Chapter 14 A Visit At Last
CHAPTER 14: A Visit At Last
Seraphine's POV
I froze the moment Aric said the words.
“Red River Village.”
My heart pounded so hard against my ribs I was sure he could hear it and my first thought was panic... pure and ugly panic. I thought I had said too much.. I thought I had exposed everything.. my plans.. my reasons and my revenge.
For one wild second, I considered lunging for the knife I didn’t have but instead I forced myself to breathe.
Aric was sitting beside me on the bed, awake, calm and watching me like he was studying a puzzle. His voice wasn’t accusing though and it wasn’t curious either.. it was just… flat.
“You said it in your sleep,” he calmly. “That’s all you said.”
“That’s all?” I echoed too quickly.
“Yes.”
My hands were shaking and I quickly curled my fingers into the sheets to hide it.
“I... ” I cleared my throat. “I talk in my sleep sometimes.”
That wasn't true. I never talked in my sleep.. at least not that I knew of. I was surprised this had happened in his quarters.
Aric raised one brow.
“Clearly.” He grunted.
I swallowed and shrugged, trying to look bored when my chest was still burning.
“My nightmare was just… nothing. It was just a bad memory and nothing important.”
“Nothing important,” he repeated slowly.
“Yes,” I snapped and then I softened my tone. “I mean... no. I just meant… it’s nothing to do with you.”
Silence stretched between us and I waited for questions and for pressure.. for him to push but he didn’t.
“Go back to sleep,” he said finally. “You’re safe.”
Safe…? Seriously..?
The word felt strange coming from his mouth but I nodded, turned away from him, nd lay back down. My body was tense and my thoughts racing and I could feel his eyes on my back heavily and sharp.
I told myself sleep would never come again but eventually, it did and it came quietly this time with no fire, no screams and no blood and just darkness.
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was warmth.. the second thing I noticed was that the warmth was very solid and the third thing I noticed was that I was not alone on my side of the bed.
I blinked once and twice and then I realized my arm was wrapped around something firm, my leg was hooked over something warm and my face was pressed into a very broad chest.
I was nestled against Aric.. estled against the Lycan King like I belonged there!
I screamed…!
Okay... maybe not screamed but I yelped, scrambled and practically launched myself off the bed.
“What... what... WHAT... ”
Aric didn’t move much. He just leaned back against the headboard as calm as ever.
“Good morning to you too,” he said.
I stared at him like he’d grown another head.
“Why were you touching me?”
“You were thrashing around,” he replied. “Kicking and mumbling. Nearly elbowed me in the face.”
“That does not explain why I was hugging you!”
He sighed.
“You only calmed down when you were close. I moved you away twice but you came right back.”
My face burned.
“I did not.”
“You drooled,” he added.
“I DID NOT!”
He smirked menacingly.. that smug irritating smirk that made me want to slap him and kiss him at the same time... which was deeply upsetting.
“I stayed still,” he continued. “You slept and I slept.”
I covered my face with my hands.
“I want to disappear.”
“You’ll live.”
“I am never sleeping again.”
“Doubtful.”
I jumped off the bed and rushed into the next room before I embarrassed myself further. I stood there for a second, breathing hard and pressing my hands to my hot cheeks.
Get it together, Seraphine.
I splashed water on my face, changed quickly and took longer than necessary fixing my hair just so I wouldn’t have to face him yet.
When I finally stepped back into the main room, Aric was pulling on a shirt and unfortunately for my sanity, he wasn’t done yet so I accidentally saw his abs.. very defined abs.. stupid traitorous eyes!
I looked away instantly and reminded myself of very important facts. He is a lycan, he is my enemy, he destroyed my village and he killed my father before my eyes. My heart did not care about him!
Aric noticed my stiff posture and gave a cold laugh.
“Don’t let last night get to your head,” he said. “I only allowed it because you were making a racket and keeping me awake.”
“Allowed it,” I muttered. “How generous.”
He stepped past me.
“It meant nothing.”
It shouldn’t have hurt but somehow it did.
“Good,” I said stiffly. “Because it meant nothing to me too.”
He paused at the door, glanced back once and then left without another word.
I stood there feeling… lost and this strange pull between us scared me more than his threats ever had.
After washing up and getting dressed, I stepped outside and immediately noticed that something was wrong.
The soldiers standing around looked tense with their voices were low and sharp whispers passing between them. I walked closer.
“What’s going on?” I asked one guard.
He ignored me and I turned to another.
“Did something happen?”
He scoffed.
“Go back inside, human.”
Another muttered, “She shouldn’t even be here.”
I clenched my fists and I moved along slowly, pretending not to care, listening carefully and I caught pieces.
“…found near the border…” “…ripped apart…” “…grimhowls…”
My stomach twisted.. Grimhowls?
Before I could hear more, a soldier stepped in front of me.
“You have a visitor,” he said stiffly. “From the human kingdom.”
My heart leapt.
“Who?”
“Your uncle.”
Magnus! Thank the goddess!
They led me to the gardens and there he was.. my uncle stood near the fountain tall and broad with his shoulders stiff. Relief washed through me... but it faded fast when I noticed that he wasn't smiling. His face was dark and grim.
“Uncle,” I said softly. “What’s wrong?”
He looked at me for a long moment and then reached for my hands.
“We need to talk,” he said quietly.
“About what?”
“Something grave happened...”