The Necromancers

Chapter twenty-one

Astoria's POV

Drystan Faxon, was yet another person that was on my mind ever since I had entered the ballroom. With his matching tux with my dress though he was the most handsome man present at the ball. And then that girl approached us making me frown at the way Drystan tensed at her presence. He was uncomfortable with her presence. So I decided to help him, but my heart fluttered at what he said, that he was my date, not the other way around.

And that confused me more than anything else. I didn't want my heart to flutter for him. He was nice to me, he has always been nice to me. Drystan even pardoned me for putting a dagger to his throat. He never said anything to me.

But then after Ophelia left for the food and Drystan wanted me to go after them. A part of me wanted to eat all that was kept on the table because it looked and smelled delicious. But then the part of me that always holds me back won. Drystan looked suspicious but how would he know about eating disorders and all? I mean he might be aware of it but there was no way that he would find out that I have the same.

"Let's dance." I said and held his arm lightly.

"Sure." He smiled down at me. Even in the heels, he was way taller than me, and he was huge. I had never seen a twenty-one-year-old as strongly built as Drystan. But then again it was no surprise considering he is a royal person and they do have to uphold their images in the public.

When we both got to the dance I had to place my hand on his shoulder and the other one was held firmly in his big hands. He was warm and it was a good feeling to be this close to him. I enjoyed his presence. I enjoyed the silence. I enjoyed his touch. and I enjoyed his voice when he addressed me. It's like I was getting greedy for him. I wanted his attention all to myself and as terrifying as that thought was I felt safe.

And that is to say a lot because I haven't felt safe in a while. Everything happened in a rush and I didn't have the time to process all that happened after ma's death I was scared of what the world held for me and what would become of me alone in this world. But now looking at him, I feel safe.

Drystan pulled me closer by my waist and carried on the waltz. He dominated it all, he dominated my body and I was suddenly more aware of our proximity. He was too close to me. My chest pressed to his lower chest. My hand dug into his shoulder and my fingers gripped his hand as if they were afraid of letting go. As is he was my only anchor to this world.

And it confused me. As much as it was good, it was also confusing because the last time I saw him I was still hating him. And from hating someone so much that it made you sick too...this.

He gently tipped my head up with his hand that was holding my waist and made me look at him. His brown eyes were darker than before and there was this intense look in his eyes that had me clenching my thighs. Drystan looked hungry like he was kept starving for days and now suddenly he was presented with his favorite food.

"You look hungry." I stated and then nearly face palmed myself. That was incredibly stupid.

"Wha- oh Astoria." He led us both off the dance floor and ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair. Drystan took in some deep breaths and then looked at me again. "Did I scare you?" He asked so quietly that I had to strain my ears to listen to him.

"What? No!"

"Okay, I just...its new okay...I don't know. I am confused and kind of weird about this but you cannot blame me. I mean I barely know what to do or feel." He abruptly cut himself off and then sighed, not meeting my eyes.

I waited for him to say something else but when he didn't I was suddenly unaware of how to talk to someone who is just as confused as me. But it wasn't the time for me to think about myself. This was about him and him alone. I had no business making it about myself.

"Take it easy on yourself. You've got enough time at your hands to figure these things out. I don't know what you are going through but I know that it must be very difficult if it has you losing your shit over it. Take it one step at a time Prince." I concluded softly, trying to pour as much sincerity into my words as I could muster.

Drystan studied me for a few moments and I didn't blink, I didn't breathe and I didn't hear anything at that moment. All I knew was that he was looking at me making me feel like the most beautiful person in this room filled with all the beautiful girls. He looked at me like he wanted to ravish me. He looked at me as if the world was ending he would find a way to save me.

"Can I hold you?" He asked me just as softly. Instead of replying, I took his hand in mine and led him out towards the garden.

Once we both were outside I nodded and asked him if he was okay to be held by me. Well, consent is a two-way street and I was all in for making it equal. He groaned from deep in his throat and nodded at me. I was just as happy to hold him as he was to hold me.

My front pressed deliciously to his front and I felt my knees buckle. Sensing the need, Drystan pulled us both down on the soft fresh grass and had me sitting on his lap. He held me like I was his salvation and I felt my heart would burst with the affection that he showered over me.

His hand ran down the length of my spine, tracing patterns on it and the other massaged my scalp and then the nape of my neck and then my head again. I sighed into his neck and pulled his body closer to mine. One of my hands held his shoulder trying to pull us together while the other massaged his scalp.

We were a mess of limbs on the garden and yet I couldn't bring myself to care. This is what I needed. A warm hug from someone who didn't pity me. He just needed me, almost as much as I needed him. With that thought, I placed a kiss on his neck and inhaled his scent. He always smelled good, but right then he smelled divine. Like fresh soil after the rain and like a mix of forest filled with wildflowers.

"You smell so good, its unfair!" I whined at his neck and kissed it again and again and again. He chuckled when I said that and togged my hair in his fist making me look at him.

"You smell better." He smiled cheekily as if he didn't just unlock another one of my kinks. God, I was into hair-pulling too?! His eyes suddenly darkened as he looked me over and then at my lips before finally looking into my eyes. I thought he was going to ask me to kiss him but he surprised me yet again, "just call me by my name once Astoria. That's all I am asking of you."

I considered for a moment but then I shook my head negative and went back to his neck inhaling him like he is the only oxygen left and then sucking his neck making sure I find that one spot that I have read about. He groaned again and I crossed my legs on his lap making it quite obvious what he was doing to me.

"You are such a bad girl Astoria." Drystan nearly moaned as I sucked a point on his neck making me smile regardless of what he said. "You wouldn't even call me by my name yet you are dripping wet for me. Tell me, if I lift this gown of yours, how wet would you be?"

I knew it was a rhetorical question so I didn't bother replying. He didn't seem to have liked that so pulled my hair again and this time grabbed my neck instead of fisting my hair. My eyes fluttered close and I was ready to submit to him. The throbbing intensified in between my thighs and I whimpered at that. This was pure torture, I wanted him to touch me. Or give me something with which I could relieve myself.

"What is it Astoria? Do you want me to find out just how eager you are for me?" Drystan hummed into my cheek as he rubbed his nose along my jaw. "Was that why you wore this dress? To seduce me? To get me into the bed with you? To fuck you and satisfy your needs? Did the men you meet on the tour not enough for you? Did they not give you enough to satisfy your needs that you had to come here, running back to me? Or is it my money that you need? My title perhaps?"

Without a thought I pushed off of him and stood up settling myself. I glared at him only to find him glaring at me too. Whatever it was, was over even before it started and I was disappointed. He can suck his own dick and rot in hell.