Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(74)
He vanishes, and I am left staring at thin air. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, and tell myself to get a grip. I am truly on my own in Athelia. There is no turning back now. I should forget what I have in modern world, and do my best to carve my life here in Athelia. After all, I made my choice.
There’s a sound of someone coming up the stairs and then a thud on my door. Maybe Edward got drunk and couldn’t find his way back? At the palace, there would be servants to assist him, but at Henry’s house, most likely he let himself in with a key so as not to wake the other servants.
I rise and open the door a crack, just in case. Yup, it’s my husband, his hair tousled and his tie askew, and his cheeks flushed red. It is very rare that I see him like this, as he is normally immaculately groomed. Not that he fusses a lot on his appearance and spends a lot of time in front of the mirror, but because of his strict upbringing and his nature to be strict with himself. And seeing Edward isn’t his normal self, signifies that something is wrong.
“Edward.” I reach out to him, dragging him into the room. There is a strong smell of alcohol reeking from him, making me alarmed. Edwards doesn’t like to drink, and when he does, he never gets drunk. At least not as bad as this. He’d probably have a hangover tomorrow. “Are you all right? Did anything happen to you?”
His gaze locks on my face, and the next second, he slams the door and locks it. He pins me against the wall, his hands pressing my palms into the hard wood, and then he leans down and captures my lips, hungry and demanding.
“Kat,” he says, between kisses. “My Kat. What am I to do without you?”
I’m not sure how to respond when he isn’t in a clear state of mind, but I’m not to complain. I wrap my arms around his back and kiss him back passionately. There’s a ripping sound as he tears the back of my dress, causing several buttons to pop off and fall onto the floor. The sound must have surprised him, because he stops and backs away from me.
“Oh dear,” he says, retreating a step. “I apologize, Kat. I shouldn’t have got too carried away.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” I tell him. “Edward, I don’t care about my reputation. I want you as well. You’re not the only one who’s holding back.”
“But I care,” he says fiercely. “You don’t know how it’s like out there, at the party. Already, there are people trying to throw their daughters at me because they think I am unattached. They ignore the fact that I’ve moved out with you, or I’ve made it clear I intend to marry you. They don’t take you seriously. And Kat, it’s not much different with the public either. Only our closest friends understand how much you matter to me. No matter what I do, they won’t understand that the woman I want is you. Only you.”
I nod, unable to find words adequate to respond to his passionate statement. Edward stares at me as if I’m the only woman in Athelia. I could crumble at the longing in his gaze. At the same time, I realize that my conversation with Krev doesn’t matter anymore. Edward’s love for me runs so deep that it makes up for everything I’ve lost.
36
Kat
My hands are cold and clammy as I sit in a special Gallery in High Court. There is a thick wall in front of me, built of a special, reflexive glass material that allows me to witness the proceedings, but no one can see me except the glass. Edward had arranged that I can attend court without the hordes noticing and recognizing me. Elle sits next to me, holding my hand in both of hers, as though trying to offer me strength. Poppy isn’t here, as she had to take care of Sébastien and Little Katherine. I decide that I'll visit her after the case. She’s over stressed from taking care of her babies; plus, I’d like to see my adorable godchildren.
Today the court is going to decide whether to grant Edward his application to divorce Katriona Bradshaw. Already, I could see reporters swarming to get the best view in the front row. The Common Gallery is packed—as though they are here to see the premiere of a popular play, and even high up here, I could hear them making noises of complaint. Some of them glance at Edward with contemptuous expressions, as if they condemn him for succumbing to the witch’s seduction, while others cast Katriona Bradshaw sympathetic looks. My heart sinks; even if the judge grants Edward the divorce, we will not receive the public’s blessing. I’m used to slurs and complaints, but I don’t want Edward enduring the censure as well. I’ve seen how the people cheered him when we were married. I’d hate it if the people turned their backs on him because he wanted a divorce.
“Kat,” Elle whispers. “Are you sure you want to sit through the case? I could stay here and tell you the… the results afterward. You look so pale.”
I shake my head. “I’m fine. Okay, not really, but I have to be here. If I go outside, I’d be a mess of nerves. Maybe I’ll even suffer from a mental breakdown.”
“There won’t be any justice if His Highness cannot be separated from Lady Katriona,” Elle whispers. “If His Highness did not arrive in time, you could have suffered deeply in prison.”
There’s a rare bitterness in her tone when she talks about Katriona. I smile weakly, but I can’t bring myself to speak ill of Katriona Bradshaw. She was transported to Moryn and forced into marriage to survive. She didn’t deserve this, though on the other hand, it certainly doesn’t entitle her to be princess.