The prince's forehead met mine and he inhaled, briefly closing his eyes before opening them again. "And how is it that I talk to you? I speak the truth. You are my warrior, who to my luck- looks as you do. Am I not allowed to speak the truth?"
"No, not like that." I denied breathlessly. The prince's eyes felt warm on my skin, it felt like hot kisses the way he raked his gaze down my slightly exposed chest and the robe that now opened. His fingers, warm and hot, slowly traced my thigh.
I admit, I had allowed myself to develop feelings for the prince because I knew that he and I would never happen, there would never be love and he would never reciprocate those feelings. I deserved worse than love. But now, I am slowly starting to believe that he might somehow harbour feelings for me and that terrified me...
Suddenly all this felt too real, "You shouldn't." My breath caught when his fingers brushed over the blade that was attached. His eyebrows rose in surprise when he felt it, and his smile turned into a soft smirk when he gripped it.
"Give me a reason why I should not, warrior," he whispered against my lips. My mind could not come up with a coherent response, my thoughts were moot.
"Because I hate you." Was the only answer I could seem to come up with. The prince only chuckled lightly before he detached the fire blade from my thigh and traced the sharp end of the blade along my thigh. I closed my eyes, trying my best not to react to the feeling, controlling the shiver that wanted to sweep my body. He traced it up to my torso and up in between my breasts where I panted. I could not control the goosebumps that arose on my skin, and neither could I control the fact that this act was undisputedly turning me on.
"This does not look like you hate me, warrior," he whispered and licked his lips. My eyes were drawn to his lips with immediate effect and yet when I looked at it. All it did was remind me of how Izlana had kissed him. Softly, tentatively, and lovingly...
It pained me and brought me back to reality. Lust immediately dissipating from the air I breathed. "I am not your toy to beplayed with. I suggest you go to your betrothed for your needs and continue to ignore me like you had." My words were cutting and sharp, all made from the anger and frustration the prince had caused. Surprise had momentarily graced the prince's expression before I grabbed the hilt of my blade from his palm, moving away from his presence, heating up with white hot anger and choosing to lean over the window where I might get some air. "How do you expect me to feel?" I lashed out and instantly bit my tongue, regretting my outburst.
"I—" The prince stopped himself before taking a moment to think. I had never seen him this way before, so unsure of his words. "I was ashamed." The evident shock made its way to my face. "I was ashamed that I caused those now-faded bruises on your face from that witch who evidently wanted my head. I am ashamed that I slept, while you nearly got killed by the necromancer in Litara. And I am even more ashamed that I am a prince who cannot even provide to his people who are starving, covered in shit and drowning in poverty." I was silent. There was no amount of words that I could have said after hearing what he revealed. "I am so... so fucked up, Morana. I chose you to be my warrior, believing you were an asset after you slaughtered that cliftolight and yet also knowing that I wouldn't need you for long. That I would be rid of you as soon as I accomplished what I needed. I still doubted your abilities before we made it to Viridis Aurum. You outshined me in so many ways that should have made me envious and angry. Yet, it made me prideful and curious. I'm ashamed that the very warrior I have chosen has made me feel things that I never wanted to feel, and yet I enjoy it too much. It is shameful that all I do is want to protect you from being hurt, and yet I am the one who has chosen you to be the person who sacrifices their life for a pitiful one like mine." He was now panting and clutching at his hair. "And like a fool, I had touched you, gotten a taste of you and now it's all I thinkabout. Even after Izlana had kissed me, it could not compare, it did not wash you away from my thoughts and senses like I thought it would have." I turned to face him fully, still stunned by his sudden outburst of expression. It had not compared to his confessions in Abdera, not one bit.
His words painted a clear picture of what he truly felt, it had softened an unknown ache in my heart and made me feel too much at once. "Believe me warrior, when I say. I truly cannot have you, it is wrong for me to want you. I am promised to another, but these are my feelings laid bare for you to do what you will. So forgive me if I have hurt you." Were his last words before turning away.
"Wait." I had suddenly found my voice. Unsure of what exactly I was doing but it must have meant something because the prince halted.
"You care for me?" I asked. The prince did not turn but he answered with a melancholy chuckle.
"Is it not obvious yet?"
"Then at least—" I spoke up, being firm and clear, " —put our quarrels aside and call it a truce. If we both care for one another." I had hoped I was not rambling. "Let us be friends. I know we cannot be together and it might simply be for the best that we aren't. So let us use our feelings for a friendship." It sounded like a foul idea when the prince turned around and his eyes looked into mine because at that moment it had made me feel like reaching up to kiss him.
"Friends?" The prince smirked in challenge, but seemed to think it over carefully before putting his hand out to shake mine. "Friends it is, dear warrior.
Chapter 48
Building trust on Vows
"Astounding how the gods had made their kingdoms in their image. The Kingdom of Light—born to have the force of Apollo's blistering Sun. The Kingdom of Darkness—birthed to nourish the land in arrays of starlight and purple hues of the day by the Goddess Nocturna.
It seems like the Goddess has forgotten us and left Duvessa a kingdom of death and ruin."
Journal from a Duvessan refugee.
The tunic I wore felt easy to manoeuvre in, even in the blistering heat that the morning had brought. I felt envious that men had clothing that was by far, more comfortable than what was made for women. A small part of me wondered if Lorian would be attending the ball with his group.
The abraax demons.
I had felt like a complete fool for not having seen his true identity. Even though dangerous, the demon made immaculate clothing, but I was not too sure any longer if I still wanted him to create armours or dresses for me.
The castle help had brought breakfast into my room, not meeting my eye even when I had thanked them. Was I truly that intimidating or was I not worthy enough to be acknowledged? The food they had brought could have fed five more people. The trays were filled with cakes, biscuits and tarts all the way to eggs, cheese and cured meats. I swiftly downed what I could and was out the door before I could swipe an arm over my mouth to dust off the crumbs.
I needed to find Red, not only to ensure he was alright but because I would not have time to see him today. Inanov and I would be going through the castle's prints, learning all the exits and entrances in order to do my job. Akiel and Hulin no doubt would have made Red feel right at home but nevertheless, he was my responsibility and if anything had happened to him... if anyone hurt him. They would face my wrath, not only for Kya but also for me. I managed to find my way downstairs tothe foyer where we had first entered the castle, with archways leading to the royal gardens in all directions. I heard the sound of laughter and a clatter of other sounds echoing. Wherever there was laughter there was Red, so I followed the sound only to find him holding a wooden sword against Hulin who countered with a step back on defence. I folded my arms and walked around the ring, observing what the Apollons had taught him. When Red noticed my presence he smiled, wavering his offence stance, resulting in Hulin hitting him.
"Ouch-shit," Red cursed out and held his head.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent." I sternly scolded him before nodding to him. "Continue."
"You're giving the lad and myself stage fright," Hulin muttered before circling Red. I noticed Akiel sitting on a barrel on the opposite end sharpening his knife. He gave me a nod, I responded with a short smile and then looked back at the training in front of me. Hulin struck first, Red's movements were slightly delayed, but he dodged it right on time. I analysed Red's stance and how he held his sword, however he'd have another delayed response to a hit if he remained tense. "You have to move around, Red, don't keep your legs so firm into the ground unless you are sure that your opponent will be on top of you in seconds," I commanded. Red didn't protest and simply nodded, relaxing his stance and moving. His sword caught with Hulin's and it was now a fight of who was swifter. Red struck and did his best to get a clear hit on Hulin but even for a tracker he was fast and precise with his strikes. Red did something jarring just then—he swiped under Hulin's legs. Hulin expected this counter attack, so he avoided Red's swipe but was caught off guard when Red knocked the sword off his hand.
I beamed like a proud mother.
Red was a trickster, and slowly I realised that this was a similar move that I had used in one of my performances in thearena. It was one thing to learn it but to master trickery as a strength in fighting would make a great advantage in any duel you encounter. Besides that, it suited him, it made me see him in a different light even when he patted a scowling Hulin on his back and made his way to me. I could see it then, with how his coppery brown hair glinted in the sun's glow, he looked like the fate of trickery come to life.
