The Prince’s Bride

Another man’s woman.

“Looks like water, but it’s heat. Sits on sand, lays on concrete. People have been known to follow it everywhere, but it gets them no where, as all they can do, is stare.” Dalia listens to the words of the man in front of her. Words that sound familiar to her hearing, yet, it seems her brain can not recall.

As her gaze passes by Lucien, a gulp goes down her throat, while Lucien can only nod at her in believe, before her gaze goes back to the elder whom  has her time ticking. All in Dalia’s mind, she forbids to fail a riddle as this, as if she does,   there is no telling the length at which her sombre will go, especially when it’s just the beginning of the competition.

How is that to be told? Dalia questions herself.

With her brain still cracking at what such words will define, whereas she hasn’t come across such riddle in her latest readings, yet, she believes it is familiar. Where she knows it from, that, she can not recall.

‘Heavens, help me! Do not put a shame on me!’ Dalia pleads subconsciously, as her eyes battles all round, wanting to figure out an answer.

“You have sixty seconds, Dalia.” The elder speaks, taking Dalia’s nervousness to escalate. Seeing her physique, and feeling the disturbing emotion that begins to rile up Lucien from his mate, especially when he at this moment, there is nothing he can do to help her, as the only one he thinks of, is that of which he does by placing a hand on hers, reassuring her to lengths.

As though Dalia reading through his mind as her gaze now locks with Lucien, feeding her reassurance upon if she knows no answer to her question, he is still proud of her, yet, it doesn’t just work that way to Dalia, as this is something she has promised Lucien right from the beginning, about making her best to it. 

A deep exhale escapes Dalia’s lips, as her eyes go shut, placing herself in a state of reminiscing, that she goes back with her thought on where such words do feel familiar. 

“Twenty seconds.” The elder reminds her, whereas Dalia only goes deeper in her memory, until a certain brief of the past surfaces through her eyes, instantly making her gaze to go open, to have them landing directly on the elder.

“A mirage.” Dalia’s words finally come with confidence tracing her lips, whereas the elder stares at Dalia as though trying to read what it is she has just done, and if, the dampening is not on her arm, it will be believed she used her powers, yet, it can’t be so, as all odds are against such. The elder remaining silent, so as everyone who stays in suspense of wanting to know who is loosing and moving ahead, as when the elder finally nods his head in approval, the confidence on Dalia’s lips is replaced by a bright and proud smile.

————————-

“You are always one to put on a show, Dalia Delvinkin.” Jullian standing in front of Dalia speaks to her with a smile on his lips, taking Dalia to chuckle lightly.

“I do not know of what you speak of.” Dalia acting innocently, takes a chuckle to lightly escape Julian’s lips with her words.

“Yet, you seem to carry everyone’s gazes.” Julian adds, as Dalia can only smile appreciatively. “All in all, you have done well.” Julian admits.

“Thank you Prince Julian.” Dalia nods.

“Please, call me Julian.”Julian speaks as that takes Dalia by surprise, while she stares at him with perplexity.

“I believe I haven’t met your second?” Dalia beginning to feel the conversation have second meanings, changes their conversation.

“Oh yes, my apologies.” Julian says. “Unfortunately, she seems to be in a conversation with the others. I’m certain your introduction to her will be soon, need not worry about so.” Julian adds with a smile which Dalia finds handsome, yet, as soon as such thoughts enters her head, a deep drop of melancholy fills her.

“Are you alright?” Julian noticing her physique speaks.

“Yes I am...I just believe it’s time I return back to Lucien.” Dalia speaks forging a smile to come her lips, as when her words end with the remembrance of Lucien, so does her smile become genuine.

“Of course. I know the mate bond is something of a pulling force.” Julian nods his head as Dalia’s eyes go wide in perplexity at how Julian will know of such information.

“Did you perhaps read my mind again, prince Julian?” Dalia asks with a slight bend of her neck.

“Not at all Dalia.” Julian chuckles lightly. “It’s not something one can hide when everyone can see his marking on you.” Julian speaks as that only takes Dalia’s eyes to bulge, while her hands move to her neck instantly.

“Is it extremely obvious?” Dalia inquires from Julian still with bulging eyes, feeling shyness creep up to her, as her hair is doing no justice to cover it considering all it does is curl. Julian seeing her reaction, chuckle lightly at her demeanor.

“Yes it is Dalia, and I believe it is something you need not be shy about. I hear the mate bond is something extraordinary.” Julian adds, as Dalia can only nod at his response, while her hands descend from her neck. “My next words to you Dalia may sound unexpected, but it is just as a gesture of good will by inviting you to my palace.” Julian’s words come as it does take Dalia unexpected.

Dalia’s mouth opens slightly, of being indecisive of what her response will be. “Thank you for your invitation, it is well appreciated, yet, I believe I will have to seek Lucien’s opinion on your invitation.” Dalia eventually speaks, as Julian nods his head in understanding with a smile on his lips.

“Where is Lucien by the way, I presume I can ask him directly.” Julian speaks with a smirk on his lips, as Dalia can only form a forged expression, before her gaze rotate to actually find her mate. Dalia’s gaze eventually lands on Lucien, as the beginning of her rage begins seeing Lucien speak to a princess whom she has zero tolerance for, while her gaze hardens.

Princess Jelevene.

“Easy tiger, you’re beginning to cloud up my head.” Julian’s words come, as that takes Dalia’s attention to gaze at him at a perplexed view, until realization finally hits her, about the kind of powers Julian carry.

“My apologies.” Dalia gulps vividly. “I believe it is time I take my leave. Thank you prince Julian.” Dalia not giving room for anymore conversations bids Julian farewell, as all he can do is let her go knowing his words can not stop her anymore. 

And so does Julian watches a woman named Dalia leave his presence with a piece of him with her. A woman whom has managed to peak his interest, when no one else can, also a woman whom he knows he may have to fight to even win her attention, yet, it is a possibility that lingers in the prince’s head, as never in his life as something which belongs to someone else, ever interest him, but here he finds himself, having great interest in another man’s woman.

——————

Dalia rocks the little child in her arms, hearing his unending cries that seems to echo throughout the room, along with her aching feet of Sebastian not wanting to let her sit with him. 

As she tries to place the feeder in his mouth, so does he decline it for the numerous times she can’t recall, as all she can do is sigh and continue to sing to the crying infant. 

“What bothers you, Sebastian. Talk to me.” Dalia speaking to the child as though he can hear her, when all he does is cry to the point she begins to feel overwhelmed and frustrated about the what May bother the little one.

Sebastian not taking it any easier, rises his tone in tears, as that alone fears the heart of Dalia, while she begins panicking on the reason why Sebastian is shedding this amount of tears. Something he never does.

Her legs aching, her arms tired, as well as her eyes which has not seen sleep for that time of the day, as not only that has her eyes not seen, but with the absence of Lucien since they got back to the zeak palace.

His absence disappearing after placing a kiss on her forehead, as he left for a call by a man named Marcel, one whom he introduced her to, as his beta. Dalia not even knowing which she should get more upset and frustrated about, either of not seeing Lucien till this hour and not hearing anything from him, while her heart pulls to him and he knows it, or the continuous cries of Sebastian that bothers her.

“Hush, little Sebastian, Dalia’s here. Dalia is going to buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring turns brass, Dalia is going to buy you a mockingbird.” Dalia’s song begins to echo the room, as her voice sweetens the tone of the song that it does get Sebastian’s cries to deduce, until a knock comes through her door.

Dalia continues with her song, fearing for the little one to begin his cries again, as she opens the door to her room, revealing the presence of the one man her heart clings for and also the man whom seems to have upset her.

Seeing Lucien by the door, Dalia doesn’t say any word to him as she leaves the door open, and walks away from it, while Sebastian seems to begin his cries when her singing stops.

“What bothers the little one?” Lucien’s voice comes, as Dalia have to control herself from not running to him at the sweetness of his voice.

“I don’t know, and if I did, I believe I would have solved his tears.” Dalia sparing Lucien a slight glance, as her words do come as perplexity to Lucien hearing the harshness, that it doesn’t take a layman to know that, his mate may indeed have something in her mind.

“Has he been fed?” Lucien decides to not to judge too quickly as he further asks.

“He has refused to.” Dalia still not sparing him her attention, answers him briefly, as with that Lucien can no longer keep his patience.

“Have I perhaps offended you, my love?” Lucien going closer to Dalia speaks.

“Don’t my love me.” Dalia outburst to Lucien taking him by surprise at her fierceness. “Perhaps, if you hadn’t left me all alone and gone for so long hours, without even as giving me an explanation that I will see you this late, perhaps, Sebastian will not cry this much. Or probably if you hadn’t been speaking to the princess who solely wants to see my head on a spike, then perhaps, I may actually have found what bother Sebastian and not have my mind wandering to you upset.” Lucien listens to the outburst of Dalia, as he begins to question himself of how the words of his absence now affects Sebastian.

Lucien not saying a word to Dalia, as his gaze remains on her, watching her lips pressed into a thin line as she passes him side glances while rocking Sebastian, before his lips begins to curl up into a smile at her reactions. One which he finds adorable.

Still not with a word, Lucien furthers closer to Dalia, reaching her closely, until he towers her height, staring deep into her orbs, as he takes the crying child from her arms, all while Dalia lost in his gaze that she willingly let Sebastian go.

As Lucien’s gaze leave hers, so does her sanity comes of what has just happened, whereas her lips open to say words but close shut of not knowing how to create her words, especially seeing Lucien begin to rock Sebastian beautifully, and to intrigue matters, Sebastian who has his body radiating with cries, coos down gradually until no sound erupts from his lips, taking him to peace in Lucien’s embrace.

Dalia scoffs loudly at the scene in front of her, not believing her eyes at how easily Lucien is able to get her brother calm, when all she has been doing is trying.

“Move in with me, my love.” And as though Dalia can not get enough of what her night is bringing, Lucien’s words comes as she stares at him with utter solemnity present in his eyes, regardless of what tantrum Dalia has just displayed.