Chapter Sixteen
1129 Words
Aria's POV
Calix had a way of charming women.
Not me.
Just, normal women.
If he didn't, then Lila would not have moved onto the path in front of us.
With her maids falling into five steps behind her like flies to rotten foods.
When we all got the bed of water lilies.
Lila stopped to admire them.
“I don't believe we have been introduced properly," she said with a warm smile. "I only hear the maids whispering about the lordship Calix”
"You can call me Calix, your highness."
She cornered a smile. “Nonsense” she bent down to run her fingers through the water. "How can such a man of noble name be called just ‘Calix’ surely the witches of the coven could show more respect."
“Unlike the wolf clan, witches have no desire to be worshipped"
Calix simply stood beside me, while I watched as Lila admired the water lilies with such graceful gestures.
“You know what they say about water lilies…. No matter how beautiful they are, they could be used by nixies to trap humans and drown them into the water.”
She said calmly.
“I presume everything has a history of its own..” Calix said, arms behind him.
“You're right.” She rose up with one of the flowers
"Even us." Letting the flower slip from her fingers. "You know it's generous of you to make the journey. I admit I wouldn't have ever known how handsome a warlock could be."
She smiled but her piercing gaze was directed to me.
I wanted to say something without having her neck compressed under my pressure but I didn't think it was possible.
And she knew.
It was as though she was here to taunt me, push me to my edge and test my patience. Royally.
Too bad, Calix was doing a good job matching her hypocrisy.
“Generous," he stroked his chin. “You speak as though I made my journey out of leisure.”
She chuckled, taking a dry napkin from one of her maids and wiping her hands clean “Certainly not. Everyone knows your reason is quite serious and going out of control.” She paused. "Despite our histories."
“Our past does make us what we are." Calix replied.
“It also makes the rules that guide us and helps to keep us ‘safe’’’ she added, narrowing her gaze towards me.
“Your husband should let you in the court room once in a while. You're graced with wisdom he could pick from"
“You flatter me." She said almost immediately, quick to take the compliment other than letting it settle.
When she finally got the sarcasm, she pressed her lips to form a thin line.
"You're right. My husband is less informed about the histories” she said, looking up at Calix who stared back with those unreadable green eyes "The wars, and what the witches did. The bloodline attacks and spells. How the witches embedded in wolf packs specifically to destabilize them from within.” She glanced at him. "Centuries of it. I think it is reasonable that wolves remember.”
"It is," Calix agreed, though Lila's expression shifted, apparently she had expected more resistance.
" Wolves should absolutely remember what witches did,” he continued in the same pleasant tone. “And witches should absolutely remember what wolves did before that. The bloodlines they burned and hunted all because a wolf Alpha decided that power he could not control was power that should not exist.” He tilted his head slightly.
Lila's pleasant expression did not shift but something behind it recalibrated.
“Regardless," she said, flipping her hair. " The tension between our kinds is not something that resolves itself over a garden walk.”
" No,” Calix agreed. " It doesn't.”
We walked for a few steps in silence, the damp grass on the pathways holding our footprints behind us.
“What is interesting, " Calix said, almost to himself. “Is that whole wolves and witches have spent years blaming each other.. The Rogue wolves have destabilized more covens than wolves ever did and they have raided more wolf packs than any witch's curse."
Surprisingly just thinking of the rogues brought my memory back to Alpha Valdric.
I wondered if anyone had ever seen him one on one.
“My husband is working towards peace, I believe he will address the matters of the rogues…
Suddenly Calix bursted into a fit of laughter.
He composed himself only after a few seconds had passed and none of us had a clue to why he reacted that way.
" Excuse me Mr Beckwood…”
" Evergreen.” He corrected me.
His tone became stern. "You asked how I would be addressed and I would appreciate it if you added ‘Evergreen’ to my name”
Lila's lips twitched.
“Rogues have been existing long before your beloved. I advice you to talk him out of any stupid decision he plans on making concerning them"
Lila opened her mouth to say something in defiance or to defend herself.
“My lady."
We all turned and one of Elias's personal attendants stood at the garden entrance, slightly breathless.
" His highness requests your presence,"
She looked at the attendant and then back at us.
"I hope to pick up from where we left” she nodded curtly before following the attendant.
Both I and Calix watched her leave, and when it was just both of us I turned to him, though he was already staring at me with his usual calm expression.
“Thank you." I said. “for standing up for me…"
" I can't blame her if she sees you as a threat." He said calmly.
A moment of silence lingered for both of us.
“I know you don't like it here" I said to him.
He stared at his reflection on the waters briefly before looking away.
“It's overbearing, seeing the faces of small minded creatures" He agreed. “But the reason I'm here isn't small minded at all” he looked up to me with a smirk..
I formed a small smile. "About you saying I'm remarkable…
"I meant it.”
I stepped closer towards him and he barely moved or reacted “I know." Pausing “I just need to feel remarkable."
He c****d his head sideways. "What are you asking of me Aria?”
"Your help.” I looked away towards the water "to wield whatever power I now possess."
His lips curved before he reached for my hand, his warm hand wrapped over mine as he brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly.
"With pleasure.”
- Writer
