Chapter 208

Cassie

Yanna was as beautiful and funny as she had been before. Back in my dream world. Only I couldn't be sure it was a dream really because how did I know her when we had literally just been introduced?

How was it possible unless it was real? But how was that even possible?

The grey haired woman? The one in the woods that had warned me that things here might not be better , she was the key. In that world she had been a mystical creature roaming the forest, here she was-

My doctor.

"Are you ready to go in my love?" Julian's hand slipped in to mine and my fingers closed around it.

"Yeah." Flicking my eyes up to him I saw that he was frowning. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes."

He was lying. I could tell by the look on his face.

"You've been standing by yourself and staring for a while now , that's all. I was worried that you were feeling overwhelmed."

I shook myself and glanced around. He was right, everyone else had gone into the grand hall. I could hear everyone talking and laughing from down the hallway.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled. "I didn't mean to show you up."

Julian's frown deepened. "You didn't embarrass me Cassie. I was just worried about you." Drawing my hand up to his lips, he let his mouth linger over it.

"I'm fine, just daydreaming." I shrugged. "I guess we should go in and join the party hey?"

For a second his eyes swept over me. "I guess we should, although the more I see you in that dress , the more I need to see you out of it. Sneaking away and taking you to bed sounds like a much better idea than making small talk." He finished with a small chuckle.

I couldn't help it. I laughed. "Is that something we could do?"

Because that sounded like such a better idea than pretending to be a queen to a bunch of people who didn't know me.

"Yes." He shook his head. "But we probably shouldn't. Not yet at least. Maybe in a few hours."

Pursing my lips I blew out a breath. "Ok then let's do this."

We walked down the hallway , towards the sound of excited chatter and beautiful music.

"Oh wow." Another breath left my lungs in a rush. If I had thought the decorations and glitz and glamour was lavish out in the entrance foyer I was sadly mistaken.

The grand hall looked like a palace ballroom out of fairytale. Candles flickered in gold candelabra. The crystal chandeliers threw a myriad of beautiful colours across the polished dance floor.

People were gathered in little groups, laughing, chatting, eating together as they sipped from their champagne flutes.

"Does it make you happy, my love?"

Turning my head I searched his face. "You did this for me?"

"I never got to give you the wedding you deserved." He shrugged. "I want you to know how important you are to me and to this kingdom. A party is just the start of it."

Lavish and beautiful , that's what this was but the fact he thought I wanted all of this just went to prove how much he didn't know me.

I was never the kind of woman who liked a fuss.

Not that I would ever tell him that when it was clear he had gone to so much trouble to make this special for me.

Turning into him, I reached up and pressed my lips to his cheek. Only it didn't land on his cheek at all. At the last minute he turned his face to me , so my mouth landed on his.

Instantly he looped one arm around my waist. He didn't seem to care that he was kissing me in front of several hundred people. Or that public displays of affection were frowned upon from people of our status.

I could feel eyes on me though, and it was making me uncomfortable.

"We probably shouldn't do this." He whispered against my mouth.  So, he was feeling it as well. Smiling, I stepped  away. Turning to see what he was looking at , I felt the ground shift under my feet.

Megan.

Was standing by the far wall. Talking and laughing. But easily seen. That's why he had stopped kissing me because she was there.

No. I told myself firmly. That wasn't the reason. Julian loved me. He had called me his mate. That meant something. He wasn't involved with Megan. It was just my jealousy getting the better of me again.

I had to listen to Cathy and put Megan in her place once and for all.

"Let's go and mingle." I said my eyes on Megan. Like she could sense me staring at her , she turned slowly and then with wide eyes wandered over to us.

Dropping into a low curtsy before us, her eyes remained on my husband. My eyes were glued to her, though or more specifically the necklace around her slender throat.

The ruby necklace.

"It's great to see you looking so well, Queen Cassie." She straightened and her eyes locked on me. The smallest of smiles tilted up her mouth.

"And you as well Megan. That necklace is exquisite. Like something royalty would wear."

At my side Julian shifted uncomfortably.

"This old thing?" Her fingers brushed against the gemstones. "No it's just a silly gift from an old friend-"

"I'll miss you."

The voice was female and clearly Megan's but it wasn't coming out of her mouth. It was coming from the speakers hidden by the stage. Where a giant screen had been erected.

The sweet music died as another voice boomed out of the speakers.

"I'll miss you too."

The lights went off and the screen lit up, as my husbands voice boomed out.

A hushed silence fell.

"Cassie-"

I turned from him and looked at that screen , as the words were repeated.

Megan and Julian, embracing. Their words lingered everywhere.

And they sliced into me.

Because he had said those words not long ago. He had gone to her and said he would miss her after I had woken up.

After he had said I was the one and she was nothing.

The image flickered to another one. Video taken inside a lavish apartment and this time I could see him moving behind her. Placing the ruby necklace around her throat and turning her with a wide smile.

And Megan?

Megan was wearing the exact same dress as I was wearing.

Because he had given it to her first.