Chapter 6 Getting Acquainted
CHAPTER 6: Getting Acquainted
Seraphine's POV
“Why are you gasping like that?”
The Lycan King’s voice cut through the hall, sharply and amused.
I looked up just in time to see Aric Draven watching me like I was something strange he’d found on the bottom of his boot.
“You look like you caught a disease,” he went on. “Do humans normally fold in half when they arrive somewhere new?”
A few Lycans snorted and I straightened slowly, forcing air back into my lungs. My chest still felt tight and my skin still buzzed but his face... cold, mocking and unreadable... told me everything I needed to know.
He didn’t feel it.. that pull.. that strange, terrifying bond. It was only on my side only.
The realization hit harder than the bond itself. Good. No... worse.. disgusting and humiliating!
I lifted my chin.
“I’m fine.”
Aric tilted his head with eyes narrowing slightly like he didn’t believe me but wasn’t sure why.
“Hm.” His gaze dragged over my face, then my hands and then my stance slowly and carefully.
“You don’t look fine.”
I said nothing.. I couldn’t because if I opened my mouth, something ugly might come out.. maybe something honest and I could not... would not... let anyone know what I’d felt especially not him.
Aric straightened and turned his attention to my uncle and the human guards behind me.
“You,” he said coolly. “Ten minutes.”
Magnus stiffened beside me.
“Ten minutes for what?”
“To get the hell out of my pack,” Aric replied without blinking. “Ten minutes and not one second more.”
The hall went dead silent.
“That wasn’t part of the agreement,” Magnus said carefully.
Aric smiled but it wasn’t friendly.
“It is now.”
I reached for my uncle’s hand before he could argue further.
“It’s fine,” I murmured. “Go.”
He looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“Seraphine...”
“I’ll be fine,” I repeated. “Please.”
His jaw tightened but after a long moment, he nodded.
“Ten minutes,” he said to Aric. “If anything happens to her...”
Aric waved him off.
“She survived my warrior. I think she’ll manage a hallway.”
Two Lycans stepped forward at a sharp motion of his hand.
“Take her to my quarters,” Aric ordered. “She’ll wait there.”
My stomach dropped and before I could protest, the soldiers were already moving and one gestured stiffly for me to follow. I wanted to stab them, I wanted to stab all of them but instead, I walked.
I kept my head high as they led me through long corridors. Inside, I was boiling and every instinct screamed at me to fight, to break free and to tear throats out with my teeth but I didn’t because I hadn’t come this far to die stupidly.
We reached a set of doors guarded by two more Lycans.
“Inside,” one of my escorts said.
The doors opened and I stepped in... and nearly laughed.
Aric Draven’s quarters were massive with dark stone walls, high ceilings and a huge bed that looked like it could fit six people and a fight. Weapons lined one wall, maps and scrolls covered another.. very king-like.
The soldiers stopped just inside the door.
“Wait here,” one said.
“Oh, don’t worry,” I muttered sarcastically. “I’ll behave.”
The door shut behind them with a solid thud and I turned slowly, taking in the room and trying to calm my racing heart. Being this close to his space made that strange pull stir again lowly and persistently like a bad itch under my skin. I clenched my fists. Get a grip!
The door opened again not five minutes later and Aric walked in like he owned the air itself. He didn’t speak at first. Just circled me slowly with his eyes sharply taking everything in but I stayed still.
“I saw what you did,” he said finally.
“Congratulations.”
He stopped in front of me.
“You didn’t hesitate. You took down a trained Lycan like you’d done it before.”
“Maybe your warrior was just bad.”
His mouth twitched.
“Cut the crap.”
I met his gaze. Gods, being this close made it worse with the pull and the heat. I hated it!
“Who are you really?” he asked.
“I told you,” I said. “Nobody.”
He laughed once and humorlessy.
“Nobody doesn’t move like that.”
“Then maybe you should train your people better.”
His eyes darkened.
“Careful little flea.”
“Or what?”
For a moment something dangerous flickered across his face and then it vanished.
“You’re hiding something,” he said calmly.
“And whatever it is, I’ll find out.”
“Good luck with that.”
He stepped closer.
“You shouldn’t expect romance from me,” he said coldly. “No sweet gestures and no nonsense. I didn’t agree to this for love.”
“I wouldn’t want it if you did.”
“Good.” He nodded once. “I want stability, borders secured and no wars for now. That’s all.”
I forced myself to nod back even though my stomach twisted.
“Then we’re clear.”
He studied me another second then turned and walked toward a door set slightly to the side of the room.
“Your room,” he said, opening it. “You’ll sleep there.”
Relief flooded me so fast I almost sighed out loud. Thank gods. The room was smaller and plain with a single bed pushed against the wall.
Aric paused at the door.
“Don’t try anything stupid.”
“I’ll try not to disappoint you.”
His lips pressed into a thin line and then he shut the door and I was alone.
I crossed the room and looked at the bed and immediately regretted it. The sheets were stained, dark and old. The mattress smelled like sweat and something worse..
“Absolutely not,” I muttered.
I stripped the blanket off, folded it and dropped it on a chair. Then I spread my cloak on the floor and lay down, staring at the ceiling. My body ached and my mind wouldn’t shut up.
Aric’s face kept appearing behind my eyes with his voice.. that pull.. I hated it! Eventually, exhaustion won and I slept.. Or at least I thought I did because it felt like only seconds later, a sound dragged me back to the surface.
At first, I thought I was dreaming but then I heard it again.. a low voice and a soft gasp from the other side of the wall.
Oh no.
My eyes flew wide open and the sounds grew clearer. There was the unmistakable creak of a bed followed by moaning.. moaning that could only mean one thing.. pleasure..!