Little White Lies

5. Little White Lies

            “Wake up,” I heard, along with a light hand on my shoulder. For a moment I thought I was back at home, back in high school. For a moment, I thought it had all been a bad dream. But then I remembered where I was.

            “Get off me,” I yelled as I shot up in bed.

            “I’m sorry,” he said as he backed away from me. “But you didn’t answer the wake up call and I knew you wouldn’t want a stranger to see you while you sleep.”

            “Anyone would’ve been better than you,” I grumbled. Ok, so maybe I was being a little harsh, but I was still hurting. “Get out of here, *your highness*.”

            He flinched. “Right. Well, they’re expecting you in the dining hall.”

            “Whatever, just leave.”

            He started to walk toward the door but at the last moment he turned ack around to face me. “Zee,” he squeezed his eyes shut and corrected himself. “I’m sorry, *Zyda*. I just want to try to get things back to normal. You’re my best friend.”

            I was furious. “Things will never be back to normal! You ruined that when you left. Do you have any idea how much I hate you?! Do you have any idea how many times I’ve dreamed about smacking you across the face for what you did to me?” I let out an angry groan. “I just don’t understand what could have possibly made you do what you did.”

            He took a tentative step forward. “Let me try to explain. I know I messed up with the way I handled it but it came out of nowhere. My older brother- “

            “You have an older brother, too! My god was anything you ever told me true?!”

            “I *had* an older brother,” he responded softly. “He was really sick…and when he died they called me back.”

            Now I was in a truly awkward position. I couldn’t yell at him when his brother died, but he was still in the wrong. “I’m sorry about your brother but I could’ve been there for you. You could have at least called. It’s been six months, Tristan. I’m not saying you should be over his passing but I think that’s more than enough time to make a phone call to the girl you said you *loved*.” I took a deep breath and rubbed my hand over my face. “I honestly don’t even know why you invited me here. You’re putting me in direct danger. I mean, how long do you think I can last here? As it is just being in this room with you is making me want to explode!”

            “you’re right. I’m sorry. I will never be able to apologize enough. I guess- I guess there’s something else I need to tell you…but I don’t think this is a good time. Don’t worry about exploding. I made sure this room was vercilon-proof. Everything in here is safe. Please just come to the dining room when you’re ready. We’re waiting on you for breakfast.” Then, finally, he left and I was able to release all of my emotion before getting ready.

            I took longer than I probably should have to get ready, but I wanted to look my best. As angry as I was with Tristan, I still loved him, and I wanted him to eat his heart out when he saw me. My long brown dress hugged every inch of my thin yet curvy figure. The neckline plummeted low enough to show off enough cleavage to drive any man insane and, as a highlight, there was a bright jewel at the end of the neckline to draw the eyes of anyone who may have otherwise missed it. My hair was long and seductively wavy. Yes, the dress was very sexy, but since it was long and covered every inch of me except that one very revealed area, it was still appropriate.

            When I walked into the dining room I was immediately glad for my choice. Tristan stared at me and allowed his jaw to drop. Every other man at the table had the same reaction, except for the handsome blond guard talking to Abby. When I sat down next to her the guard smiled and walked away. I gave Tristan a quick glance before noticing the empty chairs next to him for his parents. I guess we were waiting for them as well.

            “Damn, Zee, you’re really trying to dig it into him aren’t you?”

            I smiled. “Of course. What is he thinking right now?”

            She gave me a half smile and shook her head. “I’m completely on your side, but I’m not telling you his thoughts.”

            “You used to with no problems,” I countered.

            “Just trust me; this is different.”

            I sighed. “So who was that guard?”

            “His name is Guild. He was my morning wake up call and walked me down here.” She paused, looked around and sighed contentedly. “He’s so dreamy.”

            I smiled. “You know you have him hung up on you already.”

            “I know. I couldn’t help but read him,” she responded. “But I still want to play it cool.”

            “Good idea, better not give him any advantage at all,” I said jokingly. “Don’t you think, considering you read his mind already, you should give him a hint that you like him?”

            “Oh he knows,” she dismissed. “But enough about my love life; you should be concentrating on yours.”

            “Well what do you expect me to do? I’m not just going to go up and talk to him.”

            A worried look crossed her face and she abruptly turned to glare at Tristan before turning to the staircase. “You won’t have to,” she said before the king and queen appeared at the staircase followed by a beautiful young woman. She had long golden blond hair that was loosely braided with a strand of silver through it; there was also a braid of silver across the top of her head. Her dress was light blue with a silver trim. The dress brought out the color in her big round eyes. She paused for a moment at the top of the steps before setting her eyes on Tristan and giving him a soft smile. That was when I realized there weren’t only two empty seats; there were three.

            When she sat down next to him and he smiled back at her, my heart broke again. Suddenly I didn’t feel like I was wearing something appropriately seductive; I felt like I was dressed like a tramp and needed to leave. What had I been thinking? Wasn’t I the one who said things had changed between us? Of course those changes hadn’t been one-sided.

            I glanced back at him once more and caught her whispering something to him while he laughed.

            “How could you let me make a fool of myself like this?” I whispered to Abby. “You should have warned me.”

            “I didn’t know about her until just now or I would have,” she answered. “He never even thought about her.”