The damp earth chilled Ami’s bare feet and clung to the exquisite but terribly restraining emerald gown. 

I can’t run in this thing. She twisted and stretched to loosen the dress.

The sounds of the party grew distant as Ami stormed to the only refuge she knew on the manor grounds: her little garden. 

Was her father in an uproar? Ami grinned. The faces on those bloated officers made her ghastly explosion worth it. She laughed at their shocked, scandalized expressions. I bet that soldier wished he’d stayed home instead of running his mouth like an inebriated fool.

And Captain Everick… well, she hadn’t looked him in the eyes when she rushed out of the party. She couldn’t muster the courage.

The night sky was serene compared to the turmoil she’d just left. The wind whispering past lonesome trees and midnight creatures chirping and croaking eased her mind. They were much preferable to the ear-splitting chattering back at the banquet.

Ami reached her haven. Her little garden was still, the empty tower not imposing but comforting. Coming to her flowerbeds, she dug her toes in the earth. The soil was cool and grounding. Ami wiggled her toes. Why don’t I go barefoot more often? 

The periwinkle bellona flowers swayed in the breeze. Ami stared at them, emotionless, and turned away to plop on the ground in all her dolled-up, messy glory.  

“Haahhhh!” The sigh did wonders releasing her pent-up tension. 

Did I really say that? Struck by the ridiculousness of what she’d just done, she burst into laughter. She howled until her gasps turned into sobs. Her cries drowned out the sounds of the night. Once her tears had run their course, she chuckled again, tears streaking her face. 

What a fright I must look now. Ami wiped her cheeks. At least there are no witnesses to this pathetic show. She threw her head back to take in the night sky. Except for the stars. On a whim she called out to them, “And you won’t say anything, will you?” 

The stars didn‘t bother answering. Frowning, Ami challenged the celestial lights to a staring match, daring them to blink first.

What do you know, frozen in the heavens as you are? How simple it is to look down on our miseries so far removed, shining down as you please.

Her fierce gaze was interrupted by hesitant footsteps padding towards her. They were so near that the owner must have come upon her insane howls and sobs and waited until she calmed down before making their appearance known. 

Ami sighed, expecting it to be her friend the manor guard Grimes, but she tensed when a deep voice with a light accent spoke.

“Amoret? …Ami?”

Wide-eyed, she turned to find her fiancé’s questioning face. The wind tugged at his collar and thick black locks, but he stood firm as a rooted oak, eyes searching her face. 

So it’s you. I didn’t expect you to follow me.

She sighed. “Ami was what my mother called me. No one here calls me that,”

Captain Everick wrinkled his brows. “I see.” 

Guessing his thoughts, Ami continued softly, “It was nice to be called Ami again.”

Everick smiled, and stepped towards her cautiously. “May I join you?”

Ami flung her arms out. “Please. There’s plenty of room.” 

He seated himself a few paces away from her. They sat in silence for a time.

Fragrance rose from the flowerbed, the bellona’s scent among them. Can your blossoms soothe the tremors I can no longer hide? Ami breathed deep, wondering if she was wishing for too much.

That’s right. I gave this man a sachet of bellona buds.

She snorted. “This is where we met yesterday.” Her nose wrinkled. “I bet you never guessed that dirty maid digging in the soil was your intended,” she scoffed. 

Everick was as silent as the stars.

Ami whipped her head to face him. “Well, now you know the truth. I’m afraid your fiancée is little more than a mistress's offspring.”

He didn’t respond to her goading like she expected. He just looked at her, listening to her biting taunts.

Why don’t you say something? Ami pursed her lips. It’s not like this marriage is your choice.

She stopped before she jumped into another tirade. That’s right. You didn’t choose to get married just like me. All her anger dissipated in a moment. Her words faded with it.

A thought occurred to her. “You know, we have something in common, Captain.” 

Everick glanced at her flower beds before answering. “The bellona?”

She quirked up her lips. 

“No,” she snickered. “We’re both being manipulated entirely by my father.” 

He neither denied it nor confirmed it.

Ami dropped to a whisper. “You must hate me for that.” She snorted. “Your lieutenant does,” her words dripped venom.

Everick shifted his weight, exhaling.

Maybe that was too far. She held her breath, anticipating and dreading his reply.

Finally Everick answered. “I don’t blame you for any of this.” He rested his arms on his knees. Ami looked at him, really looked at him. The breeze ruffled his dark hair. He stared ahead at something she couldn’t see. The muscles on his jaw shifted. She could see his own pain in all of this: desperation, defeat, and submission.

He turned to her, surprising her by reaching out to cover her hand with his. Squeezing gently, his eyes deep as the night sky bored into hers. “We’re in this together.”

Ami shivered at the touch, but didn’t withdraw it right away. How can he say that when he doesn’t even know me?

She leaned away from the man who was practically a stranger to her. Extracting her hand, she put her chin in her palm and smiled coyly at the captain. “Ever thought about running away?” Her eyes glinted. She asked it as if it was a joke.

He chuckled, but answered seriously. “Tempting. But I can’t abandon my men.”

Ami regarded him for a moment, then murmured gently, “Your men are fortunate to have you as a leader.” 

He nodded to acknowledge her compliment, then returned the question. “What about you? Have you tried to run?” His tone was light.

She smirked. “Uh huh. And failed four times.” 

Captain Everick burst into a gut-wrenching laugh at that.

Ami couldn’t help grinning at the sound. He has a nice laugh. 

When his laughter hushed, the two fell into companionable quiet. 

Ami stopped counting the moments of silence between them. They stretched on while the fated bride and groom sank into the fathomless depths of their thoughts under the gentle gaze of the heavens.