The Curse Of The Blood Moon

16: Through the Needle's Eye

~Asher~

She sat there, her cheeks more red than the dress that she wore. Against her pale skin and bright hair, she looked like a fiery goddess from a history book. I tried to concentrate, but her choice of words did not help matters any bit.

"I know that you are wondering why I'm having you here for dinner?" I said and couldn't help but smile again, knowing how red she was turning. She had not mentioned sleeping in my arms, so I decided to keep off the topic too.

"Judging from the last conversation we had, I was thinking that we were having this dinner to discuss things better" I answered, wondering why I would think we were having this dinner for any other reason.

"It is also to help you settle down. That is not why we are having this dinner anyway. I want to get to know you, know your story, and know what has formed you to this point. If you will be a member of my court, I should be able to speak on your character to a large extent" I said, and her hands hovered around her plate.

"What do you want to know?" She asked me, her eyes bracing up to meet mine even though she averted them almost immediately.

"Tell me what happened to you.? What broke you and had you on your knees? That is what I want to know" I said, and she heaved a deep sigh before she began to speak.

"I trusted someone blindly. Mason. The man I thought would love me forever. He was a rogue wolf and had found his way into our pack. My father was against our forbidden love, but I trusted the man that I had found. He didn't feel the same way. I was just a means to an end for him; he connived with my best friend, and together they wreaked havoc in my life" she said as the tears gathered in her eyes. I knew that she was trying to be strong and not cry so much, but even that could not be held back.

My heart was filled with fury for her; she deserved every chance at revenge that she got, and I was more convinced than ever to fight for her. She was crying now, the words refusing to form. I got up from where I sat and went to her, holding her in my arms as she cried on my shoulders.

Her body shook with emotion, and my grip around her tightened. I realized that this was probably the first time she was talking about what she had gone through too. I closed my eyes and let her have her moment, her scent bringing undue calm to my chaotic mind.

She pushed back, and I let her go, offering her my handkerchief as she blew her nose and wiped her eyes. Her makeup was a bit smudged now, but she was still as beautiful as she was when she stepped down the stairs this evening.

"It's okay. You don't have to go all the way tonight. We can continue another time; there is no rush" I assured her, and she nodded her head.

"May I use the restroom, please? I want to clean up properly?" She asked me, and I pointed to where the restroom was. "Thank you, your majesty" she thanked me and made her way there.

She was a victim of painful betrayal; the two people she had trusted the most had in turn treated her with the most hate that she had ever had to experience. I knew what betrayal is and how long it would take for her to truly heal. Understanding her story now, I knew why she had been so closed off to me. It wasn't like I made it any easier for her to like me.

"I'm sorry about that" she said as she returned to her seat. I got up and pulled it out for her before taking my seat again. I refused to go back to the head of the table, as I wanted to be close to her. Her presence came with peace that I couldn't explain, and I was unable to deny that I was slowly getting addicted to the sense of it.

"What would happen if you went back now? Do you want him back?" I asked her as soon as she was settled. She didn't look as emotional as she did earlier, just angry enough to burn a whole pack down.

"War. Instant death. That is all I see when I think about going back there; I don't want us to ever even talk about anything. They poisoned my father to his death and wanted me to face the same fate; it is only by sheer willpower that I survived that place. The mercies of the moon goddess led you to find me. It is why I have decided to serve you and your people. Not because you threatened me" she said, and I watched the fire in her eyes. She was not one to be easily messed with.

"I like your thoughts. War and death, your enemies will get. I will make sure that you avenge the death of your father and even their attempt on your life. You can take my word for it; I will make sure that they all get what they deserve for even thinking about messing with you. This is not just a partnership, Evelyn, you'll see." I said to her as the chef arrived, shocked to see me sitting anywhere else but at the head of the table.

He went ahead to serve our food as Evelyn and I exchanged looks. She seemed pleased with my choice and handled the domestic staff like the royal that she was. She looked up as soon as they all left, leaving us alone in the dining area, and asked me a question that left me stunned.

"Who is Vanessa?" She asked.

Vanessa was nobody. I wanted to say it, but I knew it wasn't enough.

"She is just a w***e. Ignore her. She won't be important in your story here".