First at Last (Updated Version)

Chapter Nine

The next two weeks flew by in a wonderful blur. Winter melted away into spring. Flowers bloomed and blossomed, their perfume floating through the air on a gentle breeze, birds began to sing, the nights were warm and easy. I met William nearly every day—after dark, of course. Each night, I stayed longer, wishing I never had to leave. We never did the same thing, either. Sometimes, we would walk down the street, just talking about anything and everything. Other times, we would go to the palace library and find a quiet spot to be alone and just read. Sometimes, we would just go to his room and sit together on his settee and read or talk there. And then, there were times, where we would be in his room, and just end up falling asleep together.

The best thing about our time together was that we did not always have to be talking or doing something together. Just being with each other was enough. I might be reading on his bed and he might be working at his desk and it still felt like time together.

Everything was so perfect that it felt like a dream. Like I might wake up and realize none of it had been real. It was just so wonderful.

However, I suppose I'd gotten to comfortable with sneaking out, too used to it, because after doing it for over two weeks, I made a fatal mistake.

We walked back from the palace one night, the way we had every night for the last several weeks. William and I chatted about everything that came to mind, while Gabriel walked behind us, still the stoic soldier I'd come to know, but a little easier to talk to than the one I'd met on our first walk home.

As we reached the front doors to the house, William turned to me. Gabriel, as usual, stepped out of sight to allow is this brief moment of privacy.

I looked up at him, his eyes like pools of midnight lit only by the moon. Although we'd been this close many times before, every time, my breath would catch in my throat and my heart would begin to race. I would notice his beauty anew every time and, still, I would be amazed by it.

"Good night, Erika," he said softly.

I resisted the urge to reach up and run my fingers over his cheek. "Good night, William," I said, a little breathlessly. "I look forward to seeing you again."

"Already, I cannot wait for tomorrow if it means I might get to see you sooner."

My face warmed, my heart thumping painfully against my ribs. I pushed open the door into the entryway and, where the hall was normally dark at this time of night, an oil lamp was lit and my mother stood before the door, watching me.

A cold knot of dread formed in my stomach and I shut the door.

She narrowed her sharp eyes upon my entering. "Where have you been, Erika?" Her voice was deathly soft.

My chest felt tight with panic. How could she know? "I could not sleep, so I went for a walk," I said quickly.

She nodded thoughtfully. "I went to talk to you earlier, but you were not in your room."

I swallowed hard, wanting to slam my head against the wall. I'd forgotten to lock the door.

"Like I said, Mother, I went for a walk," I repeated.

She remained unsmiling, her face a cold mask. "Did you really go for a six-hour walk?"

I hesitated, already knowing that I would not be able to talk my way out of this. "No."

She nodded, pursing her lips. "And this is probably not the first time you have sneaked out of the house. Am I correct?" She crossed her arms, watching me with her stormy eyes.

I hesitated again, thinking. But it was no use. She's caught me. "You are correct."

"Where have you been going?" By her tone, I could tell she already knew.