CHAPTER14 :Kiss Me?
1090 Words
Ashina's POV
The knock came as I opened the door only halfway.
Evelyne stood outside, dressed in pale silver, her smile as polished as the jewels around her neck.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"You are." Her smile didn't falter.
"Then I'll make this brief." She stepped inside without waiting to be invited as my brows knitted together.
"I don't remember asking you in."
"I didn't need you to." She glanced around my room, taking in every detail before her gaze settled on me again.
"So...This is where the Alpha keeps his guest."
"I'm not his guest."
"No?" She tilted her head.
"Then what are you?" I didn't answer because I wasn't sure. She laughed softly.
"I suppose none of us really know." Silence settled between us not comfortable.
"I came to warn you." I folded my arms.
"How generous." I smiled sarcastically I just hated the way she tried to always seem right.
"You think I'm lying."
"I think you enjoy hearing yourself talk." Another smile.
"I expected that." She walked toward the window, watching the courtyard below.
"The Founders' Gala is tomorrow."
"I know." I added as my eyes followed her movements.
"Do you know what comes after it?" She added.
"No." She looked back at me.
"The first curse trial." The words landed heavily. I kept my face neutral.
"So?" I asked.
"So..." Her voice lowered.
"Every woman chosen before you attended the gala and each one was chosen before you dead before the next full moon." I stared at her as She didn't blink
"They all believed they were special, believed they could survive but they couldn't." A knot formed in my stomach.
"You're lying." I asked as I looked at her eyes.
"I wish I were." She sighed almost sympathetically.
"You think the council sees you as the Alpha's future. They don't because they’re see you as another attempt. If you survive the kingdom celebrates and If you die..." her voice like a trail of lies as she closed the gap between us.
"They'll simply choose another." She walked pasted me heading to the door.
"If I were you. I'd leave tonight." The door clicked shut behind her as I stood there long after she'd gone as her words refused to leave my head.
Another attempt?
Another sacrifice?
By nightfall my decision had already been made.
I wasn't staying.
**********
The castle was unusually quiet as the moonlight spilled across the corridors as I slipped through the shadows with a small satchel over my shoulder.
My clothes and little food.
I didn't dare carry anything that would slow me down. The guards changed posts every quarter hour.
I'd watched them carefully as I counted their steps while memorizing their pattern.
This was my only chance as the outer corridor appeared empty.
Good.
I hurried toward the eastern passage only a little farther Just one gate...
One gate between me and freedom.
As my fingers had barely touched the iron handle
"Planning a trip?" My entire body froze.
That voice.
Low and Dangerously calm.
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
Slowly, I turned around as Draven stood a few steps behind me his arms folded with an unreadable expression on his face.
He looked as though he'd been standing there for hours waiting.
“I can explain." I stammered.
"I doubt it."
"I....." Fear engulfed me
"You were leaving." It wasn't a question.
"Yes." I lifted my chin as he said nothing as the silence somehow unsettled me more than shouting would have.
"Who told you?" Finally, he asked,
"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied knowing fully well that Rogue’s would smell lies.
"You do." His silver eyes never left mine.
"Who told you the council planned to sacrifice you?" My heartbeat stumbled.
How...
How did he know?
"I—" i stammered as he came closer invading my space.
"You believed it." His voice remained level.
"Enough to run." I looked away trying to avoid his gaze.
"So what if I did?" I replied as he took one step closer.
"You should've come to me." I laughed bitterly.
"Why? It’s as if you would even tell me the truth“ I yelled.
"So you could lock me in another room?I would've told you the truth."
"And what is the truth?" He asked.
He didn't answer as the silence was answer enough as I shook my head.
"I'm not waiting here to become another name carved into a memorial stone." I added as I tried to walk past him as his hand closed firmly around my wrist.
"Let go." My voice barely a whisper.
"No."
"I said let go." I urged.
"You've been listening to the wrong people."
"And you expect me to trust you, the right one?" His jaw tightened.
"I only want you to stay alive." The words slipped out before he could stop them as both of us fell silent his eyes narrowed slightly.
As if he regretted saying them.
"You care whether I live?" I stared at him.
"No." The answer came too quickly.
"This is about responsibility nothing more."
"Liar." His gaze sharpened.
"What did you say?" He gave me a puzzled look.
"I said you're a terrible liar." For the first time something cracked beneath that perfectly controlled expression.
silver light suddenly spread beneath my skin where his fingers held my wrist as the mark glowed for only a heartbeat before fading.
"What was that?" I jerked my hand back.
"A temporary Alpha ward."
"You marked me?" My heart pounded.
"So I know if you try something this reckless again."
"You had no right." I pushed him as my anger got the best of me .
"I wasn't asking for permission." I glared at him.
"You don't own me. You’re a monster, A killer”
"No." His voice dropped lower.
"But while that mark remains I'll know if you're in danger." The words lingered between us as neither of us moved.
I should've stepped back but Instead I stayed exactly where I was as he took slow steps forward closing the distance between us.
Close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him and I could hear his breathing.
His eyes searched mine as his gaze drifted to my lips.
Then back to my eyes as my pulse hammered against my ribs.
Every instinct told me to move but yet my feet refused to obey as he leaned forward and for one impossible heartbeat I was absolutely certain
he was about to kiss me.
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