Chapter 23 : THE FAE AMBASSADOR
The next day, after breakfast with Lyra, she headed for the library. There was no sign of Auren in sight and she had no idea why it tugged at her heartstrings.
Breakfast had been more enjoyable without him around. She and Lyra had taken the time to catch up on lost time. But a small part in her still missed the king.
When she got to the library, she was shocked to see Auren casually seated at the desk reading a book. His hair was not tied like it usually was, rather it fell over his shoulders as he lowered his head, observing the book.
His expression was filled with so much concentration, she couldn't help but admire him.
She'd actually fall for him if he weren't such an asshole. But alas..he was a big asshole.
“I had the feeling you'd want to resume with your studies today," he said, not looking up from the book.
“Yes. Where's Imogen?" She inquired looking around. She had a lot of questions she had in mind for him. Like what happened to her last night, and what the writing on her wrist meant?
“Imogen is on leave," he said. He closed the book and rose to his feet. With slow, measured steps. “I'll be taking over your training from today henceforth "
“What do you mean Imogen's on leave? I saw him on my way to breakfast." She said, folding her arms. She'd be damned if she let the King take over her lessons. She'd been getting strange reactions to him and those feelings had to stop.
" If you feel something for me,” he stopped in front of her. Raising his left hand, he traced an invisible line with his fingers from her wrist, up to her shoulder blade. " Then feel free to tell me, My queen.”
" The only thing I feel for you is hate.”
He took a hold of her waist and pulled her to him till her chest was flush against his. “Are you sure about that? I can practically smell your arousal. Does hating me have such an effect on you?"
Haven's cheeks flushed red as the spot between her legs throbbed intensity. In all her years of being alive, no man had ever spoken so brazenly to her before. Everything she was feeling right now was utterly strange to her.
Was that normal?
She shook her head trying not to dwell on such unwanted thoughts and carefully took a step back.
She felt like she couldn't breathe, like the air was suddenly compressed and heavy.
Auren took a step back, lips pulled up in a smirk. “You look rather uncomfortable for someone who claims to hate me."
The sarcasm in his voice made her want to punch him in the gut. He was making her so fucking uncomfortable and still had to audacity to joke about it.
“So, ‘’ Auren began, voice smooth and unaffected. “Due to the very interesting occurrences taking place in your life lately, I had Draven run a test on your blood. The results were quite fascinating.”
“What did the results say?" She asked anxiously. There was nothing she wanted to know more than what was going on with her.
“You, my dear girl, carry what we know as the Eathereal essence.” Auren turned to her, leaned against the desk and folded his arms. " The very force that birthed this universe, and the magic that rivals the dragon fire.”
Haven laughed. " Are you even listening to yourself? I grew up a human all my damn life. I only started manifesting these crazy symptoms when you brought me here.”
Auren tilted his head and stared at her with curious intent. " How do you explain the strange happenings? Because unless you are possessed, magic is the only possible explanation.
“Okay, let's say I believe you. How do you explain the fact that I only started seeing these signs when I stepped foot here?"
“I have my theories," Auren began, pushing away from the desk. " But I can't tell you anything till I have enough facts. In the meantime we'll be getting you physically prepared.”
" Physically prepared?”
" Of course. You're my woman and that makes you open to a lot of dangers. Thus you'll need training.”
Haven glared at him resisting the urge to tell him to go fuck himself.
He chuckled, the sound startling her and pulling her back to the present. " You forget it has unlimited access to your thoughts, little flame. And I'd rather fuck you instead. I'm straight, thank you very much.”
Haven rolled her eyes. He was so infuriating that she just couldn't stand it.
Auren chuckled and straightened up. “Go change and meet me in the courtroom," he began as he walked away. “You are my queen now, it's time you see how court proceedings take place."
With this he casually walked away, leaving Haven burning up with a kind of heat that had nothing to do with the atmosphere.
\~~~
Auren sighed for the umpteenth time, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. His court members were one of the highest people who got on his nerves on a daily basis. His control was slowly slipping and one day he would snap someone's neck.
He tilted his head and massaged his skull to prevent the migraine already on its way. “Jonah," he called, and the man stopped speaking. “Look, I don't really need all this explanation. You've been speaking for thirty fucking minutes and I still don't know what the problem with Lyteria is. Go straight to the damn point, will you?"
The man named Jonas swallowed hard and cleared his throat. " Your Grace, the people of Lyteria complain of strange human-like figures coming out from the woods at night to attack their village. They've had a casualty of fifty seven men, three women and twelve children in the past four days.”
" What did these figures look like?” Auren asked. Jonas stared at him blankly and he let out a heavy sigh. Typical Jonas to present a report without full details.
Had it not been for the fact that there were some pressing matters to handle, he would still be with his little bride. He enjoyed every moment with her.
He loved the way she claimed to hate him, yet burned red each time he was close.
The earlier he got the council session over with, the better for everyone. “Get me accurate facts, Jonas, before dusk tomorrow," he ordered. The man nodded and stepped out of the room.
Draven stepped forward and bowed. “Your Grace, Neraya, the fae ambassador is here to see you "
He nodded and a girl stepped forward. She bowed low and just as she opened her mouth to speak, the door opened and Haven ste
pped in. Neraya stared at her eyes filled with utter shock.
“Princess Athalia?"