Chapter 76 Predators
AUDREY
"What, how was that possible. Did he not receive the letter?" I asked, a crease forming between my brows. Did someone tip him off about our plans before hand?
"Upon further search we found his horse tied down to a tree with the letter inside it's pouch but there was no sign of him anywhere. Few days ago we received word that his body had been washed up from the river when he was searched rocks were found in his pockets" my eyes widened a fraction as I assessed the information.
So he killed himself, "He committed suicide" I voiced out my thoughts.
"That's what it looks like but I don't think it would be that simple. I saw his throat had been slit" Darius informed further leaving me to wonder.
"Why would he slit his own throat and still go further to drown himself? If indeed he learnt of our plans then he could have easily flee the city for his own" it didn't make any sense.
"My thoughts exactly. There is something more to this and I want to find out, I have sent Ryker to conduct an investigation discreetly, question all the people present in the pub that was nearby if they had seen anything or heard anything at all. For all we know Lord Odin may have just been a pawn in a much bigger plot"
Was it possible? That Lord Odin could have been working for someone? To kill Darius? "Do you suspect anyone?"
"I have a lot of enemies, uncountable and they may have just reached too close for my liking" he seemed to be deep in throught staring into space. Suddenly he turned to me, worry back on his face as he cups my cheek "Please be careful my love, for all we know they might be in the castle. Ryker tried to tell me that your dress poisoning and you almost drowninf could not have been mere accidents but I was too blinded by rage to consider the possibility that our enemy has reached within our walls"
"S-so what are you saying?" I asked, scared for his reply. Does it mean someone who wanted me dead was living in this castle along with us?
"That you should trust no one and don't fear my love. I'll protect you I swear it" His words held a great depth of promise in them and seeing the pure ckbcern and love he had for me made a soft smile overtake my lips. I placed a hand on his chest and his eyes followed my every move.
"I know you will. I feel so safe with you" almost immediately the atmosphere had changed and it's was like the entire world had blurred into nothingness, everyone's chatters were drowned out and it was only the two of us at the moment. My eyes drifted down to where my hand was placed against his chest and I could feel the tension under my palm, the urge to touch him. I wanted to feel his warm skin against my hand, to have his warmth envelope me and make me for her anyone else existed. I gazed up into his eyes to see a burning hunger for me glaze over his orbs, tainting them with passion. It was like I was in a daze. I watched his gaze flicker from mine to my cleavage and it sent a shiver down my spine. I could see the look of raw carnal desire in his eyes and I could tell he would tear this dress right off me.
Just then a voice came, grabbing our attention and breaking the moment. "Your Makesties, the elders"
Darius and I pulled away from each other subtly as we turned our gaze to regard the three old wolves that's stood beside us. There were all women much to my suprise but the moment their gazes landed on me I felt my heart skip a beat and immediately my spine straightened to give myself a better posture.
"My Lord" they all greeted at once.
"Our elders" Darius returned the acknowledgement, giving them a court nod whereas I was frozen to my spot.
When I snapped out of it I genuflect as well, bowing my head, "Elders. I am honored to meet you. I am-"
"We know who you are child, the king has finally found his match" one of them, with the rarest shade of emerald green eyes I had seen spoke first. "I am elder Irene"
"She's really beautiful sisters" Another spoke, her eyes were like Elder Irene's but they had a hint of an almost gold hue to them making her gaze look almost piercing.
"You're right Elfrid and she has wide hips too, perfect for child birth. She has a great body and in sure we'll have a little heir running around these halls very soon. The maids also tell me that they have been really active, the echoes say it all" Elder Irene gushed and I felt a blush blossom on my cheeks tainting my entire face red. I felt my ears burn scarlet. Sugars, I didn't think the halls would echoe.
"Stop your chattering. Come here dear let me look at you" this was the first time she had spoken. I looked up at Darius and he gave me a firm nod smiling encouragingly. I gulped down hard and walked forward as she scanned me from head to toe, "You definitely look the part dear but make no mistake being beautiful is not going to be enough to keep you in this court. It takes more than looks for a lady to survive here, there are a lot of predators lurking my dear. If you make even one mistake you bleed close to the sharks and they come for you. Watch your back, your destiy is one of thorns and if you don't learn to manoeuvre through these thorns they will tear you apart. Bless you child" I was frozen to my spot, my eyes fixated in her deep lemon green eyes.
It was like I was under a spell, I could hear my heart beating and it was like everything was happening in slow motion as she gave me on least look before I stepped back to stand beside Darius.
A strong squeeze to my hip snapped me out of the zone and I peaked up to see Darius' apologetic smile as he rubbed calming circles on my hip with his thumb trying to soothe me.
"Azalia why are you trying to scare her? His Highness has found himself a beautiful mate and I approve of his choice"