The Queen's Mate

FOURTEEN

When Eleanor woke up the next morning, the heiress was in a particularly foul mood. The agitation of the previous night’s events was getting to her and so was the pain in her head which was a consequence of getting hit with a staff by one of the mares during the fight.

With a disgruntled expression fixed on her angelic face, she took a cold shower, allowing the water to cascade down her body in shrill sheaths which felt like a cold and soothing ointment to her inner wounds. Anderson’s maniacal face kept flashing behind her eyes and so did the deathly stares of the mares which were enough to make the brunette wish to clutch the roots of her hair in irritation.

When she stepped out of the en suite, there was once again a pile of folded clothes sitting on the edge of the bed for her. On the floor were matching footwear which was surprisingly the same size as the ones she wore.

She was quick enough to put on the maroon skater dress with its skirt flowing down her waist and reaching up to her mid-thighs whilst she left her hair to air dry and left the room wearing the beige-colored flats which made her legs look longer.

She navigated through the plush penthouse all the while thinking of its owner right before she came to a stop when she saw him standing behind the kitchen counter with an undecipherable expression on his face and his brows pulled together in concern.

He hadn’t noticed her until she came closer and instantly, she saw a change in his steel black eyes; a positive one at that.

When Damien saw her, his thoughts came to a halt on their own accord as his lips too upturned into a small smile in order to greet her warmly.

“Good morning.” She chirped making him nod his head courteously as he motioned for her to take a seat by the counter right before he placed a full plate of eggs and bacon for her with a flask of freshly squeezed juice. “Th-thanks, these look fantastic.” She whispered in gratitude with a tinge of surprise in her voice because of his kindness.

He smiled again and she was sure that her heart skipped a beat at the sight. “Yes, I figured that you could use a healthy breakfast after last night’s charades.” He stated, rolling his eyes making her scoff and nod.

“Tell me about it.”

The brunette dug into her food, finally realizing how hungry she had been before. Damien almost chuckled seeing her eagerness but she still caught the ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Hey, don’t judge. I’m extremely hungry!” She protested making him break into short laughter as he raised his arms in surrender, “not judging at all, love.” He whispered charmingly whilst looking at her with curious eyes.

She was left gazing into his orbs and in the brightness of the day pouring in through the high ceiling windows, she could clearly see how distinct his eyes were. What she had perceived as onyx last night was actually the darkest hues of brown with a suppressed tinge of gold hidden in his irises.

She felt drawn into his eyes like a moth drawn to a flame. His eyes reminded her of the comfort of the darkest chocolate there was, the texture was enough to make her feel at home.

Realizing that she had been staring for far too long, she diverted her gaze to her food again and this time Damien was too busy admiring her to say anything further.

The way her brown locks fluttered around her face in the most carefree manner seemed so childlike and wholesome when combined with the relieved expression in her eyes as she gorged on the food, he made for her. It was almost like Damien had never known a satisfaction so pure. He felt like he had finally found her purpose to his eternity of existence as he watched her smile. He wished to be the reason behind her happiness and he did not understand the pull he was feeling towards the heiress.

“Did you hear from Liam and Adonis?” Eleanor asked breaking him out of his thoughts as he focused his gaze on her eyes again. It took him a moment to reply.

“Yes, they did come back last night after you slept. Anderson fled the scene once again when he saw his mares vanishing into dust.”

Eleanor felt the strong urge to scream resurface as she bit the inside of her cheek instinctively before shaking her head and ridding herself of her anger in the meantime. “Where are they right now?” She asked the Ravena in confusion.

“At your place in the Eastside. They’re getting your things so that you can come and live with us for the meantime.” He replied nonchalantly as he scrolled through his phone whilst her eyes widened and she openly gaped at him.

“Excuse me?” She muttered. “Why do I have to live here?” She asked in genuine curiousness. He gave her a look of dismay.

“Perhaps because you have an army of mares after you, following orders from a psychopath.” He jested. “It will be safer if you come to live with us for a while, at least until the threat has been resolved.”

“Why can’t you all protect me in my home?” She retorted making him roll his eyes right before he flicked his wrists and she gasped when she saw bright red shields surrounding the penthouse from outside. It was as if the place became a fortress, keeping every danger out.

“What the hell are those?” She mumbled in wonder when she turned to look back at him.

“They’re called wards. I strengthened them this morning and now, Anderson or any of the mares cannot enter the premises unless something happens to me. Which is impossible and hence, you are safe.” He explained further. “So? Now would you stay with us?” He asked softly.

She nodded, agreeing to the idea before she got up and went on to keep her dishes in the sink but she suddenly felt a sharp pang simmer through her chest as she screamed, dropping the dishes on the floor which shattered into a thousand pieces when they hit the marble floor with a loud clang as Damien rushed around the counter to catch the brunette in his arms by wrapping them around her waist in order to keep her standing.

“ELEANOR!” He screamed in alarm when a blood-curdling scream escaped her lips as she felt the sheer agony spreading through her veins and into her heart as she yelled out again.

“It hurts!” She cried out holding on to him when he hurriedly took her writhing body to the couch before sitting her down as he held her hand in hers.

“I don’t understand what’s happening…” he mumbled right before he felt her forehead with his palm and the burning temperature of her skin was a further alarm to his worries. He now knew that this was Anderson’s doing. This was no ordinary situation and he could assume that she had been somehow linked and now whatever the butler was doing, it was killing her.

He held onto the brunette before he closed his eyes letting his magic course wilding through his veins before it traversed into hers, soothing and fighting off whatever magic it was that was hurting her.

The cries and screams escaping her quivering lips were like shards of glass on his naked soul as he was instantly driven by the utter desire to soothe her and to protect her with all his might. He was yet unaware of the blue streaks of magic surrounding them once again as he continued to fight off the magic of the mares.

Eleanor’s yells began to lower as Damien continued to use his magic to heal her of her misery. She was still shivering and sniffling in pain but it was not as intense as before and that was like a cosmic relief for the Ravena.

His nose began to bleed as he continued to exhaust his magic in order to help her as her racing heart finally relieved her of the agony and she began to heal at a quick pace once again.

Damien gathered the brunette in his arms again as she wound her arms around his neck and clung onto him until it became easier for her to breathe once again.

A drop of blood dribbled down to the Ravena’s chin right before he heard Eleanor’s heart beginning to beat normally again when he finally took a sigh of relief, slumping his shoulders as he rested his cheek on top of her head while gently brushing away the tear streaks prominent on her cheek with his thumb.

“You’re okay, love, you’re okay.” He whispered to her before something got over him and he unknowingly pressed his lips to the crown of her head protectively.

Eleanor’s heart fluttered at the caring gesture as she reeled from the episode she just had. Her mind was too foggy to think straight and for now, all she cared about was that she was safe in the arms of the man who had saved her life yet again.

“Th-thank you.” She whispered with her head placed just above his heart as he held her tightly against himself. He shushed her, stroking her hair in soft, gentle motions. “Don’t speak.” He murmured softly, his eyes still wide open because of the horrifying visions he had just seen in trying to fight off the magic harming her.

He was shaken to the core as his head repeated the same images of the brunette lying still on a cold hardwood floor with the Elarma dagger plunged deep into her chest as a streak of blood escaped her lips and fire surrounded her frame whilst he watched her take her lasts breath in a helpless state.

He did not know why but as he held the brunette in his arms, he became too scared to lose her. He worried that if he ever let her go, those visions would become reality and he would not be able to do a thing about it.

He was too afraid to let anything hurt her and as of now, he did not wish to know the reason behind his feelings, all he cared about was making certain that the visions of her doom would not become reality. He was scared to even speak of those to her or anyone.

And so, Damien Ravena made a resolve in his mind to keep her safe at all costs.