Bound By Blood: The Pureblood Prince

Chapter Five

        I assumed I was joining him for dinner, but Claire brought in that funny soup for me at dinnertime, and wouldn't tell me anything. "It's not my business to know, Miss." she said. 

Claire helped me into my dress, tightening the bodice with laces in the back. I was so stiff, I felt like a stuffed pig. I didn't look at myself much until Claire left. The dress was beautiful, but so over the top. I felt like I was going to a weird, dark country club party. The dress put my boobs on full display, a necklace with a small pendant resting over them. My hair was curled, pinned on one side. Claire had taken this sparkling cream, and glazed it along my collarbone. My lashes were thick and dark, my lips painted a deep flush. My cheeks were glistening and rosy.

My dress was peculiar. It was nothing people often wore where I was from. It was intricately made, with florid details embroidered along the waist. Layers and layers of fabric fluttered around my waist, growing thinner as it went down. At my ankles, it was completely sheer, exposing my skin.

I sighed nervously, dropping to my bed. The dress wouldn't let me lie comfortably, so I just rested awkwardly on my side. Moonlight shown through my window. I hoped Gabriel would cancel his plans and I could get out of this thing, and just lie here and cry. Oh god, I shouldn't have thought about crying...

I could feel the tears burning my eyes, leaking down the side of my face. I suddenly felt so stupidly helpless, and terrified. My parents were probably losing their minds trying to find me. I heard the door opening behind me. "Claire, please just come back later," I called, my voice breaking.

I blinked and Gabriel was in front of me, looking concerned. He furrowed his brows and leaned down, easing me up. He held my face in his hands, wiping the tears from my cheeks. He didn't say anything, just let me bury my face in his shoulder and cry. I tried my hardest not to sob, but I couldn't control it. Gabriel sat down, moving me onto his lap. He stroked my hair delicately with his fingers.

"I'm sorry, Cora," he whispered. "I'm so very sorry."

Part of me wanted to scream, to tell him that he can't be sorry, because this was his choice. To demand he let me go. But he held me so tightly. It felt like he was holding me together. If he let go, I felt like I might fall into a thousand pieces. So I stayed there, waiting for my breathing to calm, and let him envelope me.

He broke his embrace, and I hesitantly leaned back. His eyes met mine. "You don't have to go anywhere tonight." he said softly. "They will be here for two more days, we will meet them tomorrow. My father will get over it."

"No," I protested, separating myself from him. "You shouldn't do anything on my behalf." I wiped the tears away with my wrist, sniffling. He stood up.

"I just don't feel you're in any shape to-"

"I'm not going to get better, Gabriel. I'm not going to get used to this." I interjected. I straightened myself, smiling weakly. "See? What I can do, is look fine. I'm ready to go."

Gabriel looked at me like I was an injured animal. I knew I just let him comfort me, but I sorely regretted it now. I didn't want to look like the helpless victim I felt I was. I just wanted to be strong, use my wits and get out of here.

Gabriel handed me his pocket square, and I dabbed away the tears. He held out a hand, and I took it. He led me to his room and out the door. I stared at the door as it swung open, my brain pinging. Gabriel's door didn't have a lock on the outside. Of course it didn't...

"Stay behind me," he whispered, guiding me to walk at his back.

The halls were dark, and seemed to go on forever. Two maids rushed by us, one leaning to whisper to the other. Their sudden appearance made me flinch.