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I've been pacing so much that I'm sure I'm close to wearing a hole in the wooden beams of the floor. I hear footsteps in the hall, and just as I've done probably a million times during the past few hours, I freeze, and wait to see if anyone will come in. Or specifically, I freeze, and wait to see ifhewill come in.
My wish comes true when James walks through the entrance.
He looks tired and worn, like he hasn't slept in days, but when he smiles at me all his exhaustion seems to melt away.
"Hello," he says quietly, as he takes me in.
I smooth my dress down self-consciously. I've been so anxious all morning that I'm sure I look a fright.
"How are you?" I ask lamely.
He takes a step towards me, and before I know it, I find myself running at him, and jumping into his arms.
He laughs and spins me around.
"So, it's true?" I ask breathlessly.
"Is what true?" he asks, his mouth twitching.
I slug him on the arm and he sets me down and drags me in for a kiss. Our tongues tangle together. He angles my head where he wants it and groans into the kiss. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth, and I laugh.
"It's true," he whispers.
"But how did you convince your father?"
"Well evidently when your only son threatens to abdicate the throne and leave the country, you actually have to listen," he laughs out bitterly.
"You threatened to give up your throne?" I ask, tears beginning to collect in my eyes. "You shouldn't have done that."
"You and I, we're alike. We're selfish in our pursuit of each other. I would sooner have the world burn down around me and take everyone with it, then not have you in my life," he says fervently.
It might sound wrong, but it's true. Isn't that what the ball was all about? I would rather him pick me than the good of anything or anyone else around me. Even a French/British alliance. I just want him.
"So, your father just gave in?" I ask, still unable to comprehend that this is really happening after weeks of uncertainty.
"We might have lost a few useless titles, and I'm sure introducing you to Father won't be pleasant, but it's happening."
The phrase "it's happening" seems enormous all of a sudden.
He must see the misgiving in my eyes because he starts pulling me from the room.
"Where are we going?" I ask, but he just continues to pull me along.
He hoists me on top of the horse that he rode over on, and then jumps up behind me, setting us off on a brisk gallop. We ride for a few miles until I see the outside walls of the castle.
"Are you introducing me to your father right now," I squeak out, very sure that I should have changed for an occasion like that.
"Come on," he says, laughing at the terrified expression on my face.
He opens the hidden entrance that he showed me so many years before, and we walk into our orchard. I can't think of it just as the King's any longer after the part it has played in bringing us together.
While I look around admiring the branches heavy with fruit, James surprises me by dropping down on one knee.
I stare at him shocked. When he said ,"it's happening," he obviously meant it.
"Are you…?" I ask, my fingers flying up to cover my mouth.
"Juliet Farryn Caris, the day you stole the King's apples, you also took a piece of my heart. I never forgot you and when I finally saw you again, you took all the rest of it. You drive me mad in the best possible way. You're all I see, and all I want, Juliet. And if I had to choose between you and losing everything else in the world I hold dear, I would choose you a million times over. Please, say you will be mine."
