Chapter 5
1346 Words
-Valindra-
Why did the king approach me? I was in the dark corner, like I had told my dad. My scar was clearly on display, and I was quiet as one could be. I had not drawn any attention to myself, and somehow, I found the king at my side, asking me these questions and trying to start a conversation with me.
Surely, he couldn’t be interested. Maybe he was just curious why someone looking like I did would come to this party, but still, I had kept my guard up.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t predicted him following me into the quiet hallway. He was without a doubt very handsome, like the rumors had said. He wore a white shirt, pants, and jacket that had this black color mixed into it on the sides, making it look like a strange deep gray.
His long white hair ran down his back, my fingers almost itching to touch and run through, which was a silly thought! Oh, and yes, he wore a crown as well, silver with diamonds carved into it.
I looked over my shoulder, seeing him still following me at a calm pace, almost like he was slowly inching closer to his prey. I didn’t like to feel like prey, and I stopped and turned around, crossing my arms.
“Why are you following me?” I asked. “You are the host of this party. It would be rude to leave it so early.”
He stopped too and smiled. Did he find me amusing? Shouldn’t he be offended?
“As my guest, it is rude for you to leave early too,” he scolded gently.
“I was just getting some fresh air,” I admitted, gesturing to a nearby balcony.
“By all means,” he said, holding out his hand to the balcony.
I had no choice now but to go out onto it. It was only lit up by the moonlight, and I had hoped he wouldn’t follow me, but I wasn’t so lucky. He came to stand beside me, smiling down at me, and I quickly turned my head, not wanting to drown in those light green eyes I had never seen anyone have before.
They were almost like a color that couldn’t be described. F*ck, why did he have to be so beautiful that it was hard to look away? He was like a painting or sculpture you could study for long hours of the day, just trying to figure out every little hidden detail. It was not fair!
“It is a beautiful night,” he remarked, his gaze lingering on the lively and shimmering forest.
“Yes, it is,” I responded.
“I just hadn’t anticipated having such beautiful company as well,” he remarked, turning toward me.
I recoiled slightly in surprise, meeting his gaze. He was toweringly tall, forcing me to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
“Pardon?” I replied.
He took a step closer, causing me to instinctively step back. “I said I find you beautiful.”
“Remarkably straightforward, my King.”
“I am seeking a queen. I believe I have been as direct as possible,” he stated, offering me a wry smile.
“Then I suggest you search for her,” I replied, gesturing toward the empty hallway.
“Perhaps I have already found her."
I shook my head and chuckled incredulously. I couldn’t contain myself. He couldn’t be serious, could he?
“Your eyes must be deceiving you,” I remarked. “There is no queen here with you.”
“And why do you believe that?” he inquired.
Did he truly want me to point it out? My own flaw! How cruel could he be? But fine, if he wanted me to spell it out for him so he would leave me alone, so be it. I raised my hand, slowly tracing down the length of the scars, tilting my head slightly to the side. Then suddenly, as I reached the end of the scars, I felt warm fingers tracing from the top of them, following their path once more.
Oh Gods, his touch... I had never been touched like this before, and I swallowed hard. But as he reached the end, I drew back, ensuring he couldn’t touch me any longer. At first, I had been enveloped by the sensation, but I didn’t want him to repeat it.
“How did it happen?” he inquired.
“An animal attack,” I replied.
“You must have fought hard to survive all the way to recovery,” he remarked, sounding almost impressed.
“I did...”
“Impressive.”
“No, it was my own fault,” I confessed, unsure why the words escaped my lips.
“How come?”
“Why the sudden interest?” I asked, raising my defenses higher.
“You’re clearly a fighter. Why wouldn’t I be curious?”
His words elicited another laugh from me, and I shook my head.
“I am no fighter. I am as mundane as they come,” I insisted.
He simply smiled, seemingly unconvinced, and then he advanced again, causing me to continue walking backward until my backside met the railing, and I glanced over my shoulder, contemplating whether I should simply jump.
“Please,” I pleaded, placing my hand on his chest as he stood before me. “Give me some space.”
“Your name,” he persisted.
“What?”
His hand suddenly covered mine on his chest, and I swallowed hard at the warmth of the contact. Was it supposed to feel like this?
“Your name, what is it?” he repeated.
“I told you, I reserve it for those who earn it,” I reiterated.
“And yet you claim you’re not a fighter,” he chuckled.
“I am not!”
“Then why do you resist me?”
He grinned a bit teasingly, and I detested how I found myself drawn to that smile.
“If you weren’t a fighter, you would offer me your name,” he remarked. “But you choose not to. You opt to address me in such a brash manner, even though I could punish you for it. Only a true fighter would dare to do that.”
“You’re mistaken,” I countered. “When you’re desperate enough, you can be brave too.”
“And what are you so desperate for?” he inquired.
“To escape.”
“From me?”
“From everyone. Everyone here. The parties. My... family,” I confessed.
This seemed to perplex him, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“Your family?”
“Forget it,” I dismissed, shaking my head. “May I please have my hand back?”
He shook his head slowly, his thumb continuing to caress the back of my hand, causing me to inhale sharply as his captivating light green eyes held mine.
“Please, I need my hand,” I implored.
“What do you enjoy doing?” he asked.
“What?”
“What activities do you enjoy if you dislike these parties?”
“I... I like to read,” I disclosed. “I like solitude.”
He didn’t recoil when I mentioned my fondness for solitude. He didn’t regard me with amusement either.
“I do too,” he confessed.
“You do?”
He nodded, then suddenly leaned closer. Both his hands came to rest on my hips, trapping my hand between us.
“What is your name?” he pressed.
“I…”
“Valindra!”
Suddenly, my name echoed from the entrance to the balcony, and I saw Hella standing there, staring at me and the king with wide eyes, scarcely believing what she witnessed. I couldn’t comprehend how we ended up so close, and I quickly slipped away from him, attempting to reach my sister, but she stormed off.
“Wait! Hella!” I called out, chasing after her and leaving the king behind.
- Writer
