🦋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘🦋
Unlike before, this time our skin contact as if sending waves silenced my restless mind, left me feeling calm and stable.
His voice was like a sweet lullaby to my ears- soothing, deep velvety tone. I found my eyes closing shut as I fully melted into his embrace, wrapping my arms around his torso. I felt him still for a moment, his breath had hitched and he wasn't moving. The hand he had soothing my hair had stopped and the one around my waist had tightened significantly. It was like my one action had turned him from protective to possessive.
"I will need you to play close to his highness".
"The mate bond will make it a lot easier so you don't have to worry, unless you're scared this will also affect you in some way?"
the words echoed in my ears, making my eyes snap open.
I pulled away, guilt pinching at my skin. Just in time a man walked up to us.
Darius furrowed his brows at me, he looked like he had something to say. His eyes held this glea of contentment, excitement and warmth in them. He followed my gaze to the man that stops beside us, his head lowered and his eyes casted down to the ground.
"Please pardon me your majesties" he started.
"Go on Fredrik" Darius encouraged, not moving away from me.
"Your presence is needed in the grand Hall. The nobles request your arrival to discuss the first light festival" the man- now Fredrik informed Darius.
Now looking at Fredrik more closely he looked roughly my age. His clothes looked too big for his quirky frame and his curly chestnut brown hair was roughed atop his head giving him an innocent boyish look. Now recalling he was the assistant to Lord Mark Anthony, someone I had spoken to during the greeting ball. He seemed very interested in Anaise, they would make a good pair but It had crossed my mind to talk to Astrid about it. I had no intention to overstep by assuring their alliance.
Darius looked back at me, as if asking for my permission to go. I caught on and nodded with a small smile on my face. He turned back to Fredrik, mirroring my smile, "I'll be right there" he answered.
Fredrik's shoulders noticeably fell and he sighed before straightening up and walking away. Darius turns back to me, his palm finding my cheek he stepped closer to me making me take a step back. "It's okay love. I'm sorry I have to go, please feel free to finish your breakfast. I'll come check on you later, I have something to show you" he smiled, ignoring my previous actions. I could see his gaze shift to my lips and I immediately stopped breathing. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly, snapping me out of my daze
"Y-yes I'm fine. Thank you" I genuinely appreciated, trying to smile but it came out as more of a grimace which I was thankful he made no mention of.
"No worries. See you later love" he leaned down, pressing a chaste kiss to my cheek and pulling away so quickly it left a feather-like feeling in it's wake. He smiled once more before sauntering off.
I dropped down on my seat, feeling my heart racing. What just happened? What was that!? Was that acting? Was it all an act? And most importantly what's going on with me? I let out a long sigh, feeling exhausted. My head hurt, I had tried so hard to bury the images and my time in that pack. Hunter, Vivian and all the other bad memories couldn't affect me here, I just needed to remember that.
I couldn't help but let my mind wonder back to the surges that ran through me as Darius held onto me. I felt... Safe.
Was I safe?
❦
"What's the first light festival?" I asked curiously, turning to gaze down at Orchid.
We were currently in the garden, laying on a blanket Orchid had brought from her chambers. I held a book in my hand while Orchid drew away, sketching the beautiful scene that unraveled itself before us as nature. Flipping my bookmark in I closed my book, keeping it beside where I sat to pay more attention as Orchid finally raised her head from her sketch pad.
The wind blew calmly, the sun smiling brightly down at us as proof of the season's change.
"Is that an eager little bird I hear?" Greer asks, walking over to us with a basket I could only pray were full of her sumptuous cookies.
She sits down, dropping the basket between the three of us. Orchid is the first to lunge at it, snatching three and wolfing them down. "Or she's just eager to get a candle from his majesty. They've already gone on one date and now I'm sure the second one would be at the festival" Orchid teases making Audrey burn red.
"I think we've already gotten our answer" Greer giggled, noticing my red cheeks which I palmed embarrassingly.
"It's not like that" I defended all in vein, their sheepish grins making me blush harder.
"what candle?" I asked, hoping to deflect some attention from my current flustered state.
"Okay, let's educate you on Highborn festivals and unnecessary ceremonies" Greer rolled her eyes with a small smile.
"It's a festival where noble men are given candles with their names on it. They give said candles to the ladies they are interested in, it's like a leap of fate. If the ladies accept their courtship or they reciprocate their feelings they light these candles and place them at their windows to alert the men to come to their chambers at midnight" Orchid winked, making me blush harder.
Stupid cheeks!
"And of course there is a party and boat rides for couples. The waters are often decorated with beautiful brightly lit candles" Greer informed, dreamily staring I to the distance like a star struck lover.
"It's going to be your first night together" Orchid gushed, earning a rough smack on the head from Greer who glared at her sternly.
"W-what?" I asked confused. Did I hear right? The two looked like they were planning something, if the way Greer glared at Orchid told me anything.
"What are the two of you up to?" I asked with an accusing tone directed mostly at Orchid because if there was one thing I had learnt about her was she was so clumsy she always fumbled her words when she spoke or tried to lie. "Orchid" I directed my gaze to her.
She visibly squirmed under my gaze, her blue eyes filled with anxiety and feigned innocence. "Nothing Audrey, don't worry about it"
Before I could press any further a maid walked up to us and bowed. "My princess" she greeted, effectively silencing our chatter
"Agnes" I acknowledged
"His majesty requests your presence in his quarters" She informed
"Okay, thank you. I'll be right there" I dismissed and she walked away.
Turning to Orchid and Greer they had the most annoyingly bright wide smile on their faces. I groaned, hiding my face in my palms. "What do you think he wants Orchid?" Greer asked slyly, a wide grin on her face.
"Who knows, maybe they are going to give us a little prince soon" Orchid blurted out, the two giggling like hyenas.
If my cheeks were hot before now they were on fire. Did they just say what they did!??
Before I could probably melt from embarrassment I ran away, following the clear path inside.
♡
Making my way up the grand stairs I couldn't help but let my mind wonder. I'd always walked these halls to my chambers and now why was I feeling anxious?
Breathe Audrey, breath.
I inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. Reaching the top of the stairs I began my journey towards Darius's chambers. Maybe it was our last encounter that left my insides feeling like jelly or it was the fact that I wasn't pretending like I was supposed to be. It was all real.
The halls were silent, maids and guards occasionally passing, each one bowing and showing respect. I noticed the way most of the maids gave me weird looks and little smiles here and there. I didn't even want to think about what was going through their minds seeing me going to the King's chambers. I was thankful no one other than the king and I were allowed in this wing of the castle (his quarters). Others stayed in the East and South wings of the castle, far from here.
Stopping at the familiar wood double doors I inhaled a sharp breath. The guards that were stationed in front bowed before walking away. Why were they leaving? What were they thinking? I felt so mentally exhausted, why was I over thinking this?
Isn't this what I should want? Everyone thinking we were normal mates so I could easily slip away? But somehow it left me blushing and feeling all flustered and embarrassed.
Holding my breath I placed three monotone knocks on the door. I waited but there was no response. Bracing myself I took hold of the handle and pushed the door open. Immediately the sweetest and most intoxicating mix of honeysuckle, spice, rain forest and masculine cologne engulfed my senses. I found myself closing my eyes, taking in as much of the scent as I could. Snapping out of my scent induised haze I walked further into the room, remembering to keep the door open. Nothing was going to happen but for some reason I couldn't help but be nervous.
Stupid, stupid!
The clicking of a door and the sound of it being swung open reached my ears. My eyes snapped to the source and when I saw what came out of the room my throat tightened. I felt all the heat rush to my cheeks and my eyes widen as I registered Darius's shirtless form coming out of the bathroom. I couldn't help but stare, this was the first time I was getting a full glimpse of his marks and they were breath taking. His bulging chest muscles rippled across his skin and his tight roped abdominal muscles were covered with inked markings. His large arms were also submerged in them, their lines and intricate patterns prodding at my curiosity and interest. His gold locks were wet, dripping with few strands sticking to his forehead and his broad shoulders.
Beads of water glided down his chest, his ivory skin glistening under the warm rays coming from the slightly parted curtains. I couldn't look away, the scene was mesmerizing. I gulped down nervously, subduing the itching feeling to touch him. I balled my hands into fists, resisting whatever force was pulling me to go to him. I had only ever seen a little patch of his marks but never this much. I wanted to trace all his markings with the tip of my finger and feel his skin against mine. My eyes landed on his very prominent Aldonis belt that sunk deep.
Bottom line I was going crazy.
I finally directed my gaze to meet a pair of softened onyx eyes, gold flakes brewing in them. He had already been watching me admire him half naked!
Heat flooded my cheeks, making me look like a tomato. I had been caught shamelessly looking at him. Immediately I turned around, covering my face with my palms in a failed attempt to hide my embarrassment.
"Audrey-"
"Darius. I'm so sorry, i- uh Agnes said you wanted to see me. I-i'm sorry I should have knocked louder. Oh my stars!" I frantically blurted, not once taking a breath.
"Why are you apologising?" His question caught me off guard and I turned around to stare at his face. I couldn't help but look at him one more time
Oh my goddess I was burning up!
He began taking slow but hypnotic steps towards me, his gaze never leaving mine. He stopped only a few inches away from me, my face so close to his chest. I looked up into his eyes to see the same gold hue swirling around as if taunting me, calling to me.
"I'm yours Audrey. I'm your mate and you mine. You can touch me if you want" his voice was low and husky.
My blush deepened as he took hold of my wrists. I couldn't step away, I was rooted to my spot. My mind was a quiet mess, I couldn't think straight and of course it didn't occur to me that I had left the door open. His hand around my wrist left tingles sprouting in their wake. He brought my palms up to his chest, his eyes never leaving mine.
At that moment I had stopped thinking and everything was happening in slow motion. Darius placed my palms against his chest and immediately it was like a jolt of electricity had passed through him. His eyes had pooled with gold flakes, a deep groan erupting from the back of his throat in response. The sound was so majestic it made my knees weak.
I found myself leaning in, I just wanted to have his lips against mine. In that moment nothing else mattered more than the thick mist of desire that flowed through the air, the mate bond had taken over. Darius's hand found their way around my waist, pulling us impossibly closer. Neither of us were thinking, we were both blinded by lust and want. With one hand hooked under my jaw he brought my face up so our lips were just a breath away. In a swift movement his lips were against mine, soft and dominating. It was like a wave of satisfaction and an unknown feeling washed over me making me want more. As if Darius knew what was going through my mind his lips began moving against mine, slowly but firmly he devoured my lips whole.
My hands ran across his chest, wrapping around his shoulders, pulling him closer, eliciting a groan from him. I felt hot, my skin itched to have him closer. His tongue darted out, gliding across my bottom lip asking for entrance. I parted my lips with ease, letting his tongue slip into my mouth, tasting every crevice and inch of me. I moaned into the kiss, earning a low growl from Darius, his hands tightening around me bringing my body flushed against his. He easily dominated every movement, claiming my first kiss as his. It was like I was intoxicated, I wanted more, so much more. My already closed eyes allowed me relinquish in the feelings I had tried to suppress, everything came flooding back in a single dance of our lips. My brain was a scrambled mess and I couldn't string coherent thoughts but there was one thing I knew for certain.
"My king-oh my goddess I'm so sorry" a familiar voice reached my ears and that was when it had registered in my head that it was Ryker and he had caught us kissing. Sugars, i left the door open!
In an instance I had pulled away, hauling myself to the other end of the room. My breathing was heavy, my cheeks flushed and my lips swollen. I felt my cheeks burn brighter as I locked eyes with Darius. The golden flakes had completely taken over his once dark onyx eyes, his orbs now completely gold with a blazing passion in their depths. I could tell his wolf was coming out. His eyes were wide, his lips swollen as well. His chest heaved, moving up and down in an unsteady paste.
"I-ill leave" Ryker stuttered, his face red from embarrassment and I couldn't imagine how mine looked.
He scrambled to the door but my voice stopped him, "N-no it's okay. I-ill leave"
I could tell Darius wanted to stop me but without sparing him another glance I scurried off.
꙳
Happy new years!!! 💕
Hope you enjoy your day! ❤
Things are getting heated!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 🦋
PLEASE VOTE. COMMENT. FOLLOW!!
#CO_CO124❊