The Shadows of Royalty

It's Rude to Stare

(Unedited) 

Sitting in an extravagant room, filled with royals wasn't the best thing in the world. I stared at the paintings, and they, seemed to glare back at me. How wonderful, I was going to have morbid fascinations about these pieces of art.

I was wedged between Xander and Liam. In front of me sat the stalker like Prince Daniel and Jamie on his left, and then his right hand, was Jayden. Since the king had flown to another kingdom and all the nominees had left for vacation, the Queen and my Aunt Annalise, were nowhere to be seen. I was the only girl shoved in a table of semi- perverted men (not including Jamie*cough..cough* and Jayden of course).

Well I guess I can add our guest, Prince Daniel to that collection. I wonder if Liam can be described as a pervert. He is always very serious, death glaring, egotistical in a way, and has this business poker face on. Meanwhile Xander, always was eye raping women, and grinning like a bastard, at least not when he becomes angry (then he's like a killing machine).

But then Xander, this whole week wasn't acting conceited and like his usual "womanizer" self. He was more gentle, calm, respectful, keeping to himself, and surprisingly patient. I guess people can change, after all. Maybe, Liam wasn't fit for the pervert club, but rather the possessive club. He had his finger cupping my knee, from under the table, while Xander, had his arm hanging across the back of my chair. Great, now we have 2 members of the possessive club. 

I sat there like a statue. Time to time, receiving a scan from Prince Daniel, and then when he seems satisfied with his observations; he would flash me his signature smile.

I gulped, now it was time for examination #6, at the dining table. Daniel fell into a trance once again, staring at me. This time, his caramel orbs seemed to burn through my soul.

"Look away", A voice whispered from the back of my mind.

It was like his stare was summoning me to stare back.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Jayden shift uncomfortably, protectiveness evident onto his face. Liam, the whole time, had been noticing Prince Daniels eye trail, and every time they would land on me, his face would twitch onto a death glare, and his fingers on my knee would tighten, as if I was his damn property. Xander, on the other hand, was still lounging, carefree, and oblivious to what was happening before him.

I lean my head towards Xander's ear, while everyone was talking and Jayden resumed into encouraging Jamie to chug down 3 racks of lamb meat. The cheering went on as Jamie accepted the challenge, and began stuffing his face with the tender lamb.

"Xander," I whisper. His head whips towards me, the moment his name left my lips. I feel Liam's finger leave my knee.

He frowns as he grasps my hand. "Is everything alright? You look paler than usual."

I left my gaze rest into his emerald ones, trying to find comfort, but surprisingly, I felt worse. My stomach churned as a wave of dizziness crashed over me.

I gestured for Xander to lean, for me to whisper something to his ear. "Why does Daniel keep on staring at me? It's beginning to become creepy." Honestly, it was beyond creepy; I was beginning to feel drained. It was rude to stare.

"Don't say anything, just yet. Don't worry, princess, I noticed. I will talk to him after dinner. Something tells me that he staring not because of his player ways, but rather this time, it's his sight."

Xander's words bought me a bit of comfort, but he didn't understand what I truly meant behind my words. I was literally feeling weaker second. I weakly smiled as a roar of applause boast from the men around me, except ,of course, for Daniel. I glanced towards Jamie, and he had devoured 3 racks of lamb in less than 3 minutes. That was unusual and impossible on a way. What 14 year old can chug down 3 racks of lamb?

From the side of my eye, Daniel's eyes had glowed golden for a second, and then became empty. Nothing but solitude and darkness filled his orbs. I felt compelled to connect my orbs into his. That was truly a grave mistake.

The moment my eyes made contact with his, I fell into a trance, and felt my energy force leaving my body. The healthy state I always felt due to my affinity, seemed get torn out my soul. I swiftly tore my gaze from the Prince's orbs, because sudden pain grazed the flesh in my abdominal. My vision blurred as I heard someone shout.

"Rachel!"

Jayden's voice seemed to cause everyone to freeze, before I crumbled from the chair and into darkness. Except this time, I didn't fall into the flames of darkness, and not into the arms of the person sitting to my right.

But rather, I collapsed on the cold hard marble ground. 

*****

First off, do you like this virtual cover poster for The Shadows of Royalty ( TSOR) in the multimedia? Also did you like the new cover for this book?

OK, I am sincerely apologizing for the length of this chapter. I didn't find anytime this week to write this chapter, because it was full of testing , projects, homework,and exams. But luckily next week, will be the last week of school before my winter break! Next, week I'll have a long chapter up and the Q and A interview. By the way it's not to late to ask any question to any of the  characters. 

Till next time....

-G