DARIUSRunning my two hands through my hair I sighed deeply, letting my eyes skim down my face through the mirror that stood graciously in front of me, reflecting my full frame. I looked like any king would, poise and elegant but the dark circles under my eyes and the rough disheveled texture of my hair told another tale. I had gotten little to no sleep the past few days. I never wanted to let Audrey out of my sight, I would not let it happen again. After the doctor had brought her back I was a mess, emotional and my rage rampage was every thing but civilized and nurturing which was what my love needed at the moment. I had refused to leave her side even during her slumber I just sat by her and watched her sleep. Her lightly closed eye lose, her long lashes that fluttered against her freckled cheeks, her plum pink lips that were presses together. Her chest rose and fell quietly as she slept as beautifully as an angel. Her dark curls spread across her pillow, covering her shoulders and
AUDREY"Is there anything else you need princess?" My new personal maid Helena asked for the umpteenth time today. Honestly I couldn't count how many times she'd asked that one question. She was one of the three maids Darius assigned to wait on me hands and foot. "No thank-" I cut myself off with a sneeze, the nasal liquids landing in my napkin that I had fisted in my hands at all times. "More napkins, got it" she nodded, talking to herself as she walked into the closet. I groaned, throwing my head back into the piles of pillow that were stacked behind me. Don't get me wrong I loved them, they had so much stuffing and they were so soft. It helped with the head aches I had been getting as a result of my continuous sneezing. Candles were lit everywhere to keep the temperature as low as possible and all the windows were shut, restricting my beautiful view. It wasn't like I could even get to my window seat, before I'd make it two steps a maid would come running in looking like she had
AUDREY"Princess, everything is so beautifully done" Lady Freda beamed and I for the first time took a minute to look around the gorgeously decorated lawn and couldn't help but smile myself. The fountain water glistened under the warm summer sun, creating the perfect ambience. I let my eyes gaze around, enjoying the view. Fairy lights hung from the trees, ribbons dancing around every tree stump. Shops and kiosks stationed at each corner, little children running about with masks and kites flying in the wind. A wide smile broke out on my lips when I spotted Ryker and Lord Anthony in the distance, little noble girls dancing around them and singing, Ryker looked so uncomfortable it made me giggle. But Anthony played with one of them, twirling her around so her ball gown spun around her. "Indeed it is" I finally replied, turning back to face her. "I never knew the wolf moon festival was celebrated so grandly, it's all.. ""Amazing, yes it is" she finished for me, mirroring the smile on
AUDREYI inhaled a shaky breath, my body trembling terribly. I whimpered, adjusting my position so Rubys arms were wrapped around me properly. I was still shaking after seeing Orchid like that, she had been poisoned. And now hours later I was still mortified. It could have been me if I had worn that dress. The doctor and Darius were talking at the far corner of his chambers while I sat here, on the foot of the bed with Ruby. She tried hushing me and encouraging me to calm down and breathe, I just couldn't stop shaking. I could have been the one on the brink of death right now. But Orchid. "Thank you doctor" I heard Darius dismiss the doctor as he walked out and was lead by a guard further away. Ruby made a move to stand but I held onto her tighter, shaking my head at her. "I will come check on you in the morning my Lady. You will be fine, you have the king here with you" she smiled at me, looking towards Darius who stood there, gazing softly at me. I gazed away, letting go of Ruby
DARIUSI wasn't aware of how long I slept for but what I knew for certain was I had never slept that long in ages. Whether it was my nightmares, more like visions or I just never felt safe enough to fully surrender but as I looked at the miracle that lay sleeping in my arms I couldn't help but smile down at her. She had managed to bring absolute peace to my life and now I was pretty sure I couldn't live without her, she had me wrapped around her little finger and she didn't even know it. Turning to her I just paused and admired how stunning she looked. Her midnight dark curls were sprawled all over my chest and her face, her pink plum lips were pursed and her cute little brows were pinched together. I let my hand wander to the edge of her face where I parted the hair from her face to the back of her ear to allow me more access to her beauty. Her chest rose and fell to the even beating of her heart. I couldn't help but grant my eyes their pleasure to cast their sights on her body. Sh
AUDREYHis scent enveloped me, leaving me having flashbacks of the feeling of his hands all over me. A shiver flew down my spine, leaving a blush to crawl across my cheeks, tainting my skin for all eyes to see. I had sent the maids away shortly after they finished helping me get dressed, the sheepish smiles on their faces floating over my head. I wanted some time alone in the room I spent the first night with Darius. He was behaving weird earlier on but I didn't question it. He said he was fine. Walking around the room I let my hands graze over every surface and when I was certain the cherubims on the ceilings weren't watching I couldn't help but force his pillow against my nose, inhaling his scent deeply. I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. Yep, I was whipped. The nerve tickling butterflies set sail in my stomach, stiring me up. My eyes landed on the book he was writing in last night and I let my curiosity take over. Bending to pick the book it slipped
Writer's POVRyker saunters into the room hastily, his hand on his sword holster and the other tightly holding a piece of parchment. He stops before Darius' study room table, the large mahogany covered with a map that fell down the edges. "What do you have for me Ryker?" Darius asked, acknowledging his second in commands presence without rising from his bent over position on the table. He had a large hand on his jaw, scratching at his stubble distractedly as his piercing onyx eyes registered the intricate lines on the map that was before him, momentarily moving little miniature guards around. "Lord Odin was seen leaving the castle in haste, he most have gotten the letter and intended to leave in the dead of night undetected" immediately the words left his lips Darius had stood straight to his full length, a sinister grin on his lips. "He took the bait" he grinned, running a hand through his loose disheveled gold tendrils that dropped at his shoulders. "Like a fish on a hook line y
WRITER'S POVWith a possessive earth shattering kiss Darius had claimed her lips with a brutal passion like no other. One of his hands had moved to the nape of her neck, guiding her head while the other pulled her to his body. His lips claimed hers in ways that sent shivers flowing through her body. She felt hot, her thighs rubbing together to try create some much needed friction between her legs. It was the most nerve wrecking kiss she had ever had, from the way his tongue flicked across her lips to the way his teeth nibbled on her soft pink lower lip. His tongue thrusted into her mouth, going to every corner to taste the sweetness of her mouth. A low purr escaped his chest as her hands slid into his tendrils, tugging softly. His huge possessive hands groped her ass, making an explicit moan tear through her throat. She tried to reciprocate, their tongues dancing together in sync as little noises of pleasure flowed from Audrey's lips as Darius swallowed them up. His hot skillful lip
I beckon my ladies forward with me as I took a step into the tent but the guards stopped us. "Apologies my lady, but the Lord does not wish for any visitors. He is still with the physician so he wishes to not be disturbed"One of the guard's informed. Guess this was my sign. "Okay, no worries. We will leave then""My lady, forgive us. We were not clear, he only wishes for you to enter" I glanced towards my ladies. Camilla shook her head, telling me not to go in, Winnie shrugged and Philippa nodded at me with encouragement. "Please, wait out here for me. I will not be long" I bid them farewell as I stepped inside and the curtains closed behind me. Just a short, courteous visit. But the moment my eyes fell on Lord Sawyer, sprawled over his fur bed, half naked my throat went dry. The physician stood close to him, leaning over to inspect the bruise that had formed
Amidst the verdant lists, where valorous knights didst gather, a grand tournament unfolded, like a tapestry to ponder. The sun cast its golden rays upon the scene, as nobles, knights, and commoners congregated, their spirits serene. The air was alive with anticipation, a symphony of delight, as heralds trumpeted the arrival of the competitors, a majestic sight.The crowd's murmurs swelled to cheers, a deafening crescendo. The knights, resplendent in armor, rode forth, their banners to show.I as the lady of the tournament, stood poised, a gentle smile to bless the knights, and grant them fortune, in this test of skill and guile. With a delicate touch, I bestowed a favor, a token of esteem, a scarf, a flower, or a ribbon, to bind their hearts, and seal their dream. When I had heard I was to be the lady of the tournament I had to express my distaste for the sport to Augustine, but never to father. I could never oppose father, I could only grumble
Everyone else around us had recovered quickly, ready to change their steps while we stood there, staring at each other. I inhaled a deep breath and closed the space between us. Ryker understood and placed his hands on my waist, mine winding up his shoulder, our forms pressed. I gulped, my eyes meeting his. The last time we were this close, it did not end innocently. The way I so boldly kissed him, and for a second he kissed me back. His lips melted against mine, claimed my first kiss, his hands tainted my skin, branding me. As I stared into his eyes, the flash backs came flooding my mind. Briefly his eyes dropped down to my lips bit he quickly looked away, not quick enough for me not to notice. ♡ Song: Ma Meilleure Ennemie (from the series Arcane League of Legends) ♡She stood close to him, her body almost touching his. The music was slow and sensual, with a strong beat that seemed to pulse through thei
Azure blue eyes stared back at me, their depths unreadable, black and full of mist, but it was a pair of amethyst violet orbs that flashed behind my eyes. Plum lips painted in red tint tingles in remembrance. Warm lips pressed against mine in fevor, thirst, desire, at least that's how it felt. His hands all over me, holding me tight, claiming me, sending pleasures shivers down my whole form. And then just like that my fantasy is ruined, reality shattering all my hopes. "You look so beautiful my lady!" Philippa exclaims, watching my reflection in adoration. I smiled halfheartedly, "Thank you, Philippa" She winks at me, "I'm certain the Lord will not be able to take his eyes off you"Seriously? Was I call dolled up for someone I did not even desire, meanwhile the one I truly wished to be with could not be any further away from me, despite being within my reach. The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest they say. What was my life? I deflate into my seat, glaring at my ref
"If it was a piece of paper, I would tear it. If it was a bottle, I would break it, if it was a wall, I would tear it down - But it's my heart" ~Mahmoud DarwishThe words sunk so deeply, creating a large gap in my soul. There was just something so devastatingly beautiful about romantic poetry, I loved it to no end. The idea of loving someone to the point that you yearn for them, their very person, every inch of their skin, every habit of theirs, every peculiar trait is picked, loved and immortalized. I wished someone could love me like these poets loved their muse. I wish I could be someone's muse, but between Ryker rejecting me and father so adamant about me forming a relationship with Sir Blackwood I was very much far from that dream. Reading about such soul crushing love made me want to experience it even more, to love someone with every bone in your body. To learn a person so deeply they echoed in your subconscious, what sweet torture. Was this what the love of a mate wa
"Staying trapped in my room all day will not make me recover faster, Augustine" "But my lady, the doctor said you should rest your body. You exerted yourself too much, you even passed out" Augustine reminded me as if I wasn't there myself. I giggled, "yes, I know. I don't know if I remember correctly but I was there"Augustine scowled, "This is not the time to jest my lady. Please I would suggest-""Augustine! It has been four days already" I wave her off, turning towards the opposite direction and laying back on the dress. I watch the clouds shift, floating lazily amongst the blue firmaments. The birds sing above head, the leaves rustle with the wind, the buzz of the bees as they dance from flower to flower, the feeling of the cool midday breeze against my cheek, pollen particles drifting into my nostrils as I inhale a deep breath. "You should have at least waited a week before you were out and about again my lady. This is simply not right, why insist on laying on the dirt this w
"The lady Elara!"Panick surged through Ryker the moment Elara's form fell through the surface of the water. Fear, desperation and instinct kicked in all at once and immediately he sprung into action, tugging away his blazer and dropping it to the grass, his shoes coming off just as fast. His bewildered gaze flickered to Sir Sawyer who stared at the water, his expression unreadable. "Elara! Somebody help her, she is sinking!" Sir Sawyer stumbled back, still unmoving. Ryker ran passed him and jumped into the water, the cold water completely swallowing him whole. The initial shock from how cold the water was faded quickly as Ryker began searching for Elara. He spotted her in the depths, struggling to pull down her dress. He swam over to her just in time for her body to go limp, the strength in her muscles slacking as he fought against the flow while helping Elara pull down her farthingale. Once it was off Ryker wrapped his arms around Elara's form, pulling her to his side. At that
What was that? Did I imagine all of it? "Please come my lady. It will displease the Grand Duke if you go home so early, it is only my duty to be a good host"Elara eyed Sawyer's outstretched hand, an internal battle ravaging her mind. She looks up at me, seeing my confused and disturbed expression she could read the questions all over my face. After weighing her options she decides leaving with Sawyer was better than staying to speak to me about what just happened. So Elara places her hand in Sawyer's and he leads her away to the boats. I let my eyes linger, knowing very well how stiff and uncomfortable Elara was. She did not wish to go but she still followed the Marquese. I followed behind, settling near the shores of the pond. The Marquese aids Elara in getting into the barge with him, they sit face to face, their close distance unsettling me. The boat begins to row away from the shore giving the two some good distance away from Ryker. Sawyer watched Ryker's eyes trail on
Tents littered the grounds, nobles of different calibers crowded together, talking, socialising with drinks in hand and lips full with chatter. The gossip mongers and mamas had their own designated spot watching the young courting couples walk about, some boarding barges on the pond. Meanwhile the daughter of the Grand Duke stood far from the crowd, conversing with her cousin while Ryker was on his way with their glasses of sherbet. As he approached the two finely dresses ladies he could not help but watch in admiration as Elara laughed, her smile blocked by her fan in hand. Bad etiquette it was, to laugh so loudly with open teeth but laugh she did and the worry free, joyful chime of her laughter brought warmth to Ryker's heart. He hands the two ladies their cups, standing beside them while they gossip he took in the view. All these high class, wealthy people attending these parties under the pretense of socialising instead they only attend these to discuss each other's