Читать книгу The Falling of the Stars - Lina Fischer - Страница 9

The Truth

As I descended the grand staircase into the ballroom, I heard classical music playing. The marble stairs were decorated with candles and the atmosphere was something I’d never experienced before. Candles and chandeliers lit the room with a comfortable shimmer.

When I came back to reality, I noticed that it was quiet, and all eyes were on me. I smiled graciously and saw that Eden stood at the end of the stairs holding out his arm. I couldn’t deny him in front of every noble in the kingdom, but of course, that was the point. I put on my dearest smile and kissed his cheek as I took his arm. I got a warm welcome from everyone and finally they started dancing.

“I don’t want to ruin your birthday, Astoria, so let’s at least put our differences aside for a moment and enjoy ourselves,” Eden said, not quite meeting my eyes. He held his hand out with a questioning look.

It took me a moment, but finally I took his hand and he led me onto the dance floor. A new song had just started, and we danced like we had since we were children, his hand on my waist and mine behind his neck.

I wasn’t able to look him in the eyes after what had happened; there are some things you can’t put aside, after all. He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Please look at me, Astoria. I’m sorry for how I behaved, it’s just that I’m done waiting for someone that maybe doesn’t even want me,” he said quietly.

“Eden, I love you more than anything, but you just saw what happens if we don’t stop that right now. We can’t work, as much as we want it to, it won’t,” I said, talking into his chest.

“I know, but it’ll take me some time to process this. I don’t think we should see each other until then,” he mumbled, and with that the song ended and he left me stunned.

As I made my way over to the bar, I suddenly felt someone bump into me. I almost fell, but the stranger caught me with his hands on my waist. I looked up into grey eyes, staring at me.

“I’m sorry for bumping into you, are you alright?” I asked the handsome stranger.

“You were quite lucky, that fall could’ve torn your dress easily,” he smirked.

His ginger hair shone in the light from the chandelier, and I couldn’t get past the thought that I must have seen him before; there was an instant connection.

“Do I know you by any chance?”

“We’ll meet again soon, Astoria,” he said before disappearing into the shadows.