Chapter 36 For me and no one else
"Yes" she nodded slowly. "Thank you for that" she smiled up at him.
She looked so good when she smiled. He let his eyes drink her in, going from her thick perfectly carved brows to her little button nose and landing at her plum pink lips and how beautiful they looked against her flawless skin.
He stared at her lips, feeling a certain pull towards them. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and kiss her, tasting her sweet lips and relishing in their first intimate moment. She noticed his dark gaze turning an almost golden shade as he stared lustfully at her lips.
Her pulse quickened, her heart raced in her chest at how close he was coming to her and yet she remained glued to her spot. Did she want this to happen? Did she want him to kiss her? It was as if time had stopped, everything slowed and the only thing that mattered in that moment was the both of them and what was about to happen.
His face was only inches from hers, their breaths fanning against each other. His free hand had come to cup her cheek, guiding her face closer to his. Their lips were grazing when the sound of the wood door to the terrace was pushed, startling Audrey so badly she jumped away, ruining the moment.
As she stared at the maid who had interrupted them the reality of what she was about to do just dawned on her. She was about to let the king kiss her!?? And she hadn't even started pretending to get along with him. What was she thinking? Was she really about to kiss him? And why was she disappointed by the interruption?
"Pardon me your Highness, my lady. I'm so sorry I had no idea-" she stopped, raising her head to stare at the two. Audrey's cheeks flush crimson when her eyes met the maid's "I'm sorry"
"It's okay Genevieve" Darius pardoned. "What's wrong?" He asked, speaking for them both after noticing Audrey's fluttered state.
"Thank you, your grace. Your attention is needed in the kitchen" she gave him a knowing look and it immediately clicked.
"Oh yes. I will be right there, thank you" he dismissed her and she walked away leaving Audrey to turn and shoot Darius a confused look.
"What-"
"I have to go, my love but I want to ask" he interrupted her before she could ask any questions and possibly ruin her surprise. "Will you accompany me in the garden for breakfast?" He asked, a hopeful gleam in his eyes as he stared at her waiting for a response.
The childlike hope and innocence she could see in his eyes wouldn't let her refuse so she nodded slowly and a grin burst out across his lips. "I'll see you then" he bid her farewell. Leaning down he dipped his head to the side of her face, sending Audrey's heart racing. He placed a gentle kiss to her cheek, making heat spread across the bridge of her nose, tainting her cheeks. Doe eyed she stared at him breathlessly as he stood straight, holding her gaze intensely. "Good night my sweet"
With that he walked off rather quickly. Audrey just stared at his retreating back till he had disappeared out of her sight. She turned back to the moon, her hand on her fast beating heart. She felt her heart racing still as she recalled their moment.
"Perfect Audrey, I have to commend you" Lord Odin said, walking slowly towards Audrey with a smile on his face. She had turned around, now staring at him in confusion. "You put on quite the show I was almost fooled myself" he chuckled making her look away from him.
"What do you want? I have started doing as you asked so why are you here?" She whispered loudly, her eyes darting around in case anyone was passing.
"Oh pardon me. I came to remind you that you don't have much time to do what you have to. If you disappoint, well then you have yourself to blame for the outcome" he warned, his voice had dropped dangerously low and his eyes were staring menacingly at her. Towering over her now he had closed the distance between them.
He was trying to intimidate her, to scare her into submission and she was well aware. Some part of her wanted to cower and submit to his menacing gaze or his fearful words but the bigger part of her knew not to be afraid. It was like a surge of confidence as she stepped closer to him
"I know what I am supposed to do, lord Odin and I would appreciate you not try threaten me. As much as I need your help I won't get on my knees and beg for it and I am not a little girl so stop talking to me like I need to be reminded of what I in fact agreed to '' she finished, glaring daggers at him. Shock was an understatement compared to what he felt at the moment. It was written all over his face how much he hadn't expected her to stand up for herself.
Audrey had no idea where this new found courage had come from but she was thankful for it. He took a step back and she walked to the door and stopped, giving him a side glance, " I will do what I have to for me and no one else" with that she walked away leaving Lord Odin there alone.
He just stared at the door for a while before a smile formed on his lips. "She's getting cocky I see. It'll be all the more fun to break this newfound spirit of hers and oh how
much I will enjoy it, Audrey dear"
~
"Have you all heard about the rumors circling around the maids and servants about Audrey and the king?" Greer smiled, looking between the girls that sat before her.
"No but I'm sure you have, so enlighten us" Anaise replied, speaking for the other two girls.
"Well one of the maids caught them last night, they were about to kiss!" Greer squealed joyfully, smiling from ear to ear.
"Seriously!?" The three girls asked at once, Astrid's tone higher than Orchid and Anaise's.