Kat looked up at
Cory ready to let him hear it. She decided differently when
she saw him. He was standing, and he was so stiff with
anger, she didn’t dare move. His fists were clenched
tightly. He was shaking, trembling hard. Then she looked
into his face. To her surprise, she saw fear. She stood up
slowly and faced him. Tears stung her eyes.
“Cory,”
she barely whispered. “I love you.”
His
hard features softened. Tears came to his eyes, and he
blinked. “You love me?”
“Yes,” she
smiled sweetly. She touched his cheek gently. “I’m also in
love with you.”
He embraced
her tightly. Gently, she guided him back down. She went
for the mask. Cory looked at her with worry.
“Do not
worry, Cory, I already know how I feel.” She put on the
mask. When she pulled it off, Cory and the others were
staring at her. She looked into Cory’s face for a long
intense, silent moment.
“What?” he asked gently. She said nothing. “Katarina?”
She
swallowed hard. “Uh, Cory, I want to marry…uh, never mind.”
A slow grin
spread across his face. He took the mask. The angel and
the prince gasped. Cory pressed it to his face. Moments
later, he angrily threw it down.
“What is it
Cory?” Kat asked anxiously.
He snapped
his head to look at her. “I am insulted!”
The prince
approached. “Do not be. The mask shows the truth, yes,
but…”
“This is
ridiculous!”
“Cory,
listen, please. We have freedom of choice. If something is
shown to us, we have the power to change it”
Cory grabbed Kat’s hand and pulled her up. “Come on
Katarina, we’re leaving!”
“But,
Cory, I don’t want to yet.”
He gave
her a challenging look and tensed his jaw. He turned to the
prince. “What more have you to say?”
“Think twice
before you destroy yourself, Cory. Think twice. There’s
still hope.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a
piece of paper. He handed it to Kat.
“Katarina,
all of you have been shown something that you have to do.
The next step. Go to my cousin’s house next week. Your
issues will be dealt with there. Here’s the address. And
Katarina, do not be afraid. You are stronger than you
think.”
“Are you a real prince? I have a feeling that you are.”
