Chapter 29

Kyril’s POV.

“I’ve done just as you asked, and she said she will do it, although with a mighty frown on her face. I wonder what could make her have something like that,” he said as he walked next to me. “Took some time to find you as well.”

I said nothing, just staring at the trees, watching the sunset fade over the horizon as the men were gathering in front of the castle, waiting for their marching other from Ryan.

“What’s the matter?” Andy asked.

“Nothing.”

I cussed in my heart as I turned away from him, marching towards the castle. This wasn’t part of the plan, as I expected my father to wait for Ara to come at her own time.

“Well, that look on your face tells me less about what you have in mind,” Andy replied, filling hard on my heels.

“How do I explain it to you?” I asked as I stopped, turning to face the lad.

He placed his hands in the sky in surrender. “It’s not like I do not believe you, but your change was sudden and it had me worried for a while.”

I placed my hand on his shoulder, tapping him with a smile while forcing my lips to provide a genuine smile.

“It’s nothing. How about the meal you promised me you would have after I did your order?” he said.

“The meal will have to wait for a while,” I said as we moved towards the dining. “Have the maids reheat it and I will join you in the dining in a little while,” I said as I pushed him towards the kitchen.

The lessened noise emanating from the kitchen let me know the food was set and she would want to send a jug of wine to him.

“Just move it.”

I rolled my eyes, forcing my beta away from my side while I walked away from that place. I had to look for a place she would take to meet him.

I found a perfect spot, shadowed and covered from unexpecting eyes. I paced around, rubbing my palms together as they had turned sweaty. “Why am I this tense?” I asked myself, blowing air into my hands when I caught a piece of her white hair.

“She’s here.”

I forced my body into the darkness, waiting for her. Fast as lightning. I snatched her from the path, dragging her into the shadows with me.

“Shhhhh!” I whispered as I placed my mouth over her mouth, looking around to make sure there was no one around when I pulled that stunt.

She stopped squirming when she realized I was the one. Her shocked face turned to one of fury as she pulled away, straightening her clothes.

I placed a finger on my lips while gesturing with my free hand to let her keep her voice on her low.

“You again?”

“What do you mean by me again?” I asked, surprised by the tone she used on me. “You cannot deny that you have something for me.”

She looked around, smacking her hand on her forehead. “Do you know what will happen if your father found out I did something with someone?” She asked. I could feel the worry slipping from her body.

“What did he do?”

“He almost found out I was with you last night.”

I stopped to think about the coincidence when he mentioned it in the room as we talked about his wedding. There was no way he would know I was the person. “How sure are you?”

“He came as usual, perceiving an unfamiliar scent all because you kissed me,” she explained.

“You can not deny about not wanting it. You did not push me away,” I said, standing my ground to let her know I was not giving her any leeway.

She stopped, looking around to make sure no one was coming. “I did not move away or any of those things you say do not matter. You aren’t in my heart to know what I need.”

“But you are in mine.”

She froze, whatever words she wanted to say, caught up in her tongue. I pulled her closer to me into the darkness as some soldiers walked past us. They were probably part of the group accompanying Ryan to Crescent Moon to bring Ara.

The thought of it was haunting. I had to do something before father’s plan came to fruition, but I could not deny the body I held against me. Even though she was covered with the smell of spice, sweat and smoke. She had a distinct scent of hers that endeared me more to her.

She pulled away, cleaning her body like I was some sort of trash, as she looked around. She would come to me; I could see it in her eyes as she hesitated in her words.

“I am your father’s wife,” she said, closing her face with her hands.

"Not yet, you aren't."

She was in a tough position, same as I was and I was not letting her go through the same thing my mother went through when she stayed with my father.

“Come to the garden. Where the roses are by nine if you really want to know how you are mine. If I do not give you good reasons, you leave; nothing between the both of us,” I said, clutching at the little straw as hard as I could.

She said nothing, holding the wine jug in her hand. I waited, hoping she would say something about it.

“I have to give your father something. He is waiting for me, and wouldn't want him to have any more suspicions than he already has,” she said as she made to walk away.

“Don’t leave yet,” I said, grabbing her by the wrist.

She turned to look at me, struggling to get free. “I have to get this to your father.”

“You don’t have to. It’s of no importance to him.”

She looked at me like she would smack my head off my shoulders if she could. “What do you mean?”

I let out a little chuckle as I freed her. “I was the one who asked for the drink.”

She let out a groan, smacking her forehead. “I should have seen this coming.”

I let out a laugh just as she sent the wine into my body.

“You asked for a wine jug. Here it is,” she said as she let go of it.

I grabbed it before it fell, holding it properly before I turned to face her. “Nine. Do not forget,” I said, watching her walk away, back to the kitchen while I held on to the wine jug. If there was a wine to drink. It’d be the one in my hand as I turned away, walking back to the dining.

“You took a lot of time to get back here,” Andy said with crossed hands over his chest and a crossed loon on his face.

“Well, I’m here now,” I said, smacking my hand on the table while I placed the wine jug on the table.

“And you brought something for this house,” he noted, pointing to the wine jug as I took my seat.

“It’s for something important,” I said, smiling as I thought of it. “Come on, eat up or the food is going to get cold.”

He smiled, devouring his food while I watched. Anger wasn’t the reason I wasn’t hungry now. It was excitement.