Chapter 49 The First Light Festival
"What was so important you couldn't wait till your king came down with his mate?" Darius asked, his tone harsh and his gaze hard as he looked over the four girls. His demeanor had completely shifted and Audrey found it oddly attractive.
"I don't appreciate the intrusion. You four know no one apart from my mate, the king and gueen's guards and I are allowed in the Western Wing without permission"
Astrid paid no attention, all her mind was reeling and bursting with anger and jealously as her eyes were trained on the hand Darius had around Audrey's waist, his other one running circles around her forearm making matters worse. He was touching her.
Her eyes met Audrey's and she sent her a nasty glare which she didn't try hiding. Audrey was such an attention whore, she must have tried to seduce Darius into marking her, why else would she be in a corset right now? Astrid thought, eyeing Audrey accusingly.
"We apologize your majesty" Anaise, Orchid and Greer said at once but Astrid didn't utter a word before she had stormed out of the room with her hair bouncing behind her.
"Darius" Audrey calls softly, turning in his arms to face him. Her big dark eyes met his, effectively warming his insides and calming his annoyance. "It's fine. It's okay" she smiled, her hand resting on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him, his eyes followed the action.
"You can go down, I'll meet you in a few minutes let me just finish getting ready" she said, rubbing her finger gently along his arm in an attempt to coax his approval. He nodded, leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek, settling for the corner of her mouth where he left his lips lingering moments longer.
He left her side and grabbed his top coat before walking out of the room and leaving the four girls in there.
~
Walking over to the feast table Audrey couldn't help but smile down at the variety of pies that sat there. And of course her favorite strawberry pie was there, Darius was definitely behind this. She couldn't help her mind from drifting to his words, how easy it was for him to devote an eternity to me and the truth I could see in his eyes as he uttered those words.
Was this the kind of love momma spoke about? The kind that would bring smiles to your face whenever you looked at the one you loved, the kind of love that would make your heart explode with happiness, the type that would sacrifice it all for. Was it this heart racing feeling, this feeling of not being able to think clearly when they were around? This feeling of safety, comfort and reassurance they oozed. But it would never be that easy, it never was. Lord Odin stood at a far distance, his gaze clearly on an oblivious Audrey.
His thumb skimmed his lower lips as he drank in how magnificent she looked. She stared off into space, her mind definitely somewhere else. He had heard of the rumours, the maids that worked in the King's quarters say the King and his mate had spent erotic moments together, they had heard it.
Odin smiled knowing the indifference Audrey still felt, he knew it would take more time to convince Audrey that Darius and this word was one worth staying in. He couldn't wait to see the heartbreak on the King's face when his mate leaves him, he would be so broken and vulnerable. And a vulnerable king is as good as a fallen king. The revolution was coming, soon.
He watched her walk out to the back where she was born doubt going to take a boat ride. He looked around, checking to make sure no one saw him before he followed after, hastening his steps so he wouldn't loose sight of her amidst the many people gathered around.
Like he expected the whole lawn was full of people, standing and talking with drinks in their hands, maids rushing about and noble men discussing politics no doubt. His eyes landed on her form, her dark hair was very easy to detect and he began following quickly when she reached the docks and was speaking to the boat rider. But before Odin could corner her the Count of Kieran popped up in front of him, effectively distracting him and taking away his attention from Audrey.
When he was able to look back out she wasn't there anymore. He frowned and continued to quietly search around for her while he tuned out the count.
Audrey wondered around, asking each boat rider for a ride but they had excused her saying they were on a break while other just ignored her. With a frown on her face she went to the last one, he seemed like he was free despite counting some coins from a beaten old bag. When Audrey approached and he notices he pushed the bag roughly into his clothes, abandoning it there.
"Your majesty, please let me have the honor of taking you out on the water" he smiled, his laugh lines stretching.
Audrey let her eyes flicker to his boat, it seemed really steady and there was no wind, it was a cool night so she thought, why not? "Thank you"
With the enthusiastic old man's help Audrey got properly situated in the boat and it took off. First the old man started rowing at an oddly quick paste but Audrey thought nothing off it and brushed it off. She focused her attention on the water and how gorgeous it looked under the moons bright glow.
Stunning.
By the time she looked up she had realised they were farther away from the docks than any other boat on the water, immediately Audrey began to panick. She was not a good swimmer and honestly speaking she should have considered that the water scared her half to death before agreeing to take this ride.
"Stop, this is too far out. Please take me back" she pleaded, her eyes snapping to the old man who didn't respond but continued to row further and further away. Now Audrey heart had begun racing.
"P-please take me back!" She raised her voice attempting to reach for the old man but he sharply turns, his eyes dark and his smile wide. The sight caused Audrey's hand to recoil. He stood abruptly, causing to baot to say dangerously and almost tip over.