Across the Midnight Sea

Chapter 7: A Different Choice

Adira was halfway back to her room before she became aware of the fact that she was still smiling like a giddy little school girl.

How had everything that had gone so wrong suddenly turned towards something that felt so right?

Her fingertips came up to touch her mouth where she could still feel that last gentle kiss goodbye from Xavier.

You still have to convince them to let you marry him, Adira reminded herself.

"It will be fine," she said out loud.

"Miss?" asked one of the servants.

"Oh...no, nothing," she said waving her hand then paused. "Actually do you know if my mother is still at the party?"

"Lady Warren retired up to her room a little over half an hour ago miss," the servant offered.

"Thank you," Adira nodded.

This was perfect. Her mother would still be awake, she was sure of it. All the pins and jewels and delicate buttons on her mothers gown and hair would ensure that she was still awake. There was no point in waiting, not if Xavier planned to talk to her step father as soon as Lord Warren would take his call.

Adira made her way through the halls. The sounds of the party were already dying down. A part of her wanted to go and steal Lillia away to tell her best friend the news, but there was always tomorrow for that. It was important that Adira won her mother over on this before Xavier spoke to Lord Warren. After all her mother was the only person who seemed to be able to get Lord Warren to change his mind about anything.

Shaking off her nerves Adira raised her knuckles and tapped on the her mother's chamber door.

"Who is it?" came the familiar voice of her mother's lady in waiting.

"It's me," answered Adira.

The door opened and Adira stepped inside.

Her mother was sitting in her nightgown at the vanity. Her long hair hanging loose at her back.

"Yes darling?" asked Lady Warren turning towards her.

"Mama, I've come to speak with you about something?"

"You were wonderful tonight," her mother said smiling. "And I saw that Lord Gregory sought you out after your performance."

Her mother's eyes twinkled with happiness.

"That's what I came to talk to you about," said Adira and she went over to the chair near her mother.

"You will make such a lovely bride," said her mother clutching Adira's hands between her own.

Adira swallowed.

"I can't marry Lord Gregory"

"Tush, tush," said Lady Warren waving away Adira's statement like a fly in the air.

"Mother I can't."

Lady Warren's face grew serious and the twinkle in her eye sharpened to a knife point.

"Do you have any idea how hard I worked to procure this match?"

"And I appreciate that," said Adira.

"Obviously you don't" said Lady Warren and she started to stand.

"Mama, I don't mean to upset you. Please," Adira reached out for her mother's hand.

Lady Warren softened and sat back down covering Adira's hands with her own.

"I know these things can be scary sometimes Adira, but you could not hope to do better. Yes Lord Gregory is a little older than I am sure you would have liked, but he is royalty. You will be royalty."

"I can't marry him."

"Yes you can, and more importantly you will," Lady Warren stood. "I'm off to bed now. You should go as well. I know this is all a bit of a shock, but once you have slept on it I am sure you will see the light. Frankly I thought you would be happy, this way you don't have to go through all the trouble of a debut. We both know you don't like to put in the effort on your appearance anyways."

Adira felt like she had been slapped.

While it was true that she did not care for all the heavy jewels and trappings her mother seemed to adore so much, or for the colourful paint that was so popular for women to wear on their lids, she still put in effort.

She searched for an escape...and then Xavier was there in her mind his offer standing like a beacon of hope.

"Mama, what if there was someone else?"

"What?" Lady Warren whirled.

"I...have feelings for someone else."

"Who?" there was definite anger in her mother's voice now.

"He want's to marry me Mama," said Adira.

"Who does?"

"Xavier."

"That boy?" Lady Warren snorted. "He's practically a peasant."

"He is not," Adira protested. "He comes from a good family. The second richest in the Province."

"And your betrothed is the second in line to be King, There is no comparison."

"No there isn't. Xavier is Kind and good and he cares about me."

"He doesn't care about you he just wants to marry up in the world. You'd make an excellent stepping stone for his family, I am sure of it. Step-daughter of a lord," Lady Warren Scoffed. "Well, I won't let my daughter be used like that."

"But you will let me be sold off?!"

"You make it sound like I'm some heartless creature Adira. I am doing this for you. I want what is best for you."

"I know that," said Adira and she rushed to her mother's side grabbing hold of her hand. "But please listen to me. I can't marry Lord Gregory. He doesn't care about me he only cares about my voice!"

"Adira you can not blame him for wanting you for your voice."

"I don't blame him for that-" Adira started.

"I am sure that boy is just the same, only at least Lord Gregory is honest about it.," her mother interrupted. "That boy probably lied and fed you pretty words."

"That's not true he-"

"Enough!" her mother yelled and then she doubled over clutching her stomach.

"Mama!"

"What's going on in here!?" Lord Warren's voice came from behind but Adira wasn't listening to him, she was reaching for her mother who had dropped to her knees clutching her swollen belly.

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Thanks very much for taking the time to read, please leave a comment if you enjoyed/are enjoying this story-they really do help keep me motivated and feeling good about writing.