"You make me rage." The red in his eyes shone and there was candor in his words because I could feel it.
"Then rage." Was all I said before he took up the space that remained between us. My voice was unsteady and short of breath. My eyes closed, awaiting death when I felt his armssnake around my waist. “What are you doing,” I whispered under my breath.
"Doing what I have the right to do. The right bestowed upon me when my betrothed broke the deal on her side," he stated and as soon as he said it everything in my system came crashing down because his lips were on mine. He nipped at my lip, eliciting a gasp from me. He used the chance to deepen his assault, his tongue caressed mine like the warmth of the sun, and I took it. Took the pleasure it gave, it made me feel like light, feel like the good and pureness it had to offer. He touched me everywhere he wanted, everywhere he needed. Caressing my hips and then tracing my inner thigh.
"Tell me, Morana. When you think of the demon, what is it that you want him to do to you?" Adrion roughly spoke against my lips, his voice sounding cruel and vicious. I immediately saw the demon's green eyes in my mind, how his eyes seemed to delve into me.
"I wanted him to keep me against his body... tightly." I gasped out when the prince pulled me flush into his body, where I could feel the muscles beneath him and the hardness that now pushed against my abdomen.
"What else?" He kissed against my neck, panting just like I was. I thought of the demon's hands, and how beautiful they had looked. "I'd want his hands on me... exploring —" I shuddered and broke out in a sharp gasp when I felt his hands trailing up my thigh. My body had a mind of its own by wrapping a leg around his hip, giving him further access.
"Exploring where?" He pulled on my hair, making my head tilt to meet his eyes. I looked into the molten heat of his gaze and whimpered when he brushed his fingers against my inner thigh. “This is not what friends do.” I gasped.
“To hell with that.” He sneered, gently gripping my heat through the sheer material, making me let out another softwhimper that he caught with his mouth. Kissing me passionately and consuming me with his fury. I kissed him back, enjoying the adrenaline, the much-needed distraction, and the overwhelming desire that had plagued me for weeks. He contained my pleas with his mouth as he nudged his finger inside me. It filled me and yet what I craved was beyond ravenous, I shifted my hips and began moving myself to create more friction. Adrion chuckled deviously, “Such a needy brat.”
Suddenly the noise from the ballroom was back and the light seemed to shine brighter. "Your highness, your presence is needed." Inanov's voice cut through whatever lustful haze Adrion and myself were in, it had felt like being dumped in iced water.
Adrion froze against me and gently put my leg down, without turning fully, he angled his head towards Inanov and firmly said, "Fuck, Inanov. Your timing is impeccable as always.” With a frustrated sigh, he then said, "We’ll be there in a few moments." With a stern nod Inanov made his way to leave, not before looking at me with a disappointing look on his face. I looked away instantly, an odd feeling settling within my core.
The door shut and Adrion sighed. I was not surprised when he smoothed out my hair and my skirts. "There, looking as regal as you were, my dear warrior," he muttered. Then said, "Let's mingle around and then call it an early night, perhaps food poisoning would be a good excuse."
"No," I suddenly said, Adrion raised an eyebrow. I blushed. "As much as I would love that plan. My family... the arena. They're supposed to be performing tonight, Adrion."
"And you would love to see them," the prince answered, giving me a reassuring smile.
"Yes." I let out a relieved breath and met his smile.
"Consider it done," he answered.
***
The guests were seemingly more cheerful and louder due to the consumption of all the wine distributed. Colfe, the foul man, was spotted holding court with a noble woman in front of a fountain that sprouted golden champagne. If no one was looking, I bet that he'd be swimming in it. I couldn't help but wonder what Red was up to and if he was having fun wherever he was stationed. Izlana stood beside her brother, whispering to him with her eyes darting to me from time to time. They could be plotting against me and yet somehow, I held no fear of what they might bring because something inside me made me feel sure of myself. Adrion frowned as he looked among the guests and the still open garden that was vacant. "What's the matter?" I asked. The prince continued to stare at the garden to then look up the dais where his father was seated. The king, as if feeling eyes were on him, caught Adrion's gaze.
"The arena warriors have not arrived yet. They're late." Something inside me plummeted. I realised it was hope, slowly falling in specks.
"What do you mean? They’re never late. Where are they?" The questions came out in a flurry. Adrion put a palm on my shoulder and squeezed. "You will see them. My father might know something; I’ll speak to him," Adrion spoke softly and left my side to walk up the dais.
The hairs on my arm stood just then. The shadows inside me swirled and my defences were raised. A bright flash of a knife, the dark figure moved so quickly beside the dais that I almost thought my eyes were fooling me. A royal guard beside me brushed past and everything happened in slow motion.
"Adrion, get down!" My voice was loud enough to quieten the room; I forcefully took the spear out of the guard's hand. Adrion turned to look at me startled, yet complied when I threw thespear. It soared through the air hard and fast, going above his head towards the king, the guard I had taken the spear from, pushed me into the ground. The spear struck its target and made a sickening sound when blood splashed onto the golden floor. The dark figure, who had been mere inches from killing the king, collapsed to the ground. Screams erupted and the crowd became chaos.
"Let go of her, you fool," a voice said from behind me. "Can't you see she just saved the King from an assassin?" Diavelo shoved the guard off with the flick of a finger.
The king rose up from his throne, eyes wide, darting from me to the figure on the floor. Diavelo then stood in front of me and whispered, "You might want to close your eyes." Was all he said before blinding light shot through the room. The room smelled bitterly sweet and overwhelming with light magic. I squinted from behind Diavelo, watching as the king created a sharp trident of light that looked like it had been cut from the sun itself.
"Who sent you?" The king lifted the dark hooded figure whose throat gurgled up and spat out blood. The assassin spoke lowly and said something into the king's ears that made him snarl and shove the trident into the man's head, causing the body to explode and leave nothing but ash in its place. The little girl inside my mind cowered and I couldn't help but look away. Diavelo moved his head to cover my view, my body was trembling and I was sure he could feel it. My eyes found Adrion who was shouting orders to the guards, shutting the doors and securing the area. My eyes went back up to the dais, to the king who now stared at Diavelo and myself.
"The ball is over. Adrion, in my study. Now!" Was all the king said before he turned to leave. Adrion complied to his father before making his way to me, nearly looking as though he could chew off Diavelo for simply being near me.
"Your prince is nearing. Think of my offer, Morana, or else I will have to take matters into my own hands," Diavelo spoke lowly, I refused to acknowledge the shiver that overcame me when he said my name. One minute he was there, the next he was not. Disappearing without a trace except for the scent of pure unrelenting power that lingered.
"Are you alright?" Adrion caught my hand in his.
"I-I'm fine."
Izlana, whose eyes were trained on Adrion, then moved to me as she was led out of the ballroom by a guard. She tried to resist and make her way to Adrion, but her brother caught her arm and led her away. A funny unsettling feeling tugged at my heart. Something was wrong.
Something was very wrong...
