“Don’t look at them, look at me,” he whispers, pulling me closer towards his body. I inhale his scent, calming my heart.
“They are all staring at us. Why?”
“They are staring at you.”
I lock eyes with him, his emerald tones highlighted with golden hues from the lights. “I don’t want them staring at me.”
“I wish you could remember.” He leans in, lips almost brushing against my ear. “They have always stared at you. Never your sister. It has always been you.”
“I don’t want it.” I lift my chin, catching sight of Lykia, whose lips curl with disgust as she whispers towards Skie.Damn it.She sees us.
“Do you ever remember this?” His hand drifts slowly down my back, lingering before he drops down to my waist. “Do you ever recall those nights when I held you close, tracing every freckle on your body with my fingertips, longing to memorize the map of your skin? I can still see every detail of your skin, every curve, every scar… even if it has been centuries.”
My eyes shut, allowing him to lead us. His voice drops to a sensual whisper that makes the hair on the arms rise. “All I see is you.”
My breath hitches as my eyes widen, his warm breath tickling my neck. His movements hypnotize me, I feel his lips too close to my skin.
“It will always be you.” His nose brushes against my hair, his proximity making my eyes flutter shut to keep my composure..
“Koen, we promised—”
“Or do you remember the nights I’d kiss you, from your head down to your shoulders. Your fingers curled into my hair, never wanting me to stop for a second to breathe.”
“Koen, we can’t,” I breathe out. “We promised not to do this.”
“Do you remember when our lips touched, how it was impossible for us to ever break free?”
His fingers glide along my waist, pulling my chest towards him, filling in any distance between us.He is too close.
The violins change tempo, their notes swirling around in the air almost making the two of us impossible to separate. Koen lips curl in a defiant movement as he draws closer to mine. His emerald eyes soften, darting between my gaze and the very spot he longs to kiss.
He shifts closer, our lips so close if I dare to move, they’d touch his.
“You are too close,” I breathe out, almost begging him not to take this risk.
“I’m not close enough.”
Our eyes lock and everything else fades. The music… dead to my ears. The eyes of others disappear. The only thing that matters is getting lost in his eyes.
“I’d like to have a dance with my soon-to-be husband.” Lykia grips Koen’s shoulder, pulling us out of the lingering trance we are in. A space where just the two of us exist.
Her braids are elegantly styled into a high ponytail, showcasing the golden designs on her head and temple. Golden seashells are interwoven through her braids, along with glimmering sparkles that reflect the room's light beautifully. Her teal gown encircles her neck and flares out at the waist. A high slit reveals the muscles along her legs, and silver heels with gold fabric wrap around her legs.
We both pull away, clearing our throats as Lykia takes Koen’s hand. “Thanks for warming him up.” Her brows lift, glaring up and down my body.
“Yeah, no problem.” I dust off my dress, straightening my back as I weave through the people of the dance floor, never glancing back towards them.
I need a damn drink.
I BELIEVE I HAVE SIPPED on the same drink I poured myself for hours at this point. My knee bounces, my eyes staring at Lykia gripping onto Koen’s arm for dear life as she chats with the other Royals around the room.
“If eyes could kill…” Theon mutters out, leaning against the table I stand beside.
“Who the hell is she even talking to?” My eyes never linger from her.
He lifts his glass, pointing to the man that hovers over her, chains wrapping around his chest. “That is the King of Ekane.” Theon shifts over. “Kaine’s father.”
I lean my head back, allowing myself to sip down the rest of the drink. “I already hate him.”
