The lost lamp, p.10
The Lost Lamp, page 10
The crowd oohed and ahhed and collectively moved closer to the case. Once they had quieted, Lord Rotari spoke again. “And now, let's commence the holiday season with the traditional First Dance.”
The orchestra played the familiar first notes of the holiday waltz. Will bowed and held out a hand to Marianna. “May I have this dance, milady?”
“Of course,” Marianna took his hand and followed him out to the dance floor. She hadn’t seen Will as much in the last several weeks. She’d been busy studying for her final exams which she was proud to say she had passed easily. And Will had been busy helping her father shore up the ships for the winter.
Will swung her out into a twirl and she swept back into him, her palm coming to rest on his hard chest. Her breath caught as he stared into her eyes, unspoken communication coursing through them. She had missed seeing him every day. His presence was like the sweetest days of summer, warm and comforting.
The music grew louder and faster, and they moved into more intricate patterns, dancing between the other dancers to cross the entire dance floor and then back again. The music ended and everyone was laughing and congratulating one another on their fine dance steps. Will pulled Marianna away from the crowd.
He leaned close, whispering in her ear, “Want to take a walk outside?”
She nodded. They grabbed their coats and started down the stone path that led through Lord Rotari’s magnificent gardens. Now, there weren’t many blooms left, and most of the plants had been trimmed and shorn, ready to sleep through the winter.
The air was chilly, but not freezing. Even though winter was Marianna’s least favorite season, she still found the garden beautiful. The way the moon shone silver on the dark, bare branches, and lit up the pathways and fountain. No water poured from the tower of fish, their mouths yawning into nothing.
They found a bench and sat down. "I have something for you, for the holidays." Will pulled a dark wooden box from the bag he’d grabbed along with his coat and handed it to Marianna.
“Ooh.” It was heavy, much heavier than she expected.
“Be careful. It’s fragile,” Will warned.
“Really?” She looked up at him and smiled.
He nodded.
She undid the little golden latch that kept the box closed and lifted the lid. Thick, dark blue fabric filled the top of the box. She pulled it back to reveal a glass ball. She reached in, lifted it out, and gasped.
The glass dome sat on a smooth golden base. Inside of the glass were dozens of tiny trees that had a dark reddish-brown bark and pink and white blossoms. The green, grassy floor beneath them was covered with little bits of pink and white. It was a snow globe. Marianna flipped the ball over. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned the globe right side up. She watched in awe as the little bits of white and pink swirled down around the trees.
"And look," Will's hand covered hers as he flipped the ball bottom up again. "See this?" He twisted a tiny silver bar with his free hand.
“It’s a music box too! Oh, Will, this is amazing.”
The first notes of her mother’s favorite song floated through the air. She couldn’t believe Will had remembered. She’d almost forgotten that day when she’d told him about how her mother had never made it to the Cherry Forest, so she’d made Marianna promise to go there someday. He’d listened and been so understanding, but this, this took it to another level.
She swallowed hard and looked up at him. “Thank-you. It’s stunning. I love it.”
His eyes shined, his voice low and rumbling as he replied, “I’m glad you like it. I thought of you immediately when I saw it.”
She reached out and took his hand. He rubbed his thumb across it, in a now familiar gesture of comfort. She’d come to care for him far deeper than she’d intended. She didn’t just care for him, she loved him. More than she’d even thought possible. It scared her a little, the intensity of these feelings, but it thrilled her too.
Somehow he’d slipped into her heart and embedded himself there without her even realizing it. But that was part of the magic that was Will. He cared for people effortlessly. It never seemed like a strain or an inconvenience. He was there whenever needed, and not just for her. Over the past few months, she’d watched him care for others with the same gentle kindness.
And now in this moment, she realized he’d seen her deepest wound, her grief over her mother's death, and was willing to help her cope and heal. She leaned closer and reaching up, she pressed her palm against his cheek. “You have been the best part of this whole adventure,” she whispered.
He cupped her face. “You have been for me too,” he swallowed hard, his voice soft as he continued, “I’ve never met a girl like you, Marianna, and you have completely enchanted me.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she pressed her forehead against his and whispered, “I love you.”
Will sighed, his relief audible. “I love you too, Marianna Locklear.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her the rest of the way to him, pressing his lips to hers. And Marianna knew life would never be boring as long as Will was by her side.
Acknowledgements
I’m so thankful for my network of supporters. To my writer’s group: Camilla, Jennifer, Natalya, and Sadie, thanks so much for all your helpful tips, brainstorming moments, and general encouragement. To my editors and proofers, thank-you! To my readers, thanks to everyone who’s read a book, bought a book, and shared about a book, I couldn’t do this without you!
To all my family members who’ve bought my books, sent encouraging words, and shared about my books to everyone they know, thank-you! To my siblings, Faith, Harold, and Hope, thanks so much for always being ready to read whatever new piece I give you. To my parents and grandparents, for always believing in, telling me I could do whatever I aspired to, and for all your support. To my husband, Don, thanks for living life with me and having unending faith that I could achieve my dreams, I love you!
More From the Author
If you enjoy playlists that go along with books, you can check out my playlist for The Lost Lamp here.
The Lost Lamp is the second book in The Heart Stone series, though it is a prequel to the first book, The Bloodstained Key. If you haven’t read it yet, you can get it here.
I also have a short story collection set in the same world as my series. You can get it here.
We also have a read group on Facebook, and I’d love to have you join here.
And if you want to find out more about my books, visit my website here.
About the Author
Charity loves fairy tales and myths and re-imagining them. When not writing, she takes creative photos, paints, and spends time with family. Charity lives in Maryland with her sassy pomchi and her own charming prince. The Bloodstained Key is her first book.
Read more at Charity Rau’s site.
Charity Rau, The Lost Lamp
