Fragile Longing

by Cora Reilly

Thou shalt not covet. I’d pined for Danilo even when he had still been engaged to my sister. It had been an innocent infatuation of a young girl, fantasizing how things would be if he were mine. My knight-in-shining armor, my Disney prince.

No two snowflakes are identical in shape; every single one of them is unique—magnificent, icy perfection. Like my sister. I’d tried to imitate her, but an imitation would never be the original. I was an echo of the perfect melody. A shadow of an immaculate image. Always less. Never enough.

“How do you manage to make me feel stupid but at the same time make me feel better about myself?” “Being stupid is the best thing about being young,” she said. “We’ll be tied down with responsibilities soon enough. Let’s make stupid decisions as long as we can.”

I’d messed up often in the past, and now I needed to figure out a way to make it up to my fiancée. Problem was my pride. It had always been and would always be a problem.

“Be selfish for once, Sofia. In this world, we women get so few choices, so little freedom. We have to grasp happiness by the collar and drag it with us. We can’t hope for happiness to jump into our lap. Be selfish. You deserve it.”

But I was done finding excuses for his actions, done trying to be what he wanted, what he needed, because so far, he’d done nothing to deserve my kindness or affection. Anna was right. I needed to stand up for myself for the first time in years, not just against Danilo, but also against my family. I needed to make them see that while they’d lost Fina without a choice, they’d willingly given me up.

I made a dismissive sound. Then I extended my hand. “Will you dance with me?” Emma looked almost wounded when I asked. “Danilo—” “You always loved to dance.” “I did, when I had legs capable of dancing,” she hissed. I bent and slid one arm under her legs while the other supported her back before I lifted her out of her wheelchair. Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?” Her eyes scanning the crowd—everyone was watching. I didn’t care. If one of them said a single word, I’d make this a bloody wedding. “It’s my wedding, and I want a dance with my sister,” I said firmly as I held her against my chest. Her arms finally came around my neck and she gave me a look that suggested I was delusional.

Love doesn’t work from a distance. You can only love whom you know. Love means work and dedication, but most of all, time.”

He took me on a gondola ride in the city center, and the gondolier even sang for us. Unfortunately, he got many Italian words wrong which led to a few very awkward wordings. I had to stifle laughter at some of his mishaps because I didn’t want to offend him. Danilo’s mouth twitched, and he leaned closer. “I had hoped this would be romantic. Alas.”

“Is this because your sister is getting married to my brother?” Danilo grimaced. “I can’t believe she’s getting married today. I know she’s a grown woman, but to me she’s still the little girl I want to protect.” I smiled. “That’s why Samuel doesn’t like you very much. You took away his little sister.” Danilo chuckled, his arms coming around me. “Yeah, he and I have the same protective streak. But I’m not giving you back, either.”

“I wish you could see yourself through my eyes only once, then you’d never doubt my desire for you again.”

“I’ll protect you till the end of my days.” I touched his hand. “I know.”