As much as I was accustomed to a cold-hearted Nazereth, this was hurting me for some reason. He wouldn't look at me, his jaw kept ticking and his eyes had barely any light visible. He was angry, filled with hate and very bad at hiding emotions.
His pain and hate were affecting my mood as well, my whole self focused on his well being I was absorbing his pain trying to lessen it and keep his emotions in check. But that was affecting everything inside me, I was feeling my pain and his pain together and that was twisting my insides unpleasantly.
The gathering was going on pleasantly and soon the beautiful Princess of Air kingdom came with the Queen. Her eyes were gray, the shade of a violent storm and her aura was the shame like she would destroy everything around her. Among the two siblings, it was clear that she held the family power, the silver heavy bracelet on her hand was emitting power.
As she sat down on her throne, her eyes scanned the crowd and I wanted to hold his hands and request him to calm down before everyone noticed but I was scared that he would throw my heart and crush it brutally under his feet. The amount of anger he felt was scaring me.
But Princess's eyes stopped on him and her pink painted lips lifted in a sly smile. The coldness in her eyes was replaced by awe and to a certain degree desire. I felt the jealousy and anger unfurl in me.
But that didn't last long as his emotions overpowered mine and I felt nausea hit me hard.
"Your Highness, it's hurting," I mumbled pleading him to stop because I was feeling everything for the both of us.
I would have said something sooner because his whole persona relaxed and he turned to look at me immediately.
My face must have looked pretty bad because his eyes softened a bit.
He eased back into his seat but the anger was still lingering. While my whole body felt feverish.
I could barely hear the buzzing of sounds, as everyone spoke.
The ball was tomorrow and I was glad since I could not dance at the moment.
"Ermeline." I heard Nazereth say and I looked at him.
"We can go to the chambers now." He said looking at me with a concerned expression.
I nodded and got up feeling dizzy, his hand caught mine in time or else I would have stumbled.
"What is wrong?" He asked holding to my arm once more and I felt better at once.
I tried to answer but I was first trying to breathe.
"Can't. Breathe." I said between hyperventilating.
And next thing he did shock everyone as he lifted me in his arms.
"No. No." I mumbled still trying to breathe.
"Calm down Ermeline and breathe." He said and carried me among the present royals and guests.
I wish I would have stayed conscious for a little longer to see the ending of this scenario.
➻➻➻
Ciara was sitting next to me as I opened my eyes.
I blinked thrice to clear my vision and observe the intricate feather pattern ceiling over my head.
"What is wrong with you now? The poison is gone?" She asked noticing that I was awake.
Not really, I am an Empath who can feel the emotions of people and control it but for now, only my husband's emotions affect me so badly that it can make me sick.
"I was too tired I think." I gave a lamest possible excuse and she just shook her head thankfully not pestering me.
"Eat this, you will feel better." She said offering me a small sweet biscuit.
I took a bite realizing I was starving.
After some sugar in me, I asked, "Where is the King?"
"He went to have a talk with the Air Kingdom ruler. I will leave once he comes, you have to sleep in one room for the visit." She said and something about her eyes said mischief.
"Ciara, what are you thinking?" I lightly hit her arm making her smile.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and I was surprised because King would not knock and this was a foreign Kingdom with chambers of other Kingdom set at a wide distance.
Ciara walked gesturing me to lay down.
An unfamiliar male voice could be heard from across which piqued my curiosity.
"She is fine now your highness, maybe the travel was too much for her." Ciara lied for me.
I heard bold footsteps coming closer to me and I was deciding between pretending to sleep again or just sit there and look sick. But it was too late to make any decisions as he walked up to me quite fast. It took me a few moments to recognize him.
The Prince of Air Kingdom. I couldn't remember his name.
"As a host, I thought I should check up on my guest." He said with a gentle smile.
His words surprised me, he doesn't hate me.
"I am fine Your Highness," I said trying to get up and greet him.
"No, please don't get up and it's Jillian without the awkward royal titles." His eyes were the same color as his sister but they literally sparkled.
Even without power, he was confident. Maybe it was because of his tall stature and immaculate face. The light stubble on his face gave him a less intimidating look for a royalty and more like a handsome dacoit who would lure princess in giving him their precious jewelry.
"Will you joining us for the dinner tonight?" He asked.
"I don't think I can sit through dinner, I still feel weak," Yeah, so I lied.
I was in no mood to sit through that hell with King of Udairis and Prince of Earth Kingdom glaring at me while my own husband struggling to hide his emotions.
"Oh, okay, then make sure you join the dance tomorrow and the games later." He said like he really wanted me to come.
Why doesn't he hate me?
"Sure," I said with a smile not sure why he was so nice to me.
"Great then see you at the dance."
I nodded and the awkward conversation ended thankfully and he got up.
All this while Ciara kept away tactfully not making it even more awkward.
As he was about to step out and I relaxed, I heard him speak up, "Greetings Your Highness."
"Greetings!" The voice answered and I gulped hearing Nazereth's voice slightly laced with arrogance.
This time I closed my eyes shut pretending to sleep.
"Leave us now." He commanded Ciara and I tried not to move my eyelids giving myself away.
After a few moments, I felt the weight on the bed right next to me and my heart jumped to my throat.
"Ermeline stop with the antics."
He knew I was pretending.
So I opened my eyes slowly peaking at him and he was right next to me.
His gaze was intense and his eyes with a small flame of fire.
"What?" I managed to mumble softly.
"I see you feel better now."
I nodded not speaking too much because my heart might give away. His proximity was unnerving and his stare was a little too intense.
"What was Prince of Air KIngdom doing here?" He did not sound pleased.
"He doesn't seem to hate me," I answered the most obvious thought in my head.
"I noticed." And his frown deepened.
"I guess he was being a good host." I shrugged and Nazereth just sighed deeply.
"What is it that troubles you? What did you talk about with the King?" I asked not understanding the agitation from him.
"Don't bother with him, he is trying to make peace with me when he didn't even come to help my family. He is not going to help me in the war."
"We are in this alone?" I asked concerned how this might take a toll on the Fire Kingdom barely surviving.
He looked at me with an endearing expression and I felt myself warm up.
"No, not alone." He said softly.
A bell sounded outside and he looked annoyed.
"I wish you could skip dinner," I mumbled looking at his stressed face.
"I am skipping dinner. They are scared of me as you might have noticed."
"Wouldn't that mean disrespect to the King of Air Kingdom?"
"I don't care, they all conspired together to kill my family."
"Umm, okay then," I said getting up subtly trying to get off the bed.
"What are you doing Ermeline?" He asked a little confused.
"Going to sleep on the settee."
"No Ermeline, I am not letting you sleep on something that uncomfortable." He said in a dry tone.
"Oh but you are taller and it will difficult for you," I said feeling grateful for his offer.
"Ermeline," His lips tugged up a little and amusement danced in his eyes at my words.
"We both are sleeping on the bed."
How am I supposed to sleep with him next to me?
➻➻➻
Okay confession, i barely uploaded this today. So please please ignore typos and other weird things being I feel like I am dying from cramps and PMSing in general.
Also, pain and all is ....okay I guess but why the super bad mood!?
Anyway TMI here so I will stop.
I hope you enjoyed honestly and drop-down comments.
HAPPY READING!