Page 124 of I Ran Away to Evil
They could have popped into the next available guards’ room, but Keith wanted to talk in a nicer setting. It was only a few minutes’ walk to cross the castle courtyard and slip into the garden. When they got to the path, Keith offered Ria his hand, and she took it naturally.
This was also where they’d first really gotten to know each other … their first date. He stared around at his godmother’s plants, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel that lonely comfort in the garden. He had new memories to cherish.
“I know it’s been a short time since you came here,” Keith started, trying to find the words, “but I don’t want you to leave, and until yesterday … I didn’t believe you would actually stay.”
Ria looked like she had something to say, but stopped and waited for him to continue. They stood in front of the Venus lily pond, and Keith lifted her hand.
“I like having you here—Ilovehaving you here.” He sighed and looked Ria in the eyes. “And I know you filled out those immigration papers, but it’s more than that. I worry that we will crush your father’s army, and you’ll need to go back to Drendil and take over the throne. I keep thinking about how undefined our relationship is … and how I’mmorethan just interested.”
“Really?” She was smiling brilliantly up at Keith.
“Really really.” He reached out and pushed her hair behind her ear. “I want to kiss your nose when it scrunches up after I tease you. I want to wrap my arms around you and not worry that I’m going too fast.” He paused for a breath. “And I want to think that you’ll stay here, with me. After your parents’ war, and after the Spring Ball, and after you’ve explored the entire Dark Enchanted Forest.”
“Keith?” She reached out and grabbed onto his robes. “Could you lean down here for a second?”
He did as she asked, and she gently pulled him until their foreheads were touching. Henrietta tilted her chin up and kissed him.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly. “I like it here. Iloveit here … and as long as you’ll have me, then I’ll stay.”
The words slipped out. “Forever?”
Henrietta chuckled. “Do you want to marry me? Is that what you’re asking?”
“Yes. No. Maybe?” Keith sighed; a small smile tugged at his lip. “I was going to ask you … later. I actually brought you here to ask you to the Spring Ball. Officially. How about we start there?”
Henrietta returned the smile. “I would love to go to the ball with you. And won’t that just be poetic? The Heroine of Justice sharing her first debutant dance with the Dark Lord … Brownie will probably write a song.”
“I’ll have to brush up on my dancing,” Keith said. “Speaking of Minstrel Bronwynn … you don’t think?”
Henrietta shook her head violently, her poofy brown hair falling in her face again. “No, no, no, she’s definitely not a spy. Or an assassin. Probably.”
Keith pushed her hair back behind her ear and raised an eyebrow at her.
Henrietta shrugged. “Even if shewasan Assassin, which is a perfectly respectable class choice, she is not myfather’sassassin.”
“Then I won’t worry. Or, Iwillworry, but I’ll wait to see.” Keith stood up straight and straightened his collar. Henrietta had pulled it into disarray earlier with her kiss, and he wanted to look respectable for her friend … Was he missing another button?
“So, to be clear.” Henrietta grabbed his hand this time. “We’re going to the Spring Ball together?”
“Yes.”
“And we aren’t engaged?”
“Yet,” Keith stressed. “We aren’t engagedyet.”
“So you turned down my romantic proposal standing in front of your man-eating flower garden? Because you want to ask me yourself?” Henrietta was obviously enjoying teasing him. His blushed all the same.
“That’s not—You can ask me again at the Spring Ball?” He gave up any pretense at a surprise.
“No, that’s fine.” Henrietta squeezed his hand gently. “You can propose next time.”
He sighed. “Do you think Minstrel Bronwynn is done with her tale?”
“Bronwynn? Never. She can tell stories for hours. We’ll have to go save Sithli ourselves. Not that he’ll want saving; her storytelling skills areamazing.” Henrietta and Keith started walking back to the guardhouse.
Keith stopped them in the courtyard. “Why don’t you take Minstrel Bronwynn to settle in, and I’ll finish up what’s left in the office?”
“I’ll see you at supper?” She squeezed his hand once more before letting go and taking a step back.
