Smiling
It's an action one would associate with the feeling of happiness.
Those ones are fools.
Smiling is nothing more but a mask creatures can wear.
Wolfs of the night smile, just before they sink their fangs into their prey's neck.
And now the ultimate predator stood, smiling.
No fangs.
Yet.
"Hello my little star," he purred.
I stand my ground away from him.
Jonaus is a lost cause.
He is already ensnared by the darkness, his eyes hooded and hands relaxed before him.
I don't say anything.
He takes a step closer.
And another.
Until he is standing before me, his red eyes consuming and devouring me whole.
"Jonaus. Leave."
I see conflict on his face. Almost like he is fighting.
The King's eyes darken at the sight and his hand shoots out, stroking Jonaus's face.
"Leave."
The confusion leaves his face as it becomes relaxed once again.
I watch as Jonaus nods, walking obediently away.
"Why were you with Jonaus my little star?"
He raises his hand, hesitating as if he is debating something before dropping it.
I can't help the sigh of relief that leaves me.
He smiles at that.
"No words?"
I take a step back, distancing myself.
"Jonaus was showing me the halls."
He closes the gap I've made, letting it become smaller than before as his perfume of death and blood washes over me.
"How interesting," he raises his hand again, but then sighs, frustrated as he drops it back to his side.
I eye it, curious as to why he is conflicted.
"What power does an Arishia hold?"
I look up and into his red eyes. They hold nothing but fascination and curiosity.
"Whatever powers the moon blesses them with."
He angles his head to the side, taking me in.
"Jonaus told me of the flower."
I feel the click of it making sense then.
"Afraid I will heal your soul?" I smile at the thought.
The King smiles back eyeing me up and down.
I am still in my thin white dress. There is nothing to cover my body. The undergarments hide the barest of my skin, but do not take away the curves of my body, the folds of my breast.
Now I see a new emotion leave those red eyes.
Desire.
"Maybe," he answers.
He leans forward, dipping his neck down slightly to inhale and take in my scent.
His body shudders, and he groans.
"How wonderful."
I swallow, unable to stop the fear that runs through as he raises his head, his breath slightly ragged.
But he hasn't lost control. Not yet.
Not enough to where he is showing his fangs.
"Maybe I don't care Arishia."
I want to take another step back from him, but resist the urge. He would only follow me.
Maybe he would close the distance this time.
"Maybe I am willing to take the risk."
He leans his head to the side and softly, blows into my ear.
I don't move. But I cannot stop the chills that form on my arm. His eyes light up in delight as he notices.
"Have you ever been touched Arishia?"
"I've been touched by the Moon."
He laughs then, the breath of his mirth spilling onto my skin and crawling down my flesh.
The tattoos of the releases are raised, the skin becoming hot and cold all at the same time.
"You know what I mean."
I steel my mind.
I was light.
He was dark.
I needed to fight against him.
Though I may be powerful and blessed, I was still a woman. Still vulnerable. I had to stop this.
Because the Moon taught me long ago that I was my own savior in this all too cruel world.
"I have."
His head jerks back as he shows his open surprise.
"You're a follower of the light."
I openly laugh at that.
"And?"
He doesn't respond as his demon eyes stay on me, drinking in whatever he can from his imagination of the words I've given him.
"What male did you deem to be worthy enough for you?"
He gives me a lazy grin.
Waiting.
"Isn't it the other way around?"
His eyes dance in red as I speak, "What male was low enough, that I decided to bless them?"
The red sparks to life. His fists clenches as he takes a step back.
"What male," I smile, whispering the words low, almost a hum in my chest, knowing the effect it had upon the opposite sex, "did I let worship me. Devor me to save himself. What male, ruined soul he was, did I consume because I needed something to release myself upon?"
I was playing a dangerous game.
This could only go two ways.
"You lie little star."
I keep my face neutral as I take in his uneven breaths.
The game was not over yet.
"You should know a follower of the light looks down upon lying."
He stares at me a few seconds more.
The tension builds between us.
I keep my face blank.
Hoping against all hope that my words have worked.
That I've won this round of our game.
He takes a step closer and I feel my heart trip over itself.
"Until next time, little star."
He turns and quickly walks down the hall.
I stay standing there.
Not daring to move.
Not until I think he is well away and in his own rightful side of the Palace.
I've won this time.
But I fear for when round two comes.
Because I knew, deep in my soul as I turned and retraced my steps to the room.
It was inevitable.