A Thousand Year Obsession ✔

26. Learn The Consequences Before Acting

26. Learn the Consequences Before Acting

I shifted, my fingers clasping tight around the arms of the chair, my feet tense on the floor, my muscles on edge, prepared to vault me upwards at any moment. The table, a lengthy black stretch of wood clothed in white, sparkled in the dim light cast by the chandelier above. The dining hall, though large enough for three hundred men, contained only two, and every miniscule sound rebounded throughout the space with a scathing echo.

Derek sat across from me, his misty blue eyes watching me with a dark glinting malice. The familiar fear wouldn't cease it's trembling shivers as they slid over the bumps on my skin, raising the hairs on my neck. His head tilted slightly, his eyes flitting to the food set between us, then to my empty plate, before settling back on me.

"What are you waiting for, Morgana?" He murmured. "Feast. I've made your favorites."

My gaze snapped down towards the bowls of fruit, squash and dumplings, my stomach churning restlessly.

"I'm not hungry." My voice shook, even though I tried so desperately to filter strength into it.

Derek merely sighed.

"Morgana. Eat." His tone left no room for argument.

I only shook my head slowly, biting my lip.

"I can't." I whispered.

He stood up, moved a bit to the left before swinging himself smoothly over the table and moving to hover just beside me.

"You must." He said.

His fingers clasped onto the spoons and he began piling my plate with food. I felt sickened at the sight of it. Derek lifted up my fork and placed it in my hand,then stepping back to watch me.

The fork slid from my grasp and I stood up, quickly backing away from the table.

"No." It was all I said, all I needed to say.

Derek moved towards me and grabbed my wrist, halting my retreat. "I won't let you starve yourself, Morgana. You haven't eaten in two days."

I pressed my lips together. "I'm not feeling that well. I should go to bed." I turned to leave, but Derek did not release his hold on my wrist. "Let go." I said softly.

"Not until you eat."

My eyes flickered down to the cut across my palm. "You can't force me to."

He followed my gaze and sighed. "Morgana, stop moping. Get over yourself."

"I'm not moping." I said quietly. "I'm ill."

"You aren't ill, Morgana."

"Of course I am. I'm suffering from a deadly case of abduction." I replied curtly.

His lips twitched upwards. "There's some of the old fire back."

"Let go."

"No. You eat, or you'll sincerely regret it."

I remained silent for a moment longer, before lifting my head up to look at him.

"Shall I confess a little secret?" I murmured softly.

He raised an eyebrow.

"I've been practicing." I said.

He frowned. "Practicing what?"

A smile found its way to my lips. "Magic." I breathed.

I raised my hand and the familiar push of power shot through me. Derek's eyes widened before slipping closed. He slumped to the floor, his head thudding harshly against the marble. I spun on my heels and ran from the dining hall, swiftly navigating through fortress to the back door. I found it easily and slipped through, locking it behind me. The cold bitter air nipped at my skin, but it didn't once slow me down as I fled across the shivering terrain.