Free Novel Read

Cinderfella Page 15


  “Your Highness.” The Duke of Hickling, who’s been stalking me all night, has finally found me. He stands over me, completely blocking my view of Ash. Great!

  “Duke.” I smile, trying to look around him.

  “May I have this dance?” He offers me a sweaty palm.

  “Yes, of course.” I secretly seethe as the rotund duke twirls me around whilst talking at me about the beautiful weather we’re having, and how if he were twenty years younger he’d marry me himself. Eek! All the while, I’m frantically scanning the room for Ash. Did he leave? Did they find him? Did he change his mind?

  “Excuse me.” Someone stands behind the duke and he stops twirling me. “May I cut in?” The duke turns to the man. It’s Ash! Ash bows in response. Butterflies flood my stomach. My hand twitches to touch him. The whole time his eyes haven’t left mine.

  “Of course, lad. I was getting tired anyway.” He nods to us both and leaves.

  We stand face to face in the middle of a crowded dance floor, but all I see is him. Suddenly it feels really stuffy in here. Under my mask, my face must be an amusing purple colour.

  “May I have this dance, Princess?” He puts his hand out. He’s acting very formally. Is he worried he might look out of place if he doesn’t? I decide to play along too. After all, I don’t want to draw any attention to us, not now he’s so close.

  “Why, of course.” Placing my hand in his, immediately it feels like I’m home, where I truly belong. The song slows to a familiar tune. I realise that it’s the same song we danced to back at the tree house. What a strange coincidence. I look across to the orchestra, confused to see a little bald man has taken over the conducting. I could have sworn he wasn’t there a moment ago…

  Ash’s hand slips around my waist and we gently rock to the music.

  “I love this song.” He looks down at me. It feels like he’s looking right into my soul, like he can see me, inside and out, and he loves me, despite our situation. I want to pull that mask off his face and take in every inch of him, so I can keep it in my most sacred memories for when I can’t see him anymore.

  “Me too.” He pulls me in closer. We dance staring into each other’s eyes. The song needs to go on longer, so I can stay here with him, holding him, loving him. This is the last time I’ll ever be allowed to touch him and feel his hand in mine. I put my face on his chest, not caring where we are or who is watching. The orchestra stops playing, my heart sinks. I want to cry. Letting go, he steps away bowing. I wish he wouldn’t bow before me, not now. This is goodbye and I’m not strong enough to say it. I will never be strong enough, never be ready to let him go.

  “So, who are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before?” I ask, keeping up our charade, desperately trying to keep him with me.

  “You don’t know me?” he asks, sounding annoyed. “Thank you for the dance, Your Highness.” He turns away.

  “Wait!”

  “I feel that Your Highness has given me enough of her time. Thank you. I’ll never forget our dance.”

  “Wait!” I gulp. “How’s Gus doing?”

  “He’s great…wait…you know it’s me? You’ve been messing with me?” He closes the gap between us.

  “I thought we were trying to fit in and not be noticed. I’m sorry. But yes, I’d know your eyes anywhere.” He grins, puts his hand out and we dance to the very end of the next song. I can’t look away from him. I daren’t in case this is just my imagination and he’s not real. “It’s odd,” I whisper as the song ends. “I don’t think anyone suspects.” People are beginning to stare at us. I guess I should have changed partners by now.

  “Only someone who knows the real me can see beneath this mask.”

  “Really?” I narrow my eyes, waiting for him to laugh.

  “Seriously, I’ll tell you all about it someday…if I get the chance to see you after you’re married.” His hand tightens in mine. I wish for tomorrow never to come and to be in his arms forever, but I’m not a child anymore and there are no such things as wishes. “God, Ellie I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Why are you here? Why would you risk getting caught?” We move slowly to another song. “I mean, I’m pleased to see you but…”

  “I had to see you one last time.”

  “Don’t, Ash.” Closing my eyes tightly, to keep the tears from forming.

  “You know I didn’t take your father’s pay off, right?”

  “Yes, Phoebe told me. I’m so sorry I ever doubted you. It just got it all messed up.”

  “No amount of cash in the world could ever replace you.” He pulls me in a little closer.

  “I’ll never doubt us again. I swear it.”

  “You look breathtaking by the way. Black huh?”

  “I thought a white dress would be too bridal and I want to hold that off as long as possible. So, white? Very James Bond.”

  “I told Gerry to go for the black.” He huffs.

  “No, I like it. You look amazing. I expect every girl here wants to dance with you.”

  “But you’re the only girl in the room. The only one I want.” He whispers, and I melt a little.

  “So, Gerry again? Where is he? Is he here?”

  “He’s over there. Somehow, conducting the orchestra. I don’t think there’s anything that man can’t do.”

  “I wondered who he was. So that’s the infamous Gerry? I’d like to meet him.”

  “I’m sure you will someday.” He smiles down at me, and boy how I’ve missed those dimples. I sigh, making him grin even wider. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “And I you…there’s so much to say.”

  “Can we go somewhere?” He whispers against my ear. I remember where we are, and that people are watching my every move, so I do a loud, polite giggle, pretending he’s told me a joke. I check that my parents and Henrik aren’t watching, before pulling him through the crowds. We escape through an exit at the back of the hall.

  Leading him down lots of hidden corridors where Phoebe and I used to play hide and seek. Back when we were oblivious to our futures, laughing at all the silly adults and overly made-up ladies at court.

  “Ellie, seriously where you taking me? Are you going to kill me and hide my body parts?” He laughs.

  “Come on!” I drag him out of the palace into a small hidden overgrown garden, which I haven’t visited in years. Lavender hits my senses. Wild flowers grow freely up the walls and rose bushes spiral around the trellises.

  “I love the smell of lavender. It reminds me so much of my mum…this place is almost as beautiful as you.” He touches my cheek.

  “Take off your mask.” I demand. “I want to see you.” The mask hits the floor. He’s looking at me in a way that makes me tremble. “I miss you.” I can hardly get my words out. He does things to me, excites me in ways that I never thought possible.

  “Ellie.” He pulls my chin up to his.

  “We shouldn’t.” I say, not meaning it in the slightest. Every part of me is screaming that we should.

  “You’re right, we shouldn’t,” he mumbles just before his mouth softly meets mine. And boom! I’m putty. His kiss deepens. He groans, making me whimper beneath his touch. He’s holding me so tightly like I may turn to paper and be taken away by the breeze. He’s kissing me like he’s starving and I’m his first meal in weeks. Wanting to be devoured, needing him to kiss me harder. I’m drowning in him and don’t care if the tide takes me. His lips wander over my chin, down my neck and over my shoulder.

  “Ash.” I pant.

  “Hmmm?” He doesn’t stop kissing me, driving me wild.

  “We. Should. Stop.” I’m finding it hard to catch my breath. I’m light-headed and flushed. He looks at me with a sleepy grin.

  “You want me to? ‘Cos the look in your eyes tells me different.” He raises a lazy brow. My stomach flips in response. “I’ll stop if you really want to?”

  “No. Don’t.” I put my hands around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. His mouth cla
mps down over mine as he pushes me against a wall. Trapping me between it and his body. Grabbing both my hands, he pins them above my head, I’m his prisoner with no intention of escaping. He trails light kisses along my neck and shoulder. I feel my strap sliding down my arm.

  “Ash.” I moan. He takes one hand away from mine and places it firmly on my hip. Then it slowly makes its way down my skirt, tugging my dress up above my knee. I want him so badly, and know this is wrong, I’m a princess, who’s getting married in the morning, and yet it feels so damn right. I want to give myself to him while I still can. This is the best and worst night of my life. I have to know how it feels to be completely loved before I marry, before I have to go. “Ash,” I sigh as the cold air hits my leg and his hand wanders up my naked thigh.

  “Are you sure?” He nuzzles my neck.

  “Yes.” My lips search for his. He kisses me hard and fast, letting go of my hands so they’re free to explore his body. I pull his jacket off his shoulders. His warm fingers rest on my skin, about to slide under my underwear. Oh my God! I don’t think I can take anymore! I want to let go, to lose myself in him. This is wrong and selfish but all I want and feel right now is Ash. “I’m yours.” I moan.

  “Mine.” He grunts, and his fingers creep a little higher.

  “Ellie?” My father’s voice calls for me. We freeze.

  “Shit.” Ash mouths, removing his hand. I push my dress down. “Great timing.”

  “Ash, you have to go. If he finds you here…”

  “No, I won’t leave you.” He gently places his hands on either side of my face.

  “We have to say goodbye.” My voice cracks.

  “No, I won’t. Not ever, do you hear? You can marry that guy, it won’t ever stop me loving you.”

  “Please don’t.” It feels like I’m being punched in the gut over and over.

  “Ellie, dear…are you out here?” My father’s getting closer. Ash leans his forehead to mine.

  “Come back to me,” he whispers. The church clock across the street, the one I’m to marry in tomorrow, strikes midnight. “Shit, guess I just lost my ride, but you are so worth it.” He quickly kisses my lips one last time and without another word he’s halfway across the garden and leaping over the high wall. I chase him, watching in awe as he hits the street and makes a run for it. I walk towards my father’s worried voice, stopping to pick up Ash’s mask. I hide it behind my back.

  “Ellie, dear. There you are. You had us worried. I thought you might be out here. You’d often come here when you were little.”

  “I just needed a moment…some air. It felt a bit overwhelming inside.” I try and return my breathing back to normal and fan my face with my hand.

  “Of course, Dear. You’re about to take the biggest step of your life, it’s only natural to be nervous. You’re bound to have a few wedding jitters.” He puts his arm around me. “Come back inside, you’ll catch your death out here.” I pull away from him.

  “Ash never took your money, did he?”

  “No.” He looks at my feet.

  “So, why tell me that he did?”

  “I really thought I was doing you a favour and I never actually said it.”

  “But you didn’t deny it either.” He sighs, sitting down on a bench.

  “I thought that if you had reason to doubt your young man that you may be more amiable about marrying Henrik. And that maybe it would help you to let him go and move on to a new chapter.”

  “But I haven’t. I can’t.” I sit next to him. “Please Daddy, don’t make me do this.”

  “Believe me, I’ve tried to find a better way. But it seems to be the only solution satisfactory to King Stefan. He’s such an old stick in the mud.” He frowns and removes his golden crown, placing it on his lap. “We made this silly deal years ago before you girls were even born. I never thought that he wouldn’t change with the times when I signed that blasted contract. I was young and foolish, and I pray that one day you will forgive me, then maybe I can start to forgive myself.” He looks at me with heavy eyes. I hug him, and we stay clamped together for a few minutes before I release him.

  “So, you don’t agree with this wedding either?”

  “No, not in my heart.” He places his hand over mine. “You are my little girl. You will always be that. I just want you to be happy. I wish more for you, more than we ever had. I’m asking for a lot, but do you think one day you could be happy with Henrik?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t even think that far ahead.”

  “I’m truly sorry about your young man, Ash wasn’t it? You left here a girl and being with him somehow changed you. You’ve become a woman overnight. You came back with so many excellent views and ideas…I thought keeping you here at the palace all these years that you’d never fall for someone else.”

  “But I did Dad. I have.”

  “Oh, my Ellie.” He holds out his arms for a big bear hug. I fall into his chest and he holds me, stroking my hair like he did when I was young and afraid of the dark. We sit like this for a long time, neither of us speaking. “We should get back to the ball before your mother sends out a search party.”

  “I’m sorry I ran away. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “I may be the king, but I’m still your dad. Of course, I forgive you, just please never make us worry like that again.” I nod. We make our way back. Leaving behind my beautiful garden is hard. I’ll always visit it and remember my passionate moments with Ash. I think about him kissing me up against the wall and I know what I must do.

  * * * *

  It’s almost one a.m. when the last guests leave. I say goodnight to my parents and pretend to turn in. I’m going to look like hell in the morning, luckily for me a team of make-up artists and hairdressers will be at my beck and call. I feel sick just thinking about it.

  Changing out of my gown into my farm jeans and a jumper. I stick on a warm jacket for the long walk ahead. I’m crazy to even attempt it, but I must see him one last time. I smile pulling on the purple Doc Martens. Taking off the engagement ring, I place it next to the bed. Making my way through the palace corridors like a thief in the night. I’m taking control for one night only, this night will be ours. Reaching the palace grounds seems all too easily. The gates open on my approach. Strange. Lady luck is most definitely smiling down on me. I run across the road.

  “Hey, Princess!” I stop. “Hey! I see you!” I glance over at the little bald man leaning against a Mini. I know him from somewhere. “Come over.” He beckons, and I do as he says, not feeling the slightest bit worried.

  “Where do I know you from?”

  “I was the conductor at your ball tonight.” He opens the door to the passenger seat. “Come on then.”

  “Err…” I look to him and then to the car.

  “I’m Gerry, by the way. Ash’s friend.” He bows.

  “Of course. Gerry!”

  “The one and only. You need a lift, yes?”

  “Oh, yes please.” I slide into the car.

  “Your chariot awaits.” He smiles, shuts my door and jumps in the other side.

  “I’m not supposed to be here.”

  “And yet, here you are.” He turns the key.

  “I’m going to see—”

  “I know exactly where you’re heading, Princess. Now buckle up.”

  20: Ash

  On entering the tree house, my crisp white tux has become my scruffy jeans and t-shirt again. Guess the dream is really over. I’ve landed with a thump back down in the muddy reality that is real life. My gut tightens in anguish. Yet I find myself smiling thinking about our heated garden embrace. Now I sit alone in my trusty old tree house. Thinking what could have…should have been. When the sun rises, she’ll no longer be mine. I lay down, in hopes of dreaming the time away. Trying to ignore the dull ache stretching across my chest. All I have left is a stupid glass shoe, and I’m not sure whether to hug it or smash it into thousands of pieces. I drift a while in the nothingness, knowing that things won’t loo
k brighter in the morning, not for me anyway.

  “Ash.” Her sweet voice invades my dreams. She runs toward me, her hair blowing in the wind. We’re on a beach somewhere exotic, somewhere far away. We are happy. She’s free. “Ash. Wake up.” I open my eyes. “Ash.” Her face hovers over mine.

  “Holy crap!” I bolt upright, we crash heads.

  “Ouch! It’s me!” She rubs her forehead. “It’s Ellie.” My hand reaches to touch her face, needing to know she’s real.

  “It’s you. You came back to me...” I throw my arms around her neck. “How?”

  “Your friend Gerry drove me. He’s a funny little man.”

  “He is.” I let her go. “But why are you here? Are you crazy? They’ll be looking for you.”

  “Maybe I am.” She sits on the bed. “But I couldn’t just let you go…without saying goodbye.” She wipes a tear from her eye.

  “Don’t do that. Don’t be sad. I hate to see you upset.” Throwing off my blanket, kneeling at her feet. “Ellie,” I push her hair from her face. “Don’t cry.” Something behind me catches her eye.

  “You kept that stupid shoe?”

  “It was all I had left of you. If it weren’t for that stupid shoe, then we never may have met.”

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have.

  “Don’t say that. You’ve been the best thing to happen to me ever, okay?” I squeeze her forearm.

  “Okay.”

  “If this is goodbye, let’s make it a good one.”

  “How?” She looks so tired. I want to steal the sadness from her eyes.

  “Like this…” I lean forward, planting tiny kisses all over her face.

  “Okay, I’m liking it so far.” She sniffles and a small giggle escapes, a sound that starts my pulse racing.

  “I love your laugh.” My lips find hers. I kiss her tenderly wanting to show her how deeply I love and want her.

  She lays back across the bed pulling me with her, over her. Holding myself up on my elbows, fearing I might crush her. Not wanting to go too fast and spoil her first time, our first time together…and last time together. She pulls me down. I can feel her heart beating in time with mine.