The Exiled Prince and His Siren

Chapter 10

“Thank you.” Violetta breathed out her thanks.

Maximillian placed her on the side of the bed as soon as they entered the room. The hallway was more narrow than wide, and it seemed to go on forever. She found solace in hiding her face in Max’s side as looking at the slim pathway made her all the more dizzy.

She felt a little better now that’s settled onto the plush covers but being in the same room as Max released a cork on a bottle of tension she’s felt since she met him.

Max nodded sharply in reply and moved towards the window.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

“My beasts are disturbed.” He admitted, leaning back into the wall next to it. His ‘laxed demeanor a contrast to his statement.

“Because?” She prodded.

Maximillian chuckled to himself. “It seems my beasts have taken a liking to you.” There was no use trying to deny it. He’s quite attuned with his beasts to know exactly what they want.

Why bother playing blind to the truth in front of him?

Violetta wasn’t too surprised. She had the slightest assumption it wasn’t one-sided.

“That makes two of them.” She muttered lowly.

“My beast has been budding at the surface since the day I met you.” She added, chuckling slightly then turned to look at Max when she got no response.

His eyes were already on her when she looked up. He then moved away from the window and slowly made his way towards her.

Violetta made no move to back away, and instead held his gaze with her own. He stopped when he was a breath’s away from her.

Maximillian locked his gaze on her eyes, expecting to see those of her beasts like he did when he saw her annihilate those hunters, but there was no sign of them. Only bright sea green orbs looking back at him. Odd, he thought. He was expecting his beast to clamber to the surface being this close to her.

There was nothing but calm.

His eyes moved from her eyes to the rest of her face. Her brows were furrowed slightly, a telltale sign of her curiosity. Her cheeks were hollow where there should be fullness, yet there was no lack of color on them. Her mouth parted slightly, a steady breath escaping with every rise and fall of her chest. With his superior hearing, he could hear the increasing beat of her heart, the rapid flow of her blood, and even the warmth it leaves in its path.

Maximillian moved a couple inches closer to the point their skin is almost touching.

Drawn to his warmth, Violetta moved with him. She was always cold despite the human part of her. The only time she feels warm is when she’s under the water, but this is a whole new environment. He is a whole different world.

He was burning warmth like a freshly lit fireplace, and she just wants to engulf herself into his chest.

Boldly, she brushed her cheek against his, her breath fanning the side of his face. Maximillian responded by leaning the cheek she brushed into with hers in a movement so small, it felt like a feather caressed her skin.

They relished in the small contact for a few moments before Violetta pulled back to look at him. They were still close to point their chests were touching but their faces were farther than they were before.

“Stay” She said softly.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He answered just as the words left her mouth.

That completely took off all reservation they had towards each other, and when Arissa called them down for dinner, all three noticed the shift in atmosphere between the young royals.

Arissa and Callahan could only exchange a knowing look. Their eyes screaming worry and apprehension despite the blankness of their faces.

They went up together afterwards as well. They maneuvered into each other’s space so naturally in a short amount of time.

Comfortable silence surrounded them as they lay on the large bed, Violetta’s head on Max’s chest and his arm around her. There was no hint of reservation between them now about each other, and as naturally as they got comfortable hanging onto each other, so did talking with one each other.

“The cottage isn’t where I saw you for the first time.” Max broke the silence.

Violetta looked up at him, surprised.

“I saw you on the day you faced those hunters.” He said.

Violetta moved to level with his face.

“The night before, I too faced a group of hunters. I ended up giving escape to the half-bloods they captured and were taking into the king’s castle. I was following the ones that took you, and just when I was gearing into helping, you freed yourself.” He narrated.

“It was impressive.” The blankness of his face a contrast to the compliment, still Violetta let a small smile slip.

“It wasn’t easy at all. I hadn’t used my abilities for a long time since I left the kingdom. I was just desperate to get away.” She said softly.

Max lifted his hand to caress her hair, making her eyes flutter softly.

“I wouldn’t have known. I even doubted if you were a half-blood at all. No half-blood exhibited the same strength.” He said to her.

“It’s the only thing I’m thankful I got from my mother.” She replied.

“I knew your mother.” Max admitted.

Violetta furrowed her brows at him.

“I remember hearing my mother speak of her to Arissa. Then I saw her on the gates of the castle on the day the dragon king usurped my father’s crown.” He paused, looking at her.

“Maleroy was right about your resemblance, but she was too cold, too blank. You are neither.” He said, taking time to take in her expressive eyes. They were all he needed to know what she was thinking or feeling. Completely different from the siren queen he saw when he was young.

Violetta voiced out what she felt she needed to say, “I want to apologize on my mother’s behalf.” She stated.

“What she did is not yours to apologize for.” Max replied.

“The choices our parents made,” He paused to think of the right words. “That was beyond our control and not something we should hold ourselves accountable for Violetta.”

She took in his words, and nodded afterwards. “We can only hold ourselves accountable for choosing or not choosing to learn from their mistakes.” She concluded.

Maximillian nodded in reply.

Violetta chuckled all of a sudden. “I’m sorry I tend to laugh after being serious.” She said, propping on her elbow to level her face with his.

“I’ll get used to it.” Max replied with a small smile of his own.

Violetta’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “You might not want to let go of me when the time comes Maximillian.” She said playfully.

Max pulled her back to him. “I fear I wouldn’t ever want to.” He said, looking straight into her eyes.

As expected, her cheeks stained crimson. She sensed her beast sitting back calmly, welcoming the contact. Her presence reminded her of something she’s been meaning to do.

She pulled back slightly. “I need to train.” She said out of the blue.

Maximillian was a little taken aback by her random statement but he nodded nonetheless. “We’ll train tomorrow then.” He said.

“Early morning.” She pressed.  

“Alright” He replied.

“This would be great timing to see how we’ll work together huh? I have to warn you though, I don’t hold back.” She said teasingly.

“Neither do I.” He rebutted.

The next day, they stood on the other side of the house. The wider portion where conveniently, there was a pond. They were face to face. If one was honest, they didn’t really know how to start. The other didn’t know if they should shift into their beasts.

It wasn’t until Callahan walked out and led the training that they finally learned what the other could do.