On such a Summer's evening, the city is bustling and people filter out of the Palace to enjoy the comfortable warmth and fresh air.
The King is set to give a speech tonight, which many people will gather to watch.
He will explain the Adrien situation and the plan they have, and finish off by congratulating Kaida on her engagement. A broadcast of two extremes.
Amidst the preparation, Kaida is able to find some time for herself, relishing in her sought after silence.
It is not long now till she departs to the Haven Manor.
She takes a stroll through the Palace, shedding her usual Ruby embellished gowns for a light backless ivory dress that hugs her body.
Perhaps too scandalous for the Queen to be seen in, but it was the peak of Summer and who could check her anyway?
Kaida strolls across the Palace, mentally creating the strictest training regime for herself.
Before she knows it, she ends up at the balcony facing the West Sea - a place of old comfort.
Kaida watches the amber sun light the sky up tangerine, with hues of cherry blossom pink creeping in at the edges.
She breathes in the fresh salty air, almost wanting to taste it.
The serenity of the natural landscape, and the brief moment of utter peace and silence is quickly overtaken by the haunting image of streaky blonde hair, and Kaida goes back into her usual fretting.
She had succeeded in slowing Lord Adrien down considerably but he would still be upon them in approximately two weeks, give or take.
In that time, she had to figure out how to match him, so the next time they meet, she could deliver true on her words. To kill him.
A sudden clear of the throat disrupts Kaida, pulling her away from her thoughts, and she turns her neck to see who it is.
She narrows her eyes at the intruder.
"Why are you following me?"
Maven appears in a white linen shirt, almost matching Kaida, and his sleeves are rolled up to the elbows to reveal veins that interlink down his forearm.
The cut of his shirt is low and it is almost opaque, revealing every precious ridge and line of his sculpted physique, while also faintly showing that curved scar over his heart.
Kaida's eyes rake down shamelessly and she remembers what it was like to feel him. To trace her hands from his stomach all the way up.
She quickly snaps her eyes back up, scolding herself for her lack of decorum.
She plays it off with a flip of her hair, turning back to face the sea.
Maven does not say anything, as much as he wants to call her out.
"I'm not."
His cerulean eyes find interest in her dress, or rather, the lack thereof, as he stares at the smooth curve of her back.
It dips dangerously low, hugging her lower back in just the right place.
He takes an obvious step in and slinks to her right hand corner, near the snaking green vines.
He watches her side profile as she looks out to sea, following the curve of her nose, down to the curve of her chest and then further down-
"Then why do you keep finding me? This was my spot, remember?"
Maven's eyes pop back up to Kaida's face and she doesn't realise where his mind has been.
They were both guilty.
YOU ARE READING
𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐄
Romance[Completed - Book 3 of the Blood Court Series] ❝ You manipulated me. Did you think I would be happy? To see you sit on my throne. The throne you stole from me, while you let me die. Me...
