Chapter 5 CHAPTER FIVE
ROSALINDA
That night, after Zade's had retreated back to his chambers, leaving me with a head full of confusing new thoughts, I knew I couldn't sleep. The imagine of Grayson- or Cyrus rather, splitting Zade's arrow, the brief flicker of pain in his eyes gnawed at me. I had to know.
I had to confront him, properly away from prying eyes and royal protocols.
After an hour, when the palace halls had settled into their nightly quiet, I left my chambers, sneaking out, hoping to bump into Cyrus. I headed to the garden, to Grayson's and my safe hidden spot from when we were kids. The same place where he had hid me from years ago...the same place where he'd made his promise.
To my surprise, Cyrus was there.
His silhouette was stark against the faint moonlight filtering through the trees, a wisp of smoke curled from his fingers as he sat on a moss-covered stone bench.
Sucking in a deep breath, I approached, my heart hammering with each step closer towards him.
Without thinking, I snatched the cigarette from his hand, the sudden movement shocking him.
"What are you-" he began, his voice rough, eyes wide in surprise.
"Cyrus, ugh?!" I yelled, my carefully suppressed emotions bubbling over like a volcanic eruption. Tears prickled at my eyes as I stared down at him. "I was evening planning on how I'd confirm if it was you, Grayson, but this? Smoking in our secret spot? A place even maids who have worked here for decades don't know? This proves everything! It's you, you bastard!"
He stood up, and took a step back, his face hardening, jaw clenching. He let out a shaky deep breath, and pinched the bridge of his nose. A gesture of disgust and irritation. "Proves what, Princess?" he asked in a flat tone. "I'm lost, truly."
I pointed to the exact same spot he'd hidden me years ago, the overgrown patch of flowering vines, still distinctly recognizable despite the years that had passed. "You're not the best liar, you know that, right?"
He says nothing and follows my finger, then sighed deeply again.
"Swear that you don't remember this place! Swear you didn't hide me there years ago promising you'd come back after you save your mother!"
He said nothing. Again. Then shook his head and ran his fingers through it, muttering under his breath. "So taking a cigarette in the middle of a garden now means something?" He then steps closer. "You're making a spectacle over nothing and a stupid mistake."
What? My heart fell at his words, the absurdity of his deflection was disheartening.
"Look," he continued, his voice strained. "I really don't know who you're mistaking me for. But I've told you, I'm not the one. My name is Cyrus, and I've never been here before, not even this kingdom, ever."
My hands fell to my side, I wanted to give up, but something in me wouldn't just die. I looked back up at him and stepped closer, closing the distance between us. "How did you get that scar then?" I demanded, pointing to the thin, faded line above his left eyebrow.
The one I'd put there when we were kids.
"During training when I was a rookie knight," he replied instantly, his voice clipped.
What a nice practiced lie.
I chuckled and shook my head. "Liar," I mumbled, then looked back up to him. "Liar!" I screamed.
He's the one.
He's Grayson.
I know it.
I may be crazy, but he's definitely the one. Eyes don't lie.
My heart can never decisive me.
The way it's beating right now, the way his words are affecting me...it all proves it.
It's him.
But he's denying it.
He rolled his eyes, a familiar gesture of exasperation that infuriated me even more and stepped back again, creating more distance between us. "Look, I don't know how to explain this and I genuinely feel sorry for you but-"
He was cut short when I rushed towards him propelled by a fury and desperation I didn't understand. My hand flew out, connecting with his cheek in a sharp, stoning slap that echoed through the silent garden. He stumbled back, his head snapping to the side.
"What the-"
I cut him off again by reaching out to him, grabbing his face in my hands and pressed my lips to his. His body went rigid as a sharp intake of breath escaped him. For a moment, he stood still like a statue, just as I was about to let go.. Just when I was about to accept the fate that he wasn't the one, he let out a groan that seemed to be ripped from the depths of his soul and kissed me back. His arms went around my waist, pulling me impossible closer, crushing me against his hard body. I gripped the hair at his nape, pulling him even more closer.
His lips were rough and demanding against mine, his tongue seeks out mine making me moan slightly as I tugged harder on his hair. Just as the kiss reached a fever pitch, just as I felt myself dissolving into him, he suddenly moved away, tearing his lips from mine, breathing hard, his chest heaving.
He pushed me back gently, his hands still on my waist, but his gaze was wild, eyes wide and shocked.
"What are you-" he breathed.
"If you aren't him...if you aren't Grayson," I challenged, my voice a shaky whisper, still reeling from the unexpected intensity of the kiss. "Why did you kiss me then? Why did you kiss me like that?"
He ran his hand through his hair as he let go of my waist. "Fuck!" He yelled, the word ripping through the night, filled with a tormented anguish. He took a deep shuddering breath. Then, his eyes narrowed at me, then hardened. He walked closer to me and grabbed my chin roughly, his fingers dipping into my skin.
"I am not Grayson or whoever the fuck he is!" He yelled, making spittle splash on my face. "And I don't care if you're the Princess. But this ends now."
With that, he released my chin, spun of his heel, and walked away, his retreating figure disappeared quickly into the impenetrable darkness of the garden. As he left, all the strength drained from my legs and I fell to my knees, burying my face in my hands, sobbing hard.
If I had mistaken him for who I thought he was. Then I just made the biggest most idiotic mistake ever.
I returned back to my chambers, my shoulders slumped, my body ached and felt heavy and hollow. Just as I held the doorknob, one of my guards, Cole, ran towards me, his face etched with worry.
"Princess...where have you been? We had to silently look around for you not to cause a stir-" he was cut short when I looked up at him, he gasped as he saw my tear streaked cheeks.
He then sighed, his expression softening with understanding and pity. "I'll alert the rest that you're back and safe... Just be more careful, Princess. Please."
"Thank you. Cole." I whispered.
He bowed and ran off, disappearing down the corridor. Just as he ran off, I spotted Cyrus making his way down the main staircase. He stopped and looked up, his gaze locking onto me across the long hall. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, stared at me coldly for a long moment. Then without a word, he turned and continued down the stairs, his back to me, his figure receding into the grand silence of the palace.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he wasn't Grayson. And maybe...just maybe.. I had ruined everything.