Along The Prophecy

5

The air around us was silent, my world stopped moving. There was this annoying ringing, was I the one who heard it? I wish it would stop; it was hurting my ears!

The King was still holding me close and strangely, I did not mind it. I had to hold myself back from leaning into his warmth, I do not think he would like it. Even now he was releasing small growls deep from deep within his chest.

I tried to pull back; it was getting quite tiring being squished. I could feel the muscles in his arms, they were quite nice! I felt them flex against my waist as they slightly tightened when I fidgeted.

His warmth was now suffocating, it was too hot. I thought I was going to melt. I struggled in his hold, but it proved to be fruitless. He did not move an inch but let out an irritated growl which was muffled since his face was still pressed up against my neck. This was odd, did I smell that good? I only used the soaps from the market, and they smelled like lavender, perhaps he enjoyed lavender?

"Your majesty, the rest of the villagers have left." I heard a guard call out, I wonder if it was the same guard who led me and our village here, his horse was pretty!

Oh no, my village! They left and I did not even hear a squeak. I had work to do and people relied on me to get the things they need, now who would help Mr. Stone, Mrs. Emerson, or Mrs. Walters?? He ignored the guard, which was very rude of him, the guard only wanted to help.

I struggled against his hold, but it was futile. His arms closed around me with a firmer hold, his muscles pressing against me. I found myself getting distracted by his muscles, they were just so hard but warm! No Elaine, snap out of it.

"Please let go of me." I tried with my words instead of physical force instead.

"No." A growl rumbled deep within his chest.

His voice was deep and reverberated against my entire body, creating goosebumps along my arms and a small shiver to run up my spine.

"Please, I'm quite warm." I tried, despite the shiver.

He pulled back so he could look into my eyes. His gaze was ice. A glacier running its course through the arctic, unstoppable, cold, and destructive. He stared at me like he knew all my secrets, my hopes, and my dreams. He was electrifyingly dangerous.

"What's your name, wirena?" He muttered, his tone low.

"Elaine." I wonder what wirena meant. Maybe it is a word from the ancient tongue? I hope it does not mean anything bad.

He nodded once with a simple jerk of his head and promptly unwound his arm from around me taking his warmth with him and leaving me prisoner to the cold air swirling around the great hall. I shivered, for the regular reason this time. The king glanced at me once more and quickly turned around walking towards a staircase, making it obvious that I was to be following him.

"Where are we going?" I hastily walked over to him since he did not stop for me to catch up. How rude!

Moving at this speed made the wind in the castle rush past me. Why is it so cold here? Could they not afford a fire? How could one own a huge castle but no fire, tis like owning a pond but no fish!

"To rest." His reply was quick, clear cut.

Gah! How could he? Could he not see that I did not require rest but permission to leave?! He was King so I needed his allowance. I had enough of all these blank spaces and questions, I had responsibilities to fulfill.

"I'm not tired, I have to get back to my village!"

He froze, one leg already on the next stair, the other on the one below. The air suddenly grew colder and I knew my cheeks were reddening and so was my nose. I shook with increasing pressure on my bones. Did I anger him? I awaited his answer...

"You cannot leave."

With that he resumed walking up the huge flight of stairs while I stepped behind him like a duckling.

"Wait, slow down!" I tried again, despite his clear unwillingness to do what I say,

When he did not slow down, I just stopped walking behind him. He noticed the lack of movement and finally stopped, his back facing me. I was tired of being left in the dark and ignored. I wanted answers, I deserved them.

"What is happening?" I whispered, my eyes tearing up in frustration. Gah! I hate it when I create tears, it did not always mean I was sad or weak, only that I had a lot of emotions going on inside of me at the moment.

I am guessing my hushed voice sounded shakier than it was supposed to be because he spun around and stilled at the sight of my frown and tear-filled eyes. He only clenched his jaw and narrowed his pupils. He held my gaze as he slowly walked down the steps towards me, reminding me eerily of a predator about to make its kill.

His eyes turned icy again and the atmosphere hit the lowest point. I could not tear my eyes from him even if I tried, he held me captive with just one look. One look was all it took to convey his emotions. He stopped at the stair above mine, making his already towering frame ginormous. I reached out his hand and pressed my chin up using one finger so I could keep holding his icicle like eyes. My lips parted as I slowly exhaled at the tingles his one finger emanated.

"What is happening is that I have found my mate."

How could I forget? The only reason the villagers were called to this castle was to find a Queen for King Silas. I could not be a Queen! I was only a measly human. There were responsibilities beyond my imagining. Millions of other women were far more qualified than me.

Doubts and disbelief kept swirling around my brain, I could not wrap my head around the facts. Tis was too much, I think I need a nap. I cannot think about this right now, I cannot think of how drastic the change in my life will be. It was too overwhelming; I need to stop all thoughts right now. I did not even know what to say to his answer, words cannot describe my confusion. Bring a sheltered human I did not understand the Werewolf world, I only concerned myself with the humans, where I belonged.

"I don't even understand what that means!" My eyes were wide and my breath quick and shallow.

The king removed his finger from my chin, taking the sparks with him but still held my eyes for a moment, as if taking in my reaction.

"All will be explained."

With that he promptly turned around and continued his journey up the stairs again leaving me to scramble behind him.

"When?"

We finally arrived at a landing and he looked at me from the corner of his eye, still having the same effect if he stared at me completely. My heart skipping a beat and my breath hitching slightly. But I payed no mind to that in the moment, I had larger things to ponder upon.

"Now."