Chapter 21 Eveera #2
Besides, once Baelor hears — if he hasn't already — of his precious heir being where she shouldn't be, it won't matter if there are outerland creatures littering their pathway towards me. I'll have war on my doorstep.
But if I can weaponize them… I may be able to prevent them from ever getting that close. My parents did their damndest to make sure that no matter what methods were necessary, this kingdom would remain standing. I won't disappoint them.
I feel warmth wash over me, and I bring my thoughts back to the present, to Vada's scrutinizing gaze. "Your mind is clouded." She states bluntly. "It's all those feelings."
A laugh slips past my lips, "or — and I'm just guessing here — it could be the fact that I'm trying to intercept a warfront from making its way to my borders."
She hums her disagreement. I walk up towards her, look into her prideful stare, and pat the top of her snout. "Promise me we'll get through this?"
"I will promise no such thing. I would not have chosen you had I thought you weak, that would have been a waste of my time.
" A third roll of hot steam bursts into my face as she rears her head back, her full frame dwarfing me.
She retreats into the cave mouth until all that remains visible are two glowing gold orbs glaring down at me.
"Do not waste my time with failure, human.
" The words are said with finality in them as she disappears into the darkness.
"Of course not," I mutter.
My conversation with Vada left me with nothing but a weight sitting on my chest as I sulked all the way back to my bedroom.
Thankfully, when I reach my room, no guard is lingering outside the camouflaged door. I don't think I could handle my embarrassment in polite conversation. In fact, I don't think I could handle any kind of conversation with another human at the moment, polite or otherwise.
Loosing a bit of my Wield, I lazily use it to open the stone door, slumping against it once I’m inside. My fingers come up and pinch my brow together while I let out a low and long breath. I don't know what the fu—
"That position does not look comfortable."
My breath catches in my throat, and the blood drains from my face.
Slowly, I pull my hand away and raise my head.
There, across my bedroom and leaning against the doorway to my bathroom, is a very damp, mostly naked Rorin.
He smirks, gloating at my obvious gawking as I try to make sense of him being here – in my bedroom.
Naked — well, mostly naked.
"I—"
"If you can imagine, it is incredibly difficult trying to shower with a stab wound. Hinders your motor skills a bit.” My mouth stays agape as I watch him try to re-wrap the bandage himself. “You're out of soap, by the way.”
My eyes are blinking rapidly to make sure that I'm not hallucinating this interaction, and the only words I can string together are, "you used my soap?
" Not the most important issue here. My conscience snaps, and I shake my head, pushing off the stone to stand by the side of my bed.
"How did you get in here?! Why are you in here? !"
Rorin rakes his fingers through his wet, cropped curls while walking over to the opposite side. I watch as his hands move to the edge of his loosely wrapped towel, and quickly, I spin on my heel and face the wall to avoid whatever is happening behind me.
"What the fuck?" I mouth, clearing my throat. "How. Did. You. Get. In. Here?" I repeat, placing a harsh emphasis on each word.
His laughter hits my back, and I steel my resolve against his answer, "I. Am. The. King.” Consort.
I add silently, but I don’t interrupt. “Your new squires don't exactly have spines of steel.
I said I wanted in, and they graciously opened the doors.
" Great, I think, I'll have to get rid of them now.
"Wow… you didn't flinch that time when I used my title. I knew my kisses were good, but—"
I twist back around, Wielding out a tendril that wraps around his mouth, "do not finish that sentence.
" I seethe, embarrassment burning through my skin, undoubtedly flushing my cheeks red.
I feel his grin grow underneath my magic, the subtle movement causing my skin to buzz and my serpents to writhe in a frenzy.
"I'm going to take this away now — and you are going to tell me why you are in my bedroom.
" He cocks his left brow up at me, and I ignore the sensation of him flicking his tongue out at the tendril as it slips away from his mouth.
He's clad in those same ridiculous satin sleep pants he had in Vellar, and nothing else – save for his poorly wrapped bandages. "You know if you'd stop staring for one second, I might actually believe you don't want me in here, Nightmare."
Well, unfortunately for me, that's quite difficult to do when — even injured — you look like you’re sculpted by the bleeding fucking gods.
I snap inside my mind. Vada's rumbling laughter echoes in my head, and I make a conscious effort to shove her out, not needing any more conversations about how my pathetic human emotions make her nauseous.
"That does not answer my question." I huff, leaning forward onto the mattress.
He mirrors my position, the tips of his curls flopping onto his forehead and lets out an exaggerated sigh, his face growing serious,"I told you I would not accept any more of your absence.
" The tone is final, but the eyes are soft, that sly smirk returning.
"It's alright if you don't remember, I believe I said it right after you were finished tasting the inside of my mouth.
If I were you, my memory would be a little hazy as well.
" My jaw drops more at his boldness, and he reaches across the bed, grazing my chin with his finger, "is that an invitation? "
I clamp my lips closed, my teeth grinding together from the force of it. Bastard.
Pulling away, he stands back to his full height, throwing me a wink before flopping down onto the blankets. I choke out a stunned laugh, "do not tell me you're thick enough in the head to believe that I'd let you sleep in here."
"We slept in the same bed more than once in Vellar."
"We were playing a part. To keep appearances for your fucking court." I argue.
"And now we're playing a different part — the one of a married couple. Which, according to Felix and Armond, means it's time for us to play them for your fucking court." He folds his good arm behind his head, and closes his eyes, nestling into the blankets.
On my way to the bathroom, I loose out another tendril and smack the smug and satisfied look right from his rosy lips. "Ow!" He hisses, and I grin.
"Get off my bloody bed, princeling."
When I eventually reappeared after my long and scalding shower, I found he’d abandoned the plush mattress.
He's contorted his long body into an awkward and stiff position on the chaise.
Guilt twinges in my chest for a moment, seeing him bandaged and uncomfortable.
Then I remember that he invited himself in here, and if he wants to stay, then I'll make sure he's uncomfortable enough to rethink that choice.