Page 6 of A Clash of Stars

I inhaled one big breath and exhaled with a smirk, “Thank you both for this incredible moment, but I think we should be going. Don’t want to be late.”

I quickly opened the door, gathering every ounce of courage, and waltzed into the room when I slammed into a wall. No, not a wall. A man. Not just any man, Griffin.

Griffin, the Crown Prince of Rhysette. Bloodline of the god Alaric, the superior warrior. He was at least six foot five and built just like the warrior god of his bloodline, but he was easily the kindest of all the royals.

“Whoa there, Clara. You all right?”

No, I am not alright. I have to be at this stupid breakfast with arrogant princes, including one who got me kicked out of our classes, anonymously, like the coward he is. I’d rather be in bed sleeping away instead of acting like the proper lady I am supposed to be.

“Yes, Griff. I’m all right, I just don’t want to be late.”

I breathed out so quickly I didn’t even understand what I had said.

He gently touched my arm. “Let me walk you to your seat. Would you like to sit with Madok and me?” He said it so thoughtfully I gave an instant response.

“Yes!”

Gods…think before you speak, dumbass.

I responded more delicately. “Yes, I would love that. Thank you for always being such a gentleman.” I quickly diverted my attention to Evander walking in behind me, and I saw him smirk before looking away.

As we walked to the large table, I glanced at those already sitting. Instructor Edward sat at the head of the table, with servants and assistants standing around the sides of the vast oak table with a floral arrangement of vibrant greens and yellows running the length of it.

Towards the seat I was approaching sat Madok, Crown Prince of Ophera, my childhood best friend, love of my life, and destroyer of my heart.

“Clara, would you like to dance with me?” he asked as one might expect a teenage boy trying to prove himself as a man. I breathlessly answered, “Yes.”

We danced and laughed for what felt like hours and any sense of awkwardness between us disintegrated into the night air. His features had changed from when we first met at thirteen.

He was no doubt more muscular and much taller than me. He had a lean build, strong, but continued to be gentle with me.

“What were you chatting about over there?” I asked out of curiosity and in hopes it would cut any remaining tension between us.

“Ah, nothing really. Just trying to appease the old men so they leave me alone with my girl.”

My heart squeezed. His girl. Me. The lanky five-foot-three girl who was finally coming into her curves with a less-than-pliable personality.

I was his.

He grinned and leaned his chin to rest just above my shoulder. Before the song was over, he squeezed my hand and led me out of the ballroom to the garden.

My head was spinning with anticipation, running through every possible reason as to why he was taking me out there. Alone.

In the middle of the garden sat a beautiful golden statue of the goddess Lena of the Ophera bloodline, known for her ability to see the future, which Madok would carry on through his bloodline once he achieved the completion of his powers in just two years’ time.

My parents wanted to ensure that all the gods and goddesses had a place in our garden in order for everyone to enjoy the history of our land, and it just so happened that

Madok brought us before hisgoddess.

His gentle hands grasped mine, eyes widening slightly as he realized our proximity.. His breathing was sharp, and his gaze darted up and down my face as if his script was carved into the curves of my skin.

He took a steadying breath and opened his mouth to say something but decided against it.His eyes wandered around the garden and finally made their way back to me, and this time when he opened his mouth…he did in fact speak.

“I want to marry you,” his voice directed to me, although the words felt otherworldly. I nearly fell over, at only sixteen. That was not what I was expecting him to say.

I gasped, “We’re only—”

He interrupted my thought, “I want to marry you, one day. You are the girl I want to rule with. Maybe we could even become the land rulers of Carondelet.”

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