Seated in the same chair for what felt like an eternity, I watched as Colette altered our hairstyle for what seemed like the hundredth time. The exhaustion was palpable, evident not only in the exasperated groans of the maids and the triplets but also in the weariness etched on everyone's faces.
"Let's stick with this style, Colette, and get you ready," I suggested, hoping to bring an end to the endless adjustments.
Gratefully, she agreed, acknowledging the strain of the prolonged session. "Thank you, Lilith. I felt like I was going to pass out if they stuck another pin in my scalp," Julia remarked, rising to prepare herself.
I chuckled lightly, nibbling on some fruit from the platter as the triplets settled at the table, and breakfast was served by the butler. Colette excused herself to her room to complete her preparations, leaving us to enjoy a brief respite.
As we dined downstairs, the groom's party arrived, clad in their suits and joining us at the table. Alaric, ever the gentleman, greeted me with a kiss on the forehead before taking his seat.
"You look stunning, darling," he remarked, filling his plate with breakfast.
Feeling a pang of thirst, I scanned for the drinks, and before I could retrieve one, a red glass was placed before me. Looking up, I found August standing before me.
"Cranberry," he stated simply before Alaric returned with apple juice.
"August, good to see you. You left early last night," Alaric commented as he sat beside me, his arm draped over my chair.
A tense silence settled between them, and I exchanged a meaningful glance with August, silently urging him to leave. "I was tired from traveling," he replied with a forced smile before departing.
"I can't stand that guy," Alaric muttered, taking a sip of his juice.
His disdain for August puzzled me, prompting a defensive response. "Why not?" I inquired, curious about his animosity.
"He's arrogant, Lilith, and reckless. Not the kind of company you should keep... if not for his royal lineage, he'd be far less insolent," Alaric scoffed, his tone dismissive.
I bristled at his assessment of August. In my experience, August had never been disrespectful without cause. Sipping my cranberry juice, I observed August as he conversed with Roland at the far end of the table.
"I think you're being too harsh on him," I countered, defending August's character.
"Are you his advocate now?" Alaric chuckled, but I found nothing amusing in his words.
Rolling my eyes, I rose from my seat, cup in hand. "I prefer cranberry, by the way," I remarked before exiting the room.
Making my way upstairs, I sought refuge in Colette's room, the crowded atmosphere downstairs becoming overwhelming.
Entering, I greeted Colette with a warm smile. She was adorned in her wedding gown, her hair being styled by the maids.
"You look breathtaking," I complimented her, taking a seat beside her mother on the couch.
Nerves tinged her excitement as she second-guessed her choice of attire. I reassured her with a laugh, attributing her doubts to pre-wedding jitters.
"No, it's perfect," I insisted, sharing a moment of camaraderie with her mother.
"I swear if anyone ruins my day... they are dead" Colette warned in the room as we all laughed. Nothing was going to mess this up.
As the triplets entered, their gasps of awe signaled Colette's transformation. She truly resembled a princess, ready for her fairy tale moment.
"I believe we're all set," I remarked playfully, prompting Colette's mother to link arms with her daughter as we prepared to leave the room. With the bouquet in hand, I followed behind, ready to fulfill my role.
As I opened the door, I was startled to find August standing before me. Urging me to silence, he entered the room, a silent request for a few moments of my time.
"Lilith, are you coming?" Colette's voice echoed from the hallway, but I hesitated, meeting August's gaze.
"I'll meet you downstairs" I replied.
Quietly, I closed the door, granting him my undivided attention.
"We shouldn't be alone together," I whispered, placing the bouquet on the table.
Ignoring my protest, August drew me close, our lips meeting in an electrifying embrace. Lost in the moment, I succumbed to the allure, my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.
"August," I murmured as his touch intensified, igniting a fire within me.
"We can't," I gasped, pushing him away, my resolve faltering as I struggled to regain control.
Taking a moment to collect myself, I paced the room, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
"Is this about him?" August demanded, his frustration evident in his tone.
Closing my eyes, I steadied my breathing, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation. "Yes, because he's my fiancé, and I shouldn't be kissing another man behind his back," I asserted, my voice trembling with resolve.
August's expression darkened, the weight of our indiscretion weighing heavily upon us. It was clear that this couldn't continue, that we were treading dangerous waters.
"Do you love me?" he suddenly implored, catching me off guard with his question.
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. But this wasn't about love; it was about loyalty, about honoring the commitment I'd made.
"Don't make this about me, August. I offered you a chance, poured my heart out, and you walked away," I retorted, the pain of rejection resurfacing.
"You don't get to waltz back into my life and expect me to fall at your feet. I'm engaged, and I owe Alaric the respect of my fidelity," I declared, refusing to entertain the notion of a love that could never be.
"Lilith, please, let me explain," August pleaded, reaching for my wrist as I reached for the door.
But I was done with explanations, tired of waiting for him to meet me halfway. "I'm done, August," I whispered, the finality of my words echoing in the silence.
"Was the kiss meaningless? Did you feel nothing last night?" he pressed, his breath hot against my neck.
Gritting my teeth, I fought the urge to capitulate, to surrender to the passion that threatened to consume us both. "It was a mistake," I stated firmly, throwing open the door and stepping into the hallway, leaving August and our shared moment behind.
YOU ARE READING
Forbidden Flames
ФэнтезиGrowing up wasn't easy for August, his father's reputation followed him but perhaps there was one individual who remained indifferent to the whispers and stares. Love knows no boundaries, but will they dare to cross the lines drawn by fate? A sequel...
