Chapter 89 Chapter 88
Evelyn.
"Amaris, did you..?" I started to say but trailed off.
She nodded, confirming it. "I've already been marked by the Duke." She revealed, her blush deepening. "It happened a while back, after the Moon goddess festival. I would have told you earlier but so many things happened during that period and I didn't get the chance to." She explained.
My eyes widened in shock and surprise before I giggled, clapping my hands. "Amaris, I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you. I'm also happy for you too." She said and I smiled, nodding my head. Suddenly, she stood to her feet, dusting off imaginary wrinkles from her skirt. "I have to go now, I had to sneak in to see you because I was so worried, but seeing that you're fine, I'm relieved. Get your much needed rest and I'll come check on you later," Amaris said, a genial smile on her lips. I nodded, grateful that she took out time to see me.
With a quick wave of her hands, she turned around and exited the chambers, leaving me alone once again. I let out a breath, closing my eyes before deciding to have my bath. Gingerly getting out of the bed, I ordered the maids to help me with my bath before going to stand in the full length mirror in the room, assessing my body.
Red and purple patches adorned my pale skin, red marks surrounded my neck and my nipples looked bigger than their original size, still very sensitive. Even my thighs and buttocks still bore his handprints and my waist and abdomen, held his possessiveness. I closed my eyes, shaking my head. Alpha king keiran truly is an animal.
The maids arrived with hot water, filling the bathtub with and helping me bathe. They washed my hair and soaped my body with a soft sponge, their movements meticulous and practiced. Afterwards, they rinsed the soap off my body, drying my skin and rubbing scented oil on it. Once they were through, they helped me into a dress and packed my black tresses into a ponytail, letting some tendrils adorn my face.
I thanked them once they were through, and sat in the chambers, waiting for the Alpha King to return from his duties. The wait was long, night time arriving but he still wasn't in yet. Lying down on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, counting the minutes as I waited for him. I had so many things I wanted to ask but I doubted if we would be able to talk about it all.
Finally, he returned back to their room and I sprang to my seat, excited to see him. Pinning me with a puzzled expression, he went ahead to remove his cloak, combing a hand through his long hair as he let out a sigh. The hairs on my neck stood on end and I swallowed the invisible lump in my throat.
"Your majesty..." I forced out, fixing him a skeptical glance, uncertain. He turned to look at me, his face still inscrutable. Lost for words, I looked away, my cheeks burning with heat.
"How do you feel?" He asked, startling me. I fiddled with fingers, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
"Better." I replied sincerely, glancing at him. He was already out of his ceremonial wear, having only a white tunic own and a pair of trousers, his hair falling free over his shoulders. I bit the insides of my mouth, waiting for a perfect moment to speak. He went to his drawers, drawing it out and bringing out something. Walking towards me, he stretched it towards me, gesturing for me to accept it. I stared at what was in his hands, quickly recognizing it to be the blade I had forged earlier and my heart constricted. Why does he still have it with him?
"Here, take it. I already fortified it so it's strong enough to kill an Alpha king." He muttered but I didn't miss the intention of his words. With shaky hands, I took it from his hands, feeling my face burn with shame. Why is he giving me something like this? Does he think I still want to kill him?
A moment of tense silence passed between us and he stepped away from me, watching me. "Say what you have to say." He finally ordered, an impassive look on his face. Reining back my emotions, I tried to speak with poise.
"If his majesty permits, I would like to reopen investigations on my sister's death." I announced and saw him raise his brow. Taking in a deep breath, I continued. "I suspect there has been a foul play somewhere and I want to come to the root of it. More importantly, I want some sort of closure as well." I revealed.
Alpha king keiran stayed silent for such a long time, I began to think he would refuse. Peeking a look at him, I found the same inscrutable look on his face and my heart skipped a beat, my back prickling with sweat. Was he going to refuse as well? He turned around, walking to his study and my shoulders drooped with disappointment. I should have known, he wouldn't agree...
"I'll reopen the investigations." I heard him say, cutting off my thoughts. I snapped my head up to look at him, my eyes widening.
"Really?" I asked, unable to believe it. With a single nod of his head, he picked up his quill, dipping it in ink and began to scribble things to a parchment paper. "Oh, thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!" I repeated profusely, grateful that he accepted.
"Have you had dinner?" He suddenly asked and I nodded my head, wondering why he asked that. "You should go to sleep. On my bed." He said, muttering the last part quietly. I nodded perfunctorily, going ahead to keep the blade before climbing back into the bed. For a while, I wondered if he would be joining me but when he made no efforts to stand up from where he sat, I slipped under the covers, deciding to sleep alone.
However, sleep wouldn't come easy. My nerves rattled and I didn't try to move, unsure of what was making me so uneasy. It was when he joined me, hours deep into the night, thinking I had fallen asleep did I finally allow myself to relax, letting out a sigh of relief. The bed dipped with his weight but he didn't move closer.
I closed my eyes, my breath evening out in sleep. He's here with me, that's all that matters. Later, we'll begin to deal with his issues.