Chapter 174 The Book
He continues to insist and Audrey is left perplexed. Did he really not believe her?
"I have seen it myself Darius. In my dreams I saw the beast, i-it had razor sharp canines, surrounded by an ocean of dead bodies. War, blood, battle cries rang through the air and I was the only one left to face it. You have to believe me!"
"Enough!" Darius yells, making Audrey jump back. She stared at him wide eyed, her hand on her chest as her heart raced. Darius had never yelled at her before. It brought tears to her eyes, tears of frustration, confusion and hurt.
The lump in her throat grew, she tried to swallow it but it was of no use. She cast her gaze low, not willing the tears to fall but they slipped down, wetting her cheeks. She didn't understand why Darius was not listening to her, why he was so against Nostradamus, why he did not believe her and her warning.
She was just trying to protect them and the kingdom, did he not believe she was capable?
"I will have none of this. You are never to see Nostradamus again and that is the end of this discussion Audrey, I forbid you" his tone is cold, unwavering, devoid of any emotion.
His heart however shatters when she looks up at him with tears in her eyes. His eyes soften and regret replaces his anger, he tries to come close to comfort her but she steps back, hurt flashing in her dark eyes.
"I have heard your command" she responds, still keeping a reasonable distance. She refused to look at him, too hurt. "I will not communicate with him"
"Audrey-" he tries reaching out but she flinches away and he immediately retracts his hand, feeling absolutely terrible. "Baby, please"
"Excuse me" a sob leaves her lips before she walks out hastily, wiping at her tears as she leaves Darius behind.
He hopelessly watches his beloved walk away, dread, sadness hitting him all at once. He slaps his hands over his eyes, dragging them down his face in annoyance. He lets out a deafening roar that shakes the castle and drives his fist continuously into the wall until a dent forms and his knuckles bruise up. He slumps unto the seat, burying his face in his hand.
"By the goddess what do I do" he sighs, regretting raising his voice. The hurt look on her face flashed in his mind and made him feel physically sick of himself, he had hurt her again.
AUDREY
"I WILL HAVE NONE OF THIS. YOU ARE NEVER TO SEE NOSTRADAMUS AGAIN AND THAT IS THE END OF THIS DISCUSSION AUDREY, I FORBID YOU! " His harsh words resonate in the walls of my mind, like shoes stepping on broken shards, the fragments of hurt that had pierced my heart continued to mercilessly torment me.
The words were constantly on repeat, the look of fury and anger in his dark eyes, an underlining fear tightened his irises. I couldn't understand anything, I couldn't see past the angry words he hauled at me.
"My lady!" Marchioness Cordelia's voice reaches my ear before she does, her hand resting sympathetically on my shoulder, snapping me out of my reverie. I blink out of my mind, fresh drops of tears falling down my cheeks. I rush to wipe them away, not wanting her to know the reason behind my tears. I turn to face her, smiling wryly at her. Her beautiful features contorted into a worrisome look, her eyes searching my face before she pulled me into a hug.
I wrapped my arms around her as well, willing myself not to break down at her comforting embrace. I inhale a calming breath, swiftly wiping at the tears that had slipped past my lids just before she pulls away to gaze at me.
"I heard what happened at the press meeting. I was so worried I came as fast as I could, are you okay?"
I nod, afraid that if I formed words my voice would break and the flood of emotions would come rushing out. "The king? I prayed to the goddess that the arrow didn't penetrate too deep"
I swallowed the lump in my throat to speak,
"No, it didn't. The king is alright, I have dressed his wounds"
She let's out a breath of relief, her hand gently rubbing comforting circles on my arm.
"You look deeply troubled, is something the matter my lady?" She asks, her brows squeezed in concern
I shake my head, "There are just a lot of problems arising and I don't know what will happen. I'm worried for The King's safety" I glance away, trying to cover up the truth
"Do not worry my lady" Cordelia coos
"The goddess will protect you, the king and this empire from any force that might stand against you" she nods reassuringly, giving me a sad smile.
"You look really troubled. Why don't you come join me, to take your mind off things"
My brows furrowed in confusion, "Join you, where?"
She smiles in excitement, her mood lifting mine, "I have been meaning to go to the opera, the one my husband owns is one of the best in the empire. Come with me my lady, it will take your mind of the worries"
"It is not good to trouble yourself so, you are to be married soon. Will you join me?"
I purse my lips, thinking. I had never been to an opera house before, I had only heard good things about it, flying among the socialites in the empire. I never dared inquire on what it was, I was too embarrassed at my lack of proper knowledge. Thoughts of Darius and the safety of the kingdom began to creep into my mind once more, tears welling up in my eyes. I should be thinking of ways to get through to Darius, for the sake of the kingdom, not going to the opera to get my mind of it.
"Please join me" Cordelia holds onto my hand, smiling at me.
I inhale a deep breath. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea, I could use the time to think about another approach to get the book, maybe without Darius's knowledge. In truth, I didn't want to see Darius at the moment. I couldn't face him, he might not believe me capable enough to keep the empire out of harm's way but I will prove it to him.