The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter XXVII

Carolina 

I can feel my stomach drop. What did I do to deserve seeing David here of all places? And why tonight?

He still looks great: olive skin, wavy chocolate brown hair with matching chocolate brown eyes. A dark stubble used to litter his jawline but now he’s cleanly shaved. I remember I used to tell him I liked a clean shave but he rarely ever went for that look. Thinking on it now, Elijah almost always makes a point to keep himself shaved. The few times he hasn’t was because he must have forgotten to take care of himself. I’m not going to lie. David is an attractive man. He has a tall form, though nowhere near as tall as Elijah. He has an athletic build, but Elijah’s body is packed with more muscle, making his already large physique look even more broad and imposing. David has pretty eyes because of his long lashes but everything about Elijah’s face is gorgeous. Looking at David now, I realize I never saw him as beautiful the same way as I see Elijah. Except Elijah is more than just stunning. He makes me feel...wanted and even respected. The more time I spend with him and the more we get to know each other, the more I feel like he’s interested in me. 

I feel David’s eyes sweep over my form. “You look...wow,” he says somewhat dazed. Well, he’s never exactly had a way with words. He suddenly clears his throat. “I mean I don’t remember ever seeing you dressed like this.” 

Well, you never gave me a reason. That’s what I want to say. “W-what are you doing here?” I ask. 

“Oh, um, I’m here with my business mentor and a client. I’m learning the ropes on how to reel in investors for this company that I’m hoping will hire me,” he says. 

“I see,” I say stiffly. “Well, it’s been nice seeing you.” I try to side step him but he steps in front of me. 

“Wait, are you here with someone?” He asks. 

“That’s not really any of your business,” I mutter as I try side stepping him again. He doesn’t get in my way this time but he doesn’t exactly back down. 

“Carolina, please, you have to know I feel really guilty about the way things ended between us,” he says as he trails behind me. 

“You mean me finding you naked in bed on top of my other girl,” I snap bitterly. I feel his hand grab my arm, stopping me in my tracks. 

“Carol, you know me. It’s not like I wanted to hurt you,” he pleads as he tugs me towards him. 

I yank my arm out of his grasp and push myself away from him. “Well you did hurt me,” I hiss, “And you’re wrong. I thought I knew you. Clearly, I don’t.” 

“Carolina-“ Before David can make a grab for me again, Kaleb intercepts him. 

“I’m sorry, is there an issue, sir?” He asks pointedly as he pushes David away from me. 

David gives me a heated glance before looking at Kaleb. “No, there’s no issue,” he says before walking off towards his table on the lower level. 

“Thank you,” I whisper. 

“Your thanks isn’t necessary, your highness. We will always protect you,” he says as he bows his head ever so slightly at me. 

“You don’t have to call me ‘your highness’,” I insist. 

“Do you prefer Ms. Mercado?” He asks as he leads me up towards the upper level. 

I try not to cringe at the formality. “We’ll work on titles and formalities later,” I whisper as we make it to the table. 

Elijah gives me a concerned look. “What’s wrong?” He asks. He gently takes my hand in his and pulls me towards him. 

“W-what makes you think something is wrong?” I stutter nervously. 

“You look a little rattled, darling,” he says while caressing my wrists. “And I can feel your agitation.” 

I suck in a breathe as I try to calm myself down. My eyes flick to the lower level to David’s table and I can see him staring at us. Elijah turns his head towards the lower but I cup his cheek, bringing his gaze back to me. 

“I’m fine,” I whisper. His brows knit in suspicion 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes,” I insist. I caress the side of his cheek with my thumb and his eyes flutter shut. I lean down and softly press my lips to his. One of his hands immediately finds its way to my waist while the other cups my face, bringing me closer to him to kiss me with a little more force. I reluctantly pull away, leaving him looking at me dazed but also hungry for more. 

“I’m fine, now that I’m with you,” I whisper. His eyes sweep my face for a moment before he nods. He rises from my seat and pulls my hand into his. 

“I have something I want to show you,” he whispers into my ear. I grab onto his arm, letting him lead me to a back door of the upper level. I can feel a heated stare on my back as we walk away. 

Elijah leads me up a flight of stairs onto the rooftop. I let out an amazed gasp as I take in the beautiful garden. There are a few small trees with red, orange, and gold leaves, reflecting the fall season we’re well into. There are still some flowers in bloom, beautiful green vines wrapped around wooden displays. There are lights hanging everywhere, lighting up the night like fireflies. 

Elijah takes me to the center of the garden where there is a wooden octagonal gazebo that’s decorated in lights and well kept vines. “W-what do you think?” He stutters shyly. 

I turn around in the gazebo slightly, taking in the entirety of the garden. “This is beautiful. I love this,” I breathe out. 

I feel Elijah come up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing his chiseled front to my back. “I’m glad,” he whispers in my ear as we sway slowly, enjoying each other’s warmth. I place my hands over his around my waist, accepting his embrace. 

“Carolina,” he says after a while, breaking the comfortable silence. I simply hum in response. He continues. “I know we’ve agreed to take things slow and to get to know each other. And I know there’s still so much to learn...but...I don’t know if I can call us friends after these past three weeks, and especially not after tonight.” 

I pull away from his arms slightly and turn to face him. “What do you mean?” I ask, my heart rate picking up. 

Elijah bites his lip as if he thinks he’s said something without fully thinking it through. “I’m not saying that I don’t want to be your friend, I’m saying I can’t,” he states. 

“What do you mean you can’t?” I ask while pulling away from him nearly completely. 

He reaches out for me, placing his arms back around my waist but I don’t let him pull me close to him. “I’m sorry, darling, but I’m falling in love with you,” he whispers. “I want to be more than friends with you. And with the way we act, I mean, we’ve kissed multiple times already. How can we really say we’re just friends?” 

My shoulders sag a bit as I let my guard down. Elijah seems to take that as his cue  to pull me into his chest. “If we’re not friends, what are we then?” I ask. 

“Well, officially,” he hesitates, “I’d like to say we’re in a courtship. How is that referred to now? Dating? Boyfriend and girlfriend?”

I let out a shaky breath. This night has been going so perfect. For most of it, this man has had me wrapped around his pinky. But then seeing David was such a rude awakening. Why did he have to remind me how horrible a man could be? But, Elijah isn’t like that. Is he? 

“Elijah, I would be lying if I said I didn’t see as more than just a friend,” I start. A look of relief flashes across his face as a small smile finds its way to his lips. “But I just don’t know...” 

Elijah’s smile drops along with his hands from my waist. I can feel in my chest a slight sting of rejection. “What don’t you know?” 

What do I say? What can I say? I’m scared? He wouldn’t understand. “I just- I don’t-“ I stumble over my words for a second. A cool autumn wind blows across the garden, making me shiver. I should’ve brought a jacket. “It’s too soon for me to be doing this again,” I whisper. 

The cold chills running down my back are chased away by the warmth of Elijah’s blazer, which he has placed around me. 

“You don’t have to give me a straight answer right now. I’ll give you time,” he mutters as he brings me into his chest. “Despite not being a patient man, I want you to know that I would wait for you, Carolina. You’re the only woman I want. And I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that. You know me.” 

I shake my head. “You think I know you.” 

His grip around me tightens a bit. “If you really believe that, then get to know me. And maybe give me a chance?” I don’t say anything and instead opt to bury my head into his strong chest. He lets out a sigh. 

“How are your parents?” He asks while rubbing his hands up and down my back. “Do they know I exist now?”

I let out a laugh, though it’s not entirely whole hearted. “Yeah, I may have mentioned you the last few times I talked to them. They have no idea how involved we are though. I’d have to ease them into it. My mom would be happy. My dad would be protective. My brother- well I’m pretty sure he doesn’t think you’re real.”

Elijah’s chest rumbles as he lets out a laugh of his own. I can feel his own frustration though so I know his laugh isn’t whole hearted either. “Why does he think that?” He asks. 

“He’s my annoying younger brother. Even though I’ve dated before, I still get the feeling that he can’t picture me with someone,” I reply. I didn’t think it was possible but Elijah manages to pull me closer into his body at the mention of my past dating history. He buries his nose into the crook of my neck and places a soft kiss on my shoulder. I know what he wants but I still can’t help but he wary of his intentions. 

The rest of the night feels bittersweet. We eventually leave the restaurant, and Elijah drives me back to my apartment. The ride is quiet this time with a tension so thick it could be cut with a knife. 

“I had a lot of fun tonight,” I say when he pulls up to my apartment. 

“I’m glad,” he replies giving me a longing look that makes my heart ache. 

“Y-you have to invite me again the next time you go,” I say with a small smile. 

His lips tug upward as he gives me a nod. “I will,” he states. He pulls my hand in his one last time and places a tender kiss on the back of it. 

“Elijah,” I whisper. His eyes find mine and I feel almost heartbroken. He looks like a wounded puppy. A part of me wants to just give in and tell him I’d give him a chance. But it wouldn’t be fair to either of us if I decide to be with him out of guilt. I don’t stop myself, however, from leaning over and pressing my lips to his in a short good bye kiss. 

“Can I see you tomorrow?” He asks. 

“I’d like that,” I reply with a soft smile before getting out of the car. Like the last time he took me for a drive, he doesn’t leave until I’m in the apartment. 

Tori is waiting for me in the living room with the TV on. I don’t look at her though as I pass her and head to my bedroom. “How did it go?” She asks. 

I stop at my doorframe for a moment. “It was nice,” I whisper before walking into my room, closing the door behind me. 

I let out a frustrated breath as I throw myself on my bed. I don’t even bother to start taking off my dress or shoes or makeup. Why are feelings so annoying and complicated? Why did David have to be at the restaurant? Why did he have to exist in my life at all? 

I’m taken out of my train of thought when I hear a lot of flapping coming from outside my window. Are there a flock of birds or something passing over our apartment building? 

I glance outside and my eyes widen when I see what looks like a vicious dark cloud of birds charging towards my window. I duck under my bed as they crash through my window. A scream escapes my lips at all the chaos that is ensuing in my bedroom. Suddenly everything becomes still. 

I peek out from under my hiding spot and can see broken glass littering my floor. With a shaky breath, I come out from under my bed. I’m shocked when I see not a swarm of crows but Jay standing in my room. 

“Jay? What are you-? How did you get here?” I gasp in astonishment. 

“I don’t have time to explain right now but you have to believe me when I say I’m doing this for your own good,” he says. 

“Carolina?” I hear Tori call from the living room. 

Before I can respond, Jay grabs my and pulls me to him. He holds up a necklace with a charm shaped like a strange star with eight points. He presses the charm to my forehead and I can suddenly feel myself start to feel drowsy. 

“Don’t worry, Carolina, you’ll be safe,” I hear him say. 

I think I hear Tori and maybe even Charles’ voices in the background but I’m not sure. I feel something strange surround us followed by the sound of birds violently flapping their wings before my consciousness finally slips away.