I scanned the crowd until I saw a woman crying. She was with an older man who had his arm around her and a little girl clung to her leg. The girl wasn’t crying but she looked sad. She couldn’t have been older than five.
Rick had fallen behind but I didn’t look back. My heart raced as I approached the family.
The little girl noticed me first. Her eyes widened and she lifted her head a little.
The full list of people who’d died wasn’t released yet but names were thrown out there. I’d done a little research before we left and recognised this family as one of the few who’d lost someone. The little girl no longer had a father.
Her mother’s sobs stopped when she noticed me.
I crouched down in front of the girl.
“Hi,” I said gently. “I’m Ashley. What’s your name?”
She mumbled her name.
I pulled one of the roses out of the bouquet and held it out to her.
“What’s your favourite colour, Emma?” I asked her.
“Pink,” she whispered. I placed the rest of the roses on the ground and raised my fingers to the rose I was holding out for her. The deep red colour started to drain away until the rose was bright pink. Emma stared at it in wonder and took the rose. I stood up straight and faced her mother.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” I told her, my voice breaking slightly. Why was I choking up? I’d been so confident in my plan earlier. “I’m sorry we failed your family…”
I took a breath to calm myself. There were people staring at me, pointing their cameras. I had to keep it together.
“I’d like to pay for the funeral,” I told her. “And I want to help your family out financially. I can’t… I can’t bring your husband back and I know money isn’t everything… But I want to help anyway.”
The woman stared at me, her puffy eyes wide. I swallowed, trying to ease the lump in my throat.
“Why?” she managed to croak. “You didn’t know him.”
“It’s all I have to offer,” I admitted. I held out another rose for her. She took it with a shaky hand.
“That’s very kind of you, your highness,” the man beside her said.
“Please, call me Ashley,” I said. The woman wiped her hand with the back of her hand.
“Thank you,” she whispered before bursting into fresh tears. My chest ached at the sight of her falling apart. Before I could change my mind, I reached out to her and hugged her.
To my relief, she hugged me back, clinging to me like a child. My own eyes pricked with tears. My fingertips found some bare skin on her shoulder.
I knew I shouldn’t but I pushed a little magic into her. I didn’t want to remove her grief entirely, but I could ease her pain a little. Her breathing calmed and she pulled back.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice shaking. I nodded and stepped back. I gave her a weak smile and turned to face the rest of the crowd. Everyone was staring at me. I hadn’t planned on putting myself in this position but here I was. They were waiting for me to say something.
I took a deep breath.
“I’d like to offer the families of every life lost last night financial support,” I said, letting my voice carry through the crowd. Why were my hands shaking? “It’s not much… But nobody should have to worry about the cost of living when they’re grieving.”
I would’ve happily left it there but someone pushed their way to the front of the crowd.
“What do you have to say about the attacks?” Isabelle called. “They’re getting worse and your kind is responsible.”
I took a moment before I answered, knowing she would try and twist my words if I slipped up.
“Just because I am not from this realm doesn’t mean I don’t think of it as home,” I said, holding her gaze as she held her microphone out to me. “This city is my home. This country is my home. And every single person here, human or Fae, matters to me and my family.”
“Then why aren’t you doing more to stop this from happening?” Isabelle shot back. “The blood of these people is on your hands.”
I flinched at her words.
“She saved my life!” someone shouted. Isabelle spun around as a woman stepped forward. I recognised her as the manager at the restaurant. “She protected everyone in my restaurant last night. We all would’ve died if it wasn’t for her.”
The crowd burst into chatter, discussing what had been said. I turned back to the grieving family.
“I’ll be in touch,” I said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. She wiped another tear from her cheek and gave me a small nod.
Chapter 14
I stared at my hands as the room filled up with people. Rick was sat on my right, not saying anything.
Somehow my impromptu visit to the memorial had got back to my father before I could explain. He was angry with me for acting without consulting him first, though he hadn’t said much about it. He’d left the flat quickly to go and prepare for this press conference. I glanced up at him. He met my gaze briefly but I couldn’t read his expression.
Someone sat down on my left. I looked up and saw Blaine.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Supporting my fiancé,” he said. His eyes drifted down to my hands. I had removed the ring before leaving the flat, deciding to wait. He raised an eyebrow. “Or my girlfriend.”
I gave him a weak smile. Rick cleared his throat.
“Rick,” Blaine said, nodding at him. Rick didn’t respond, just turned to face the stage without a word. “I saw what you did at the memorial.”
I winced. Judging from all the looks I’d gotten from the Council, it had been a mistake.
“It was very… moving, Princess,” he said. “Everyone loves you now.”
“What?”
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and typed onto it. He showed me a Google search of my name. A bunch of news articles were beneath it.
“Ashley Romar offers financial aid to the families of victims,” I mumbled as I read. “The Fae Princess mourns with family of victim…”
They were all… nice articles. I leaned back, surprised.
“My dad’s furious with me,” I said. “He said I shouldn’t have done it.”
“He clearly hasn’t been online then,” Blaine said, tucking his phone away. “Everyone thinks you’re a hero.”
I opened my mouth but no words came out. He gave me a wry smile.
The press conference started and the Prime Minister began his speech first. It was all the same trivial stuff: this was a tragedy; our thoughts are with the families; we’re working on a solution…
When my father stepped up, I looked up at him, regretting that I hadn’t helped him with his speech.
He started with the same stuff, sharing his condolences. It wasn’t a terrible speech but it didn’t really give any of the answers the public were looking for. He didn’t look in my direction once and I felt my insides squirm with guilt.
Blaine pulled my hand into his lap.
He gave me a small smile but I couldn’t bring myself to return it. My dad turned his notes over and cleared his throat.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard about the incident at the memorial site in Trafalgar Square this morning,” he said. I snapped my gaze up to him. “My daughter, Princess of Avaria, visited the memorial and offered financial support for all the families who lost someone in the attacks last night.” My hands began shaking as his eyes darted towards me. “On top of that, I would like to offer support to families across the whole country who have lost someone in the last few months. We will be reaching out to these families individually over the coming weeks. Nobody should have to worry about money at a time like this. We will also be hosting a fundraiser to raise money for a permanent memorial site to honour those who lost their lives from these attacks.”
He shuffled his notes before moving them to the side.
“Last night, I almost became one of those grieving families,” he said. “I’m sure many of you are aw
are that my daughter was attacked by an Impius.” He swallowed visibly. “Knowing how close I was to losing her has given me an insight into the kind of pain those families must be dealing with. I cannot bring back your loved ones but I can promise that we will do everything we can to protect your families. We are closer than ever to finding a solution to these attacks but in the meantime, I will be increasing the patrols on the streets in every county. We are in the process of building safehouses in well-populated areas and much more…”
I lowered my gaze, feeling tears fill my eyes. He hadn’t spoken to me since he’d left this morning and I’d assumed he was angry with me. Maybe he still was.
When the conference was over, the reporters swarmed the stand to ask their questions. Isabelle was amidst them but she didn’t ask questions this time. Her eyes slid to me a few times and I sensed that she was seething over how her attack on me hadn’t worked.
“I should go,” Blaine said when everyone began to stand. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“Have you slept at all?” I asked him. He looked shattered.
“I’ll grab a coffee on my way.”
“You need to sleep.”
“I will later. I’ve just got some paperwork to go over then I’ll get a nap before my shift tonight.”
He glanced around the room. A few people were looking our way. He brushed his hand over my cheek then kissed me gently on the lips.
“Stay safe. I’ll call you.”
He disappeared into the crowd.
“You two seem closer now,” Rick commented. I glanced back at him.
“We’re friends,” I said with a shrug.
“Just friends?”
“Yes, Rick. Just friends.”
He didn’t comment again as we made our way to my dad in the back corridor.
I managed to squeeze in beside him and get his attention.
“I’m sorry!” I said before he could speak. “I know I shouldn’t have gone to that memorial…”
“It’s okay, Ashley,” he cut across me. “I know why you did it. I just wish you’d talked to me first.”
“I know.”
“I’ve got to go – more work. Go back to the house tonight. I’ll be home later.”
He departed before I could say another word. I turned back to Rick.
“Well that wasn’t a total disaster,” he stated.
“I guess not. Want to come back with me?”
He hesitated.
“Let’s get a coffee first.”
We went through a drive-thru to get our coffee then started the drive back to Surrey.
“You’ve not said much,” I said as I sipped my latte.
“It’s been a rough month,” he replied quietly.
“I know,” I said, placing my cup in the cup holder. “But we’re okay, right?”
I thought he’d say yes. I really did.
“Honestly,” he said after a pause. “I don’t know.”
I stared at the road ahead of us, his words sinking in.
“I know you’re hurting,” I said carefully. “But you’re still my best friend. I need you.”
“I don’t think you need me as much as you think you do, Ash.”
“Of course I do!”
His grip tightened on the steering wheel.
“No, you don’t. I’m just… someone you spend time with until you find something better.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because it’s true.”
“I’m sorry!” I said abruptly. “I’m sorry that I don’t feel that way about you.”
He pursed his lips.
“Is that why you’ve been friends with me all these years?” I challenged. “Were you hoping for something more.”
He didn’t answer.
“You don’t want to be friends anymore?” My voice broke.
“I do,” he said quietly. “I just don’t know how.”
“You just be my friend. Be the person I can tell anything. Be the person I look forward to seeing the most…”
“What about Blaine?”
“What about him?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t feel something for him.”
“I don’t.”
“Well… he definitely feels something for you.”
“He doesn’t. We’ve talked about this.”
“Yeah, it’s all a big sham. But he was looking at you the whole time your dad was talking. And he was holding your hand.”
“He was being my friend. And there were people watching us…”
“You can lie to yourself all you want but I know what I see. You spend all this time together and even though it started as a lie, you’re starting to feel something for him.”
I shook my head, my eyes burning.
“So you don’t want to be friends anymore because of that,” I stated.
“I do want to be friends… I just can’t. Not yet.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Every time I look at you, I remember you telling me you don’t feel anything for me. It’s like my heart breaks all over again. And I have to see you with him… I need some space.”
I didn’t reply, focusing on trying not to cry instead.
As soon as we pulled up outside my house I climbed out of the car.
“Ash, wait…”
I slammed the door and stormed inside.
Chapter 15
“You look great,” dad said, leaning in the doorway. I stared at my reflection, wishing I could feel in the mood for this stupid fundraiser. I wore a simple red cocktail dress and heels to match. I had pinned my hair up into a curly do on top of my head and wore simple jewellery. Blaine’s ring was on my finger now. Our engagement had been announced a few days ago and was pretty much all anyone could talk about.
Everything was going smoothly.
“You too, Terry,” he added. Terry had gotten ready in my hotel suite with me. Though I hadn’t really said why Rick and I weren’t talking, she seemed to get the gist of it and that I was upset. It had been her idea to get ready together.
“Thanks,” she smiled. She was wearing a floor length blue dress with rhinestones around the torso.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah,” I said, giving my reflection a final glance before linking my arm in his. Fae healed quicker than humans but there was still three red lines on my leg from the Impius. My skirt just about covered them.
It was amazing how quickly an event like this could come together. In just a week, the entire hotel had been booked to host a charity ball to raise money for the memorial site. Before it had even started, over two-hundred thousand pounds had been raised through donations.
We took the lift down and entered the ballroom. It looked amazing. A long table was lined with food and the room was buzzing with people, all wealthy or famous. We were greeted by many people as we made our way through the room. Terry disappeared to find her family, leaving me alone with my father to scope out the room.
“The turn out looks good,” he muttered to me.
“Yeah,” I agreed. My eyes continued to search the room. I spotted Rick standing with his father, looking bored. Our eyes met briefly but he looked away. We hadn’t spoken since the day he’d basically told me we weren’t friends anymore. He’d sent me a lousy text, asking for time to figure things out but I hadn’t replied. I may not have been in love with him but he’d broken my heart all the same.
I spotted Blaine stood with some of the guys from his unit. They all looked a little out of place, like this kind of thing was new to them. His father was nearby, laughing with some other hotshots from the Council.
When Blaine spotted me, he came over.
“You look beautiful,” he said, glancing at my father. Dad didn’t say anything to him. There was tension there. They didn’t really talk a lot but I knew he was still angry that Blaine left me alone the night of the attack.
“I’ll leave you two to it,” he said before walking off.
&n
bsp; “He hates me,” Blaine stated.
“Hate is a strong word.”
“He strongly dislikes me then.”
I smiled weakly.
“Don’t take it personally,” I said. “He’d hate anyone taking away his little girl.”
“Uh-huh. Are you hungry?”
“No but I could use a drink.”
We got drinks then went over to his friends. He introduced me to them, though I recognised a few from the restaurant. This was our first proper meeting.
“It’s good to finally meet the Princess who kicked Impius ass,” the one called Fred said, shaking my hand. I raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve got a rep now,” Blaine admitted.
“Well I’d rather be an ass-kicking Princess than what you first thought of me,” I said, giving him a smirk.
“You are punching, Blaine,” Harry said. “How’d he convince you to marry him then?”
They all began making jokes about Blaine and I couldn’t help but grin. He remained tight-lipped as they made fun of him which made it more entertaining.
“Seriously?” Harry asked when they finally finished. “What made you say yes?”
I exchanged a look with Blaine. It seemed none of his friends knew that this was arranged. I guess he didn’t want them to know either.
“Uh…”
I hoped he would save me from answering but he was smiling, waiting for me to say something.
“I… guess he’s the one?” I said weakly. They all looked amused and I blushed furiously. Blaine laughed and pulled my hand around his arm.
“Let’s go dance,” he suggested. I let him pull me out onto the dancefloor.
“That was so uncool,” I told him.
“You need to work on your acting, Princess.”
He slid his arms around my waist and I put mine on his shoulders, dipping my elbows between us.
“They don’t know that this is an arranged marriage?”
“Fred does. He’s the only one though.”
“Why haven’t you told them?”
“I try not to mix my personal life with work,” he hedged, frowning slightly.
“Why not?”
He didn’t answer, focusing his gaze somewhere behind me.
The Avarian Chronicles: A Tear In The Veil Page 9