Chapter 13 Nightmares
CHAPTER 13: Nightmares
Seraphine's POV
Darius didn’t answer right away. He stopped walking and glanced around like the walls themselves had ears.
“I’m already in trouble for just talking to you, you're well aware,” he said quietly. “If I tell you what you’re asking, I’ll be buried.”
I scoffed.
“Funny. Everyone keeps saying that, yet no one tells me anything.”
He raised a brow.
“You sound angry.”
“I am angry,” I snapped. “I’m surrounded by secrets, Lycans, monsters, rude nobles and one very irritating king who thinks yelling is a personality trait. I deserve to know what’s going on.”
Darius studied my face for a moment and then he sighed.
“Come on.”
I knew already that Aric didn't approve of me getting close to Darius but Darius in truth was one of the few Lycans wno didn't give me a reason to have my knife at their throat. He was kind, he was polite and most importantly, I senced he would be resourceful as well. I only had to charm him enough to gain his absolute trust.
He led me away from the open path and into a quiet corner of the garden where the trees grew thicker and the lantern light barely reached. Crickets chirped softly and the air felt humid here, almost as if we've come to a different environment.
“This is the part where I regret my life choices,” he muttered.
I crossed my arms impatiently, ready to hear all that he had to say.
“Out with it.”
He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“There are ancient forces waking up,” he whispered. “Things older than our packs.. older than borders. They were sealed away long ago… and now they’re stirring.”
My stomach twisted. As much as I wanted to call bullshit on this, I had witnessed this first hand. I was there and saw it when it attacked at the stream and whatever it was, I could tell that it wasn't a normal Lycan..
“And they’re coming for Lycans?” I asked.
“For everyone,” he said. “Lycans first. Humans next.”
I swallowed.
“That thing at the stream… was that one of them?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
“What was it?”
“Grimhowl,” he said. “A young one too.. barely grown.”
I blinked in pure shock. I mean I had seen the monster and it's size and there was no way I'd mistake that sir a baby that was barely frown.
“Barely?”
His mouth tightened.
“If that was a child, I don’t want to meet the adult.” I added quickly and then I opened my mouth to ask more when hurried footsteps cut through the quiet.
“My prince,” a servant said breathlessly. “The king requests your presence.”
Darius closed his eyes.
“Of course he does.”
He straightened and looked at me.
“There’s more,” he said softly. “A lot more. Be careful, Seraphine.”
Then he turned and left, leaving me standing there with more questions than answers.
Night fell heavily and quickly and by the time dinner was announced, my head was spinning with countless of thoughts and Grimhowls, ancient forces and secrets layered on secrets. This was all part of the human world.. the same world which I was now a part of. A sacrifice I had made for my revenge.
I was led into the throne room where a long table overflowed with food and noise. Laughter echoed with cups clinking and meat was torn apart with enthusiasm.
I sat beside Aric. He didn’t look at me and I didn’t look at him. We might as well have been statues.
Vespera sat across from us draped over her chair like she belonged there. She leaned toward Aric, laughing too loudly.
“My king,” she purred, “you should smile more. You look so tense.”
Aric took a slow sip of his drink.
“Eat,” he said flatly.
Her smile twitched and she tried again, placing a hand on his arm.
“You know I hate when you shut me out.”
He shrugged her off.
“Not tonight.”
Her eyes flicked to me sharply and furiously. I met her stare and smiled.. just a little. She looked like she wanted to flip the table in her anger.
The rest of dinner passed like that with noise all around us and silence between us and ehen it was finally over, Aric stood and walked away without a word. I followed.
Back in his quarters, he moved toward his bed and I turned toward the smaller room like always.. where I normally slept.
“Wait,” he said.
I paused.
“What now?”
“You can sleep here,” he said.
I stared at him at him in disbelief. Did I hear him clearly? Did he just...
“Excuse me?”
He sighed.
“I know you hate that bed and I kow you're probably going to sleep on the floor.”
“I survive,” I said.
“You don’t have to,” he replied. “Use the bed.”
My heart jumped.
“With you?”
He shot me an annoyed look.
“Don’t get ideas cause this isn’t that.”
“Could’ve fooled me.”
He crossed his arms wide a snear appearing on his face.
“I’m not drawn to you.. not romantically and not emotionally! This is convenience and nothing more, understand?”
“Wonderful,” I muttered.
Despite every warning bell in my head, I climbed into the bed, staying as far to the edge as possible. My body was stiff and my heart wouldn’t slow down as I lay there, staring at the ceiling.
This was the same bed as the man who destroyed my village.. the same man who tore my father before my eyes..
I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed for sleep. It came fast.. too fast and then fire, screams and blood running like a river. I was back at Red River Village.
I saw glowing eyes in the dark, heard bones snap and my father’s scream cut short.
I bolted upright with a gasp, drenched in sweat and my chest heaving in fright. Aric was sitting beside me, calm and alert.
“Dream?” he asked.
“Just… a dream,” I said quickly.
He tilted his head.
“You were talking.”
“I was?”
“Yes,” he said slowly. “You said a name.”
My breath caught.
“Red River Village,” he said added calmly…