Hate Vows

Playing Couple (Livona)

PICTURE OF KALDEN ON SIDE - - - - - - >

Numbly, I ignored Riley's expression of shock. What, I couldn't be cooperative? Rolling my eyes, I ignored the urge to tell him I didn't find his idea appalling either. I just needed to know the plan. He was cute, and right now I needed cute. Obviously Kalden wasn't nearly as upset as I was and the knowledge made my heart hurt.

                         "I'm going to get a drink, I'm thristy." He said nothing and I just sighed, turning away with a roll of my eyes. The truth was I needed a distraction. My life was so weird. The love of my life (or so I thought) gave me up withoht hesitation, my parents were marrying me off, I was going to be Queen sooner than I thought, and somehow the man I should hate the most managed to talk me out of running away to be his mate for a year. The idea of not hating him after the year was implausible and yet I felt my hands trembling at the possibility of having to stay. As I approached the dining room doors, Riley slipped to my side and flashed a reassuring smile. Two guards opened the doors and I inhalef deeply as everyone fell silent to stare at us warily. Placing a hand at the small of my back, Riley smirked when I arched forward, another shock catching me off guard. But as I glanced at Riley's profile there was no confusion,  as if he'd expected it this time. He was the perfect example of cool and collected. Politely and silently, he led me to my chair and pushed me in before returning to his own chair. Meeting my eyes, Riley interlaced his fingers on his lap and herked his head towards my parents. He wanted me to apologize? Frowning into his amused eyes, my annoyance grew as his lips twitched in attempt to fight a smile.  Everyone was watching us silently and I narrowed my eyes at Riley, trying to defy. Now he was smiling and his eyes twinkling with devilish laughter. I could basically hear it in my mind. The fleabag. Slowly, his lips mouthed carefully.

                    "Do it." Preventing a hiss, I rolled my eyes before shifting them to my parents. They were watching me as if they expected me to explode any second. Dad's eyes bored into me with a steely firmness while mother's eyes were sad. I'd never seen her show any sign of remorse and it caused my heart to clench. Slowly I began, keeping my eyes on the table instead of their faces.

                  "I wanted to apologize to everyone for my childish reaction earlier. Riley and I have discussed it and decided to give this a try," now my eyes shot up to my parents, hoping they portrayed the forgiveness I craved. "so yeah, I'm sorry." They seemed to accept it and cautiously I turned towards Reed and Leah. Did they think I was a spoiled brat? Surprisingly their eyes were soft and their faces held understanding smiles. I was relieved to hear dad's light, booming voice instead of the pounding tone dripping with rage.

                    "Aha! That's my girl!"  Delicately, mother's cold hands gripped mine and instead of yanking it away like I normally would've, I squeezed it softly. Her eyes filled with thankful tears and I felt my own lip quivering as I smiled at her. She'd always meant well, I wondered why it took my marriage to realize this. It made guilt consume me for how terrible I've always been.

                    "Thank you Child." I knew she meant for forgiving them so quickly and nodded before dropping my eyes. My eyes then slid up as Riley's parents addressed him.

                     "How are you feeling Son?" Turning towards him, I blushed to find him staring at me intently. After a moment, he smiled at his parents with a genuine expression.

                     "Great. I'm interested to see how this turns out." Everyone released a sigh of relief and I blushed again as Riley turned back towards me. I'm interested to see how this turns out too.

***************************************************************************

"Wake up darling. It's time for breakfast."  Groaning, I wiggled around in my blankets only entangling myself further. Squinting through sleepy eyes, I grunted in greeting to my mother's smiling face. Lissette waved at me before throwing open the curtains, letting in the sun. Hissing, I closed my eyes and burrowed into the blankets. We may be able to walk in the sun but it may as well burn me every morning.