Nightfall

Chapter 15🌙

"Scarlett, it's time to get up. We are going to the kingdoms market." Sophie calls out from the other side of the door. I open my eyes and immediately think of what occurred the last night.

Me running away, Ares finding me...

We kissed, and it was amazing. Better than what I imagined it to be. It felt so good, giving in to him and letting my emotions out. After we kissed we walked back into the house and I went to bed. Pretty disappointing stuff, I am aware, but it felt like such a huge step.

And I was kinda exposed. I was naked under that blanket. I didn't feel completely comfortable. My face was all red with tear marks, and  my hair was wild and messy from the run. I was a mess...but it didn't bother Ares at all, I don't even think he noticed.

Well let's pretend he didn't notice so I don't die of embarrassment.

I sit up and stretch my muscles. After a few minutes of me stretching and making horrific noises because of the amazing stretches, I get out of bed.

I go freshen up in the bathroom and change into my clothes for the day. I truly don't know what's going to happen when I walk through my bedroom door.

I am fairly certain that the group is aware of what happened last night. My escape...not the kiss. Although, I feel like they were expecting it to happen sooner or later. I'm pretty sure Elias knows Ares is my mate. He would have told Sophie, and Sophie would have told Kristen, and Kristen would have told Aaron.

Aaron would have told everyone...

I decide to just go downstairs and face the music. What's the worst that could happen?

I go to the dining room and sit in my usual seat. Most of the group is here, Sophie, Elias, and Aaron. Kristen isn't here though. Ares isn't either.

I dish my breakfast and start eating. Aaron clears his throat, but I ignore it and continue eating. He does it again but I won't budge, I can be stubborn. He does it a third time, and I'm ready to punch him. I look up and see him staring at me, waiting.

I look him in the eyes and take a bite of my toast, while staring deep into his soul.

I finish chewing and take another bite, still staring.

I can be petty...

"Sooo...Scarlett?" Aaron asks with his brows raised.

"What?"I ask, hoping he will make this quick and easy.

"Are you going to tell us about your little rendezvous in the closet last night?" He asks tilting his head. I look around at the group and they're all listening.

How do they know...

I thought they were going to ask about my escape, not the kiss. I think Ares told them not to bring up my escape or told them it was nothing. Either way I'm grateful. My cheeks burn red and I look down.

Why am I so bad at eye contact?

"I don't know what your talking about." I say simply, picking at the fluff on my pants.

"Come on Scarlett...you are a foul liar." He says leaning forward.

"What were you doing with Ares in that broom closet?" Sophie asks, joining the conversation and tilting her chin up with a knowing smile.

I've been caugh red handed.

It's over...

I'm done...

Finished....

"How do you even know about that?" I ask.

"We have our sources...now spill." Kristen says walking into the dining room and sitting next to Aaron. I don't know what I'm supposed to say, because unfortunately for me I am a foul liar like Aaron said. I have to tell them that Ares is my mate.

Should I even do that because what if he doesn't want to tell them now, what if he wants to wai-

"We know you two are mates..." Sophie tells me.

Well there goes that theory.

The story is out so no point in denying it now.

"How? When?" I ask. I feel attacked, I mean were we that obvious?

"Yes you were." Aaron says.

Oops, I said that last bit out loud.

He laughs at my flushed face and I stare at him incredulously.

"None of what happened in the closet concerns you..." I finally say. It took me a while to say that pathetic excuse of a sentence.

Ares walks into the dining room and stands behind me. He leans down and kisses my cheek.

My face is burning from blushing...I truly think my face is going to fall off after all this torment.

The group laughs at the surprised look on my face. They decide to leave me alone and let me eat in peace.

Ares smirks at me from his seat at the head of the table, and now I realize he kissed me in front of them on purpose.

Traitor...

***

We are walking through the streets of Faelea. The market is packed with many people and people selling all kinds of things. I don't even know why we are here. I was told it is just pack business.

The guys walk further and stop at a stall. They talk for a while and the girls and I explore the surrounding vendors.

They are selling all kinds of jewellery and small gifts. I wonder a little further from the group. Books and pillows surround me and I can't stop looking around. Each time I turn there is something new. I walk through and I'm surrounded with art and food.

I stop and pick up a necklace...

It reminds me of my mother's jewellery that I was never allowed to touch as a child.

Oh how times have changed...

I look up at the stall owner and my head is knocked back.

Ow!

Someone punched me in the face.

The person puts their hand on my mouth to keep me from screaming and I thrash in their arms.

I am pulled into an abandoned building...not far from where I was earlier. I turn and look at my kidnapper ready to murder them. I am stunned by what I am looking at.

Quin.

"It's been a while Scarlett..."

I haven't seem her in ages. She used to come and play with me and Elijah when we were kids...but she left abruptly. We never saw her again and we were once again locked in our prison of loneliness.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, I am so shocked...I don't even know where to begin.

" I was sent to track you and bring you back to Estiel." She tells me, and I tense up.

"Relax...I'm not actually gonna do it. If I was, we wouldn't be having this conversation" she explains and I calm down.

"I have something to tell you about Demetri-" she is abruptly interrupted.

"Scarlett where are you!?" Ares calls out and visibly relaxes when he sees me. He walks to me and wraps his arms around me. The rest of the group barge in and stand by me, staring at Quin warily.

"Who is she?" Kristen asks.

"An old friend." I say.

"Mate." Klaus says.

Oh you have got to be kidding me...