After The End

29. Stuck Together

3rd POV:

Crystals, twinkling like stars, adorned the gilded high ceiling, casting ethereal lights that danced across the walls draped in luxurious curtains of deep blue and shimmering silver. Glass columns, specially installed for the occasion, stood tall and majestic. Within them, it seemed as though stars and moons had been trapped.

Dancers swirled in perfect rhythm with the music, glass clinking in celebration, and smiles adorning all the attendees' faces, but one. A servant hastily weaved through the elated guests, his head down to hide his somber expression. He stood before the king, who was anxiously waiting for him. With a subtle inclination of His Majesty's head, the servant leaned in, his hand shielding his whispered words. With each syllable uttered into the king's ear, a shadow cast over his features.

"What do you mean he is nowhere to be found," The king whisper-yelled, his thunderous voice landing right on the queen's ear.

"Where was the last time he was seen," Gabbing her husband's hand for comfort, the queen shifted her worried gaze to the servant who nodded his head. He needed no further instructions, he knew what to do. As the queen's eyes scanned the ballroom, a wave of relief washed over her when she realized none of the guests had noticed.

None of the guests took notice but the new duke with the enchanting gray eyes. The moment the servant set foot inside the ballroom, he took notice. Nothing goes past his hawk-like gaze.

His lips curled into a smirk, he relished the distress on the king's face. But his evil smile instantly faded as she crossed his mind. His eyes fanatically scanned his surroundings, she wasn't back yet, and neither was Castiel.

"Your grace.." Delphine moaned in pain as Aurelius' fingers tightened around her hand.

"Is something wrong," Her tone turned to concern as she asked. Her eyes traced his expression: jaw clenched, eyes darting restlessly.

Her words reached him but seemed to dissolve into white noise in his ears. Without hesitation, he released her hand, and pushed her aside, as she was a mere obstacle in his way. Her jaw dropped to the floor, she watched him stride away, leaving her abandoned in the middle of the dance and right in the center of the dance floor where she was supposed to be in Castiel's arms.

Her nose scrunched in confusion, she could never understand this man, never! Despite being the one to ask for the dance, he barely uttered a word, and that look in his eyes as if everyone was beneath him bothered her. However, her confusion slowly faded as a gentle smile tugged at her lips and her amber eyes sparkled in amusement. All that hard the look to be softened the moment his eyes were to land on Ellie.

His boots echoed against the dark marbled floor, his glare hardening by the second scanning for his target. The chill breeze of the night tousled his slicked-back hair, causing strands to drift onto his forehead, casting a dark shadow over his eyes.

He looked left and right, his nostrils flared as his gaze locked into the guard, blissfully resting against a tree without a care in the world. Yet, it wasn't the guard's presence that stoked the Duke's rage, but the absence of someone else nearby.

"Your Grace." The guard straightened up in alarm once he noticed the very unhappy duke.

"Where is she?" Aurelius growled, seizing the guard by the collar with a forceful grip.

"With His Highness," The guard stated calmly despite his nerves.

"Where is she" he bit out, his voice dripping with menace.

"I presume since my lady was in the company of his highness- the back garden my lord-your grace," The guard stammered as Aurelius shot him another deadly glare.