Chapter 43
ELARA’S POV
I sat there, for only heaven knows how long. I just stayed here, staring at the sky. Sometimes I envy how free the stars are up in the sky.
“Elara?” Ronan’s deep voice sliced through the fog of my thoughts. I tilted my head, catching sight of him a few feet away. A small smile played on his lips as he stood there watching me.
“Hey,” I mumbled, my voice barely a whisper. My throat felt tight, like a knot of anxiety constricting my breathing.
“Hey,” he replied as he slowly moved towards me and sat down beside me on the grass. His hand found mine, his touch igniting a fire in me, a strange mixture of comfort and dread. I wanted to be alone, just me and my thoughts, but the warmth of his touch, the familiar scent of his cologne eased the tension, even if it were just only for a moment.
“How are you?” He asked, his voice soft, laced with concern. He curled his fingers under mine, his palm warm and reassuring against my skin. He moved closer, his arm sliding around my waist, pulling me closer to his side. The closeness was both comforting and stifling. I knew I needed space, but I couldn’t deny the comfort his presence and touch offered.
“I’m alright,” I managed to say, a pathetic lie that even I didn’t believe. I leaned into him, inhaling his scent, wanting to bury myself in it, to lose myself in the illusion of safety.
“You don’t sound okay,”
Because I am not okay. In fact, I’m far from okay. The words hung unspoken, a heavy weight that pressed down in my chest. Darius, the name of the man who killed my parents, now hunting me desperately and wouldn’t stop even if it meant hurting you and that would scar me for life. I could never live with the fact that anything would happen to Ronan because of me. And now, Kael is trying to get back into my life. I felt torn. The situation was complicated.
“I am,” I insisted, forcing a fake smile. “I’m just tired,”
“Is that why you cannot sleep?” He asked, his gaze searching. He lifted my chin gently, his eyes holding a depth of concern that tugged at my heart. He brushed his thumb against my cheek gently.
“I am… well, just there,” I shrugged, “Just tired, really. That’s all, nothing in particular,”
Yeah, minus the fact that a crazy rogue Alpha is on the loose, I’m totally fine! The bitter sarcasm tasted like ash in my mouth.
However Ronan didn’t seem convinced. His face fell, his frown deepening, “You can tell me anything, Elara,” he said as he leaned in, his palms cupping my cheeks.
I bit my lower lip, the guilt gnawed at me. I couldn’t burden him with my fears, no… not yet. I needed time, a moment to sort through the chaos in my mind, to determine if everything was true before inflicting such a burden.
I knew if Ronan was to hear of this, he would let all hell loose and go head on with Darius just to keep me safe. He was different from Kael, he would protect, and that was what scared me.
“I know,” I sighed, then cupped his cheeks with my palms, “If anything was wrong, you’d be the first to know,”
I hated that I was lying to him. But for now, that was the only option I had.
He didn’t seem entirely convinced but I was glad he dropped it. “Okay,” was all he said before pulling me into his arms. His familiar scent wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. “And hey… I’m sorry about earlier, with Marceline and…”
I cut him off, placing a finger on his lips, “I don’t want to hear it,” I frowned, my voice tight with frustration, “Please, my day has been rough enough. I know she will never accept us no matter what,”
“It’s not,”
“It is,”
“Sooner or later, things will get better,” he said in a tone filled with a conviction I didn’t quite understand.
“How?” I asked, curiosity laced in my tone.
“Trust me.”
I looked into his eyes, trying to decipher what he had just said, but I decided to let it go. I have had enough headaches for just one day.
After a few minutes of silence, punctuated by the rhythmic thump of his heartbeat against my ear, Ronan nudged my arm. I lifted my head, my eyes locking on his.
“What is it?” I asked.
He shook his head, “Nothing. It’s just… it’s getting late, why don’t we go inside?”
I looked at the sky. He was right, it was pitch dark. “Okay.” I stood up, turning to walk towards the palace, but a startled gasp escaped my lips as a pair of strong arms lifted me effortlessly from the ground. I shrieked with surprise.
Suddenly, he started laughing, spinning me around playfully, “Should have seen your face!” He laughed even harder, a vibrant sound that somehow pierced through the darkness that clung to me.
I couldn’t help but grin, my fear momentarily replaced by a feeling of lightness, of being completely and utterly safe in his arms. I held onto him tightly as he carried me towards the palace, the weight of my worries forgotten in the rush of adrenaline and laughter… even if it was just for a moment.
The piercing eyes of some of the guards registered on me, but I didn’t care. I was lost in the moment, consumed by the warmth and safety of Ronan’s embrace.
He carried me into his chambers. Once inside, he gently set me down. The door closed with a soft click. Suddenly, a fierce energy surged through me, a primal urge to shed my worries, even if it was just for one night.
I moved towards Ronan, pulling him close by his shirt, taking him by surprise. Our eyes met, I could see my orbs in his eyes.
“Help me forget about everything.”