Free Candescent (The Opalescent Collection Book 1) by Isabelle Gallo Page A

didn’t expect him. I dressed into my night robe and laid my head onto the pillow.
                  We would be going home tomorrow. When we got there the vampire that turned me into who I am would be further stripped of what he had, and according to Fitzray, on his knees begging for mercy. Fitzray told me this would be getting back at him for the way he treated me, but I knew he only wanted to protect me and was just over-possessive of me. He was to be brutally penalized for that ? 
                  I wanted to tell Fitzray, but I couldn’t be sure how he would handle it. He would either convince me that this was what must be done and remind me of all the wrong Pete did, or he would call the Ceremony off, call me insane, and leave me with Pete. I pressed my face to my pillow in silence.
                  Pete walked into the room and threw himself over me. He kissed me and laid his head against me, his breathing turning to weeping. He stayed that way for only a couple of minutes and then returned to kiss my face. I could see through the dancing candlelight, the defenselessness in his face.
    “For all this time I caused you distress and pain. After I killed you, you still returned after I promised change that was not possible. And now you will never belong with me unless you perform the Ceremony with me. But I know that will never happen. I have lost you.”
                  He looked down at me, touched my face, noticing that it was wet. “I’m sorry Chenille. I’m sorry for what I’ve done.”
    “Fitzray will be coming.”
    “Have I ever told you the story of when I turned you into a vampress?” he whispered. “Did I ever tell you about that cold night, when I had to wrap you in my jacket just to keep you alive? Did I tell you that when I had to leave, I vowed never to leave you alone again?”
    “Don’t tell me this, not now.”
    “Do you know what they’ll do to me? This Ceremonial Trial will torture me. They’re going to kill me and I might not come back,” he said through clenched teeth. The footsteps became louder and he knew Fitzray was coming for him. “Until then I’m still in the next room over if you need me.”
                  The door flew open, but he was already gone. Fitzray was there and Pete’s scent filled the air. I pretended to be asleep as he looked me over and touched my face, still wet. I heard him let out a sigh. I opened my eyes a crack and saw him with his hands behind his head, pacing the floor before the bed, silently cursing Pete’s name.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 10 - Trial
     
    T he memorable smells of the palace soon filled my nose again and expected commotion was all I heard on the first floor. I escaped to my room for some peace and quiet. On my bed, I found a rose and attached to it was a note. I opened it and in Fitzray’s handwriting, it read, Wait until tonight.
                  Tonight? That meant that the Ceremonial Trial was to be held tonight. I shook my head and rushed to the door surprised to see him about to come into the room.
    “What is the meaning of this?”  I shoved the piece of paper in front of his face.
    “The Ceremonial Trial is tonight. I told you I was making plans.”
    “But why tonight? We haven’t even settled in yet.”
    “It was going to be later but I decided it was best to be done as soon as possible.”
    “I don’t even know what to do.”
    “Don’t worry. All you have to do is tell your story of what Pete did to you.”
    “We don’t even have any time to prepare.”
    “All I want from you is for you to rest. That’s all.”
    “But-,”
    He put his hands on my shoulders and backed me up to the bed. “Sit,” he said. He went to my closet and returned with a dress. I looked at it, mouth agape. It was the gold dress I wore to Sebastian’s Ball. This was the dress I was killed in.
    “You must wear