I Was Searching For You
Her scream tore through the cold walls of the dungeon. But just as the creature was about to wrap his sharp claws around her neck, her hands were suddenly seized. Her body crashed against a hard one, her cloak coming off her to the creature’s hand.
A hand wrapped around her mouth to hush her screams and her body swerved to the side. She felt a whoosh of air brush over her and in an instant, her back was against a wall.
“You’re safe now. Breathe”
The hand tore from her mouth.
Elora could swear that she hadn’t felt such relief at the sound of anyone’s voice as much in her entire twenty years of living. She breathed out the breath she’d been holding and she burst into tears. Although it was dark and only his shadow was visible to her, she knew it was him. It was his voice, his scent, and for some foreign reasons, she suddenly felt safe with him.
“Don’t be scared, okay. I’m here now. Take a deep breath, princess.”
His warm hand closed around her face, wiping away her tears and she leaned against it. She wrapped her hands tightly around his waist and buried her face into his chest. As he patted her hair, she hiccupped softly against his chest.
“Who the fuck let you in here?”
A sharp snarl from a creature caused her to shirk. “Get…get me out of here. I don’t want to…to be here anymore,” she cried.
“Shit, right. Forgive me.”
Elora curled her hands around his neck as he scooped her off her feet.
He gently held her frail body. As if afraid he might hurt her. He ran through the stairs to the weaponry and he stopped when he saw Adam and Draven racing toward them. Their eyes darkened in horror when they saw the princess in his arms.
“Your highness. The princess… did you…”
“She’s fine,” he sharply cut in. “Have guards outside the weaponry.”
“Yes, your highness.”
They bowed and moved aside for him to walk past. He sped out and in less than thirty seconds, he arrived inside their chambers.
Rafael gently let her down on her feet in the middle of the room.
“Are you okay?” With his palm, he turned either side of her face and then her body to search for injury and when he found none, she saw him let out a sigh. But still, he asked. “Did you get hurt?”
Elora shook her head. “I’m j…just surprised.”
Since the lights were on, Elora could now see him clearly. He stood shirtless on the floor, his lower body covered by a black pants. His hair was disheveled, like it needed a cut and maybe a wash.
He ran his hands through his hair and gazed down at her. “How the hell did you get in there, Elora? Hell, I knew it was a bad idea to decide guards are not needed inside the mansion.” He ground his teeth. “Who knew you snoop around like a fucking cat. Damn it, you could have gotten hurt. You are barefooted too.”
She was taken aback. Was he so angry at her? It was the first time that she’d heard him use vulgar language so much. It sounded inappropriate coming from a prince like him and well, she was a bit offended.
“You cannot speak?”
“I do not like your tone,” she sharply replied. Unable to hold his gaze, she lowered hers.
Rafael again weaved his fingers through his hair and snapped his eyes closed. When he opened them again, they were a lot more softer as they stared at her.
“Forgive me,” he muttered, his tone low and soft.
She cleared her throat. Her lower lip went in between her teeth and his gaze flickered to it for a brief moment before returning to her eyes.
Elora whispered. “I was searching for you.”
“What did you say?”
She fiddled with her chemise and repeated. “I was searching for you.”
“Princess.” His voice grew a lot softer, a lot weaker. “Did you miss me that much?”
“You…suddenly disappeared. Isn't it Norma that I worry?” Was she questioning herself?
“Forgive me for making you worry.”
“Are you sick?” She suddenly asked.
“Pardon?” He wanted to make sure if truly, she’d just asked after his health. He ran his tongue over his bottom lips as he waited for her reply. His action didn’t escape her eyes.
“The other day, you…you weren’t quite well. And then, you disappeared.”
“Don’t bother your pretty head about me.”
She nodded and nervously drew lines on the floor with her toes. “Hmm.” Lifting her gaze to him, she added. “I…I didn’t think there would be a dungeon.”
“And I never would’ve thought that you’d unlock it. Aren’t you a smart little thing?”
“It was quite easy.”
“Was it? Yet aside from Draven and Adam, no one else has been able to figure it out. Don’t wander alone at night anymore. Do you understand me?”
“Hm.”
“Come, you must go to… what is that?” His eyes caught sight of something on Elora’s bedside. Immediately, he walked past her to the bedside, his eyes fixed on the vase of roses that lay on her table. Picking up a stem, he brought it close to his face and examined it. His brows drew together and his head cocked to glance at her.
“It was a gift,” she informed before he could ask. “It’s pretty, right?”
“A gift,” he muttered. He was about to drop down the stem of the rose when he paused and questioned. “A gift from who? Did you meet someone?”
“Ahh, it was a gift from your friend. I think I might have forgotten his name. He’s quite bulky with dark hair and…and a really nice voice. He’s friendly too and yes, Viscount. He’s a Viscount.”
Rafael’s eyes darkened and a scowl settled on his face. “Viscount Dean. You met with him?”
She nodded. “That’s him. You…you have really nice friends. He’s quite friendly.”
“I’m throwing this away.”