The One He's Not

Stole Away & Chick Punches

Stole Away & Chick Punches

KAT

I didn't have time to think before we were already riding off through the overgrowth of the forest. Not that I would have particularly protested against getting away from the palace, since I was practically begging for it. We were just moving at such a fast pace that there was no time for explanations or talking.

I rode on Noel's horse and clung to him from behind while resting my cheek on his back. None of us said anything and I was thankful that I didn't upchuck anymore on the trip home. Therefore, the embarrassment that I was feeling was minimal.

Home. I knew that now, this side was my home. I came to the realization when I first saw Dean in the garden and when Noel made his appearance. I knew that it was my home, but now that I was a runaway and breaking away on horseback, I felt my stomach flip flop at the possible consequences.

Nora was going to be after us for sure. I don't know how, but she was going to be searching and that had me a little frightened. I know that Noel wouldn't care for it and would just brush it off, but that was the whole reason why I stayed away from him in the first place. I was trying to protect him, but now...

All of these possible worries bounced in my head and when we pulled to a stop out front of Noel's mother's cabin, I was still in a daze. Noel hopped off in one swing and then extended his hand to help me get down safely. I felt a sudden head rush when my feet touched the ground and the large wedding dress that I was wearing was dragging my weight so much, I felt like I was swimming in water with clothes on.

I didn't even get a chance to see where Dean had gone, but he wasn't with us anymore. Noel and I stood alone and for once, I had no idea what to say to him. No snarky remark, no seductive line, nothing. I didn't know where we stood and I wanted to explain everything to him. He said that 'he didn't want to lose me', but that could have meant anything. I may have ruined it between us for not coming back and if he wanted to drop me, then I would understand.

I'm sure the baby would understand too, somehow.

Noel tied up the horse near the outside of his house and without looking up, he grabbed me by the hand and tugged me inside behind him. I was worried that we were going to see Meredith and if we did, I knew that she was going to ask a lot of questions, but it appeared that she wasn't home. Noel's house was vacant and inside, I felt relieved. It would make Noel's breakup easier and it would give me some breathing room to explain my side of the story.

Noel's back was to me, so I took that as an opportunity to speak. Not seeing his eyes would be some sort of an encouragement. "Noel, the day that I didn't come back, I didn't' do it all on purpose. The Queen, Nora, she-"

To stop me from speaking, Noel turned his body around so he could place a strong hand over my mouth. I continued to mumble into his palm, making Noel chuckle dryly. Shit, he was pissed.

"I thought that you left me for that idiot," he chuckled again, more crazed this time. His eyes were shaky and his pupils were dilated, making it seem as if he wasn't talking to me, but to some unknown character created in his head. "I thought that you were actually going to go through with the wedding and marry..."

His voice trailed off as his eyes made their way down my dress. I knew that he was putting the pieces together that the dress that I was indeed wearing was a wedding gown, but to me, the dress never felt like that. It felt like a horrible label, a rotten symbol.

"It is what you think it is," I whispered. "But then again, it isn't."

His eyebrows furrowed, but I continued anyway. "This thing that I'm wearing is not pure like a wedding dress is supposed to be. I didn't try and marry Dexter out of love and choice, Noel. His mother, Nora, she was blackmailing me. She said that she would kill you if I didn't go through with the marriage to her son. She had been watching us this whole time Noel, she knows everything about us! She even told me..."