Under The Moon
1182 Words
Aria POV
Evening finally dawned upon us. The full moon was out and the maids were preparing to leave. I sat on the bed, dressed up as usual. I was feeling nervous. What if I'm caught not haunting. I already lied about my age.
Immediately, I heard a soft knock on the door.
"Aria, we are leaving now. Come on" someone said.
"Coming!" I yelled back
"We'll be waiting outside" she added.
"Sure!" I wore a fake smile and walked out. They all laughed their way, heading into the woods.
"I'm heading south. Animals from the south taste so good"
"I'm hungry already!"
I felt disgusted but, I understand. They are wolves and it's normal for them.
"Which way are you going Aria?"
"Um, west" I just mentioned anywhere.
"There's nothing at the west side. Come with us"
"I like the west side. Don't mind me" I said and kept heading west.
I finally lost track of them. What a mess. I heard howling everywhere. It was so noisy and dark but the moon was kind enough to shine it's bright light down.
I sat on a fallen log for some minutes.
"I can go back now " I said.
I stood up, wanting to leave. Someone touched me from behind. I turned swiftly and pointed a knife at his neck.
"My prince" I dropped the knife.
"You really know how to deal with knives" he said.
"Why are you here? I heard the west isn't a good place for hunting"
"I know, I was heading back when I saw you. You don't look like you hunted. Are you scared?" He asked me. He's going to find out my truth. I'm not up to 18 yet.
"I'm sorry I hid it from everyone but..."
"Let me guess, you are having a late phasing?" He asked.
Late phasing? Yes! Why didn't I think about that?
"How do you know?" I asked him, pretending.
"It's normal. I also had a late phasing. Once you're able to shift, I'll be the first person to hunt for you" he said, wanting to touch my shoulder. I bent and picked up my knife.
"I should leave now" I said.
"Aria?" He called my name. I rolled my eyes and turned to gaze at him, wearing a cute look.
"Yes, my prince?"
"If you're hiding anything from me, please tell me now. I won't be able to protect you if anything happens" he said. I frowned. Why do men think all women need them to protect them? Just like Natalia, she always depends on her.
"I don't need your protection, my prince" I growled, trying to hide the anger in my tone. He moved closer to me with his face very close.
His eyes were right in front of me that I could see the moon's reflection in them.
"Trust me, you'll need my help one day" he said. We were both exchanging breath. He was getting closer and I, who was mad at him before was finding it hard to breath. His breath didn't seem good, I'm sure it's tasting blood.
"What...what if I never need your help?" I asked, in a soft voice. His thumb rubbed the bottom of my lips while his lips was slightly open.
"You're a woman Daphne, you'll beg me to kiss you one day because you'll need it" he said.
He immediately left my side and walked away. Bloody hell!
What was I thinking? I made him touch me.
.
.
The next morning, I was done bathing Todd. He was preparing for his lesson as usual.
He wore his uniform and gazed at his reflection on the mirror.
"I'm more handsome than Vallin, don't look at him" he said.
"Of course you are" I replied.
"Oh, I mean it Aria" Todd said. I sensed the seriousness in his voice. I swallowed hard.
"I don't know what you're talking about, my prince"
"I was there last night. I saw Vallin touch you. I want to be the only one to touch you like that Aria" he said.
I can't believe he watched what happened last night. Even I can't get it off my head. It kept playing over and over again, including the kiss part.
"We'll be late. Let's go for your lesson" I said, trying to change the topic.
"No, I'll go myself. If Vallin sees you again, I'm sure he'll lost his senses. Find something else to do or rest up in my room" he said and left.
Prince Vallin and Prince Todd are both in love with me. How do I tell them I'm not interested in any of them. I need to focus on the main reason I was here and find my mother. I can't ask Edward for a favour now, even if he owed me one but I know some other guards who owed me.
I head out of Todd's room immediately and went to the dinning table to join them serve.
I tried not to engage in any eyes contact with Vallin or Todd throughout their time there. The king finally asked a question that made me almost flop.
"Have you found the girl yet?" He asked.
"Not yet father. I asked the villagers. They said they heard the fight and they knew it was a girl. Some even saw her flee"
"She must still be in the city. Keep finding her. I must pay her handsomely" the king said.
What a joke! Pay her handsomely!
"I'm off father" Todd said and stood up.
"Of course, have a nice lecture" the king Saud. Todd walked pass Vallin and left. Vallin kept staring at me, wondering why I wasn't going after Todd.
Todd was right, if I'm there, he won't be in his right senses. Disappointed, he left.
.
After cleaning the table, I walked to the kitchen and found Natalia there. I've been expecting her for days and all of those days, she came today.
"Hello Aria girl" she greeted, wearing a cute smile.
"What do you want?" I asked her. Her hand landed on my cheek. She just slapped me. I pretended not to be surprised.
"Is that how you talk to your head maid?" She asked.
"Do forgive me, I lost my manners"
"Find it again and stay away from Vallin! You've taken my girls away from me. They don't serve me anymore, they now want you. But, I'm sorry to disappoint you, I won't give up the title of the palace head maid to you" she said.
"I also won't take it, even if given to me. I don't want it" I said.
"I don't like you Aria and i don't trust you" she said.
I bowed.
"I understand. I'll leave now" I said and wanted to leave.
"And yes, tell Vallin you aren't interested in him so he can stop going after you" she ordered.
"But I..."
"No but! Do as I say or go to hell" She yelled and left. She didn't even let me complete my words. I already tried to tell him, but he was still insisting.
- Writer
