Dream Date

Dream Date

By Casie L. Williams

“Isn’t the kiss typically at the end of the date?” Celeste panted as her arms were still wrapped around Cade’s neck with her fingers entwined in his hair.

“Typically, Yes. But this isn’t your typical first date.” A glint of mischief tugged at his lips and his eyes smoldered with desire. “So, I think we can, shall we say, bend a few rules?! Don’t you?” Leaning in to capture her lips once more. Celeste melted in his arms. Closing her eyes once more and breathing in his woodsy scent, Celeste found herself surrendering to the thought of true happiness.

Celeste never believed she was worthy of love or happiness. In fact, she had accepted the sad truth she would never find love again after her father had murdered the love of her life when she dared to disobey him. Eventually she bowed to her father’s control and married the Duke of Blackwood. Forced into this loveless marriage, Celeste’s pain became a shield, hardening her heart. After the death of the Duke, the people of Mist Valley came to fear her. Rumors she used magic to kill him flew rampant, soon they called her The Black Hearted Duchess.

Celeste embraced this new role and continued to instill fear into her subjects. Locking up those who couldn’t afford to pay her taxes, or because she was in a bad mood, or really for whatever reason she thought of. She was wicked. But no one saw the pain she held deep within. The pain of losing her love and her only chance at happiness. She even scoffed when a passing fortune teller told her she would find love and happiness once again with the man branded with a wolf tattoo on his left forearm. Though she yearned for this to be true, she was too scared to pursue it. But the Fates had other plans. When the inhabitants of Mist Valley found themselves suddenly in a new land – Red Herring Falls – events forced Celeste to confront her deepest desire and fear.

When their kiss finally ended, both were breathless with their foreheads touching and eyes still closed. Celeste was in a state of euphoria as she smiled back at Cade.

“I guess we can bend a few rules. We’ve been through some interesting situations and already know each other fairly well.” Giggling as they untangled themselves from each other.

“Aye, that we have, m’lady. That we have. But with that said, maybe we should start over and enjoy this first date.” The roguish twinkle still evident in his blue-green eyes. As her arms slowly dropped from around his neck, Cade brushed her velvet skin from the crook of her elbow to her hand before gently clasping her delicate hand with his rough masculine hand, pulling it to his lips and lightly pressing his lips; all the while holding her gaze.

Walking over to the picnic already set up, Celeste stopped when she finally saw the trouble he had gone to create the perfect setting for their first date.

“Cade, this is…” gasping as her free hand reached for her mouth.

“I know you are used to much fancier settings, M’lady, but I thought a change of scenery would be just as nice.” Holding her hand as she eased down onto the soft blanket spread over the sand.

“No, it’s not that. This is perfect.” Her ruby red lips turning up at the corners causing little fine lines to appear around the outer edges of her eyes.

Once Celeste was settled, Cade sat facing her one leg bent up and hooking his arm on as he smiled at her expression.

“No one has even done anything like this for me.”

“That is a shame, for a lady such as yourself should never want for nothing, least of all love and happiness.” Handing her a glass.

“To m’lady and the start of happiness together.” Their glasses clinked. Closing her Prussian blue eyes, Celeste drank of the slightly sweet yet dry red liquid from her crystal chalice. The salty sea air mixed with the black cherry and merlot grape fragrance, intensifying the intoxicating beverage.

“M’lady approves?”

“Cade, you don’t to call me that. We aren’t in Mist Valley and I am not a duchess here.” Shaking her head and giggling.

“That is true Celeste, but alas it is who I am.” Lowering his head, but slightly tilting it to gaze at her.

“Though we may not be in Mist Valley and you are not the Duchess, you are still a lady and I say it not as a sign of your station versus mine, but as a term of endearment.” Stretching over to place a soft kiss on her cheek.

Celeste could feel her cheeks warming under his touch, though not quite sure it was from his compliment, touch, or the wine. No matter the reason she reveled in this time they had together. Finally facing her fear and going after her heart’s desire. Allowing herself to feel worthy of love and happiness.

Conversation drifted from bouts of laughter recounting various events that had happened since arriving in Red Herring Falls to comfortable silence while they enjoyed the picnic spread.

“Why don’t you believe you are worthy of finding true happiness, Celeste?”

His poignant question cause Celeste to cough as she took a sip of her wine. Setting her glass down carefully before meeting his probing eyes.

“You know who I was before we came here. I was not nice or liked. I treated people around me horribly. People like me are the villain and villains don’t get to find happiness or love or anything like that.” Quickly looking away for fear Cade would pity her.

Reaching over he tenderly hooked his forefinger under chin and guided her back to meet his gaze. “Aye, I know who you were and that is not who I see here and now. I see someone who has done all she can to help the people adjust to their new home. Who has faced some crazy situations with grace and poise. I see someone who is a hero, and heroes always get a happy ending. Why don’t you see that?” His imploring eyes searched hers.

His touch was soothing as were his words. Peace brought a smile to her lips as she could feel the last vestiges of the Black Hearted Duchess fading from existence. Cade leaned in sliding his hand behind the back of her head and pulling her to him and captured her lips once more, but this time the kiss was not burning desire but yearning to show true love. He had found love once more and was desperate to have Celeste feel it.

At the touch of his lips on hers, Celeste felt her heart opening and love spilling over. Something she had long since stopped dreaming about was coming true. She had found love and was no longer afraid. She freely gave in.

Their kiss lasted for what seemed like hours, but only moments had passed. When the kiss had ended, both kept their eyes closed leaning into each other. Celeste broke the silence as a slight smile graced her lips.

“Cade, this has been magical. I never thought I could have this again.”

“Aye, it has been lovely, Celeste. But it’s time to wake up.” Despair was etched upon his features where only moments ago pure happiness had been.

“Wha..., what do you mean, wake up?” confusion broke through her bliss as she searched his face for reasoning behind his odd statement.

“Celeste, you have to wake up. This isn’t real.” anguish continued to creep over his body as his head hung low and his shoulders slumped in agony.

“Yes it!” her voice cracking. “This is real. It’s the start of my- our happy ending. You said it yourself, I deserve to find happiness and love” Tears prickling as she tried to grab his hand, but no matter how far she stretched he was just out of reach.

“Aye, and I meant it. But you must know this is a dream.”

“NO! That can’t be.” That’s when she realized the there was no more waves crashing on the beach, the breeze had died, and she couldn’t taste the sweetness from his kiss anymore. She looked around to find a void where the beautiful beach scene had been.

“NO, Cade!”

Bolting upright, Celeste screamed out as her tears streamed down. Her scream and sobs echoed off her empty bedroom walls. Pulling her kneed to her chest she bawled until she there were no more tears. She was alone. Cade was not there with her, it had all been a dream.