The Shadows of Royalty

Chapter 21 ... A New Dawn

     I stayed frozen for a few seconds, before I  grabbed my dress and ran after Liam, through the field. 

" Liam! Wait!" I holler as he turns around, allowing his dark hair glisten in the sunlight. How would it feel to run my fingers through his silky hair? Under his dark long lashes, lurked his grey mesmerizing eyes.

 I stop to a halt when I reach him and catch my breath. 

" Yes," Was all he said. 

I swallowed. " What did you mean, when you said-" 

He interrupted me. " Miss Rachel, I know what I said. Is there a problem?" Why the hell was he acting so distant and cold now?   

I frown. " I...I was wondering.. I mean how did you know?"  I finally say, feeling pressured under his gaze. 

" il mio angelo, this is not the right place to talk. " 

" Then when is it? I want to know!" I yell, suddenly angry. Did he hurt my father?

He grabbed my arm. " Miss Rachel! I don't think you asking the true questions you seek an answer too."  He hisses. 

" Indeed, you are correct. Where you the one that beat -" 

" Don't finish, I cant bear to visualize what he did to you. Shhhh..." He  placed his pointer on my lips.

We were standing behind the flower garden of the castle. He brushed a tear off my cheek.

" Don't cry, farfalla, to answer your question. No, I didn't beat your father. But I wish I did. He was found beaten in the garden. "  He whispered. I just wanted to lean in to his chest which was inches away. His grey eyes were filled with warmth and .. and...  sympathy?

Why was I suddenly so weak and pathetic? I used to be stronger, never showing my fear, always empty from all the rush of emotions that went through me in front of people. Even when all the memories would cloud my mind, I kept to myself.

I wipe my tear and pull myself together. I needed to be alone, to think through everything that is happening. 

I dared to look up to his eyes. " I don't need your pity." 

About to leave and walk away from the intimate moment we were locked in, his hand shot out, grabbed me, and pulled  me against his chest. My chest raises and falls quicker than it never did before. His other arms held me by my waist, as he presses me closer to him, with his steel grip.

" That wasn't pity, il mio angelo, it was admiration. You are one of the strongest people I've met. Don't let it get to you." He whispers as centimeters held us apart. My eyes suddenly went to his lips. He was that close and I wanted to seal the moment. His eyes grazed my face, memorizing each feature before he let go. But he didn't let go. He leaned in, making my heart become a frenzy. Instead, he just leans and places his lips onto my forehead. Part of me whimpered, hating him for not kissing me. Was I crazy? He was a gentleman not like Xander, the man whore. 

" I will be leaving the palace soon." Was all he said before releasing me and walking away.

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