Rule the World

There was nothing wrong with me. There was nothing wrong with what I felt for Sera.
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I swept the hay and dirt down the aisle between the stalls, making sure to get everything as best as I could. Nadar was a nice man, but extremely picky. If he found a piece of straw left behind, he made me sweep the whole place again.

I pushed the stubborn hair that refused to stay in a bun out of my eyes. A long day of work and I was exhausted. My legs were cramping, my arms were stiff, and my face was streaked with dirt and sweat. Not glamorous to say the least, but I'd gotten more done today than I thought. The prospect of having a date tonight with Roy made me work just harder.

I looked up at the clock on the wall. Shoot. I only had half an hour until I was supposed to meet Roy! I disposed of the dirt and got rid of the broom before hurrying back to my room. I grabbed some clean clothes to walk in from the showers back to my room and quickly walked to the bathroom.

I scrubbed at the grime, making sure any trace of dirt was gone and still trying to keep track of time. Jumping out of the shower, I towel dried my hair, pulled on my sweater and pants and went to my room again.

Elena still wasn't back and I started to panic. She was needed desperately for this. I was more conscious to what Roy thought of me last time than on our last date. Why? Perhaps it was because I was more aware to my feelings and wasn't going to fight them anymore.

The door opened and Elena walked in, took one look at me, and hurried over.

"Okay," she said. "Don't touch your hair or your face. That's my job."

I gave her a dubious expression at her statement, but she just shook her head. "I have a dress you can wear too."

"Elena, I don't need another dress."

"Yes, you do! Don't argue."

My hair was curled, falling in golden ringlets down my back, and my makeup was applied. My lips were a dark shade of red that went well with my skin tone. Elena had went all out tonight and I wasn't sure why.

She squeezed into our tiny closet and came back out with something in her arms. My mouth dropped open as she held it up for me to see. It was a dress, light blue and glistening like snow in the sun. It had long sleeves and the neckline rectangular.

"Elena, I can't wear that," I said, staring at its beauty.

Elena snorted. "Its not as expensive as it looks. I got it pretty cheap from a friend in Europe. Try it on!"

I slipped into it and was amazed by how comfortable it was. My wolf medallion went well with it. I looked in the mirror and let out a long breath.

"You look gorgeous. Princess worthy."

I blushed. "Don't say that."

Her reflection winked at me. "Go get 'im."

I walked out to the entry hall and was, again, met by Roy. He was dressed in all black again. When he saw me, I blushed again at his amazed look.

"You look beautiful," he said, his eyes fastened on me. It felt like my face was on fire. I hope he couldn't tell...

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

He offered me his arm. "Come. I have a special place for us tonight."

We walked along a long, dark corridor, and I wondered how big this place really was. Did Roy know all of the places here? As we walked farther down the hall, it grew chilly, but it wasn't unbearable. It was rather nice, better than the heat of the kitchens. I'd always enjoyed the cold, more than most people that lived here.

"Where are we going?" I asked, smiling innocently at Roy.

"You'll see."

I sighed in disappointment. Surprises were the not my favorite thing, but Roy had yet to lead me astray, to somewhere I didn't like. We turned the corner, coming to a large door. While the walls were black, the door was pure white with silver engraved designs along its surface.

It opened with a creak and I jumped, making Roy chuckle. "Ladies first," he said, bowing his head and gesturing to the door with his hand.

I walked hesitantly by him and when I looked inside the room beyond the door, I gasped. The room was made of ice. The walls, the ceiling, the floor. Everything. A huge chandelier hung in the center, above two dark blue, high-backed chairs and a table. It was dim in the room, but the candles on the table sent light flickering and dancing across the frozen-over walls. Music played softly from somewhere and if I looked close enough, behind the glassy walls were faces, almost transparent, their hands moving along instruments.

Ghosts.

It was not as beautiful as the cave he had showed me, but it was close.

"What is this place?" My voice was barely above a whisper.

"I, honestly, do not know," Roy answered from behind me. "One day...I just found it."

"Its beautiful." I stepped farther into the room. It was not nearly as cold as someone would expect a room made of ice to be. It was comfortable.

Roy pulled out a chair for me and I sat down, smoothing my dress out. There was already food on the table; a thick slice of meat and a side of vegetables that sent steam into the cool air.

"You didn't have to do this, Roy," I said, picking up my fork.

"There was barely anything to do," he said.

I smiled and dug into my meal. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I smelled the delicious food. We talked a lot, more than we had before, and it was much more relaxing. He told me where he had gotten Majestic. She'd been a gift from the king of Europe, Lord Youngblood. Apparently, the two had been friends for a while, dating back to their days at the school.

After we'd finished our meal and dessert, Roy rose from the table and offered me his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

I took his offered hand and smiled. With his hand on my waist, he guided me across the floor, our movements in time with the enchanting sound of the ghosts' music.

"I'm glad you came with me this evening," Roy said.

"I'm glad you asked. But, Roy..."

"Yes?"

I locked my eyes with his. "Why me?"

One corner of his lips rose. "Why not you?"

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

I narrowed my eyes at him and he chuckled. He released his grip on my waist and spun me around before bringing me back against him, the space between us a little less than what it had been.

His head bent so that his cheek touched my temple. "Because you're perfect," he whispered.

I tensed and my face heated up. "I--I'm far from that."

His arm wrapped around my waist so that he was hugging me to him. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Sera. You're absolutely beautiful and have one of the kindest hearts I've ever met."

I couldn't say anything right away. No one had complimented me so much and to hear it from him made it all the more better. I was hoping he didn't expect me to say anything as we lapsed into silence.

I found myself entranced by our movements across the floor, by the warmth of his body against mine. I let my head drop to his shoulder and closed my eyes, letting him maneuver us both as my feet simply followed his.

He dropped my hand and wrapped both arms tightly around my waist and I rested my arms on his shoulders. We just seemed to be swaying in small circles then.

"Thank you," I said quietly, keeping my eyes shut.

"For?" His tone of voice matched my own.

"For what you said. You're a wonderful person, Roy. We're lucky to have you as our king."

I heard his chuckle slightly, his breath blowing against my neck, giving me goosebumps. "I appreciate that." He pulled away slightly and I looked up at him. His face had an expression I'd seen before, of longing and pain. His eyes were clouded with whatever was bothering him.

My eyebrows knitted together and I touched his cheek, forgetting any sense of hesitancy I'd ever had near him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he answered. His voice shook. "As long as you're here, nothing." I was still slightly confused and he smiled at me. "Sera... we haven't known each other for that long, but..." He trailed off and his forehead touched mine. I closed my eyes. When he spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "I love you."

My breath caught and my heart beat intensified. "I--I..." I couldn't get the words out fast enough. Luckily, Roy saved me from further embarrassment.

His lips touched mine and this time I did not panic. It was so different than before. I was not afraid of him anymore. I melted into him, reveling in how his kiss left me breathless, so charged, so full of...everything. I felt like flying.

He pulled away for a moment and I realized my breathing was shaky. I swallowed, hoping he wouldn't notice. I put my head on his shoulder again, mostly to keep it from swimming.

Softly, I heard his voice. It sang a song that I knew I had heard before and I was slightly surprised that it had been him I had heard that night. His voice was beautiful.

"You are the one I'd give my life for. You are the one who is haunting my dreams. Oh, how I long to be yours forever more. For all time. Our love shall be prime..."