Torment ( Book Two )

Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"Good evening, everyone," Mr. Klune said to the large crowd. "Thank you for attending the ball. I would like to invite Queen Luna up to say a few words."

Luna walked up the stairs and stopped at the microphone. "I would like to repeat Mr. Klune in welcoming you and thanking you for coming tonight. This is a night for celebration, indeed. It is with great joy I announce the return of my daughter, Sally. I lost her five years ago but we are finally reunited. Come up here, Sally."

Sally was waiting at the bottom of the steps and once that que was given, she trotted up to join Luna, instantly clinging onto her leg as the crowd applauded. The girl was going to be under the care of Amber in a few months, too. It was an odd thought and made Amber nervous. What if she wasn't a good mother? She wasn't old enough to be a mother!

"And to make this celebration even more important, Amber Brookewind and I are engaged," Luna announced. "Join me up here, please, dear."

The crowd cheered and clapped again as Amber nervously walked up to join Luna on the stage. Looking out into the large crowd made her stomach twist.

"Would you like to speak?" Luna asked her above the roar of the crowd and away from the microphone.

Amber quickly shook her head. "No, no, no."

Luna faced the crowd again with a grin. "My fiancé would like to say a few words."

What?!

Luna stepped back and motioned Amber to the microphone by tilting her head in that direction.

Amber swallowed. What was she supposed to say?

She stepped forward and gazed at the crowd who gazed right back at her. "Um... I'm so happy and blessed to get the opportunity to marry such a lovely woman and I'm thrilled that Luna's daughter has returned. It... It has been a wonderful past few days and I can't wait to be able to call Queen Luna my wife."

She must have said something right because the crowd cheered like they did for Luna and her girlfriend leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

Luna pushed her head past Amber to get to the microphone again. "Let the party continue!"

The three got off the stage and Amber turned on Luna. "I told you I didn't want to talk!"

Luna rolled her eyes and hooked her elbow with Amber's. "You did a great job."

"What if I hadn't, though?! I hate talking in front of people."

"I don't understand why," Luna responded before they were hounded by citizens who wanted to meet the Queen and Sally. Nobody had any desire to meet Amber so she eventually wandered off.

She found Joel and Samuel at the punch bowl. "Hey guys."

"Hello, Amber," Joel beamed. "You look fantastic!"

Amber wore a dark red dress which was as large as the ones Luna wore. Luna was clad in a similar dress, only it was in black.

"Thank you, Joel. You two look nice as well."

Samuel smiled at her. "Thanks. How long is this party supposed to last?"

Amber shrugged. "It's supposed to end at twelve, but don't bet on that happening."

"I didn't get good sleep last night and I'm already tired," Samuel complained.

Joel grabbed his hand. "We'll go sit down in one of the living rooms."

Samuel nodded, his brown hair bouncing. "I'd like that. It was nice seeing you again, Amber."

"Yeah, congratulations on your engagement!"