AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“All I want to do is take my clothes off and lie here,” I said, feeling a pull a little like that first time Will and I had found the circle. I smiled up at him now. He was being very quiet today, sitting on the stone, possibly experiencing similar sensations in this ancient place.
“Well, maybe we should leave you to it,” said Justin.
“Yes,” agreed Sun, looking at her phone. “Time’s getting on.”
“I’m not actually going to strip,” I said, sitting up. “You don’t have to go.”
“Look,” said Justin. “Hearst has something to tell you. He’s frightened to do it. We’ve all known for days. I’m surprised Zolotov hasn’t let it slip. So, you know, have fun.”
Sun and Justin got up to go, Justin helping himself to some small cakes on the way, and then the two of them disappeared into the trees.
As my oldest friend slid off the stone to sit by me, I knew. Aleks had mentioned that it would soon be time for Will to stretch his wings. I hadn’t thought about what that would mean.
“When?” I asked.
“This afternoon. I’ve been trying to tell you, babe. I’ve a week’s tryout for the company, you know the one everyone from college always wanted to get into? He arranged it.”
A tear ran down my cheek.
“Don’t, Malph. I’ll be back if I don’t get it.”
“You’ll get it. Of course you will. I’m just being selfish because I’ll miss you.”
“You’ll be fine. You’re going to marry him and live happily ever after in the castle, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Kind of obvious to the rest of us. He barely lets you out of his sight. I thought he’d be here today.”
“He doesn’t come up here.”
“And are you really happy, just teaching?”
“Yes.” I had discovered great satisfaction in helping others be the best they could be. I was perfectly content. No one had voiced the fact that my disfigurements would be an impediment to a career in ballet – Aleks still insisted on my studying repertoire – but I knew. “In a way, it’s a relief,” I told Will. “No more stage fright.”
He frowned. “That might fade in time.”
I shook my head. Deep down, I had always suspected it wouldn’t. I changed the subject and stated a fact. “I don’t want to say goodbye to you, Will.”
“So, don’t. Come and see me. Bring Zolotov with you, if you want. He’s got that fancy flat, hasn’t he? You might stay there sometimes?”
There was a fast hug, a quick promise of lots of communication, and he was gone.
I stood in the centre of the circle. Alone, in stillness, eyes shut, heart hurting. The sun shone and time wavered. It felt like the stones were spinning around me until warm hands on my face stilled them.
Will was back. “Not married yet, though, are you?” he said and kissed me on the lips. We stared at each other for a second before our mouths came together again. Soft. Warm. The completion of a story. His hair sprung back under my fingers. His tongue tasted the same as mine. He picked something out of my hair, face serious: a small pink flower of the circle. Then, he really was gone.
Hand on buzzing mouth, I smiled. Fourteen-year-old Amalphia had just had all her romantic wishes granted. The past was fixed, wiped clean of resentment and sorrow.
And the present was clear. I ran down the woodland path in my bare feet, back to the castle, and home to Aleks.
