Chapter 12 In The Face Of Danger
CHAPTER 12: In The Face Of Danger
Seraphine's POV
The kiss happened in a blink… like one stupid, horrible and impossible blink of an eye but to me, it stretched forever with his warm lips, solid chest and the faint sweet smell of his scent that immediately invaded my nostrils making me shamelessly desire him even more.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst right out of my ribs. I jumped back like I’d been burned, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand and doing all I could to suppress the unholy and dirty thoughts that were forming up in my head.
“What... no... absolutely not,” I blurted.
My skin crawled at the feeling of his lips and my chest ached while thhat cursed mate bond flared inside me so hot and needy and very unwelcome. I could feel myself.. my treacherous self calling out to him with desire and I cringed just at the thought of this.
I hated it..! And I hated how my body reacted before my brain could catch up and Aric looked just as stunned.
His eyes were wide and his jaw flexed. For the first time since I’d arrived in this den of monsters, the great Lycan King looked… embarrassed.. like actually embarrassed. He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat once and then again.
“You,” he said awkwardly. “Come with me.”
I stared at him.
“Excuse you?”
“Now,” he added, already turning away.
I followed because I didn’t have much of a choice and because standing there any longer might actually kill me from humiliation.
“This wouldn’t have happened if you’d sent a guard,” I snapped as we walked. “Or a servant.. or literally any one else..”
He didn’t answe which annoyed me more.
We moved through the halls in tense silence. Guards bowed as we passed pretending not to notice the undeniable awkwardness between me and their Lycan King.
He stopped at a wide stone balcony overlooking the forest. The wind was thankfully cool here but still doing nothing to ease the tension that was already settling in my stomach.
Aric leaned against the railing with his arms crossed.
“I wanted to tell you something,” he said.
I snorted.
“That you have terrible timing?”
His jaw tightened.
“This is not some cheap game, girl.”
I sighed.
“Fine. What?”
He hesitated and that alone made my skin prickle.
“Has the human kingdom noticed anything… unusual lately?” he asked.
I blinked.
“Unusual how?”
“More attacks.. strange sightings and maybe missing people?”
I stared at him in disbelief. What unusual activities was he even referring to? Did he mean more than the occasional Lycan surprise attacks we were constantly fighting?
“You drag me out here for that?”
His eyes hardened.
“Answer the question.”
I folded my arms instead.
“You think humans send me reports now? Lycans have been a problem forever.”
“This isn’t about normal clashes,” he snapped.
“Then what is it about?” I shot back. “And by the way.. that thing at the stream... what was it?”
He looked away and to me that was answer enough.
“There's something going on here,” I said. “And you’re not telling me.”
“It’s not your concern.”
I laughed.
“It tried to eat me. Pretty sure that makes it my concern.”
His fists clenched.
“Just tell me if the human lands have seen anything like it.”
I tilted my head.
“Why? Afraid we’re dealing with the same nightmare and you don’t want to admit it?”
His eyes flashed red momentarily before returning to normal again.
“Watch your mouth.”
I smiled sweetly.
“Touchy.”
Before he could reply, a slow clap echoed behind us.
“Well,” a smooth voice said, “this looks intimate.”
I turned and Lady Vespera Nightfall stood there, draped in a dark clothe like she owned the night itself with her lips curved into a knowing smile. She walked straight to Aric with her hands sliding up his arms.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” she purred.
Aric looked furious.
“Not now,” he said flatly, pushing her hands away.
She pouted, I know probably fighting to keep her anger and shame down.
“You’re upset.”
“Yes,” he replied. “And you’re making it worse.”
Then he turned and walked away just like that. I bit my lip in satisfaction trying to suppress my amusement but that was too late.. I smirked.
Vespera spun on me.
“You think that’s funny?”
I shrugged.
“A little.”
Her frown grew even deeper as she took a step towards me..
“Aric is only angry. He always comes back to me.”
“Oh?” I said lightly. “Does he know that?”
“I was meant to be his bride,” she snapped. “Not you.”
“That explains the bitterness.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You’re just a tool.. a political trick and I’m his true sweetheart.”
I laughed.
“If that helps you sleep.”
Her hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
“Be careful,” she hissed. “This place eats weak things alive.”
I yanked my hand free.
“Good thing I’m hard to swallow.”
I turned to leave.
“Seraphine.”
I stopped and then turned.
Darius Draven walked toward me, smiling like trouble wrapped in charm. I groaned the moment I saw him. The first time I met him didn't really go well for me and I really wasn't keen on being yelled at and called a whore by his cousin, the Lycan King.
“Mind if I walk with you?” he asked.
I eyed him suspiciously and looked around half expecting Aric to come turning around a corner the next moment.
“Last time we talked, your cousin accused me of almost sleeping with you.”
He laughed heartily without any stress which actually caught me off guard on account of him being a Lycan and all.
“Aric says many things when his pride is bruised.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
We walked through the gardens with silence settling between us.
“So,” I said finally, “want to tell me about the monster?”
His smile faded almost immediately I uttered those words and I knew that this was even more serious than I had imagined…