Unraveling Eden ✔ [ONC 2021]

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

I had been staring at my bedroom ceiling for so long I was starting to see stars. Each speck of dust was another thought that circled in my mind, making sleep seem miles and miles away. These vivid dreams were pushing their way into my life and I was really starting to think that they were something more than a fantasy or a daydream. It was like I had lost all control over my mind and was taken on a journey to a far-off land. No rhyme or reason.

They couldn't be real, that would just be crazy. So the only other rational explanation was that I was having a mental breakdown. Maybe it ran in the family. First my sister and now me. I hated to think that I was following down the same path. Then I thought of Ethan. Was I going to drag him down with me? Guilt churned in the pit of my stomach as I began to hear a tapping at my window.

I groaned, cursing the bird that frequently decided to knock its beak against the glass. It was really starting to get annoying. Though when I looked up, I was surprised to find there was nothing there. "That's strange," I muttered to myself and rolled out of bed, lugging my exhausted body over to the window seat. As I looked out, I saw Ethan standing on the grass.

As I blinked, I could feel the room shift.

The knocking continued, but instead of a quiet rapping, it was a loud banging sound. My feet carried me to the door, my nightgown grazing against the floor. Whoever it was, was going to wake the whole kingdom with their arrogant knocking. I opened the door to reveal Nik, his disheveled hair almost hid the wild look in his eyes that made my stomach churn.

"Delphine," he said breathlessly.

I held my head high and asked firmly, "What are you doing here, Nik?"

"I just can't seem to get you out of my head. It's almost like I'm drawn to you. Now that I know you, I can't stay away." Lust laced his voice and as our eyes met he strode toward me with a passion that exuded from his pores. He took me by the cheeks and slammed his lips against mine. I stood there frozen, but his kiss melted my soul and I let myself feel every moment. My hands grasped at his sides as I returned his passion.

Though thoughts of doubt screamed internally, reminding me that we weren't meant to be. He was destined to be the king, which meant that someday he would marry a woman that could rule at his side. Someone of high class. Someone of noble blood. And that did not describe me. A quiet cry escaped my lips and I placed my hands on his chest, forcing myself to push him away and break the kiss.

"This will never work."

"Delphine..."

"Please, go," I begged, not giving him the chance to fight. Heaving a sigh, I closed the door behind him and pressed my back against it, my lips still tingling.

A sharp breath entered my lungs, but the tingling feeling remained. God, it felt so real. Yet, here I was back in my own bedroom. "Hey," Ethan said when he saw me, a smile flashing on his face. My teeth brushed over my bottom lip as I felt a rush of blood to my cheeks. I fiddled with the lock until the wind did the rest of the work for me.

"Hey there, stranger," I called down to him. "Long time no see."

"Just checking on ya, will you come down?" he requested and I nodded quickly, maybe too quick after the thoughts that had been circling my brain. His growing smile however made me forget and I rushed from my room to meet him. Closing the front door, a burst of cool air came over me, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I hugged my cardigan closer and scurried over to Ethan.