Cora's POV

I gazed around at everyone seated at the table. My face wore a smile, but my heart felt like stone. Queen Cassidy spoke but I didn't hear a word. All I could think about was beth. Her tear filled eyes still scorched my soul. She was so frightened.

"Cora dear?" I heard my mothers voice snap Through my thoughts. "What do you think?" She asked.

"I think your absolutely right.." I said not knowing what they were even talking about.

"You see!" My mother said happily. "Roses it is!"

"Alright, your the bride. Your the one who has to walk down the ale with the roses clashing with the Color of the utensils, not me.. " Cassidy said to me as my mother smiled in victory.

"You see, it didn't have to be a tree day long argument after all." King Phillip said as both woman whipped there heads around to give him a glare.

"Unlike you dear, we Actually care about how the Ceremony looks." Cassidy said annoyed with her husband.

"And unlike you dear, I care about them being happy. Which brings me back to the two of you." He said as he turned his head to me and William.

I could feel my uncles stare burning it's way into my skin, I needed to get out of here. I didn't want to look at him anymore. What am I going to tell William? Should I even tell him anything at all? My uncle said that if anything were to go wrong with his plan then beth would die.. And surely there would be more to follow. But could I really do it? Could I really spend the rest of my life cowering behind my uncle out of fear?

I cleared my throat and began to speak "William is going to take me to the lake after breakfast"

"I am?" He asked before I dug my hell into his foot and pressed down hard. "I AM!" He stated as a fact this time.

"What a wonderful idea son." Phillips said As he Stood.

"It gives us time to Check on the entertainment." My mother said as she and Cassidy stood quickly in unison and I stared at them in question.
"We can't get anything done with you around dear, not when it's supposed to be a surprise." My mother said as they both walked off.

"Shall we?" Asked William as he stood and reached out his hand.
••••••

Williams POV

I slid off my horse swiftly then let my steed go, knowing he wouldn't go to far. Cora done the same. Both horses walked off to a patch of grass under a large weeping willow tree that hung over the lake.

The afternoon sun burned against my heavy clothing making me incredibly hot. Cora walked to the water and stared into the oblivion. Her beautiful eyes looked heavy with emotion, and no matter how many times I would ask her what was wrong she would always change the subject or not answer at all. I had my own suspicions though, it had to have something to do with her uncle, like it always does.

"What was it that you wanted to come out here for?" I asked as we both stepped out into the docks

She looked around and smiled slightly.
"It's just nice to get away from all of it, you know?"

"Actually I don't" I said as I stepped in front of her "why don't you enlighten me?"

She stepped sideways, walking away from me and avoided eye contact.

"For the last time, there's nothing wrong with me." She spat

There was! There definitely was. But I couldn't keep pushing her, if I did she'd never brake.

"I think someone needs to lighten up a little" I said as I caught up to her and wrapped my arms around her from behind.

She tried to wiggle out of my grip but I had more leverage then she did at the moment.

"Let me go William" she said still wiggling.

A smirk grew on my face as i gently tightened my grip playfully.

"Or what?" I asked.

"Or you'll be sorry" she said trying to hold back a smile.

"Oh really? I think someone needs a little cool down, don't you?"

She turned her head back to look at me confused before her head snapped back to the water. "Oh you wouldn't dare"

"Really? Because I think I might" I said cockily.

I picked her up into my arms bridal style and she looked up at me

"Trying to scare me won't work you know. I know your not going to Throw a lady into a lake. after all what kind of man would that make you?" She stated fearlessly in my arms.

"Your right" I said as I felt her relax in my arms. "But then again, who am I trying to impress?"

With that I ran full speed off the docks and watched the shocked look on her face as I jumped off the other end.. We both hit the water with a load splash, on impact I let her go so she could swim. the coolness of the water felt amazing against my burning skin. Cora's head surfaced and she looked every bit pissed as I thought she would, she was so sexy when mad.

"How dare you" she yelled as she began swimming upright splashing me with water but I only laughed. "You think it's funny?" She asked as I looked her over.

Her once styled hair laid flat from wetness and black makeup from her eyes ran down her face. "Yes, it's actually hilarious."

She splashed me again but laughed a little as she did.

"Your cruel"

"I'm fun" I corrected her.

I swam closer to her and took the sleeve of my shirt to wipe off the black under her eyes.

"Is it better?" She asked once I was almost finished.

"Hmm have you ever been i'm close to a raccoon, there eyes look ...." She didn't let me finish

She pushed my hand away and splashed me again. "I know what a raccoon looks like... And I wouldn't look like one if someone wouldn't have thrown me into A LAKE!!!!!! "

I smiled at her outburst and her face softened.

"that's cheating you know" she whispered.

"What is?" I asked

"Smiling like that when I am supposed to be angry with you, it's cheating" she said softly.

I grabbed the Docks leg that was nearest to me and pulled Cora close. I gave her one of my smiles again and she giggled. Her lough was like a drug to me, it was not often that I saw that smile on her face but when I did I wanted more. I brushed the wet strands of black hair behind her eyes and watched her face change.

"What's wrong?" I asked her once again.

"I just don't want to lose you." She said.

Lose me? Why would she lose me?

"Hey." I said while lifting her chin up. "I am not going anywhere" as I said that I saw something Hidden behind her eyes that I couldn't quite make out.

She pulled herself closer to me and placed her head in between my chin and neck.

"Why would you think your going to lose me?" I asked after awhile. But just as usual she found a way out of answering by Drawing me in and kissing me tenderly.
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