Chapter 80: I will not choose
AYLA
"Do you really think Willow’s mother did not kill herself?" I asked my mother.
We were returning from the dress shop and her words hung between us
"I think Soren knows exactly what happened," my mother answered. "even if she did kill herself. Why?"
I thought about this.
"And she was your best friend? You have never told me that before."
My mother’s face softened. I could see in her gaze the memory of Willow’s mother filling her mind.
"The only friend I had in the world," she said quietly. "She was the only one who chose to befriend an Omega like me and she was unashamed of being seen with me even when her parents did not think it was the best idea."
"Then why did you sleep with her husband?" The words of accusation came out before I could stop them. "Why would you do that to your friend?"
My mother flinched.
"I cannot explain what happened, Ayla." She shook her head slowly. "Hell, I barely even remember what happened that night with Soren. We were both drunk out of our minds. And then Gia died, and suddenly it just made sense that we would comfort each other. It was not... it was not meant to be a betrayal. It just happened and I have carried it every day since."
We were now almost close to my quarters.
I opened my mouth to respond, but a movement at the edge of my vision caught my attention. I turned to see Cassian hurrying across the hallway toward me , and Ares striding a step behind him, his jaw set.
They both came to a stop before me, casting my mother a cool stare.
Cassian spoke first. "Brenna, may I borrow your daughter?"
Ares cut in before my mother could answer, his green eyes fixed on me. "Yes. I also need to speak to Ayla."
My mother’s face broke into a beam. She looked between the two princes with obvious delight. "Of course. Of course."
"I will leave you all to it." she said, brushing past me and walking away.
I turned to Cassian and Ares, my heart picking up speed.
"What is the problem?" I asked. "Did something happen?"
"No." Cassian rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking anywhere but at me. "I just wanted to... well, the thing is..."
"For Goddess’ sake." Ares stepped forward, cutting him off. "Ayla, would you like for me to be your escort to the banquet?"
Cassian glared at him, a muscle jumping in his jaw. Then he forced a smile and gestured vaguely. "Yeah, that is... which one of us would you like to escort you to the banquet?"
I was speechless.
I stared at them, at the two princes standing before me like boys vying for the last sweet at a fair, their eyes earnest and waiting.
I knew what this was. I knew that if I chose one, I would create a chain reaction between them both, a crack that would spider across the fragile truce they had only just begun to build. I remembered Cassian’s drunken crashout just the other night, the raw fury in his voice when he had spoken about Ares.
"I am sorry," I said, casting them a smile. "But I already have an escort."
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.
"Who is it?" Cassian asked, his face hurt.
Ares’ face fell.
I thought fast.
"Damon," I announced.
"Damon?" Cassian repeated, incredulously.
"That bastard." Ares swore under his breath..
"To think he just stood there acting so innocent."Cassian muttered, shaking his head.
"It is just like him," Ares seconded. "He no doubt wanted us to find out this way."
"I should get going." I said quickly, stepping back toward my room door. "I have a lot of things to do before the banquet tomorrow."
"Of course, Ayla." Cassian stepped forward, and placed a kiss on my cheek. He lingered a moment, his breath warm against my skin, then stepped back.
Ares moved in, his hands coming up to cup my chin, tilting my face toward him. "I cannot wait to see what you look like tomorrow." he murmured under his breath.
Then he kissed me, full on the lips right there in front of Cassian.
When he finally released me, I looked past him to Cassian who looked like he was about to strangle Ares on the spot.
I did not wait to see if it would come to blows before I turned and walked into my room, shutting the door in their faces.
I pressed my ear to the wood, listening. I could hear a muffled conversation but I could not quite make out what they were saying.
"What are you doing?"
I jumped.
Astrid stood at the center of the room, staring at me.
"Shhh." I held up a finger to my mouth then turned right back to keep listening.
I could hear nothing again.
I pulled back and let out a deep breath.
"What was that?" Astrid whispered.
"Where is Damon?"
"I have no idea. Why do you ask?"
I had to find Damon. I needed to ask him to be my escort immediately before either of his brothers found him.
"I am going out." I waved to Astrid, slipping out of my room and crossing the compound.
I found Damon at the edge of the grounds. He was standing by the low stone wall that overlooked the valley.
He turned at the sound of my footsteps, and the surprise on his face was almost comical.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his voice guarded.
I stopped a few feet from him, my chest rising and falling too fast. I had not planned the words or any of this if I was being honest.
To think that the last time we spoke to each other, I had said words to him that I would very much like to take back.
"Ayla?" He called out.
"I need you to escort me to the banquet,"