Chapter Thirty-Nine #2
‘Forgive me for not being too pleased to have woken up in here, confused and alone, only for you to pretend like it hadn’t even happened at all.
I was beginning to believe I dreamt it, that my unconscious mind had wanted it so badly that it convinced me it was so.
’ His arm finds my waist, and he pulls me into him, and I look up at him, unable to hide how it excites me.
‘As if a dream could conjure up something so perfect.’
‘Oh yes, sweet talk your way out of it, that’ll work with me.’ I roll my eyes playfully.
‘I just didn’t think you’d want me to be so open about it in front of everyone. I will make sure to announce it next time, Princess.’
I poke a finger into his chest. ‘As you should.’
He gazes down at me, and I can feel the beating of his heart vibrate into my body.
How had I not seen before, the way his skin creases at the corners of his eyes when he feels happiness, how he has one dimple in his left cheek, an indent I have to fight the urge not to touch, to feel how it deepens when he beams at me.
Oh gods, how beautiful and sacred it feels when he smiles at me, like a painting on the ceiling of a Cathedral, of a god appreciating what is too small to touch. What he yearns to feel under his fingertips.
‘What did you want me to see?’ I whisper, immediately regretting talking at all. I could’ve stayed like this for an indefinite amount of time. Just him and me, as we are. Without context. Just two people breathing in the company like it’s the purest form of air.
He brings his hand to my head and rubs his thumb over my cheek. ‘Have a look in the trunks,’ he says, tilting his head vaguely to where they sit.
I nod, looking to his lips before leaving his touch for the luggage. I crouch down, placing a hand on the metal ring, hesitant for some odd reason. What could he possibly have in here, that he just had to bring me here to see, with such urgency?
‘Nothing’s going to jump out at me is it?’ I ask him, in all seriousness.
‘Of course, you’d think me so cruel. Just open it, would you,’ he laughs. Feeling no more reassured, I take a breath and pull, the metal hinges of the lid groaning as the mouth of the first trunk opens to reveal – clothes.
‘You brought me dresses? If they’re Calli’s, just know I barely fit in this one of hers.’
Running my fingers over the nearest emerald pile of fabric, it hits me, the musky smell of firewood, mingled with the freshness of cotton, of lavender.
‘They’re yours.’ They’re mine.
‘When did you…’ I trail off, digging into the trunk, pulling out dresses I’ve worn for years, ones I’ve only had the occasion to wear a few times, and at least three my mother had made for me before my initiation ceremony.
Cream, burgundy, blue. Lined with gold, or silver, or woven with leaves of green and pink flower decals.
‘I thought you’d feel more comfortable meeting the emperor, if you had your own clothes – that you’d feel more up to the role of bargaining princess if you were dressed like one.’
Speechless, I don’t look up. That’s where he went the night before we left Daegon Manor. To Reyhen. For my things. Like he knew how inadequate and ill-prepared for our meeting I’d feel, before I’d even felt it myself.
When I rummage through the bottom of the trunk, pushing through a white chemise, a silk bonnet, dark velvet ribbons, something clinks to the wood.
A full sound, something of real substance falling free from the gaps in the fabrics.
I reach in, grasp the thing, cold and solid, attached to a thin, slinking chain and drag it to the surface.
I recognise it instantly, the oval shape, carved vines in the silver surface of it. I turn it over, just to confirm it is exactly what I think it is. The initials A.D. engraved within a heart.
I look at him with pure disbelief. ‘Eliaz, you didn’t.’
He shrugs, with nonchalance. ‘I was already in the castle, and I thought to myself, none of these pieces of jewellery seem fit for a future queen, none are worthy of hanging around your neck.’
‘So, you thought you’d steal from my mother? Eliaz, she will have noticed this is missing already.’ I clamber to my feet, my chest tightening with the panic. ‘This is her prized possession. How did you even find it?’
‘Even the Queen of Reyhen has to bathe every now and then. And I happen to be very good at going unnoticed as I rummage through vanities. I think I would’ve made a very good thief, if I wasn’t king.’
‘It doesn’t seem like being king gets in the way of such a dream.’
‘You’re mad at me,’ he decides, sighing at me.
I run my thumb over my mother’s initials, feeling the curve of the letters on my skin.
A subtle smugness bubbles up in me, the thought of my mother running around the castle, frantic, crazed.
I smile at the thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment of Eliaz’s ability to mess with her in my absence, to aggravate her as I would have done if I was still there with her.
‘No,’ I say. ‘I just wasn’t expecting it, is all.’
‘Good. May I?’ he asks, taking a step closer.
I nod, letting the pendant fall into his outstretched palm, then turning my back to him.
His fingers brush the skin of my neck as he pushes my wild hair over my shoulder, my body heating, feeling the electricity of him as it surges into me.
He brings the pendant over my head, and I hold it there as he clasps the chain together behind me.
When the chain falls, linked, I feel his breath on the side of my neck, his hands sliding down my arms as he brings his lips to my skin.
I melt into him, closing my eyes and seeing only stars the colour of his eyes in the darkness there.
He kisses again, a little further down, his hands on my waist now, luring me into him, willing me to close the gap between us.
When we come together, I bring my hand up behind me, to the nape of his neck, feeling his hair, my fingertips hot as though the red pigment is capable of burning.
He switches sides, kissing quicker, quick nips of his lips, teasing me. A newfound method of torment.
I have to employ all my energy in order to keep from moaning.
He must sense this, for he tugs at one of my hips with enough pressure so start turning me, and following the silent instruction, I pivot until we are face to face once again.
He has that hunger in his face again, his lips already gravitating towards mine. I prepare to fall into him again.
But I do not get that far.
Clattering commotion arises outside on the deck, screaming voices, and frantic footsteps. Eliaz curses, bashing his forehead into mine.
‘We should go,’ I whisper, reluctant.
‘This better be worth it,’ he replies.
And it is.
‘I can see it!’ the cabin boy shouts up to us from our place at the top of the stairs. ‘The mainland, it’s right there! Clear as day.’
Eliaz scans me up and down, slowly. ‘Seems like you better get changed then, Princess.’
Gulping down the immediate anxiety, I nod. He steps down a few stairs, so that our eyes become level.
‘Wear the red. I bet you could compel anyone to do anything for you in red.’