"A royal courier?" Es’s eyebrows furrowed together, her tone laced with curiosity. "What reason could a royal courier possibly have for coming here?"
She briefly t Donovan’s intense gaze before he shifted his attention to Kangee. "Did you notice anyone accompanying the royal courier?" Donovan asked, his voice calm yet edged with a hint of suspicion.
Kangee, now perched on his shoulder, let out a sharp squawk. "No, master. The royal courier appears to be traveling alone. Shall we drive him off before he arrives?"
"That won’t be necessary," Donovan shook his head. "If it’s a royal courier, he’s likely carrying ssages from the palace." His gaze returned to Es, and a faint shadow of amusent crossed his features. "ssages for you, I assu."
Es shifted uncomfortably at his words. Her thoughts churned. The date of her eting with Lennox was drawing near— so why would he send a courier now? What could possibly be so urgent?
"How long until the royal courier arrives?" Donovan asked, his voice low and commanding as his gaze shifted to Kangee.
The raven simply tilted its head, feathers ruffling as if in thought. "Should be here before dusk," Kangee croaked confidently.
"Before dusk?" Es’s sharp tone cut through the air at the raven’s words, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the bird. "How far did you scout, Kangee?"
"Far enough to know I’m always reliable," Kangee replied with a haughty lift of its beak. "Reliable is practically my middle na. You should feel lucky to have !"
Es shook her head, a small, amused smile playing on her lips as she looped her arm through Donovan’s. "I’ll send a few guards to track the courier’s progress. That way, we’ll know exactly when he arrives. For now, let’s head back inside."
"Wait!" Kangee flapped its wings impatiently, its tone lightening. "Do I get a treat for my hard work?"
Es chuckled at the bird’s dramatic display, the sound soft and warm, while Donovan simply rolled his eyes. "You’ll get double for a job well done," she promised, her smile widening as Kangee let out a satisfied squawk, offering no further argunt.
Inside the bustling hall, Acheron maneuvered through the crowd, his attention solely fixed on Althea. He had been trying all day to get a mont alone with her, desperate to explain himself and his actions that had unfolded that night. Yet, every ti he approached, Althea skillfully evaded him, slipping out of reach like smoke through his fingers.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to catch up to her. Althea was busy conversing with a group of guards when Acheron joined in.
"If you’ll excuse us," was all he said before his hand successfully closed around her wrist, firm but not harsh, and he pulled her away from the crowd into a secluded corner, despite her half-hearted protest.
The lively chatter of the main hall dulled to a distant hum, leaving the two of them in a bubble of tense silence. Althea’s sharp glare t his, her eyes blazing with warning as his hold on her wrist softened.
"Althea–"
"Don’t say my na," she snapped in a harsh whisper, cutting him off. Her voice was low and firm, and each word felt like a dagger to Acheron’s heart. "I have nothing to say to you."
She then turned to leave, but Acheron’s hand shot out again, catching her arm and pulling her back. This ti, there was no escape. He positioned himself in front of her, forcing her to face him.
"Just listen to ," he pleaded, his tone a mixture of frustration and desperation. "I know the way I acted that night must have startled you, and for that, I truly apologize. It wasn’t intentional— I swear. It was all on the moon phase, Althea. It magnified everything I’ve felt for you, solidified by the truth that you’re my mate."
Althea’s heart quickened at his words, but she quickly masked her reaction with a defiant glare, refusing to et his green eyes. "I don’t have a mate," she murmured, turning her gaze to the floor as though the act could sever the connection Acheron’s words sought to create. "And you should be mindful of the things that leave your mouth. From what I’ve known all these years, we’re friends— just friends!"
"Do you truly not see it, Althea?" Acheron’s voice softened, though the faint hurt in his expression betrayed his vulnerability. "Do you not feel it? Or are you just denying every single thing that pulls us together?"
Althea’s eyes widened, and her voice grew defensive. "We’re friends, Acheron!"
"And so what?" he countered sharply, the words escaping in a heated rush. "You keep saying it like it’s so kind of abomination. Even friends marry. So what are you implying? I love you, Althea–truly, deeply, and I always will. How can you not see that after all the years we’ve spent together? All I’m asking for is a chance. Just one. I won’t ask for anything more, I promise."
Acheron’s green eyes glead with raw emotions as he t her gaze, locking onto her beautiful brown eyes with a desperate sincerity. Acheron had always loved her, even in their youth. Back then, she was his entire world, the one he quietly admired from afar while others mocked his awkward attempts to gain her attention. But Althea was that nice to the point she was the one who approached him and offered to be friends.
But Acheron had changed over the years. He had reshaped himself, not just to grow stronger, but to beco soone worthy of standing beside her. He had worked tirelessly, honing his skills with arrows and ensuring his place among the Damned, because he knew how much Althea loved to aim at things, so he perfected it so they could have more similarities. He was that good to the point Donovan even offered him a higher role in the Damned, but he refused, cause he didn’t want any role, he just wanted to be near Althea.
Every decision, every sacrifice, was for her— for her safety, for her happiness, for the possibility of her noticing him as more than just a friend.
He had never once looked at another woman. No one else mattered.
And yet, this wasn’t about so unrequited love. Althea had been there for him too. When the world doubted his strength, when whispers of his inadequacy circled the Damned during their youth, she stood firm by his side. They had co through so much together, endured the curse,hardships only the two of them could understand, and shared monts that no one else could ever claim. After everything, how can he not feel this way for her?
"How can you not see it?" he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of years spent in silence. "We belong together, Althea. We always have."
Althea’s breath faltered as her gaze locked with his piercing eyes, a storm of emotions swirling between them. Instinctively, she began to retreat, but his asured steps forward closed the distance with undeniable purpose.
"A chance," Acheron murmured, his voice low and steady, as he cornered her against the wall. His hands caged her in, leaving no room for escape. "You can’t look in the eye and tell you feel nothing. Not even a sliver. We’re mates, Althea. Fate paired us because we’re perfect for each other."
Althea’s fist clenched at her side, her nails biting into her palms as her knuckles turned stark white. She was trying so hard to resist touching him, but then the voice of her wolf echoed in her mind, coaxing and relentless. "You know he is ours. Stop fighting this. Accept the bond."
Acheron’s movents were deliberate, his intent clear when his gaze drifted to her trembling lips before eting her gaze. He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to push him away, though his heart silently begged her not to.
The air between them thickened as ti slowed, and Acheron’s heart pounded in sync with hers. Just as their lips were about to touch, sothing in Althea’s eyes shifted– a flicker of realization, sharp and sudden.
She turned her face aside, breaking the mont. "I’m sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. "I can’t. I don’t feel the sa way you do. And if you keep pushing like this, you’ll leave no choice but to sever all ties with you. Please... just stop. This isn’t going to work."
"You can’t—"
Althea didn’t let him finish. Without another word, she slipped past him, her steps hurried and unsteady, leaving Acheron standing there, stunned. He stared at the empty space she had just occupied, her words a weight pressing down on him. With a growl of frustration, he drove his fist into the wall beside him, the sharp pain doing little to soothe the ache in his chest. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he fought to rein in the turmoil raging inside him.
He couldn’t understand why.
In the quiet that followed, Althea’s wolf sighed in disapproval, while Althea was busy cleaning her tears. "You’re not just punishing us here, you’re hurting him too. Do you realize that?"
"Just leave alone," Althea replied silently, her voice edged with sorrow. "This is for the best, he’ll get over it. But you know why I have to do this, don’t you? You know the fear I carry. Acheron and I... we just can’t be, I’d rather have him hate for it, than putting him in danger."
Reviews
All reviews (0)