One never truly stops loving their first love, however inadequate it may seem.

~ Deveron ~

The trumpets sounded at the arrival of Quinntessa's two horse drawn carriages. In excitement everyone filed out onto the front lawns giddy with the arrival of the Queen who had once stayed here so many years ago.

I came out at a leisurely pace letting my parents make their appearances known and of course cocky Bass would too, but where was he? Avanna stood near the front with Sarah who both shot daggers with their eyes my way.

A sigh escaped my lips as I strolled across the grass and stopped when I saw her. When they say people change as they grow older, it was true. She wore a pale lavender dress that was closed firmly against her body and cloaked in a golden colored cape that draped around her shoulders. She was stunning with glossy raven black hair falling in loose curls down her back.

I smiled when her gaze met mine and I continued closer.

"Deveron - I mean your grace," she dipped her head giving me a small curtsey before meeting my gaze with admiration. "You lack the freckles and gaped tooth smile I last saw you with."

Her ladies in waiting behind her laughed quietly together watching.

"And you Quinn look just as stunning as I last remember."

"Is that flattery I hear?"

"I believe I was paying you a compliment...."

One of the brunet ladies in waiting came up behind Quinn whispering in her ear and she nodded, as behind me the crowd started to disperse and prepare for tonights wedding party.

"My apologies Deveron but Rachel says it would be best if I get settled and ready for tonights events," she said sheepishly dropping her gaze down to her hands.

"Oh, of course love. I expect to see you there." I took one of her hands gently in mine bringing it up to my lips kissing the top gently.

Her cheeks flushed red as she pulled her hand away, "It is good to see you have become a gentleman."

I nodded and watched as Quinn's ladies in waiting ushered her to the my parents to be introduced and shown to her rooms. I searched the dwindling crowd for Bass although I still could not find his face in the crowd. My stomach twisted, he would never miss this opportunity to present himself in public just to stir my mothers anger.

Sarah and Avanna lingered near and I gathered courage approaching them.

"Have either of you seen Bass?"

Both girls exchanged looks before Avanna spoke up first, "Yes actually, he left a bruise on my forearm after he insulted me."

I raised my eyebrows, "What are speaking of? Bass would never do such a thing."

"Well tell that to him when you find him because if he touches me again I will send for the guards and have him hung."

My muscles tensed and fists gripped together hard, "This is only because I did not say yes to your offer is it not?" I whispered angrily feeling my blood boil from this talk of insanity.

Avanna pushed Sarah aside stepping so close I felt her hot breath on the warmth of my skin, "I was your first love and I will be your last." She brushed her lips over mine as a silent reminder that she could be mine if I had my fathers approval.

Caught in the moment it took precious time before I realized what I was allowing pushing Avanna away seeing Quinn watching us. Who gathered her skirts running back towards the entrance with her ladies in waiting close behind.

I looked back to Avanna in disgust, "You knew she was watching. You did that out of spite. How could you Avanna?" My voice slowly was rising with accusation.

"Like I said darling, I will be your last." she linked her arm with Sarah's, who stood seeming uncomfortable. "Now I need to help Sarah get ready for her wedding. Save me a dance will you Deveron?"

She left me standing alone on the lawn with the setting sun beating down as if scorning me for actually enjoying her lips hovering over mine. I was a man meant to be married to Quinn, not to be with a woman no - a girl who was possessive and only had one thing thing on her mind: Greed.