𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter fifteen

Emriana

My eyes flew open as I sat up in my bed. I patted the bed in a panic, my hand connecting with the soft fur of the tiger allowing me to release the breath I was holding. I kept having this dream night after night. I think it was more of a memory of the last time I saw my parents before they sent me to my grandmother.

I shook my head, trying to push all the negative thoughts away as I slipped out of bed and grabbed another little notebook with a pencil. Dana was deeply asleep, probably like most people at this hour. If it wasn't for the moonlight, I would never have been able to make my way out of the room. I closed the door behind me, not wanting to wake her up but also not wanting to wake up the sleeping tiger.

The hallway was swallowed by the darkness if it hadn't been for the candle holders on the walls providing dim light. A soapy smell flowed through my nose as I realized the workers had cleaned the floors while everyone was asleep. It was only then that I realized I had forgotten to put on any shoes. My bare feet thumped against the grey marble floor as I headed toward the end of the hallway where the staircase was located.

I tried to be discreet, making minimal sounds not to wake anybody up. I didn't know if we were allowed to leave our room during the night, but I just felt like the outdoors would feel really nice right now. My cold feet padded softly against the dark carpeted stairs as I used the wall to guide myself.

I'd never roamed the castle alone until now, and I hoped I would be able to find my way back. It wasn't long before I reached the main part of the castle downstairs. I was careful not to be noticed by any of the workers still cleaning the hallways while talking in hush voices. I hid behind the wall until the path was clear and sprinted down the hall toward the garden.

I pushed the doors open, stumbling into the cold outdoors, but it wasn't where I'd gone last time. I was instead on some kind of terrace that led directly into the gardens. There were a couple of nice-looking sofas where you could lay your feet comfortably. The beautiful white marble balisters delimited the terrace with chic lanterns on every corner.

I made my way to the edge of the balustrade, staring into the garden in front of me. It was beautiful, they had lit up some lanterns along the main path, illuminating the area just enough for it to remain peaceful.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I spun around only to be faced by the mysterious guy that had been next to Drakkar and Zeke today, watching me with a frown. I blushed, not expecting him to be so close, before backing away, my back flush against the balustrade.

"I..um...I wanted to take a stroll outside," I replied, and he raised an eyebrow. It was only then that I realized how different he looked from earlier. His perfectly styled hair was all over the place, and he only wore a simple grey shirt with fitted black trousers. It made me realize I was only in my nightgown, and I covered myself with my arms as my blush deepened.

"Were you fucking waiting to meet someone?" He asked, taking another step toward me, and I shook my head, my body leaning further over the balustrade.

"Who would I be meeting at night?" I asked with a chuckle. He didn't answer, only stayed silent as his eyes watched me.

He took another step toward me, and I leaned further away. I leaned too far behind me and screamed as I lost my balance and slipped over the balustrade. I closed my eyes, my heart thumping against my chest as I expected the crash, but it never came.

I hesitantly opened one eye to see him gripping my wrist, holding me back. My eyes widened as I gripped his arms to pull myself back up, but as soon as I touched him, he jerked my hand away from him. He pulled me from the balustrade, his grip too tight, before shrugging me off.