Chapter 45

Knock, knock.

Ariel opened the door, and her eyes widened. Jade stood in a fancy embroidered green suit that matched her dress. Beside him was an Elven woman in a long red dress adorned with jewels.

"This is Conner's escort, Freya," Jade introduced her, and she bowed.

"Oh, you brought me a date?" Conner's face lit up.

"Naturally, and she excels at English."

"Always accommodating. Thank you." Conner adjusted his lapels and offered her his arm. "It's a pleasure to meet you, and an honour to be your date tonight."

She took his arm and smiled. "Thank you."

Jade held his arm out to Ariel. "And of course, I'm your date for tonight."

The four of them headed to the ballroom, decorated with flowers and greenery. Tables lines the walls with food and drinks, and the thrones stood centre stage with the king and queen awaiting them.

Holy crap. Ariel's eyes widened, and her palms got sweaty at the sight of them. More royalty. I didn't think this through; I knew Jade was a royal knight.

The king stood. "Welcome to our kingdom. We've heard much about you from Orsted, and we hope you will enjoy your stay," he said, as Orsted taught him after learning from Jade.

"Thank you." Conner and Ariel bowed to him, and an upbeat melody played to start the party.

"Care to dance before I'm bombarded by people with questions?" Jade asked Ariel as Conner wandered off with his date.

"Sure, but are your parents here? I'd like to meet them first." Ariel looked around and spotted a couple with strikingly similar angular features and slim figures as Jade, heading straight for them.

Jade's parents greeted them, and his mother hugged Ariel as she all but welcomed her into the family.

"I'm sorry my English isn't good, but I will improve," she assured Ariel.

"I'll try to learn more of your language, too. Gratias tibi ago." I hope I said that right.

His mother's face lit up, and she hugged Ariel again before they excused themselves to enjoy the party.

"Jade," Orsted called out to him, and pointed at a group of people waiting to talk to him. "Sorry about this."

"I'll wait over here." Ariel pointed near the food tables.

Jade leaned in close and kissed her on the cheek; a rare display of affection in a formal setting for their people, but he felt he needed to do it. "I'll try to be quick."

Ariel watched him go and picked up a tall glass filled with a light red liquid from the table. A sweet, bubbly sensation filled her mouth when she took a sip. I guess it's a carbonated juice. She swayed as she listened to the music, and before she knew it, she finished her drink and picked up another one. These are so good. Similar to strawberry juice, but not quite.

A tall Elven man with long blond hair, wearing a blue suit, approached her. "Salve, mecum ballare vis?" He bowed and held his hand out to her.

Ariel froze and stared at his hand. What did he say? Other than hello...

"Ignosce mihi." Jade stepped in between them. "Mea est."

"Jade!" His face lit up, and he bowed, backing away from them.

"I'm sorry about that. How about a dance?" Jade turned to her, and his eyes went straight to the drink in her hand, along with the empty glasses sitting on the table behind her. "Or not. Excuse me." He took the glass from her hand and sniffed it. It wasn't juice. "Be careful what you drink. Did you eat anything to go with it?"

"No..."

Jade sighed and glanced around the busy ballroom. "Let's go back to your room to rest."

"Why? I'm fine." Well, my head's a little off, but I'm probably overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

Jade wrapped an arm around Ariel's waist. "That drink had a high alcoholic content, and you're likely drunk right now," he whispered. "Conner is going to kill me."

"Oh!" She stumbled and nearly fell, or she would have if it wasn't for Jade. His grip on her strengthened.

He escorted her out of the ballroom, and as soon as they were away from the guards, he swooped her up into his arms.

She gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I-I can walk." Oh geez. What if people see us like this? She buried her face in his neck, breathing in his woody scent.

"Not in this state."

He carried her all the way to her bedroom, laid her down on the bed, and took off her glasses and shoes, setting them to the side. "You should rest, and I'll get you something to drink to clear your system." He sat on the edge of the bed beside her, leaned in close, and kissed her cheek. "Everything will be okay." He stood and stopped right away when she grabbed his hand.

"Don't go."

"I assure you that you're safe in the castle, even though someone was flirting with you in the ballroom."

Ariel pouted and tugged on his hand. "I'm not worried about that. I want you to stay here with me." She patted the empty space beside her on the bed.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Ariel. You're just drunk."

"No." She shook her head.

"Your brother might kill me if I get into bed with you now, while you're vulnerable."

"Even if we're not doing anything bad? I want to rest with you." She tugged him closer. "Please, Jade."

Jade's heart skipped a beat. "How am I supposed to say no when you ask me so cutely?"

She smiled and bit her lip.

"Fine, you win, but if your brother comes in while we're resting, I expect you to defend me."

"Of course."

She finally released his hand, so he took off his boots, crawled onto her bed, and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "You're safe here," he whispered and kissed the back of her head.

"I'm safe wherever you are, Jade," she mumbled and tried to turn.

"What are you doing? I thought you wanted to sleep."

"Like this." She rolled over, using his arm as a pillow, and snuggled up to him. "This way I can see you." She giggled and closed her eyes, resting her hand on his chest.

"I'll have to make sure you're not around other men when you're drunk; I don't want them to see how cute and enticing you are." He pulled her even closer and took a deep breath as he closed his eyes as well.

Knock, knock. Conner opened the door. "Ariel, I heard you left because you weren't feeling well, so I came to check..." he trailed off when he spotted them. Rage spiked for a moment, seeing them in bed together, but it subsided quickly. "Oh, you're resting? Better not get up to anything that crosses a line, and sorry to disturb you two," he whispered and backtracked, the door clicking shut behind him.

Jade peeked at the closed door, and the tension in his shoulders relaxed. "I thought for sure he would've dragged me off this bed by my feet, away from you."

"I thought he would, too," Ariel mumbled.

"Oh, you're still awake?"

"Mmhmm. Just enjoying how comfortable I feel right now." It's so weird, considering I'm used to being alone all the time. Things are different with Jade around, and hopefully, it stays that way. She could feel his pulse suddenly spike, and he gripped her hand on his chest.

"Since you're still awake, I have something to give you."

Her eyes opened a sliver as she raised an eyebrow. "I think you've given me enough."

"No such thing, and this has a different meaning." He pulled her with him as he sat up. "I have learned about the human tradition of rings, and figured it was too early and Conner would disapprove, so I went down another path. He reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a purple velvet box with a pair of small silver loop earrings.

Ariel's eyes widened. "Those look the same as yours." She lightly slid her finger down his ear to his earring, and he trembled. "Oh, sorry!" I guess I am drunk if I'm acting like this after he warned me about his sensitive ears.

"It's okay because it's you, but please don't do that when others are around, or you'll make it hard for me to control myself, like it is right now."

"Sorry." Ariel nodded and kept her eyes glued to the earrings.

"They are the same ones, but with the engraving meus unicus amor; my only love."

"Oh!" That's so sweet.

"May I?"

Ariel nodded and pulled out her stud earrings.

Jade carefully put the earrings on her and kissed her cheek. "There you go," he whispered. "Now we match." He trailed kisses down her cheek to her lips as he wrapped his arms around her. He bit her lip playfully as he backed away and sighed, his warm breath making her quiver. "Further should be saved for later when your brother won't walk in on us, and we're both ready."

"A-agreed." Somewhat agreed.

He fell back to the bed with her, and she cuddled up to him again. "I love you," he whispered.

"I-I love you, too." She slammed her eyes shut, wishing he wouldn't notice her rapid heartbeat, but knowing he would. "Hopefully, we'll continue our life together like this in both worlds."

Jade threaded his fingers through hers, resting on his chest. "I know we will. You don't have to worry; we'll make it work, together."

"For once, I believe things will work out."

THE END