Yes, things had definitely changed, she mused as the bar started to crowd up. People still waved and were friendly. But there were plenty more side glances, whispers behind hands and people trying to covertly snap her photo. Fortunately, she was leaving later that evening. It wouldn’t be too long before the photos made the rounds online and an enterprising paparazzo or two came knocking.
For a moment, she thought back to that Thursday just before three o’clock when she’d been alone in the bar pulling chairs off tables. The last minute her life had been somewhat normal. Despite the yuckiness of her situation at home, she had been anonymous, just one person moving in a sea of billions worldwide.
And then Cass had walked in.
Her eyes drifted toward the door before she could stop herself. She’d been gone three days. The first day, she’d spent the plane ride back to the US grabbing her phone every time it dinged.
No text messages. No phone calls. No emails. Nothing.
The second day, she’d perused the newspapers, waiting for news of their broken engagement to circulate. Except it hadn’t. Aside from photos of the ball, there had been no news of Linnaea or Cass.
She’d called Clara to ask what had happened. With the wedding just four weeks away, she thought the palace would have released a statement as far in advance as possible.
“We’ll make the announcement at the appropriate time,” had been Clara’s cryptic reply. She’d then told Briony to stop worrying and enjoy her time in Kansas.
She’d tried. She’d tried very hard, but in moments like these, when she had little to distract her, it was very hard to prevent her thoughts from drifting to Cass and the last time he’d held her in his arms. To close her eyes and remember how gentle he’d been with the children when they’d toured the wing of the hospital that would be upgraded to a pediatric unit. As he’d crouched down to admire a little boy’s cast and sign his name, she’d known what a wonderful father he’d make.
Stop.
Cass was out of her life. Perhaps one day she could stomach the thought of going on a date with someone else. Although whether that person would be interested in her or her new status, she would probably always wonder.
Not to mention the thought of sharing a romantic meal, let alone holding hands or, God forbid, kissing someone else made her sick to her stomach.
Maybe I could adopt. The thought gave her a much-needed boost of happiness. Between that and her work with Linnaea’s schools, she could have a full life.
And the more time that passed, the more she’d be able to visit her memories of Cass and smile with nostalgic longing instead of swallowing back tears of heartache.
Gus turned the televisions on in preparation for the game. Briony glanced at one of the screens, then did a double take.
“Wait, Gus, go back!”
Gus clicked back to the first channel. A picture of her and Cass was featured in the corner. The news anchor’s mouth was moving, but she could barely hear what was being said.
“Turn it up!”
Moments later, the anchor’s deep voice reached her ears over the din of the bar.
“...Morgan Adama of Tulay released a joint statement with his soon-to-be brother-in-law, Prince Alaric Van Ambrose of Linnaea. Prince Cassius is engaged to Prince Alaric’s long-lost half sister, Princess Briony Anne Van Ambrose.”
The screen filled with an image of Cass and Alaric standing next to each other at a lectern in front of the grand entrance to the palace. Her throat tightened as her heart started to pound furiously. Despite the dark circles beneath his eyes, Cass still looked incredibly handsome in a navy suit and brown tie that brought out the amber in his gaze.
“Prince Cassius and I have renegotiated the terms of the financial agreement between Linnaea and Tulay. The previous draft was an alliance based on his marriage to my sister, Princess Briony. The provision of marriage has been struck from the contract.”
Her stomach dropped. This was it. The entire bar, let alone the world, was going to learn that her engagement was over.
Someone from the audience in front of the palace shouted a question. Cass stepped up to the lectern. Briony turned away, tears blurring her vision as she started for the back. If she was going to cry, she was going to do so in private.
“Prince Alaric and I reached this agreement because I want my future wife to know that I am marrying her for her and her alone.”
Briony froze. Then, slowly, she turned, her eyes riveted on the screen as a cautious hope filled her chest.
Another indiscernible question was asked. Cass looked straight at the camera.
“I am very much looking forward to an alliance between Tulay and Linnaea. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to my wedding the most.”
“I meant every word.” She heard him speak, this time much clearer, much closer.
His voice washed over her, deep and smooth like a fine whiskey. She wanted to turn, but it was as if roots sprang from the ground and wrapped around her feet. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.