23
My heart was in my throat.
Here I was, at a fancy gala, in a ball gown, staring at Luka, a real life prince.
I remembered meeting him, the first of the three, on my first day as a new student trying to convince him to let me join the literary club.
And here he was, dressed in the same tuxedo he’d worn to the charity auction. He really did look like the dashing prince, ready to sweep me off my feet.
I didn’t dare keep him waiting. This was it. I seized my future and I stepped onto the dance floor, closing the gap between us.
“Your Highness,” I said, curtsying. It was a move I’d specifically learned for him. It was a wonder I did it at all without falling flat on my face in those heels.
“My princess.” He swept one arm across his front and slipped another behind him, bowing in response. As he rose, his hand extended. “Would you do me the honor?”
I took his hand. He pulled me gently into a simple dance position. He began to lead, rocking us from side to side. I followed along, thankful this was a slow dance and not some complicated affair.
“I wasn’t sure if you were expecting me to waltz with you,” I said, looking up at him while we danced.
“To be perfectly honest,” Luka said, smiling down at me, “I prefer the idea of a slow dance where we can talk. Especially when it comes to you, princess.”
“Sweet talker,” I teased, even as my heart thumped heavily in my chest.
“Well deserved,” he said. “Before I forget, you look positively beautiful. I would be happy to dance with you in front of any crowd in the world.”
I rested my head against his shoulder, enjoying the scent of him, his warmth, following his delicate steps as we danced beneath the glitter of the lights above.
“Aubrey,” Luka whispered into my ear.
“Yes, Luka?” I lifted my head to meet his eyes.
“I want you to know I’m in love with you.”
His words slid into me, lifting my heart like a balloon, while at the same time turning my feet into lead. I stopped in the middle of our dance, wonder filling my chest.
“Did you just tell me that you love me?” I asked cautiously.
“That I did,” Luka said. “I don’t expect you to say it back. Not yet. I know you’ve gone through so much lately. Just know that you are in my heart and on my mind, and I treasure you beyond what words can express.”
I swallowed heavily. A tear slid down my cheek. The warm, salty trickle felt much different from all the other tears I’d recently cried.
“Luka, I care about you so much,” I said. “I love being with you. I never want to lose you.”
The music came to a close. As it did, he lifted my hand up high. I followed his lead, spinning around, layers of silk and lace floating around my legs.
I landed back onto his chest. He touched his forehead to mine.
“You’ll never lose me,” he said.
Applause erupted from the crowd. I looked behind me, startled. I didn’t want to let go of him. I didn’t want the moment to end.
Mercifully, he did it for me.
“Give my regards to Jaeson,” he said, stepping backwards. “I do believe he’s next.”
With that, Luka bowed. I repeated the curtsy as he walked away, my heart and mind still reeling from his confession. I limited myself to one quick skim of the crowd. There was a mix of reactions from our audience, some pleased, others less so.
Jaeson stepped out. I had to catch myself from laughing. He also was wearing the same suit as the night of the auction, but his sleeves were rolled down and fastened at the wrist with cufflinks.
