Emmalee

Romain's newfound indifference is just breaking my heart, and the worst part is that I can't blame him because I can imagine what he felt when he watched me embrace Soren.

I'd feel the same way if I saw him with someone else, particularly someone who's his fiancée.

But it really wasn't like that and I wish he'd believe me. However, if I have to be completely honest with myself, I'd say that Romain isn't just doing this because of the hug; it's everything. It's our entire relationship and how we need a solid plan instead of sneaking around. Now that I know my father would never agree to this, I know that we need a big plan.

A life-changing one.

I can't let this go on because I know for a fact that I don't want to end up with Soren. He just isn't for me. My first impression of him has been ruined, and anyway, even if he were an absolute sweetheart, it wouldn't make me stop loving Romain magically.

We just have to figure out how to move forward from this.

And deep down, I think we both know that there's only one way that we can make this work, and it's going to have to be a drastic decision.

"Let's run away together."

Romain looks up at me, a mix of disbelief and shock written all over his face. "What?"

"We'll run away," I repeat. "It's the only way we're going to be able to be together, Romain."

He sits up straighter. "This is something serious that you're suggesting, Emmalee. Running away will have a lot of implications for us both. Life as you know it is going to change."

"And what life is that?" I ask a little loudly. I feel emotional already. "A life where my opinion isn't worth a dime? I'm just supposed to marry someone awful for the good of everyone else? What about me? Where are my feelings in all of this?"

Romain simply stares at me without saying a word. I sigh, then tell him, "Say something."

"I don't want to ruin your life," he responds in a thick voice. "I have nothing, Emmalee. Not a penny to my name. You grew up surrounded by luxuries. On the run, our life is going to be completely different."

"I don't care," I retort. "I just want to be with you."

He searches my eyes, and then his shoulders droop. I keep waiting for him to say something, but he remains quiet. No words are exchanged between us for the longest time, and I'm starting to wonder if this is where it's all going to start going downhill for us.

"I..." he begins before shaking his head. "I don't want to put you in that position, Emmalee. I would never want to see you suffer."

"So, you want me to marry Soren?"

His face hardens at the question, and he says, "No, of course not."

"Then the matter is decided," I proclaim. "You and I are going to run away together. We're going to go far away from here. I have savings. Money I've never spent. It'll be enough to get us out of the country."

Romain is silent for a few seconds, then he says, "I have some savings, too."

His words breathe hope into me, and I expel a sigh through my parted lips. His hands move to my face, and we peer into each other's eyes while holding onto each other.

"Emmalee," he finally says. "This is crazy."

"I know," I admit. "But it's all we can do."

Our faces move closer to each other. I don't know who moves first; me or him. All I know is that when our lips touch, electricity courses all through me. I've never felt this alive in all my life. The air all around us is charged, and he flips me so he's above me.

After breaking the kiss, he says, "This is crazy, Emmalee."

I chuckle. "So you keep saying."

He tucks my hair behind my ear, and reveals in a low voice, "You getting hurt is the last thing I want."

"How will I get hurt when you'll be there to protect me?"

His eyes often, and he runs his middle finger down the bridge of my nose. "You're really determined to do this? Go against your family. For me?"

I try to shrug, but his weight is crushing. "There's no me without you. There never has been. I've always been close to you, closer to you than I was with my own brother."

He winces. "Let's not talk about the sibling thing. It weirds me out sometimes."

"Why should it? We know the truth."

"Yeah, but we were raised as siblings, Emmalee."

"That's a tad bit dramatic," I claim. "If we didn't know the truth before the age of like twelve, then it would be weird. But we've always known." Bitterly, I add, "My father always made sure that we knew the difference even though he insists that you're like a son to him. Do you see how hypocritical he is?"

Romain becomes pensive. His eyes are spaced out, and even his hand stops moving over my face. I ask him, "What are you thinking about?"

"Just...I know that your father isn't mine—"

"Thank the goddess for that," I interrupt.

Romain smiles mildly and finishes what he was saying. "What I mean is that the older I get, the more desperate I become to find out who I truly am and where I come from. I don't know, Emmalee. I don't have the slightest clue in the world. Who's my mother? Where is she? What about my father?"

I simply stare back at him. His words touch a part of me that I didn't know existed until now. Of course, he has questions. I never thought he'd have these kinds of doubts and curiosities because, well, I've always had my parents around.

But what was it like for him?

"Of course," I say. "You have the right to know who they are."

Romain remains thoughtful, then reveals in a low voice, "Is it weird that I feel like everyone knows?"

"About where you're from?"

He nods. "I don't know. It's just this feeling I get that maybe they know. They all do. Especially Trudy."

I can't dispute that, but I feel his frustrations and wish I could help him in some way. Maybe I could try to extract some information from Trudy. But she'll be suspicious, I know it.

There isn't much that escapes her notice, and if he and I don't adhere to our escape plan, she's going to find out about us, and then, she'll put a stop to it. Trudy has always been very loyal to my parents, and she's told me time and time again that she wants what's best for me.

If she genuinely believes that Soren is what's best for me, then she'll fight for it to happen.

"I'm going to find out where I'm from," he states. "Even if they're just some deadbeat rogues, I still want to know who they are. It's a right I have, right? Everyone needs to know where they're from."

"Yeah," I agree. He's speaking with so much conviction that I can't help but feel proud of him. How could I ever love anyone else? I have so much admiration for him.

"If we do this," he says suddenly, "I want you to know that I'll fight for you. Every step of the way, no matter how hard it gets, no matter who tries to stand between us—I'll fight. Every single day, in every way I can. I'll fight the world if I have to, just to keep you by my side. But more than that...I'll fight to make you happy. To make you feel safe. To make you feel loved in a way no one else ever has."

His fingers brush against my cheek, his touch so gentle it makes my chest ache. "Because you're it for me, Emmalee. You always have been. So if we do this...you have to promise me one thing."

"What?" I whisper, my breath catching.

"That you'll let me love you. Completely."

A smile stretches my lips. "Of course," I say before I place my hand on the side of his face, and press my lips to his.