*Formerly His Desire*
"You think you want me, but I don't think you could handle what I would do to you." His stare is relentless.
I smooth my hands down over my nightdress, feeling his words glide across my skin. "I could..."
"I'm not sure I would...
Ark turns his attention to where he is polishing the blade of his dagger with a cloth. A frown is embedded deeply into his forehead as he considers something I'm not privy to.
That's the problem with him. He's still so secretive.
"I'm going to solve this. Tonight," I tell him pointedly, heading toward the door.
Night comes and I've decided I'm going to do all it takes to get in contact with Taven. He hasn't been lurking in the forest over the past few days that I've been here. Tonight is going to be my last chance to tell him everything.
I stare out my bedroom window, at the glossy snow and ominous forest. I see nothing out there.
My door opens behind me.
"Ark? It's the middle of the night," I note, twisting around to face him.
The door clicks shut and he strides into the room. He hasn't been in my room at night since my marriage. Having him in close proximity in the shadows seems deliciously sinful.
"I'm sorry for waking you," he murmurs lowly.
He looks different tonight. I don't know what it is, but his eyes seem darker, more intentionally. His expression is grave though, like he bears bad news.
"Something wrong?" I ask tentatively. I'm painfully aware that I'm fully dressed in clothing ready to traverse into the snow after my other mate. He doesn't seem to notice.
He approaches me, grabbing my hands. "Run away with me...Please."
My eyes widen.
"What?"
"We can leave all of this behind. Your father, the rebellion, we can leave it behind and start new elsewhere," he insists.
I blink. I've never seen Ark so passionate, so inflamed by desperation that it's as if his usual façade has dropped. I almost don't recognise him.
"You can't just ask me to do that," I breathe shakily.
"Please, Kiva. For your own safety." His voice is choked, anguished. The composed man I know so well has vanished, replaced by someone who is desperate for a mate he can't have.
"What? I'm fine here."
He grimaces. "You will be better with me, I promise."
By the way he forces the words out, I can tell he wants to say more, he just can't find the words. I let him clutch my hands tightly, but the moment he starts to pull me away with him, I'm ready to protest.
"You have dark secrets, Ark. How can I trust you? I hardly know you," I remind him.
"You can learn about me. I'll tell you everything as soon as we are out of this cursed place."
"What about Caspian?" My husband, the man who will be expecting me home soon. He would hunt us down if I chose to ran away now. I would never have the normal life I've always dreamed of.
Even if running away with him does sound tempting...
"Fuck him. And your father, and this life of yours," Ark snaps, an anger like I've never seen before suddenly reading up.
I want to shake his shoulders to get some sense into him. "Why can't you tell me now?"
"It's not safe. And there is no time." He glances over his shoulder, as if he expects someone to barge in and ruin this moment of him trying to convince me.
I look down at my hands, my skin turning red from where he grips me tightly. "You're scaring me, Ark..."
"You won't regret this, Kiva. You won't regret coming with me," he continues to press. Is he never going to relent?
A hideous sound of glass shattering from downstairs has a gasp catching in my throat.
"Are we having another break in?" I whisper, listening to the sounds of muffled shouting and feet running.
Immediately any overt emotion he was once expressing vanishes, the mask of a trained mercenary and personal guard falling upon him again.
"Come on, let's go." He takes my arm, leading me to the door.
I don't hesitate. There are many reasons not to trust Ark, but when it comes to my safety, I know I can put my life in his hands.
"Where?" I ask as he takes me into the dim hallway.
I can hear the sound of fighting coming from downstairs. I hope our guards can keep the rebels out, and I especially hope that any father can get to safety.
Taven better not be involved in this...
"I'm taking you to the safe spot across the river. We will be safe there," he assures me.
I swallow my fear, letting him lead me.
Something tells me this isn't just another invasion...everything is going to change.
💗••💓
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! and as always it is available 10 chapters ahead on Radish!
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THE DARKEST TEMPTATION— OUT NOW ON WATTPAD!!
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