Chapter 45 Your Turn
"No don't worry. Orchid and Greer will be here to help me get ready. Take the afternoon off and make sure you attend the celebration as well" noticing Raya wanted to object Audrey cut her off midway. "It's not a request, it's a command. Anyone that stops you say I personally demanded you attend. Meet Faye for something nice to wear"
"Thank you so much your majesty!" Raya gushed, a bright smile on her face. One that did it's best to reflect same on Audrey's face. "The other maids would be so jealous" her cheeks looked like they'd burst any time soon
"Okay, okay now go. Leave the clothes I'll fold them myself" I smiled, dismissing her immediately. When the door shuts behind her I move to get up, replacing her spot at the foot of my bed to finish the folding of clothes.
I didn't need to dismiss her I just wanted to be alone with my very loud and very embarrassing thoughts. I needed to string them out and figure out what the growing pit in my stomach was. Maybe it was from avoiding Darius for the past weeks or it was from knowing I was wronging him in some way or it was from not acknowledging that things would now be different.
I wouldn't be able to avoid him forever, especially not today during the first light festival. From what Raya had told me I was to expect a candle from Darius. I wonder if he knew I was avoiding him or he just assumed I was busy. Running off immediately after we kissed was not the best impression but it was better than any awkward comment I would have come up with. I should be happy, my plan with Lord Odin was going great and yet I felt bad, guilty and horrible. I felt like I was cheating Darius because now I wasn't only concerned about my freedom but also Darius's feelings.
Everything was too much and it was giving me a head ache. Yet the one thing that plagued my mind was Darius. I didn't think avoiding him would make me long to see him. I know it was stupid considering I'm the one willingly ignoring him. I spent therest of my time knitting till Greet and Orchid burst into my room fully dressed up and looking beautiful in their dresses.
"You two look absolutely stunning" I smiled, watching then both twirl with giggles spilling out their lips.
"Now it's your turn" Greer clasps her hands together, immediately going for my closet and chest of dresses. "You are going to be seeing your mate after you had your first kiss so of course you have to look good!"
~
Greer and Orchid had just helped Audrey into her under skirt and were helping her I to her corset when they both made up a very suspicious excuse how they were going to get this Rosemary perfume that just arrived from Venice. Audrey was suspicious but shrugged it off.
Yes she would be late but it would give her enough time alone now to think of what she was going to say or do the moment she came face to face with Darius. She couldn't possibly spend the rest of the night dodging Darius.
Audrey genuinely wanted to enjoy the festival to the fullest. She was really looking forward to taking a boat ride. Astrid had suggested it some time back. She explainrd to Audrey how cool it was to be out on the water at night, how peaceful it was and the gorgeous scene of the moon glistening over the waters. It seemed like the moon shone brighter for the festival and Audrey really wasn't looking forward to missing that.
Maybe she could dodge it if Darius talked about the kiss. She would just act normal and pretend like it never happened, that she didn't feel her heart flutter with nerve tickling butterflies when she remembered it. Maybe if she pretended she would be able to convince herself as well that she wasn't falling hard for the king. Pretend she wasn't craving his touch, wanting to have him hold her like that again. Pretend like the thought of seeing him again after a few weeks didn't bring twists to her stomach and a pink tinge to her cheeks. Maybe she was going crazy. Yes, definitely crazy.
Unknown to Audrey that encounter would be sooner than she expected for while she remained oblivious to their plans Orchid and Greer had already put it in motion. They waited along the ball, patiently throwing their gazes around for someone in particular and when their eyes landed on a certain Alpha male clad in his red king attire their ears perked up and they rushed towards him.
"Your majesty" they both greeted in unison, catching Darius off guard as he could already tell something was up.
"Orchid, Greer. I would have expected you two to already be down at the celebrations" he looks around, as if searching for something-, no someone. "Where's Audrey?"
"That's exactly why we need you" Orchid starts but shuts up immediately Greer pinches her arm. "What I mean is uh-"
"Audrey needs your help" Greer finished.
"Why, is she okay? Where is she?" He asks, concern lacing his tone and his eyebrows knitted in worrry.
"She's in her chambers, hurry" before Greer could finish her sentence Darius was marching towards Audrey's chamber doors and with stallion strides he reached there before the two girls resumed their front seats to watch the entire scene play out exactly how they had planned it.
Darius wastes no time in pushing the door open, his cautioun to knock flying out the window and along with it the air in his lungs at the sight before his eyes- Audrey had her back facing him, her pale shoulders on full display. Her midnight black curls were pulled to fall over her right shoulder, completely exposing herself to him. As his eyes surrendered to the prodding urge he lowered his gaze to take in what she had on, and he was at a loss of words for what wasn't on. He felt everything slow and the only thing he could hear was Phoenix's low growl of approval and arousal. Audrey stood backing him in nothing more than a corset and an under skirt.
His gaze shifted to where her hands fiddle in a futile attempt to lace the ribbons properly. His eyes flicker to the crescent moon like symbol that faintly trained along her spine, the end disappearing into the corset. He pays little attention to it as a lust induced haze has all his senses captivated.
"Oh good, Greer could you please lace me up? I don't know why you were gone so long but i'm useless when it comes to dressing myself so please help" Her soft tone came, worsening Darius's case. She hadn't turned around yet and she had called him Greer so he knew she wasn't aware of his presence.