Chapter 198 TEIGEN XXII
Ryker cups her cheek, directing her disturbed gaze up to meet his. Their eyes met and shock went right through Ryker. Her blue eyes, once a tranquil summer sky, transformed into a radiant canvas of shimmering sapphire and cerulean hues. A soft, ethereal glow began to emanate from within, as if the very essence of magic was stirring.
Her irises sparkled like polished gemstones, casting a mesmerizing luminescence that seemed to pulse with an inner light. Her pupils, dark and mysterious, appeared to hold the secrets of the universe. The glow intensified, illuminating the delicate skin around her eyes, casting an angelic halo.
Her eyelids fluttered, and the light danced, sending shimmering waves through the air. The atmosphere around her vibrated with anticipation, as if the very fabric of reality was being reshaped.
The glow grew brighter, imbuing her gaze with an irresistible allure. It was as if the stars themselves had descended, dwelling within her eyes, radiating a gentle yet unyielding power. Her temperature spiked. Ryker hissed, startled he rips his hand away from hers stepping away.
"I-i'm sorry" she tries to reach out to him but withdraws knowing it would be of no use, she needed to breathe and calm down if not it would get worse.
"Are you okay!?" Ryker asked, scared and confused. Elara faces away, controlling her breathing.
She squeezes her eyes shut, falling silent for a while. Concerned Ryker tries to reach out to her but a voice interrupts them, unbeknownst to them the whole time Sawyer had been watching the entire exchange.
"I think that is enough time to talk" he smiles dryly, exchanging looks between Elara and I.
"Come my lady, I have preserved a barge for the both of us" Sawyer brings forth his hand to Elara, keeping his eyes on her. Elara's eyes flicker to mine, her eyes had gone back to normal and there was no trace of anything unusual. Ryker could see she did not want to go, fear evident in her eyes.
What was that? Did I imagine all of it?
"Please come my lady. It will displease the Grand Duke if you go home so early, it is only my duty to be a good host"
Elara eyed Sawyer's outstretched hand, an internal battle ravaging her mind. She looks up at me, seeing my confused and disturbed expression she could read the questions all over my face.
After weighing her options she decides leaving with Sawyer was better than staying to speak to me about what just happened. So Elara places her hand in Sawyer's and he leads her away to the boats. I let my eyes linger, knowing very well how stiff and uncomfortable Elara was. She did not wish to go but she still followed the Marquese.
RYKER
I followed behind, settling near the shores of the pond. The Marquese aids Elara in getting into the barge with him, they sit face to face, their close distance unsettling me. The boat begins to row away from the shore giving the two some good distance away from Ryker. Sawyer watched Ryker's eyes trail on Elara, his gaze filled with a mix of so many emotions.
"I do not like how his eyes linger on you" Sawyer says, his distasteful glare directed at Ryker's direction.
"What?" Elara frowns, shifting uncomfortably in her spot. She didn't fancy how close their seats were, their knees gently brushed and it unsettled her badly.
Images of that night, how roughly he grabbed onto her, the fear that struck her then came back and left her with angst.
"He is constantly staring at you" The disapproval in his tone was sharp.
"I could have suggested a better guard for you"
"It is h-his job to keep an eye on me my Lord" the words clawed their way out of her throat. She spoke reluctantly, wishing this boat ride would end soon.
"My Lord?" He repeats, a glint of amusement lightning his gaze."Why so formal? We are going to be more acquainted so you will have to drop the formal title, my beautiful lady"He reached forward, taking Elara's hand in his. She physically tenses and he notices, his smile dropping.
"What were the two of you discussing?" Sawyer questions, his eyes hardening with suspicion and scrutiny.
"It was nothing important, my lord" she lies, gazing away awkwardly. Was she to tell him everything? He had no idea that she was the veiled dancer he had misbehaved with, she could not allow her discomfort be obvious otherwise he would suspect something.
"You know that I will soon be a part of your affairs, so I should know the little things. We are to spend more time in each other's company so you will be more comfortable with me" he watched her closely, sensing her restlessness. He began to run his thumb over her knuckles, watching her blue eyes tighten with anxiety.
Abruptly she pulls her hand away from his grasp, placing it on her lap,"What do you mean we are going to spend more time in each other's company?"
"I wish we can get to know each other, outside the formal setting and the pressure from our folks" his gaze flickers to my lips where I bit down nervously, avoiding his gaze.
"W-why would you want that? You are an important man, I'm certain you have better use for your time"
What's the most polite way to end this boat ride as soon as possible? If I behave rudely he would surely complain to father and I would be in trouble but I can't be in Sir Blackwood's presence much longer.
Unlike last time Ryker cannot come to rescue me. I let my eyes wander to where he stood at shore, his watchful gaze trained on me ready to move at any sign of danger or threat. But he would never know that he posed the biggest threat to me. He threatened the very balance of my heart, my mind. Whenever he stood beside me, when our hands touched for even a fleeting second it made my skin tingle with warmth and recognition. The way his eyes settled on me, lingering longer everytime I let my hair down so I did it more often. His violet amethyst eyes soften with familiarity and fondness when they register me in any room, while at the dining table surrounded by other people his eyes always found me and remained on me. I would think myself lucky to watch him practice every morning, two hours earlier than I normally rose for the day.
Those two hours I looked forward to as the best time of my day, the sight of his shirtless figure coated in sweat and dripping with so much raw masculinity it made me dizzy. Just the memory brought colour to my cheeks.