Bound Souls

The End to a Perfect Night

Isabella's Point of View

A light smile comes to my lips as my eyes look into the perfect blue shade of his, happier than I have been in my life. My gaze falters as I speak to Marcus softly, "I have a confession to make. One that I would not dare share with anyone else." Marcus looks to me with such love and concern that my heart leaps with joy as he asks, "What is it you would like to confess to me, my dear?" I rest my hand on top of his as I gaze deeply into his eyes and respond calmly, "I do not love my betrothed. He is a lovely man, but I feel he is not the one for me." Marcus' concern laces deeper into his voice as he questions, "Does he know that you hold no affection for him?"

I reply, "I have admitted this to him, and we have agreed that we are to keep appearances in public. We have also agreed that neither of our parents would denounce the engagement in any way. For our betrothal was set in stone for peace years ago, before he and I were born." Marcus asks, his features saddening, and a look of sympathy hides in his eyes, "How did your parents come to such an arrangement?" I answer, my voice growing colder with every word, "My father owed my future father-in-law a debt. He had saved my father's life, and the agreement was betrothal between their children." Marcus embraces me tightly against him as I continue, my voice shaking, "It's so unfair. My life and who others choose me to be with...I hate it. I've always wanted to follow my heart, but I fear the consequences of those choices. Fear is my cage, and I wish it weren't this way, but.." I pause as the tears flow freely once more.

Marcus kisses the top of my head before saying softly, "I'm so sorry, Isabella. I wish I could free you of your pain, I truly do. It appears that fear is my cage as well, for I want to free you from your betrothal and take you away from here, but I would fear for our survival. For how we would have to live outside of our wealth and power." I look up into his eyes and see the burden that he carries at seeing my distraught state before wiping away my tears. A sad smile spreads on my lips, "No, I'm sorry for having you worry about such foolishness. I should never have burdened you with this. I still appreciate you consoling me, nonetheless." Marcus gently takes my hands in his as he looks deeply into my eyes and replies, "Anything for you, Isabella." I feel heat spread across my cheeks in a blush as my saddened demeanor fades, and I ask politely, "May I have one last dance with you before the evening is over?"

Marcus flashes his tooth-filled smile, making my heart flutter within my chest as he replies, "You most certainly may, Isabella." He offers his arm to me before I gently take it in my grasp, and Marcus leads me back inside, into the ballroom. We ease onto the dance floor once more as I cherish our closeness and smile as we glide in our movements across the floor. The evening is almost to a close, and as the final notes of the waltz are played, I curtsy as Marcus bows. As we rise, our eyes meet once more, and I fight the temptation to take his hands in mine as I say almost in a whisper, "I wish I didn't have to leave you. I want to stay by your side."

A yearning burns in his eyes as he gently speaks, "I wish for the same, but I do not wish to disgrace you in such a way, Isabella," he pauses for a moment, "What can I possibly do to help ease your pain?" I intertwine my fingers together in front of me as I suggest, "I would deeply appreciate it if you wrote to me often. As I would love to hear from you, and maybe one day we shall meet again, Marcus." He beams at hearing my words and responds joyfully, "It would be my greatest pleasure, Isabella." Marcus gently takes one of my hands in his and places a soft kiss on my knuckles before speaking, a soft, sad tone in his voice, "As much as I dislike seeing you leave, I shall bid you farewell, my dear Isabella." I smile sadly as I reply, matching his tone of voice, "Farewell, Marcus. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for this most precious evening, I shall treasure it in my heart forever."

I gently squeeze his hand before releasing him from my grasp, my heart aches harshly the farther I walk away from my handsome, red-haired nobleman. I rejoin my parents, and once we reach our carriage and climb inside, my father says in a biting tone, "For your sake, you better not have disgraced your betrothal, and do not dare try to lie to me, daughter." I look my father in the eyes and respond in a soft, calm voice, "I swear I did not father. Our family and our honor mean more to me than anything in the world." My father narrows his eyes, searching my features for any hint of a lie. After a moment, his shoulders relaxed as he sat back and glared, "Good. For you know the consequences if you acted upon silly womanly whims." As the carriage begins to pull forward, I look away from my father out the window and say softly in a defeated tone, "Yes, father. I know."

As I gaze out the window of the carriage and in the reflection, Marcus' smiling face comes into view. Although him and I have only just met, I feel hopelessly and romantically drawn to him. I will sorely miss him and his kind, soft spoken demeanor, but I know in my heart I will never forget him. A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as the memory of our first kiss comes to my mind. The feel of his velvet lips against my own made my body come alive with such electricity. I felt my heart almost burst out of my chest at the contact.

Tonight was truly wonderful, and I could live on the memory for many lifetimes. Marcus may be my one true love, and I won't give up on the desperate hope of seeing him again, for I do truly believe that love conquers all.