Chapter 40 The First Light Festival
I gazed up at him, his eyes were swirling with a gold hue, their depths so hypnotic and intoxicating I had to snatch my gaze away before I got to engrossed.
I didn't reply, no I didn't know how to reply. Something about the way he looked at me caused my insides to steer weirdly. We continue eating in silence, not an uncomfortable silence but one that we both shared. I enjoyed the scenery as I munched on my new found favourite pastry- strawberry pie.
"You seem to really like strawberry pie" Darius points out making me stop in my chewing to stare at him .
"I love it. How did you find time to plan all this?" I asked, hoping I wasn't sounding rude.
Just then everything clicked, when Darius followed that maid, Genevieve out of the balcony after we almost... "Was it when you left with Genevieve?" I asked, cutting my own thoughts short. I was trying trying to survive this not make it worse!
He smiled shyly, "I had planned it for the past two days now. She had called to tell me the wine samples had arrived from Terrous. I wanted everything to be perfect" he admitted, smiling sweetly.
Sugars, he looked so cute and shy. Fiddlesticks! What was going through my mind right now!!? Stay focused Audrey, focus! Oh goddess I think I'm overheating right now!
"Thank you. I never thought I'd love pie so much. I wasn't really allowed to eat pastries back at my old pack" I regretted the words as soon as they left my lips. Darius had a frown on his face, his lips were curved downward and his deep onyx eyes held resentment and rage. His fists had balled dangerously around his fork, his nails digging into the skin of his palm.
Had I struck a nerve? I shouldn't have brought up my old pack, even I wanted to forget it. I'm so dumb. "I'm sorry for bringing it up-"
"Come here" Darius cut me off as he reached for my hands from across the table. Leading me to stand he took my hands in his as he stared intensely into my eyes. He stepped forward, his chests immediately coming into my view. His intoxicating scent invaded my nostrils, a mix of lemon suckle, rain forest wood and masculine cologne. For some reason I had only now realized how nice he smelt, it was almost addictive. I couldn't look away from him, he brought my hands to his lips and placed kisses on each of my knuckles.
He looked back into my eyes, a mix of regret and sadness flashing in them, "I'm so sorry about what you went through" he started making me inhale sharply.
"You had to suffer for so long and I couldn't do anything about it because I was a dysfunctional king. It's my fault your pack hadn't been checked on properly and it kills me every day to know I could have done something. If I had found you earlier.. " he stopped, directing his gaze downward to his feet.
I felt my chest tighten at the memories that flooded my mind. Hunter, the Luna, the cellars.I noticeable flinched away, not getting far due to the solid but tender grip Darius had on my hands. I squeezed my eyes shut, my chest rising and falling rapidly. I could feel my lungs closing in on each other and the air was tight, suffocating.
I couldn't breathe, I needed air. Images of Hunter flashed through my shut lids, his menacing blue irises, filled with must and rage.
I needed to calm down quickly. I was hyperventilating, the memories and trauma all coming back in one big swing. I heard the distant call of my name but I couldn't reach for it. It was like I was in a dark room, I was running to the voice but the room kept spinning and I was falling.
Warmth enveloped me, pulling me into a hard surface. It was like all the air I had lost had entered my lungs once again. Comfort, security, admiration, fondness and familiarity.
All these emotions hit me all at once in full force, effectively stopping my panicky attack. My rigid musclea relaxed, my tense shoulders fell and my shut eyes flew open. I felt...safe, like nothing in this world could hurt me. In this very moment nothing else mattered but how I felt in his arms.
"Shhh, it's okay love" I could finally hear his calming whispers.
Unlike before, this time our skin contact as if sending waves silenced my restless mind, left me feeling calm and stable.
His voice was like a sweet lullaby to my ears- soothing, deep velvety tone. I found my eyes closing shut as I fully melted into his embrace, wrapping my arms around his torso. I felt him still for a moment, his breath had hitched and he wasn't moving. The hand he had soothing my hair had stopped and the one around my waist had tightened significantly. It was like my one action had turned him from protective to possessive.
"I will need you to play close to his highness".
"The mate bond will make it a lot easier so you don't have to worry, unless you're scared this will also affect you in some way?"
the words echoed in my ears, making my eyes snap open.
I pulled away, guilt pinching at my skin. Just in time a man walked up to us.
Darius furrowed his brows at me, he looked like he had something to say. His eyes held this glea of contentment, excitement and warmth in them. He followed my gaze to the man that stops beside us, his head lowered and his eyes casted down to the ground.
"Please pardon me your majesties" he started.
"Go on Fredrik" Darius encouraged, not moving away from me.
"Your presence is needed in the grand Hall. The nobles request your arrival to discuss the first light festival" the man- now Fredrik informed Darius.
Now looking at Fredrik more closely he looked roughly my age. His clothes looked too big for his quirky frame and his curly chestnut brown hair was roughed atop his head giving him an innocent boyish look. Now recalling he was the assistant to Lord Mark Anthony, someone I had spoken to during the greeting ball. He seemed very interested in Anaise, they would make a good pair but It had crossed my mind to talk to Astrid about it. I had no intention to overstep by assuring their alliance.
Darius looked back at me, as if asking for my permission to go. I caught on and nodded with a small smile on my face. He turned back to Fredrik, mirroring my smile, "I'll be right there" he answered.
Fredrik's shoulders noticeably fell and he sighed before straightening up and walking away. Darius turns back to me, his palm finding my cheek he stepped closer to me making me take a step back.