AZAINNEA'S POV
The lake before me glimmers in the afternoon light. The prince and i will host our little tea party here, where I'll be comfortable near the water.
I see him walking down from the palace, toward me. His hair blowing in the wind, his robes slightly open at the chest, revealing his tanned skin. I trace his jawline with my gaze. His long eyelashes and elegant cheekbones. I study his lips, wanting to fall between the folds of them. He isn't straight lines and perfect symmetry, and I find him so much more beautiful for it.
But his eyes...
By the gods. His eyes.
In shadow, they are hazel with small flecks of orange. But when hit by sunlight, they are the most beautiful golden brown imaginable.
I lose my breath when he looks at me...and I love it.
I've been staring for to long, but I can't seem to stop.
He's watching me.
I like watching him watch me. How his eyes follow the tattoo running up my thigh, glancing over my hair, every inch of my skin, my lips, before he finally meets my gaze.
The pleasure his gaze gives me ends as soon as I see how red his eyes are. Pain shoots through me at the thought of him crying, but he simply flashes me a reassuring smile.
I stand and curtsy
"Your Highness." I say straightening. He hesitates, before forward for my hand, to kiss it.
Upon contact, we both wait for our elements to react. But the water merely stirs and warm sensations run through my body. I'm not sure if it's Xulio's fire or simply the effect this boy has of me.
No, I thought, not a boy. A man.
His lips brush over my knuckles, the air leaves my lungs in a shaky breath.
Why does such a small gesture cause such a large reaction from me?
This boy is confusing me and I don't know if I hate him for it, or am thrilled by the emotions he's causing in me.
We take our seats and he pours the tea from the tea pot. The steam rises and I breath in the sent. Chai. My favorite.
"You like chai?" I ask him. He smiles again, nodding.
"When I was little my mom and I would drink it together. Sitting on a pick-nick blanket. She taught me how to brew it the traditional way." I smile. "It's my favorite."
"Mine too."
He looks at me putting the tea pot down. and there's that pain again. That look of wanting to cry, but knowing you're not aloud to.
Before I can doubt myself, I put my hand to his cheek and search his eyes.
"What did he do?"
He just laughs and shakes his head.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Princess?"
YOU ARE READING
The Beasts Within Us
FantasyXulio DeLoera is a feared prince of the most powerful empire. He has ruled the battle field since the age of sixteen and with the help of the Dragon Karnon that possesses his body, he has earned his fathers respect. But now he has come of age and h...
