew I very much liked his way with words.

The men look at us awkwardly and Asher lowers his voice,"But I do have one more wish." He laces his fingers through mine, a gesture that takes me by surprise. I had never known what it was like to have my heart flutter, but as soon as his skin met mine I felt like the whole world was mine.

"Arabella, will you dance with me?" His words come out in a soft-spoken yet strong voice that sends a chill down my spine and without hesitation, I nod my head. We break away from the group and walk towards the empty dance floor. The harpist plays a slow and harmonious song, creating an alluring atmosphere.

Asher places his hands on my waist and I wrap my arms around his neck, laying my head against his chest as we sway to the music. Our height difference was just perfect, my head is by his heart, allowing me to hear the soft beatings of it.

"I never quite got the chance to thank you," He says before he spins me. I laugh a little as I fall back into his chest,"What for?"

"Remember that night you found me troubled? You comforted me and showed me that there was someone out there who cared," I lift my head up to look at him, there was a sincerity in his eyes.

"My mother once told me to be kind to everyone, for everyone that you meet fights a battle within them," I whisper, a frown tugs at my lips as I reminisce on my mother but I manage to give Asher a small smile.

"You're the kind of lady my mother told me about... And that ladies like you can drown oceans," I am struck speechless from his words; He always knew the right things to say.

The adrenaline from the wine rushes through my veins giving me the ability to let my feelings go; to say what I wouldn't have if I were sober. "You know, I look at you and wonder, out of all the faces in the world, how did I manage to find someone so perfect?" his grip on me tightens as we both take in each others words.

"I wouldn't say perfect," Then he did the simplest thing; he leaned over and kissed me. I kissed him back like his lips were air and I was drowning. Memories of our first kissed flooded back, but this kiss was different; it was still soft yet passionate and this time, he wasn't holding back.

"Well, I did," I say breathlessly as we break away from our kiss. Someone is slow clapping, and before we knew it, the whole crowd of drunken people were clapping. I hide my blushing face into his chest and I can feel the vibrations of his soft laugh.

"For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you," he whispers, kissing the top of my head. And for the first time in a long time, I smile a genuine smile.