Chosen

Chapter 28

I stood in the main hall the next day clutching a handkerchief in my hand. Lillian was getting ready to depart and I couldn't stop crying.

"Stop that now!" She scolded me and hit me on the head with her fan.

"Sorry, I'm just going to miss you," I sniffed again.

"God, you are hopeless," she laughed and hugged me tightly. "But I'll miss you too. Even if I will be seeing you next month for a wedding."

Lillian pulled away and winked at me.

I flushed and instinctively glanced over at Finneas who stood next to Lacey, her arm pulled through his, several feet away. I didn't know if he heard her.

If he had, he made no reaction. His serious bored face was as present as ever.

It disappointed me selfishly that he didn't seem to care at all.

Lillian noticed my gaze and my expression. Grabbing my arm she led me towards the door where the others were heading outside to the carriages.

"Why don't you at least talk to him?" she whispered in my ear. "It's clear you still have feelings for him."

I shook my head immediately. And glanced back at Cedric worried he somehow knew what she said. He was saying goodbye to Annabelle, none the wiser.

"No I won't and no I don't," I said firmly.

"You sound like a child," Lillian sighed and stopped outside her carriage. "I just don't want you to end up with the wrong man Rowan. I am so happy for you and Cedric and know you will be great together... but true love is rare and precious-"

"Well, I'm not in love so it doesn't matter!" I cut her off harshly.

I instantly regretted it but she smiled at me and shook her head as I opened my mouth to apologize.

"Don't worry about it, I understand you have to say that," Lillian sighed again and put her hand to my cheek. "I just want you to be happy, my sweet Rowan."

More tears filled my eyes and I hugged her again.

"I am," I said not convincingly in her ear as I held her close.

With one more squeeze, she released me and climbed into the carriage.

Cedric appeared at my side and put his arm around me.

"Safe journeys, Lady Lillian," he smiled and waved.

Lillian leaned out the window and waved back, then she pointed aggressively at him.

"King or not, if you hurt her, you're dead!"

Cedric chuckled and pulled me closer to his side.

The thought of Finn right behind us made my skin burn.

"Never in a million years," he said and kissed the top of my head.

Lillian smiled at this display and with one last wave sat back out of sight.

After the carriages had pulled away I turned around to see Finn and Lacey were already gone.

My heart sank but I immediately scolded myself and turned to Cedric.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and he pulled me to his chest.

"You'll see her again very soon," he promised and I nodded sniffing again.

I had no idea how I was going to function without Lillian here.

~

Three days passed with nothing interesting at all.