Memoriam ➳ The Darkling

[18]

Soundtrack: Epica - Mirage of Verity

    I was still laughing while the Darkling and I were getting dressed –the Darkling, too, had a smirk on his lips that he didn't wipe away. I knew Celina was going to literally bomb me with a thousand questions as soon as she found the opportunity and I was going to laugh for another round.

    "So, you kept asking Celina about me while I was gone?" the Darkling asked. He had finished dressing up before I did, so he was watching me as he leant the dresser with his arms crossed over his chest.

    I turned my eyes away while I buttoned my black kefta. "I might have," I muttered but I couldn't resist the urge to look at him –I felt his strong gaze on me. He was looking at me with an arched brow, which made me roll my eyes at him. "Fine, I did badger her to death because I grew impatient."

    "You certainly missed me." the Darkling spoke with a cocky tone and I wanted to throw a glass at him to wipe that conceited smile from his lips.

    I was aware that my feelings for him were dangerously imbalanced –one moment I wanted to kiss him until I fell asleep in his arms, and the next I wanted to smash a glass at his face.

    I raised an eyebrow at him as I mimicked his tone. "You're a fine one to talk, moi soverennyi."

    He laughed softly while he walked towards me. He cupped my face as he looked down at me and once again, I found myself desperately yearning to kiss him. I had never born such imbalanced feelings for anyone before and to be honest, it made me feel scared. His effect on me was frightening, yet it excited me to the core.

    "Today, after your lesson with Baghra, we will go horse riding." he said and added upon seeing the look in my jade-green eyes. "I know you can't really ride a horse, that's why we're going together –I'll be there to instruct you myself."

    "I thought you didn't have time to waste with simple things like teaching me to ride a horse." I spoke with a low voice. "You are the leader of the Second Army, after all."

    The Darkling took a deep breath as he caressed my cheek, "The Winter Fete is approaching, the King has diverted all his focus to the upcoming celebrations." he muttered with an irritated tone. "This is all a waste of time but as I have told you before, the King is a child and he loves to show off with his wealth whenever he is to host a celebration."

    I placed my hand on top of his, "Hence he doesn't drag you much from one meeting to another?" I suggested and he nodded slowly.

    "You could say that," he said and leant into me, I could feel his warm breath licking my lips. "And I intend to spend this rather flexible time-span training you."

    We shared a small kiss; however, all I could think about was the fact that he believed I was ready to be trained by him but in fact, I wasn't. Well, at least that was what Baghra would tell him the moment he brought up the subject. I, however, felt ready. I felt strong enough to move to the next level.

    Apparently, the Darkling felt my disturbance simply from the way I kissed him. He parted our lips with a frown on his face. "There's something bothering you."

    Taking a deep breath, I got out of his hold and walked towards the windows. My back was facing him. "Have you talked with Baghra?" I asked him but I already knew the answer, therefore I wasn't surprised when I heard him say no. "She... doesn't think I am ready. She doesn't think I am strong enough."

    "What do you think?" the Darkling asked and I turned back to face him. I leant the wall behind me.

    "I feel ready and I know that I am stronger than many others around here," I clenched my fists unwittingly. "But Baghra doesn't think so, she expects me to create a shadow cloud as wide as the lake and uphold it for a long time without an Amplifier!"