Chapter 19 19
Amelia's POV:
“Amelia!” I heard a woman’s voice and I whipped my head to my right to see a beautiful young woman with auburn hair holding a wool and a crochet while staring at me who was perched on the top of a stone ledge, legs swinging, and curls bouncing in the wind.
“Get down from there, you’re going to fall.” The woman yelled but I only giggled harder.
“Amelia!” She snapped. “If you don’t come down…”
She paused mid-sentence when I slipped, and fell to the ground twisting my ankle. I cried out, as tears streaked my dirt-smudged cheeks. And the woman shot up ready to make her way to me when a whistle cut through the air, terrifyingly fast. My stomach turned as an arrow embedded itself in her chest and a scream ripped from my chest, louder than I knew I could make it, and then everything went black.
I woke screaming, and gasping as my heart was hammering so violently I thought it would burst from my ribs. My sheets were tangled around me, my hands slick with sweat and my chest heaved as if I had run miles. Before I could process anything further, the door to my room slammed open.
“What happened?!” Denary’s voice thundered, from the doorway.
I couldn’t respond because my body wouldn't stop trembling so violently that I could barely breathe. I could only watch as he crossed the room in three long strides, kneeled before me, and pulled me into his arms. I buried my face in his chest as his large hands rubbed circles along my back while I clung to him, tightly.
When he finally pulled back, our eyes remained fixed on each other and for the first time, I saw genuine concern in his eyes and it made me feel safe.
“Amelia… what happened?” He asked, dragging me back to reality.
I tried responding, but I couldn't put the words together, so instead, I blurted out the only thing I could think of.
“Can I… sleep with you?” His eyes widened slightly, and then, without a word, he rose up.
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Denary's POV:
What the hell was wrong with her? What could she possibly hope to achieve by wanting to get into my bed so badly?
I narrowed my eyes and asked. “Did you… just ask me to sleep with you?”
She nodded, her eyes wide. “Could I… maybe… sleep in your room tonight? I had a nightmare and I am scared.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Why didn't she explain it like this in the first place? Why did she have to make it sound at first mention?
“A nightmare?” I asked, curiosity mingled with residual irritation. “What was it about?”
Before she could answer, a thunderclap shook the night air. She bolted upright, throwing herself against me.
I remained still for a while, then I pulled back slightly and said. “Tell me what the nightmare was about.”
“Can we… go to your room first?” She asked hesitantly, and I could see the trace of unease in her posture.
Reluctantly, I said. “Fine.” Then I led her to my room, held the door open for her, let her slip inside, then stepped inside and slammed it shut, causing her to startle and turn around.
“Tell me what kind of nightmare you had.” I pressed, folding my hands behind my back.
She hesitated, then said softly, “I’ve been having strange dreams recently… but I always forget them after a while. Right now, I’m scared… and I just want to sleep.”
I remained silent, unsure of what to say. There was a part of me that recoiled at her openness, and yet, another part that felt some lingering guilt, could not turn her away.
She sighed softly and began to turn walk past me. “I… I’ll be fine.” She murmured.
Instinctively, I reached out. “You can stay.” I said. “But I am still working, so just sleep quietly.”
She hesitated, looking at me with wide eyes. “I…?” “Don’t say another word.” I cut her off, stepping closer. Go to sleep.”
With that, I walked over to my desk and began flipping through some files, keeping one eye on her, watching as she made her way to the bed, adjusted the pillow with, laid down, and covered herself with the blanket. For the next fifteen minutes, her breathing was unsteady, and when it finally steadied, I released the tension in my shoulders. Then, I dropped the files and rose, intending to grab a pillow for the sofa.
Then I paused, my hand on the pillow. Why did I need to sleep on the sofa in my own room? With an exhale, I turned back toward the bed and I laid down beside her but I kept my attention on the nightstand, intending to focus on anything other than her, but she shifted, wrapping her hands lightly around my waist.
So, I could not help but glance at her when I tried helping her adjust only to end staring at her face as the moonlight fell across her features. I reached out, almost on impulse, to pat her head, then remembered how she had done the same to me earlier. I remembered how small, gentle and beautiful she had looked, causing me to hand recoil, and fall back to my side. Then, I closed my eyes for a while, chastising myself for letting my guard down even though I knew that even now, I was being gossiped about and mocked because of her.
Hissing softly, I shook my head and forced myself to think about anything other than her. Only to end up thinking about how to get rid of Jasmine as soon as possible.
Jasmine was someone my mother had long wished for me but I had always declined. However, the deal I had struck with my father was that failure to secure Moonveil Pack, I would accept Jasmine meant that I had to accept her as my wife because for the first time, due to obvious reasons, I lost. But I would never give in and be with Jasmine, instead, I would need to find a way to get rid of her or call off this engagement without sparking a way with Crescent Moon Pack.