History of Fictitious: Volume Three

Chapter 12

When the boat reaches the old docks near Effa, it is almost evening. Despite my brothers telling me to keep my distance from Shane, I grab his hand and rush towards the castle.

"Arabelle, wait!" Danny shouts as he, Flint, and Gill tie the boat down.

I can't wait. I must know if it worked. Shane follows along, and we blaze past the beach and fields until we reach where the barrier begins. The two young women are close behind us. They pant and then stare ahead.

"Wow, a castle. Is that where we're headed? Why'd you stop?"

Shane and I glance at each other. Shane then reaches one hand forward while I squeeze his other tightly. I wait for his hand to slip through, but it rests against the invisible barrier, which ripples at his touch. My heart sinks as I crash to the ground, stifling a sob.

Red wolves jump out of the barrier, causing the girls to scream and run to the boat. Shane orders the spirits to stand down as he bangs his fist against the translucent dome. The wolves whimper before disappearing the way they came. I remain on the ground, still clutching Shane's hand.

Tears flow freely down my face as I stare at the ruined castle ahead of us. "I guess I lied. Maybe what I feel isn't enough."

Shane kneels in front of me. He lifts my hand and kisses my palm before setting our hands on the grass. I bite down on my quivering lip, wondering if my time with those awful men made me so excruciatingly lonely and desperate that being with Shane seemed like a dream. I swallow. No, I've been careful, and I've met other men. Good and evil men, but I choose to be with Shane because he's steadfast, compassionate, and generous.

"If you can find eternal love, one person you value above yourself, before the last petal falls, your curse shall be shattered," Shane mutters, "That's what the Creator said to me. Perhaps we have to wait until the last petal falls."

He brushes away my tears with his thumb. I grab his wrist, keeping his hand there.

"You're right. I trust you, and I trust how I feel. I shouldn't assume the worst. Though, that's the eternal love bit. How would we prove that to her? You've already let me go, thinking I wouldn't come back. And then you've spent your last months searching for me. Isn't that putting me before yourself?"

Shane rests his forehead against mine, sighing, "I don't know. But I feel satisfied that I've done everything I can. It feels good just to be with you, even for a moment."

There's a cough behind me. I turn while Shane looks up. Danny stands with his hands on his hips, then smiles sympathetically.

"It didn't break, did it?"

I shake my head. Danny stares at the castle and hums, "Well, it might be quicker than Arabelle would approve of, but marriage is a forever commitment. I also highly recommend it. Plus, Gill already gave his permission, so . . ."

"So you'll leave us alone for a good thirty minutes?" Shane asks, arching an eyebrow.

Danny laughs until he realizes Shane isn't joking. "Oh, um, right. I'll just report back home then."

He trudges off, and I hesitantly turn back to Shane, who has already shifted onto one knee. So we're really doing this. I've always hated the saying, "When you know, you know," but I know, and there's not much point waiting, especially when it might break the curse. Otherwise, we can't be together.

Shane clears his throat and brings our hands on his knee. We hadn't let go since I took his hand on the boat, and we're still holding on.

"Arabelle, will you marry me, flaws and all?"