Thorns of Fate: Serendipity Saga Book One

Chapter Eleven

The doors unfolded before me and the gentle chatter of the room immediately died away. The doors opened onto a long courtroom style building. At its back stood a raised dais that sported a long desk situated before seven raised seats.

Along the outer six were an eclectic group of people of different races and genders. Four of them were men and two women.

In the next seat from center, sat Henrick. He looked bored and leaned diagonally in his chair. It almost looked intentional, like he was trying to convey something with the gesture.

In the middle stood my father, speaking quietly to his side where Carson was leaning towards him and evidently sharing whispered words.

Nearest to me were twelve long benches seating dozens of people. All of their heads swiveled up to me.

Every head in the room turned toward us actually. There was a momentary silence. Anton dashed across me, walking toward his father. And I simply stood there.

The entire room came to a stand in an instant. The quick shuffling of movement growing silent. They all stared at me endlessly, like they were trying to piece their imaginings to the real thing.

A hollow horror swelled in my gut. Anton turned and his eyes met mine for a moment. For an instant he looked astounded. He simply stared at me. Then slowly, his expression changed to one of sympathy.

My father's eyes immediately turned to me, angry, then relieved. He took a deep breath as though he hadn't been able to suck air into his lungs and his shoulders relaxed. He whispered to Carson again, who stood straight, his eyes meeting mine.

He was dressed in that crimson shirt, clinging to his frame. Those brilliant green eyes were tracking me. For one moment his eyes went wide, then they traced down my body and narrowed. He stood straighter as a mischievous smile crept across his face.

My face went alight. My eyes swept away from him, anywhere but him. I caught sight of Anton standing now behind his seated father. He was giving me a disapproving look.

It was at that moment that Kellic sauntered up beside me and looped her arm through mine. She walked me toward my father, her cool hand gentle on my arm. I gave her a grateful look with my eyes. She smiled up at me.

We crossed the room and she assisted me in stepping up to the dais gracefully in this perfect—but long—dress. She looked beautiful. She wore an equally long blue gown. It was embellished all along her left side with crystals. There was a high slit that went clear up to her hip and culminated in a blossom of differently shaped gems. It was strapless with a plunging neckline that exposed even more cleavage than mine. Her dark hair was pinned up behind her ear and her makeup was flawless. She was absolutely stunning. She commanded the room with her poise and eyes followed her. Even Carson's eyes had followed us. I envied her.

Otherwise no words were spoken, no other sound made.

Carson was the first to unfreeze, bowing deeply at his waist. And then the room rippled into curtsies and bows. My face grew hotter.

I couldn't do this. There was no way I could do this. I could not be a princess. I couldn't be treated like this. I couldn't decide if it was humiliating or just horrendously awkward. I didn't feel right up here.

That hollow feeling in my chest expanded. My vision went briefly grey, and my arm reflexively tightened on Kellic's arm. She reached up to me, her delicate fingers touching my chin. She swiveled my gaze to her and the panic receded a little.

Damien stepped over to me bending and kissing the back of my hand. "My child, you look stunning," he said. "I'm glad you could find your way back to us," he said emphasizing the word. He glanced up to Kellic and straightened his body. "Thank you, miss Santina."