Unkissed. (Rated R)

68.🐸

Over the course of a week, the days went on in a usual routine. Waking up and being at the door by the first crack of dawn. Day one she pries the door open, and our eyes would meet subtly before we avert our gaze, I'd stand silently as she ate breakfast in the thick silence, never uttering a word to the maids when she is need. And soon it expands to a month, and I quietly witness her demeanor steadily decline.

Those days they went in silence, she neither looks at me, nor does she even acknowledge I am there for most of the time. And Ray has still been missing in action. I stand firmly with my hand clasped around my wrist, intently watching her under the hood of my eyes, observing her new strange behavior. Muted and distant, it was like a hollow shell that lacked a soul. Attire black, hair remained voluminous and healthy, her beauty is undefeatable even still, but Tiana wasn't there.

And pretty soon the silence between us becomes galling. Disturbing me to the core.

Was she still angry for what happened between us a few weeks ago?

Not even a sharp glare of any kind warning me to look away. I know she can feel when I am watching.

I knew to plant myself firm and give her the space she needed, but once again I'm plagued with greed, today my patience had reached the end of the thin thread and snapped, I throw my gaze left to right as she ate her yogurt slowly, eyeing the cutlery hanging on the edge of the table, a maid strolled by hitting the end of the knife and I manage to catch it midway.

"Oh, I am so sorry." she bows. Fearful of whatever consequential wrath that might have followed. But there was none, Tiana would never yell, but yet there was not even a sound or a giggle. My eyes keen on her eyes as she glanced to the two of us, scrutinizing the pupils void of light and drained of color, before she returned to her yogurt.

"Leave us." I commanded to the maid; I listen as her patters fade away out of the kitchen. "Tiana look at me." I beckoned, but it was as if I was not even there. I pull the wood of her chair until she faces me, now I was in her line of sight, my palm slithers to her cheek -- cold.

I pull the yogurt from her hands while she blankly watched my every move.

"Tiana, what's wrong? is it about what happened?"

No answer.

"Are you ill?" I kneel to the ground, determined to get her to speak, but it was like no soul roamed in the shell. I touch her body, I touched her hands, she does not move.

"Helping yourself, huh, brother?"

My teeth grits, to the sound of his nonchalant voice at the entrance of the dining area.

"No sir," I croaked darkly, already feeling my blood boiling at his presence. "The Queen is ill."

"And how would you know that?" I hear him striding closer until Tiana drifted her eyes upwards to him, and I examine as his shadow lined the side of her face and the scent of expensive cologne fanning down my frame.

"She is cold sir."

His palm extends and he felt her forehead. "Hmm, she is a little bit."

Anger swarms me and I rose up to my feet, now face to face with his grin. "My king, allow me to take her to bed."

"Oh?" he drawls.

"She needs rest sir, she needs medication."

The ends of his lips curl darkly, and his eyes rake my frame from chest to head "Mutts like you love a vulnerable woman don't you hm. Stand down, I can take care of my wife, you're dismissed for the day, brother."

I argue no further, steadying my heaving chest as he bent down to cradle her in his arms. My eyes on his every move, gritting my teeth when he doesn't hold her properly, keeping my hands at bay when her neck loosely falls off his shoulders.