“Okay,” I nodded and took Ryker’s hand.
He seemed slightly repulsed by having a little girl hold his hand, but he didn’t say anything, just gave me a strained smile while his brother started to count. And then we ran off together, giggling and tripping clumsily.
It took Max a minute to find us. I realized soon he loved being the monster because he always knew exactly where we were hiding. I never found out if he peeked through his fingers when we ran off.
When Ryker was the monster, he still found us fast, but Max did his best to keep the game going and keep it fun for me. I loved the way he paid special attention to me. Even though he’d just walked into my life, he already knew I was a special little princess, just like papa said.
When I had to look for them, I gave up after ten minutes and sulkily stomped my mud-caked Mary Janes on the ground. I heard snickers, but they still wouldn’t come out. Not until I started to call for Papa. Then, they were out of the bushes in seconds, looking all sheepish and apologetic.
We spent the rest of the day playing together and having great fun. Finally, as the babies got cranky and the day turned into evening, my father called everyone to the stage where a band had been playing earlier.
“Welcome, welcome,” he said in that cool, measured tone of his. “I’m so glad all of you could join us today. What a beautiful day it has been. A beautiful day indeed—perhaps perfect for the announcement I am going to make today.”
I stared at him adoringly. Nothing could wake me up from my trance, my eyes fixated on Papa. I loved him so.
“We are joined today by the Marinos,” Papa said, pointing to the gathering crowd. “What a lovely time to celebrate the joining of our two families, isn’t it?”
He chuckled, and I followed his gaze until it found Ryker and Max’s parents who were standing to the side with their twins, smiling proudly.
“I’d like to invite my daughter up to the stage now,” Papa said, looking right at me. “Come on, come up here, Ophelia.”
For a second, my heart froze in fear, and I was convinced I was in trouble. But Papa looked so jovial and not angry at all. Maybe he just wanted me to stand next to him… I’d seen Papa in a bad mood before, “tempers” as Mamochka called them, and I hadn’t liked it one bit. It was scary and bloody and no fun at all.
Hesitantly, I stepped away from the crowd and joined my father on the stage. He firmly held my hand in his and smiled at the crowd.
“Everyone knows Princess Ophelia, of course,” he said. “My eldest child. Today is a joyous occasion, friends. Today, I want you to celebrate with me… the joining of forces, two families coming together. Today, I announce my daughter’s engagement to a Marino.”
Everyone clapped politely, and I looked up at Papa, too stunned to speak.
“But, Papa,” I said urgently, tugging on the sleeve of his jacket. “I’m only five.”
The crowd laughed aloud, and my father chuckled.
“Young man,” he finally said. “Why don’t you come up here?”
My eyes flitted back to where the Marinos were standing, and suddenly, something bloomed inside my chest, hopeful and scared and big and fluttery.
He said I was marrying a Marino… Oh my gosh, I was going to marry Ryker. My eyes looked into his dreamily, the boyish charm of his grin, the way his eyes sparkled so enchanting. But then I realized he wasn’t the one who had moved toward the podium.
It was Max instead, walking slowly but deliberately, his bad leg obviously giving him trouble as he limped closer.
My heart sank. My eyes found Ryker’s. Did I imagine the regret in them? The tinge of sadness? We’d only met a couple of hours ago, but I felt such a pull toward him. I wanted him, not his brother.
Max got up on the podium, and the crowd clapped as he came to stand next to me.
“But, Papa,” I whispered, tugging on my father’s sleeve again. “I don’t want to marry Max. I want to marry Ryker.”
An awkward silence fell upon the guests, and my father looked down at me with harsh, unforgiving eyes.
“Shut up,” he said simply.
“But papa—”
Before I could finish my sentence, he slapped me across the face, hard. So hard I fell on my butt and tears prickled my eyes. I didn’t cry though. I never cried, even when Papa got angry. It only made him more upset.
Papa glared at the crowd while I picked myself up clumsily.
“Clap,” he growled, and on cue, the crowd applauded.
Max helped me up, and I blinked the tears away, but I couldn’t take my eyes away from Ryker.
He wasn’t looking at me though; he was looking at my father. And his eyes burned with unapologetic hatred. When they finally connected with mine, I knew it was because of Papa had hit me.
I gave him a brave smile to let him know it was okay. But even then, it was too late.
The die had been cast.
Chapter Two
Ophelia
Thirteen years later
“Oh, my darling, you look more beautiful than ever,” Mamochka whispered, dabbing at her eyes. “Such a gorgeous young woman. I can’t believe you’re turning eighteen.”
I grinned at my own reflection in the mirror and twirled around, looking at myself with a titled head.
“I know,” I said softly. “It passes so quickly, doesn’t it, Mamochka?”
“Indeed it does,” she said, standing up as she balanced my newest baby brother, Ivan, on her hip. “I wanted you to have something, my beautiful girl.”
She handed the baby to a nanny who hushed him with calm noises and carried him out of the room, leaving Mamochka and me alone. My mother stepped to the side where our family jewelry box sat proudly atop a white marble countertop. She dug around in it, and I smiled fondly as I remembered my own fascination with the jewelry box when I was younger. Mamochka used to let me play with it, and I could still faintly recall the look of glittering jewels, and the feel of the midnight blue velvet that lined the solid gold box.
“Here we go,” she said, pulling out something from the box and approaching me with a secretive smile. “I’ve been waiting so long to give you this.”
I laid my hands out, and she placed a necklace in them. A ruby red gemstone sparkled in the center, and knowing the rest of Mamochka’s jewels, I knew this one was real too. The gemstone was inlaid with intricate gold that looked like lace, forming a luxurious-looking pendant that lay close to the throat when the necklace was held in place on its wearer.
“Oh, it’s lovely!” I exclaimed, my fingers gently touching to the cold stone. “Thank you so much. Will you help me put it on?”
“Of course,” she replied with pleasure, stepping behind me to clasp the necklace into place. “It will look so wonderful with your dress too, darling.”
I glanced at my reflection again, taking in my appearance. I wore my waist-length, silky straight black hair up, in a twisted updo with pretty little braids decorating my crown like a headband. My makeup was tasteful and minimal, but I’d been blessed with good skin, blemish-free, and porcelain. My body was too tall and reed-thin, but with my dress, none of it seemed to matter.
It flattered my body in all the right ways, not clinging to any awkward spots but making me look beautiful and grown-up. It was a pretty navy blue, the cut tight across my chest but covering me up well. It was lace, the bodice tight, and the skirt flaring out and ending a few inches above my knees. Papa had even permitted me to wear high heels for the event, and I wore high black pumps that elongated my legs. I felt like a million bucks in the outfit and loved it. I couldn’t wait for Ryker to see.