Page 84 of Noble Charms

“The damn elf won’t come out from backstage now,” groused a man, holding a clipboard. A coordinator of some kind. “Some bard he is. We aren’t even getting blessed champagne for the toast.”

Noble’s eyes landed upon the stage.

“Forget it,” said the man to someone at his side. “Start the countdown. Go!”

A woman stumbled towards the ballroom and shouted, “Ten!” The guests shifted in excitement and joined her as she cried, “Nine!”

Noble’s eyes landed upon the stage. Backstage. The bard—his bard—was backstage.

He ran.

“Eight!”

The other guests gasped and grunted and exclaimed as he pushed his way through.

“Seven!”

He took the steps three at a time.

“Six!”

He shoved through the curtain, but couldn’t find the opening.

“Five!” The heavy velvet drape seemed like grasping hands, holding him in place, wrapping more tightly as he tried to fight through. He grabbed the bottom of it and lifted it over himself—activating the pulley system.

“Four!”

The curtain began to draw up, but Noble paid no mind as he dashed into the dim interior of backstage. But the dark made it easy, because Aria was so fair that he stood out. A beautiful, flickering candle’s flame.

“Three!”

He sat at a vanity, pen in hand.

“Aria, no!” Noble cried.

Aria jolted back, turning wide, tear-filled eyes toward Noble.

“Two!”

Noble was too late. The pen dripped with the ink Aria had signed with.

“One!”

Noble fell to his knees at Aria’s feet.

“Happy Winterend!” the crowd screamed.

A tear chased a trail down Aria’s face. He trembled as he said, “Noble?”

Noble could do nothing but place his forehead against Aria’s knee. “I was too late.”

Aria sniffled. “Noble, the curtain—you’re—they can see us.”

“Fine. That’s fine,” said Noble. It didn’t matter. He had to say this, no matter the consequence. Even if he was too late. Even if Aria had bound himself to Hampenstead. Noble had to speak. He gazed up into Aria’s face, at his perfect tiny nose, and soft round mouth, and his magical blue eyes. “I love you.”

Aria exhaled, voice shaking. “What?”

“I love you.”