Blinding Light (BLS Book 1)

All the suitors return home for a change of clothes and some rest before the tasting this evening. I was escorted back by Asher, and it was a ride of miserable torture.

When we finally arrive from what seemed like an eternity, I was about to climb out, but Asher holds out an arm to stop me.

“My Lady, please wait.” Seeing the maids at the front door. I force a smile and take his arm. When I turn to leave, he holds onto my hand. A jolt of electricity travels through my body.

“What?” I spat. It comes out more harshly than I intended.

“I am to escort you to your room,” he replies.

“I can get there myself, thank you.” I try to tear my hand away, but his grip is tight, firm.

I scowl, “Let go.” I try to remove my hand again, but Asher’s grip only tightens, almost painful. “You’re hurting me, let go.” When I say that, a flicker of panic travels across his face.

“Please, My Lady, I insist,” he says, his grip loosening slightly.

He is the most nagging person I have ever met. If he stays with the guards are the peach festival, shouldn’t he have better things to do than annoy me to death? I think and sigh in frustration. I glare at him, and he drops my hand.

Looking up to meet his gaze, “You will stay. You are my escort. I wish you a good day, Asher, although you have certainly caused me none.” Even as I give him a direct order, he hesitates, which only increases my irritation.

“That was an order.”

With one final look, he nods. I rub my hand and stroll inside.

***

I don’t realize when I fall asleep only to wake to a knocking on the door.

“Coming!”

I get dressed quickly. Opening the door, Asher stands there, tall…perfect.

What.

It takes most of my self-control to stop myself from slamming the door in his face.

“Yes?” I force a smile.

“The tasting is about to start, My Lady.”

“Why isn’t Karen here?” I ask, looking around behind him.

“She is…on break.”

My eyebrows shoot up to my forehead. Karen?

Doing that, at this hour?

Asher takes no notice of my surprise and holds out an arm. Without thinking, I loop my arm around his and leave. Midway, I come back to my senses and pull my arm away. He stops,

“Is everything well, My Lady?”

I stare at him, “Yes, no thanks to you.”

He clears his throat and runs a hand through his dark hair. “I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. “What?”

“I’m sorry,” he repeats, shockingly. “I…You’re making this too hard for me, my dear Miss Hayes.”

He cuts off right there and motions for me to follow, him taking the lead. Astonished, I follow him and I don’t ask more. Somehow, I knew it would lead to more questions and no answer at all.

It was nearly time to start when we arrived. Asher leaves me to the suitors.

Nice.

I seriously don’t get that man though…

“Mila!”

“Huh? What?”

Raven chuckles and nudges me in the ribs. I shake my head.

Stop thinking about the Gentleman of Three Outs.

“What Rave? I was distracted,” I manage to smile.

“It’s your turn for the tasting,” she says.

“What? How long was I out?” Raven stares at me like I’m a madwoman. “Sorry, I meant, where?”

She points to the door at the far end where two guards stand. I make my way there. The guards open the door and warm candle lights come into sight.

Just what I need, a break from everything. Nolan looks up from the dining table and smiles at me. The doors close behind me and I jump. Flushed, I walk over.

“Good evening, Lady Mila. Jumpy as ever I see.” He plays with his wavy hair behind his ear, twirling it around his finger. I grab a seat across the table.

“Evening, Votre Altesse. Insulted on a private tasting, how unmannerly of you, Prince Nolan,” I smirk. He chuckles.

“You had a good time at the festival?”

“Oui, most of the time,” I reply, peering up at the ceiling, which is full of paintings.

“Only most?”

“The hot sun was suffocating me. And a certain someone wasn’t there,” I say sarcastically and he chuckles again. “I thought it was time for the tasting?” I ask, serious once more.

“It is,” he brings out peaches in a decorated glass bowl. I grab one and take a bite.

It’s so sweet! July is the time for Nectarines; Iwera does have the most amazing peaches.

“Delicious.” I stand up and admire the paintings around the room.

“What’s with all the paintings in this room in particular?” I ask.

“It was designed for me for some joy of staying within castle limits for my protection.”

A sadness passes his face, but then it’s gone as quickly as it came. “It doesn’t matter anymore, you are here now, and I am to spend time with all the suitors—especially you,” he winks and I can only try to hide my surprise. I never expected the great prince of Iwera to be so flirty.

“I hope you weren’t so alone all the time.”

He grins, “Not all the time.”

I knew he meant well, but something about those words made me think back to how my mother passed away while leaving behind for me just a painting, much similar to those that hung against this wall.

“I’m not supposed to be here,” I mutter under my breath.

“What do you mean?”

I cough, clearly not expecting to say that out loud or for Nolan to hear it.

“Just that, um…my mother helped the queen for her illness, not me. The paintings here just made me think of the one she left for me. Nothing much.”

Nolan eases closer to me in the dim light, “It’s alright, you don’t have to keep it all bottled up, you know.” I look at him only to see generosity in his eyes.

“I guess…” I swallow.

“You don’t trust me.”

I look up at his hurt face, “Non (no), it’s not that. Well, even if it may be, I will be able to t-talk…” I stumble over my words as he leans in.

“I…um,” I mumble, flustered. I turn away and Nolan backs up.

Prince Nolan rubs the back of his neck, realizing his mistake, “I’m sorry.” I smile awkwardly.

He changes the topic hastily, “You know, you are far more interesting than the other suitors.”

“Oh?” I ask, shifting a little further away from him.

“Oui. I’ve never told anyone, not even my father, that I felt lonely all the time. I felt trapped for years, but the first day that I’ve met you. It seemed like you were the ray of light that was bringing me one step closer to freedom.”

“You give me too much credit, Prince Nolan.”

“I just hope I didn’t push my luck…” he mumbles and I smile.

“We’re good, Prince Nolan.”

He bows down kisses my hand—a knock sounds on the door, causing me to jump out of my skin.

“I believe our time is up, Lady Mila. Although I could’ve wished for more.” My cheeks heat at that.

“Thank you for the evening, Votre Altesse,” I manage a weak smile. “Have a good night.”

He smiles back, almost slyly, “You too, Lady Mila.”

The rest of the festival I spent with Raven, enjoying the food as the other suitors went in for the private tasting, although I doubt any of theirs would be quite the excitement compared to mine.

***

After the festival, my bedroom was empty. Karen still hasn’t returned. I’m going to tease her as soon as she returns. I struggle with the zipper of my gown and slip into my comfortable nightgown. I fight back a yawn and pull out my hair until it’s nothing but a mop on my head.

I climb into bed and pull the covers over my head. All I can think of is the time I spent with prince Nolan, his sweet, playful words. My hand still tingles from the touch. I slap myself lightly on the cheeks—giggling as the dreams overtake me.

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Thanks, with lots of smiles

☆•Yiona•☆