Ascend by Amanda Hocking Read Free Book Online Page B

said nothing. He only stood there for a moment.
    “You said that I belong
to somebody else tomorrow but you tonight, and that’s not how it works, Finn.”
Tears slid down my cheeks, and I wiped them away. “I don’t belong to anyone, and
you don’t get to just have a part of me when you can.
    “And I know that’s never
what you meant to do,” I said. “Neither of us meant for this. We were together
when we could be. Hidden moments and stolen kisses. I
get that. And I don’t blame you or anything, but… I can’t do that anymore.”
    “I hadn’t…” Finn trailed
off. “I never wanted this for you. I mean, this thing we’ve had going on,
whatever it’s been. You deserve more than I would ever be able to give you,
more than I would ever be allowed to love you.”
    “I’m trying to change
things,” I said. “And I’ll admit that part of it has been selfish. I wanted to
repeal the laws so maybe someday we could have a chance to be together. But… I can’t count on that. And even if I can, I am marrying
somebody else tomorrow. He’s a good man, and I won’t do this to him.”
    “I wouldn’t expect any
less of you, Princess,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.” He
walked to the door and paused before leaving, but he wouldn’t look back at me.
“I wish you all the best for your marriage. I hope the two of you find nothing
but happiness.”
    After Finn left, I tried
not to cry. Willa would be so upset with me if my face was red and puffy
tomorrow. I went into my closet, fighting back tears as I changed out of my
gown and put on pajamas. On my way back to my bed, I noticed the small box on
my dresser, the present from Finn.
    Slowly, I opened the box.
It was a thin silver band with my birthstone, a garnet, in the center of a
heart. And for some reason, the sight of it broke me down. I lay down on my bed
and sobbed.

6. Altar
    I wanted Matt to walk me down the aisle. He’d been the
closest thing I had to a real parent for most of my life, but the other Trylle
officials would have had a field day if he did. Marksinna Laurent would
probably get me overthrown on the grounds of insanity.
    But at least Marksinna
Laurent and the other Trylle had no control over whom I allowed in my dressing
room. Duncan had been waiting outside my bedroom all morning, shooing anybody
away that wasn’t Willa or Matt. Everybody else could wait to see me until I was
in the ballroom, with Willa’s father Garrett giving me away.
    I’d been ready for hours.
After my fight with Finn, I hadn’t really been able to sleep, and the sun
hadn’t even risen by the time I got up and started getting ready. Willa had
come over early to help me, but I’d learned how to do my hair and makeup on my
own. She really only helped button up my wedding gown, and she tried to comfort
me, but that was all I needed.
    “You’re so pale,” Willa
said, almost sadly. “You’re almost as white as your wedding dress.”
    She sat next to me on the
chest at the foot of my bed. The long satin train of my gown swirled around us,
and Willa continuously rearranged it to make sure it wouldn’t get wrinkled or
dirty. Her dress was lovely too, but it should be since she picked it out. It
was dark emerald with black embellishments.
    “Stop fussing over her,”
Matt said when Willa once again tried to smooth out my dress. He’d been pacing
my room, fiddling with the cufflinks of his suit or pulling at the collar of
his shirt.
    “I’m not fussing.” Willa
gave him the evil eye but left my dress alone. “This is her wedding day. I want
her to look perfect.”
    “You’re making her
nervous.” Matt gestured to me, since I’d been staring off into space.
    “If anyone’s making her
nervous, it’s you,” she countered. “You’ve been pacing around this room all morning.”
    “Sorry.” He stopped
moving but didn’t look any less agitated. “My kid sister’s getting married. And
it’s a lot sooner than I expected.”