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"It’s not pretty," Aria admitted and her shed as they poked at each other and then snickered at her She rolled her eyes at thee to kick William’s crutch out from under him Braith took the empty plate from her hand and slid his arm around her waist She was a little confused as she stared up at hi her as she and Willia him? She didn’t have time to ponder it as he swept her off her feet and actually twirled her out to the dance floor

Aria was laughing as he eased her back down "I don’t kno to dance"

"I’ll teach you"

She glanced around the rooh the party was elaborate there were few people in the room she didn’t know A fact she was relieved about They weren’t staring at her and whispering behind their hands as soh most of the attention she received seemed more curious than malicious, she was still a little troubled by it, and happy she didn’t have to deal with it today Today was a celebration, and that hat she aimed to do There would be no more sadness, she decided fir one arm around her waist as he took hold of her hand and pressed it to his chest "Isn’t there supposed to be soree," he told her

"That’s good" She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes she savored in the delicious scent of him and the sense of security that enveloped her "The people within the palace, and the vaht with us, are curious about me"

"They are"

"They don’t understand us"

"They don’t," he confirmed "But it doesn’t matter We do, and eventually they will too I have a surprise for you later"

She lifted her head to look up at hierly

"It’s not a surprise if I tell you"

"I’, I proer surprise than talk of wedding cakes?"

He lifted her up and spun her around A sasp escaped her as for a"Iher but didn’t place her back on the ground "I a to marry you"

"Aren’t you supposed to ask ht that would be redundant"

"So you just assumed I would say yes"

"Of course"

Well how the hell was she supposed to argue with that, especially with hi down at her like that, and a happy sparkle in his vivid eyes? "You’re arrogant"

"Hed as his hands stroked over her back "And you love it"

She shook her head as she rested her hand on his chest again "When I was little, before I gave up thoughts ofmarried under the banquet tree"

"The banquet tree?"

"It’s a giant apple tree that William and I discovered We were the only two that ever knew its location"

"Then you’ll have it, just tell ainst her mouth

She shivered as thrills of pleasure swept up and down her spine Her fingers curled around his solid biceps as he continued to dance with her feet off the ground Closing her eyes, she let the melodious ainst her They danced through threeto where William stood propped on his crutch between Max and Daniel

"I’ll be right back" Braith kissed the top of her head and left the rooainst the table "Where did everyone go?" she inquired as she realized that Ashby, Jack, Xavier and Gideon were no longer present A cold chill crept down her spine; she stepped away from the table He’d handled her revelation well, but she knew Braith had been furious when she’d told hiht back"

Daniel stepped in front of her "We were told to keep you here, so about a surprise"

Was it really a surprise or was he going to confront thelanced nervously froh "Daniel…"

"It’s fine Aria, really"

"I hope so," she muttered

"It’s been over a week since you told him," William reminded her as he leaned forward on his crutches "Don’t you think he would have done soer fester"

"Nice Max," Daniel said brusquely

Max shrugged as he picked at some cheese and crackers Aria twisted her hands before her as she shifted fro et her attention

"I think so," shea vaed a look She had a difficult tiaze It would kill hie and didn’t survive The thought of it caused a hard lump to for to wait till after our birthday before deciding anything"

Williaaze traveled to the cake "Who knee’d be hoping that we actually did have vampire blood in us"

Aria chuckled softly "Not ?"

He shook his head; sadness crept over his features as he hesitatingly aze "No, dad saw it one day, he asked me for it He, uh, he really liked it"

"Oh" The sudden pressure in her chest made it difficult to speak