《Matters of the Heart》Chapter 21
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Jareth swept the golden-haired Meena across the elegant dance floor, his eyes searching the crowd carefully. Terra hadn't come to greet him as she had at the last great ball. The bright-eyed, crimson-caped girl he'd been expecting to leap into his carriage hadn't shown a trace of herself at all. The weather couldn't be to blame for keeping her at home since the raining had stopped the day before his arrival. He couldn't help but wonder if she was alright, or if perhaps something he'd said in his last letter had upset her. He certainly didn't believe there had been anything in it to warrant offense; all he'd say was that he was looking forward to seeing her. Was there something else detaining her?
"Excuse me," a voice said at his side.
Jareth halted instantly, almost tripping Meena. His dance partner shot him a glare before quickly resuming her polite smile so as not to seem rude or petty. Jareth released his hold on her and turned to see the speaker. His face lit up with a wide grin at the sight of his missed friend smiling up at him. Her hair was tied up in a tight bun and she was wearing long white gloves and a strapless dark blue dress with teardrop earrings of matching color. The look didn't suit her quite as well as her previous choice, but she still looked just as beautiful as ever.
Terra looked to Meena.
"I'm sorry, but I'll be stealing your dance partner now," she apologized.
Meena simply cast her a stony look before walking off.
"I hope she isn't too upset," Terra said, sounding slightly amused.
Jareth brushed the subject aside.
"Where were you?" he demanded as they joined hands and started to dance.
Terra raised a single eyebrow, "Were you that anxious to see me, my prince? I was only having trouble picking out a dress. I see no need for you to concern yourself."
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"You were having trouble picking out a dress?"
Terra frowned, "Why the surprise?"
"You are certainly not the type to agonize over what dress to wear."
"This is a very special occasion that happens only once a year!" Terra insisted, "I'd like to see you laugh at me when you have been faced with an entire wardrobe of ball gowns to choose from!"
"Oh, I would do it easily," Jareth said teasingly.
Terra burst out laughing, the crystal light catching her eyes and illuminating them brightly. Jareth looked down at her, a thoughtful smile forming on his face. He remembered that laugh, and the sound of her voice, and the feeling of dancing with her. They may have eased their loneliness through frequent correspondence, but it wasn't the same as actually being together. It had been too long, and Jareth was only just beginning to realize how much he'd really missed Terra's company. He thought back to their first parting, back when they were just kids. He had leapt at the chance to have his own kingdom to rule, but he hadn't even thought about the strain he'd be putting on Terra and his friendship with her. He hadn't thought of it at all, choosing instead to allow his own selfish ambitions to blind him to her pain. Even after she had fled the ball and he had guessed her feelings at receiving the news, he hadn't gone to her as he should have done, as a friend would have done. Then again, hadn't he always been like that in youth? Even in their playful pranks on the courtiers, he had used her countless times as a scapegoat without ever apologizing for it. Terra had always been there for him, but he'd swept her under the rug in a heartbeat. He'd even known about her family troubles and had said nothing of it. He'd offered no comfort, no support, no friendly advice. For a hundred years, he had practically forgotten she'd existed. But Terra had never forgotten him. She had accepted his choice quietly, she had endured a hundred years without a single letter from him, she welcomed him back upon his return with open arms, and she had even tried to mend his broken heart. For a second, Jareth almost hated himself for being so awful to Terra. Despite everything, there she was, smiling up at him like he was the most wonderful thing in the world. He didn't want to leave her behind again. He couldn't.
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His feet had stopped moving but the crowd around them still relentlessly swayed to the sound of the music. Terra blinked at him in confusion.
"You alright?" she asked.
Jareth met her gaze. He wanted to say something, but all he could do was stare at her.
He cleared his throat after a moment of silence between them, "I fear I am done dancing for today. I will retire to my chambers."
He strode off before Terra even had a chance to reply, his heart sinking further with each step he took away from her.
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Incomplete
DON'T READ THIS! WELL IF YOU WANT TO YOU CAN, BUT DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU! I LEAVE IT HERE AS A REMINDER TO MYSELF. MAYBE, ONE DAY, I WILL REWRITE IT, THOUGH IT WILL BE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY! After the Hero, Olympius, son of God, defeated the Demon King and uncovered his evil plot of infiltrating humanity with demons, the world returned to balance. People could live in peace again, not having to worry if their lives were in constant danger. But after a long time, darkness started brewing again in the world. A shade that this time, they created themselves. P.S. It's my first novel, so I welcome any critique, and if you find any grammar mistakes and if you can find motivation in you to inform me of those, please do! ;)
8 444World of Mana
My name is Alexander Grey and yes I'm what people call a class-less. I am part of the 1% of the world that are unable to aquire there class when aweaken and am treated like a third class citizen. My family relation is bad, no friends at school, and a future that seems black at best. Yea my life is not easy but even so I will not give up and rise up and become someone no one can look down upon, I shall walk the path of the Eternal! Note: This is my first fantasy novel and is subject to change ever ten chapters or so with revision. Martial art/Fantasy novel about a man born into the world crippled by society standards finding his own way.
8 170The Last Exorcist
The most powerful human beings were wiped out. Spirits and deities are crossing to mortality without the exorcists to stop them. Liang was the only exorcist left and she thought her life ended after the war. For the past twenty years, she watched the civilization of humans fall and from the bed of their destruction, arose the Guren—a race of humanoid animals that were once Yin spirits called shadows. At the brink of extinction, Liang meets Wei Bao, a snow leopard and a former deity. Liang was resolute in spending the remainder of her life hiding while Bao was determined to change Liang's perspective and defeat the conqueror and sovereign, Yi Zhaohu. However, unbeknownst to them, something far greater than mortal squabbles is rising. A great awakening is in motion and it seeks to devour all.
8 113Bedrock 巖盤 Ganban
Not everyone is born equal. In a world where everyone is born with an ability, some people get the short end of the stick. Kazuki is one of these people. He is one of the few people born with an F class ability, an ability so weak he is powerless against any foe. So weak that he holds the title of bedrock, a title that literally means “at the bottom.” But sometime very soon he will discover his true abilities and become the strongest adventurer in the land. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New version at https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/27723/bedrock-ganban This is the official version again. We decided to edit the chapters and change them instead of making an entirely new account. ~November 30: All of the chapters have been updated and improved. It took a few months, but the story is better than ever! As of today, new chapters with be posted every weekend.~ ~January 20: First off, Happy New Years! I hope you all can make use of this year even more than that last. I know we will.... Secondly, one of our writers has finals so the next couple (and previous) chapters may come out a day or two late and shorter than usual. We'll pick up pace after this week!~ ~April 20: Happy 4/20/2020, since we're starting to write longer chapters, it'll probably take longer for us to post some chapters. The output for chapters should be amped up after AP exams are over. ~October 20: Edited previous chapters some and re-wrote chapter 17 as it was terrible and didn't deserved to be released. Almost done with 18. -Posted 18
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8 202Aim and Fire
Jamie Christiansen is a brave but lovably awkward knight who harbors a crush on the snarky and headstrong Princess Caitlin Faraday. She has always wanted to prove herself to be more than a princess, while he just wants to get from one day to the next. When circumstance brings the two together, they form a grudging partnership that may develop into something greater. Soon enough, they uncover a conspiracy involving mercenaries, mythical creatures, and a connection to Caitlin's family history. As the two get closer, and their feelings deepen, they are forced to make choices that will change their lives, and their world, forever.
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