🥀Ayla's POV🥀
I was lying in a large tub in the Darkling's tent, the most heavenly smells of ginger and hibiscus dancing in the air around me.
I felt my body relax for the first time today.
I heard a polite knock at the door, separating me from where the Darkling had earlier basically commanded me to go bath ,while shoving a clean pair of clothes into my arms.
I was pissed off at the command at first but when I looked down at my blood covered clothes and body I suddenly wanted nothing more than a warm bath... and maybe a corner to curl up in.
I pulled my knees to my chest and glanced over my shoulder. "What is it?" I said feeling my muscles tense up all over again.
I saw the door open slightly and a pale hand slid through the crack placing a glass filled with clear liquid on the floor. The hand dissapeared and the door clicked closed.
Begrudgingly I got out of the water's warm embrace, wrapping a towel around me. I picked up the glass and took a small sip. Immediately my senses were overwhelmed by intense, burning alcohol. I started coughing as my eyes started to tear up.
"Everything alright in there ?"
I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
"I'm fine." I coughed.
"Because if you need some assistance in there, I'd be more than willing to lend a helping hand"
I felt angry and oddly flattered at the same time. I chose to focus on the anger, pushing that odd tingling in my stomach to the back of my mind.
I opened the door and stuck my head out. "Don't you have some rebellion somewhere to lose ?"
The Darkling was sitting in a chair ,a glass with the same clear liquid dangling from his fingers. His legs were stretched out in front of him. He seemed to ooze confidence and authority.
His eyes locked with mine and blackened.
I immediately regretted my words. I was truly an absolute idiot. What was I thinking, angering a man who had once forced a woman to eat the kidney of her murdered infants? I'm sure that can't be true... Right?
I nervously looked down, too scared that the darkness in his eyes would swallow me whole. Would I have to eat someone's kidney? Or else, who would I be fed to?
I looked up startled when I heard him laugh. It was a dark chuckle that made a shiver run down my spine.
I had actually made the Darkling laugh.
I felt a hesitant smile form on my face.
"The rebellions are going to have to wait, I'm enjoying you in that towel far too much at the moment." He spoke, a sly smirk creeping over his gorgeous features as he took a sip of the drink dangling from his fingers.
The smile immediately dropped off my face and my cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet.
I stepped back into the bathroom slamming the door shut, his dark chuckles taunting me.
Why did this man confuse me so much? I was scared shitless and at the same time intruiged endlessly by him. Another part of me wanted nothing more than to slap that arrogant smirk right off his face.
Then there was the part I was ashamed to admit. The part of me that wanted to wrap my legs around his waist and kiss him, while dragging my fingernails across his bare back.
There was something about his deliciously dark aura I wanted to drown in.
My own thoughts made me blush. I downed the rest of the alcohol in one, desperate gulp and felt a warm, calm glow settle on me.
I tossed the towel aside and pulled on a pair of black tights and a simple white shirt. I realised I missed the hug of the silk kefta.
I walked out of the bathroom with a confidence I did not feel.
The Darkling nodded at a chair across from where he was seated.
I felt a rebelliousness bubble up within me. I walked right past the chair and headed towards his bed.
I sat down on it with all the grace I could muster which honestly, wasn't much. I could feel myself becoming tipsy. The Darkling was staring at me with a slight smirk.
"Where are you going to sleep ?" I said running my hand over the bed's sheet. It was truly the softest, most luxurious material I had ever felt.
"It's rather bold to kick a man out of his own bed." his voice was joking but his eyes remained cold. He poured more alcohol into his glass, tipping the bottle in my direction to offer me some.
I eagerly stretched my empty glass in his direction. As he refilled the glass he studied me carefully.
"Do you have an amplifier ?"
I looked down at the glass, twirling the liquid in soothing circles. I nervously bit my lip. "I... I don't think so."
His brows furrowed, "Why are you not certain?"
I felt panic crawling around my throat. I took another sip of the alcohol. "I don't like talking about it." I managed to croak out. I saw his eyes flicker with dissatisfaction and felt a strange tingle travel through my body. I could see he wanted to press the issue. So before he could, I spoke up. "I can't remember the last time I've been this tired."
The Darkling nodded and I swear I detected a hint of kindness in his voice. "Get some sleep."
I looked down at the bed uncertainly. "You can have the bed." he smirked.
"But where will you..?"
He nodded his head at a velvet couch at the edge of the tent.
I smiled sheepishly before laying down. Letting out a content sigh as the material hugged me close.
Saints, I was tired.
I suddenly felt exceptionally uncomfortable at the thought that the Darkling would be watching me sleep. But as the thought appeared it was overshadowed by pure fatigue.
I drifted off into a dreamless sleep seconds after closing my eyes.
.........................
I popped my head into the medical circus tent, my hair still in disarray.
Liam smiled up at me from where he was propped up on his elbows, the morning light bouncing off his hair. The sight filled me with indescribable relief and happiness. I was so happy, even the sight of Alik couldn't sour my mood.
"You had me worried there, you little bugger." I said pulling him into a hug.
"Bastard kept trying to die on us." Alik said narrowing his cruel eyes.
"Being impaled by an arrow was no fun for me either." He said shrugging playfully. "But look, no scar." He said lifting his blonde fringe.
Someone roughly grabbed me by my arm. I was met with Tanja's worried eyes. "The General has called for you."
"I'll go to him in a second." I smiled pleasantly. Tanja gapped for air, reminding me of a goldfish. "You need to come with me now, the General doesn't like waiting."
"Somehow I'm not surprised." I laughed. I felt rather awkward when no one else even smiled. Alik just further narrowed his eyes and Tanja's eyes looked even more panicked. Liam laughed slightly bit quickly covered it as a cough.
"Alright. " I sighed in defeat allowing Tanja to lead me away. The scene outside the tent felt panicked and chaotic. I saw 2 Squaller and 3 Inferni on horseback. 4 more Heartrenders where rushing closer, horses in tow. I spotted the Darkling's brilliant black horse before I spotted the Darkling. He was headed toward Tanja and I. He looked at me and I was overcome with the oddest sensation. It felt like he was reaching into me and tugging at my soul. Well, that's not something you experience frequently.
"What's wrong ?" I said feeling my earlier happy mood evaporate. "The Cedar Guard have attacked Nicolas's farm." He said with a calmness I wish I felt.
I felt my breathing become shallow. Before I could fully comprehend what I was doing, I had started charging towards the nearest horse. The Darkling spun around looking after me completely bewildered.
"Where are you going?" he growled. The anger in his voice made me halt in my steps.
"I need to get to him." I said turning around to meet his angry gaze. He seemed to regain his calm facade and took a few steps closer. "I don't remember giving you permission to tag along."
"I don't remember asking." I bit out, feeling the need to lash out qbd hit something. And if the Darkling wasn't careful, it would be him.
Tanja's eyes were comically large, they looked like they were about to pop out of her head.
The Darkling was haughtily staring at me. I met his gaze with equal venom, refusing to break eye contact.
"Fine." He sighed after what felt like an eternity. "On one condition."
He closed the distance between us and firmly took hold of my arm.
"You ride with me."
.............
I wished for the ride to the farm house to be over sooner. At the same time I wished the ride would never end. I did not want to lose hope. Somehow I could already sense it was all I truly had left. I had a sick feeling that I did not want to know the horrors that awaited at the place I had once called home.
Complete silence filled the air as the Darkling helped me off the horse's back. Absentmindedly I realised that the Cedar Gaurd had taken all the wheat.
The Darkling's expression was unreadable as he looked up at the branches of the large oak tree that stood in the farm yard. I followed his gaze.
"Saints." The Darkling whispered as he ran a hand over his jaw.
The sight was more horrifying, more sickening, more vile than I could have ever imagined.
..........
A/N
Hi all.
I'm curious. Do you prefer Show Darkling or Book Darkling ?
I'm thinking of doing an Alexander POV...
Let me know if you think I should take a crack at it.