CHAPTER 02_ Midnight Encounter
1167 Words
I stepped out of the bedroom, seeking refuge from the emotional storm inside of me.
The dark hallway wrapped me up in silence as I tiptoed.
My bare feet barely made a sound. I wasn’t trying to disturb anyone anyway.
All I needed was a glass of water to quench my thirst.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Are you trying to flee?” He laughed
I froze, jumping as my heart skipped beat by beat.
“Who’s there?” I demanded, trying to hide the terror in my voice.
“Prince Elvis.”
I moved in yesterday, but my path hadn’t crossed the path of the princes.
I haven’t met any of them either, but my friend Scarlet has. She has a terrible crush on Prince Elvis.
The figure stepped from the darkness into the dim light that seeped in from the window and my heart stopped breathing that moment.
His chiseled features seemed carved by the gods themselves. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, sending shivers down my spine. He was only a few inches away from me now.
"What brings you out here at this ungodly hour?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.
I swallowed hard, my mouth dry.
"Just... needed some air and water"
Prince Elvis raised an eyebrow.
"In the dark? Alone?"
He moved past me with his broad shoulders brushing against mine and flipped the light switch.
The reflection made me squint. By the time I opened them, his eyes were settled on me, roaming over my slender frame, lingering in my thin nightgown.
I fizzled under his stare, attempting to shield myself away from his intense state.
"I couldn't sleep," I admitted, trying to deflect his attention.
But I failed woefully.
Prince Elvis nodded sympathetically, his expression softening. Was he listening to me or lost staring at my body right now?
"Join me." he urged, in the most subtle voice ever.
He gestured to the glass of amber liquid beside him.
"Whiskey?" "It'll calm your nerves." He added.
I hesitated.
"Come on, sit down" he urged, his tone gentle.
As we sipped our whiskey in silence, Prince Elvis's presence enveloped me. The scent of his cologne, and the sound of his steady breathing, all blended together.
“What’s your name?” He inquired.
“Ava Black” I mumbled silently.
"Tell me, Ava," he said, his voice low and husky.
"What do you hope to find in Everston Manor?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"I... I'm not sure." I stammered.
Prince Elvis's eyes crinkled at the corners.
"Perhaps you'll find what you're looking for then," he laughed.
His words sent a flutter through my chest, as I wondered what he meant by that statement ?
---
For the next few minutes, we sat in silence, seeping the drink. The whiskey's warmness spread through my veins, easing my tension. However, seated across from the Prince, it created a different kind of tension.
"What makes you think I'll find what I'm looking for?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Prince Elvis's smile hinted at secrets.
"Everton Manor has a way of revealing truths." "Sometimes, it's what we least expect."
"I'm not sure whether I understand," I admitted.
Prince Elvis leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone.
"Sometimes, the things we seek are right in front of us. Other times, they're hidden in plain sight."
His eyes locked onto mine drifted again, and I felt exposed, like he could see right through me.
I crossed my hand over my chest. He laughed.
“Don’t hide them, they are beautiful.”
A flutter rose in my chest.
"I also think you'll find that Everton Manor has its own way of revealing secrets."
What secrets? What truths? He doesn’t even know what I seek for, yet he talks endlessly about them.
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the room became dark.
"Seems like the manor's already starting to reveal its secrets," Prince Elvis whispered, his breath brushing against my ear.
I shivered at the closeness.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Power outage, I suppose," Prince Elvis replied.
As we sat in the darkness, his hand rested on my thighs.
"Perhaps we should head back to our rooms," I quickly suggested.
"Or perhaps we should explore the manor...
Prince Elvis's suggestion hung in the air, tempting me.
"Explore the manor... together?" I repeated.
He intertwined his fingers with mine, my body shivered as a result of his touch.
"The darkness can be... enlightening," he whispered.
I hesitated, unsure if I should trust this stranger.
But his grip was gentle and reassuring.
"Come," he urged.
I followed through, we navigated the dark corridors, our hands clasped together.
He led me to a hidden door, to what looked like a tapestry.
"This way," he whispered.
We descended through a narrow staircase. At the bottom, a dimly lit room was before us.
Ancient artifacts and mysterious symbols hung on the walls, adorning them.
"What is this place?" I breathed.
"A hidden archive," he replied "Few know of its existence."
As we explored the room, Prince Elvis’s fingers remained entwined with mine.
Suddenly, a faint noise echoed through the room.
"Someone's coming," he warned.
He quickly seized me, bringing me down, and extinguishing the candles, plunging into darkness.
Footsteps approached us, more deliberate steps
"Who's there?" a low voice growled.
Prince Elvis's grip tightened.
"Stay silent," he whispered.
After a while, the figure departed, what I suspected to be the keeper.
Only then, did I discover I was literally sharing the same air as he was.
Our faces were a few inches apart, his warm breath caressing my skin. I felt my heart racing, my pulse pounding in my veins.
I could feel his hot breath grazing my face. He didn’t flinch at the proximity of our faces. Flashes and images of engaging in a series of hot kisses clouded my image. I snapped my eyes away immediately.
Embarrassed.
He smiled, underneath the darkness enveloping us. His husky voice sent another wave of heat through me.
“If I had known you had such pretty oranges…I would have picked you myself, you probably wouldn’t have to choose.” He teased.
I smiled, my skin tingling at the fact that he called me pretty.
My subconscious kicked in. “He wasn’t referring to you, idiot.” And that was when I realized.
Shit! My n*****s were pointed, facing this man right now due to my reaction.
I prayed for the ground to open and consume me.
“Uhm, I think I need to retire” I quickly chimed in, planning an escape.
His smile grew wider “Oh that’s fine, let me take you back to your room. Tomorrow, you'll meet my brothers.
I sighed silently.
Tomorrow seemed too soon. I was obviously just getting started.
Prince Elvis offered his arm. I hesitated.
Did I really have a choice? With a resigned sigh, I accepted his escort, preparing myself for the challenges.
Against my wish.
- Writer
