Betrothed To Death

Chapter 18

We left late at night claiming it was the only flight we could get. The twins were asleep and everyone had gone to bed. Daddy had hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek and thumped Orcus heartily on the back. Momma had wrapped her arms around me like when I was a little girl, stroked my hair and planted a tender kiss on my temple. She didn't hug Orcus, she just told him;

"Take care of my baby girl." Orcus had smiled and replied;

"That was always my intention." Evelyn had begun crying, hugging me and peppering my cheeks with kisses.

"My baby sister is leaving again!" she had wailed. I laughed and patted her back comfortingly. She hugged Orcus as well, then kissed the sleeping twins.

After everyone had gone to bed Orcus took my hand and whisked us back home. The servants took our bags and we put the children to bed. We then moved into our room to change for the night.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Orcus asked. I smiled.

"I did," I replied. He moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"I am glad," he said. I turned around to face him. His expression was the usual one of indifference but his eyes held a certain warmth. He pushed some of my hair behind my ear and leaned down. I turned my face away before he could kiss me.

"Astoria," he said, confused.

"I'm sorry, Orcus," I said. "I'm just not ready to let you back in."

"I understand," he said. He kissed my cheek and moved away from me, lying down in bed.

"Orcus!" I cried. "Orcus, come here!" Orcus came running into the sitting, looking panicked.

"What?" he asked. I grinned and pointed to where the twins were standing by the table. He looked over at them and smiled.

"On their own?" he asked. I nodded excitedly and stood, moving closer to him.

"Ilirra pulled herself up with the table," I explained. "And of course Dimitri couldn't be out done by his sister so he stood up too."

"Of course," Orcus said, smirking. He wrapped his arm around my waist.

"I don't think they know what to do now," I commented. Dimitri looked around frightened about being up higher without support. Ilirra giggled and clapped her hands, stomping one of her little feet, almost unbalancing herself. I chuckled and looked up at Orcus. He was gazing at the children, that small smile on his face and his eyes sparkling. He looked down at me and bent, quickly kissing me. I stood their wide eyed for a moment. Orcus smirked and pulled away from me, darting from the room. I stared after him for a moment surprised by the sudden turn of events. I glanced back at the children who were now crawling around on the floor again. A servant came into the room, setting down a tray of food.

"Watch them," I ordered, and took off after my husband. I knew he could easily out distance me and that he was letting me see where he was going, but it was still fun. I reached out and tried to grab his shirt but he sped up and slipped from my grasp. He disappeared into the ballroom and when I followed him I saw no sign of him.

"That's not fair," I called out. "I'm human! I can't do that!" I ran to the other side of the ballroom, flinging open the side door and gasping when I slammed into Orcus chest. His arms came up to steady me, a grin on his face.

"You let me win," I accused. He tilted his head to the side, giving me a slightly puzzled look.

"How else would you win?" he questioned. "You could not actually catch me." I rolled my eyes at this and stood on my toes, kissing his cheek.