Fly Away *ON HOLD*

Chapter 8: A Handful

Next chapter! Picture of Graycen (with darker hair) on the side! ------------------------------------------------------->>>>>>

The numbers finally say 1 and slide open. Graycen and I step out onto the main level of the palace. It's what you would typically expect.

There are 3 wings that lead away from the elevators. The one that goes straight leads to the grounds and if you keep going, the town. To the right, lies the servants' quarters. Anyone who works in the palace lives there. If they have family, there are suites. My father is very kind to them. In my opinion, a little too kind.

To the left is the more private areas for the royal family; individual studies, the dining hall, things like that. I've gotten used to the luxury of it all but sometimes, I still catch Graycen a little dumbstruck by it all, even though he has lived here ever since we've been together (two years).  Like now. He's busy marveling at the marble walls and floors and columns, the chandeliers made with diamonds that are hundreds of years old, the statues, the paintings and the greenery. I roll my eyes and tug on his sleeve.

"C'mon," I mumble and we set off down the left wing, towards the dining hall. After passing many doors and archways, we reach the large double doors at the very end. One of our many butlers, Remington, gives me a look that says "Your father is not happy", before opening the door. I take a deep breath and we step through the doors to find Dad, and my two half-sisters sitting at the north end of the thirty foot dining table, the side closest to the six floor-to-ceiling windows. Graycen follows me across the lush, crimson-colored carpet to my chair. He politely pulls out the chair and I sit, erect. He goes and sits in the chair opposite of me. My eyes roam around the golden, ornate walls and the chandeliers before returning to my family. I notice they haven't started eating yet.

Blair and Felicity, my sisters, offer me small smiles as I look at them.

It's a very complicated story regarding how we were all born. When my dad and mom were eighteen, Mom got pregnant with James. Dad, being the Prince of the Nightshade at the time, had to leave her because she was a human. Unfortunately, the King, my grandfather, kicked out Dad. When he went to look for Mom again, she had left without a trace. After five years of living his life, my grandfather died, making Dad the king. He met another woman, a fairy, and they got married and had Blair. One year later, Felicity came along; their mom died giving birth to her. My father, overcome with grief, left the girls to my Uncle, his younger brother, and gave up his position as King. After leaving, he met Mom again with eight-year-old James in tow. They got together and had me. Around the time Mom died, my Uncle also died making Dad the king again. That's why he was never around in that short period between her death and returning to the Nightshade. We were then all reunited.

Very complicated, but there you go.

"You are," Dad looks at his watch, "thirty-three minutes late." At the age of forty-four, Dad looks just his age. His salt-and-pepper hair is still full and his face is nearly wrinkle free. Always looking his finest and acting his finest. Although serious at times, Dad is a very light-hearted man.

"I'm sorry, we slept in," I say. Dad is well aware of Graycen and me. He hopes that eventually Graycen will propose and be the future king to rule by my side. Yes, I am the youngest but it's Dad's decision on who is the next ruler. Blair and Felicity are fine with it, too.

"I see," he says. "Well, let's make sure it won't happen again. We only waited for you because it was time that the five of us had a certain conversation." Blair, Felicity, Graycen and I share glances. I catch something in Gray's eyes that tells me he knows a little more than the rest of us.

"But first, let's eat!" Dad says with a chuckle. The servants emerge from curtained arches in the walls with plates. They set them in front of us on the pale tablecloth. Pancakes. I smile inwardly. I love the cook's pancakes. They are heavenly. Plus, she always makes sure to slip chocolate chips in the girl's pancakes. We also are given a small bowl of fruit, a small bowl of oatmeal topped wit blueberries, and a tall glass of orange juice. We eat in delicate silence for a bit, listening to the birds converse outside the windows. Finally, Dad says something.

"Graycen, my boy!" he booms. I look over at my boyfriend while taking a sip from my glass. "Have you proposed yet?" I choke. Four sets of eyes land on me. Graycen starts to get up but Felicity, who is sitting next to me gets up first.

"Are you alright?" she asks, handing me a napkin. I nod while trying to digest what my father just asked. Then I start to laugh at the idea. Dad and Graycen look like they are two steps away from sending for a doctor. Blair and Felicity share a glance before Felicity leans down to whisper in my ear.

"We told you so," she whispers before going back to sit. My sisters know exactly how I feel about getting married. I hate the idea. They've been telling me that eventually Dad is going to start forcing us to get on with it. I find the whole idea of marriage a joke, or at least right now I do. I guess I love Graycen but not that much.

I finally reign in the giggles that escape from my lips and utter a sorry.

"Well?" Dad questions. I look at him incredulously.

"Dad! I'm eighteen! Of course not," I exclaim.

"Eighteen is a great time to get married," he offers.

"Then why aren't they married?" I gesture toward my sisters. They shoot me the same warning look.

"Daddy," I begin putting on the innocence. "I'm not getting married anytime soon. We aren't ready, right Graycen?" I ask giving him a look. He looks uncomfortable for a second.

"Well, Laci," he starts. I stand up so fast in my chair that it falls over. I ignore it.

"Are you serious?!" My voice rises. I know I am being extremely unprincess-like right now .But who cares? I look at Graycen and Dad.

"I'm not getting married!" I shout. Blair and Felicity wince. Graycen gets up.

"Sit. Down." I spit. He immediately obeys.

"It's my decision, my life!" I say.

"It's the people's lives too, Laci," Dad explains.

"I doubt e getting married concerns the people." I throw down my napkin. "I think I'm done." I say and turn to leave, then face Graycen.

"I dare you to follow me." The look on his face says he wouldn't dare. I rush toward the door and say before leaving, "Its my life!"

Just as the door closes, I hear from my dad, "She's a handful."

I updated just a day after! Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next chapter!