The Truth Behind the Wings- ON HOLD for a while...sorry :(

Chapter 9

Devlyn Blackthorn

The light in those usually gleaming violet eyes was gone, replaced by an incessant sort of emptiness. Something was wrong. Dakota's firmly pressed lips and stiff posture only strengthened my suspicion. It was as if she was trying to contain something within her slender body. An emotion perhaps...?

"Dinner is ready to be served, Your Highnesses." The chef happily announced appearing completely oblivious to the underlying tension coursing through the informal dining room.

"Then it should be served, Mrs. Anderson." Nicholas, seeming completey unaffected the presence of his new bride, gave her a charming smile which grew only wider as the chef turned a light shade of red.

My jaw clenched automatically. A queasy sensation started to bite my mind. A flood of regret trickled through me. But it was not my place to interfere with their relationship especially now that Nicholas was finally back.

I forced myself to look at Dakota once again. Color had drained from her taut but still beautiful face. She was looking ahead in a distance contemplating- probably brooding over something. My heart sank alerting me to the unknown sensations Dakota enlightened in me. I shook them away and spoke up. 

"Yes, please serve them now." 

"Of course, Your Grace." Mrs. Anderson flushed even more and hurried out of the room.

"Let's have a seat." I sat down with a sigh. A minute later, mouth watering platters were rushed into the room by uniformly dressed staff. I knotted my fingers together and placed them on the table as I waited for the food to be laid out.

I picked up my set of cutlery and concentrated on the cutting the tender meat in front of me. Minutes passed by but the insatiable silence only grew more intense. I contined on eating ignoring my surroundings. Ignoring Dakota. Ignoring my brother.

Even the promising food seemed tasteless.

Damn it all! I placed my utensils down and wiped my hands with the silky towel. 

"You are not eating." My head snapped up towards Nicholas. He was intently studying his 'wife' with dark, cynical amusement. His words were more of an observation rather than a statement. I turned to the other side and indeed, the food on her plate was left untouched. 

Dakota Valentine

I felt numb...thrilled...scared...confused. I felt...hurt. I couldn't get what I saw earlier out of my head. I knew that it was not my right to complain but my heart continuously protested. The way Nicholas Blackthorn, the stranger who was my husband, smirked at me made me tremble. It made me feel exposed...raw and utterly bare. Tears played with my meloncholic mind threatening to spill any moment. But I didn't let them. I wouldn't let them.

Perhaps this was my punishment. Or maybe it was just my bad luck caressing me, tormenting me with it's hold on my soul. I didn't know but I oh-so-desperately wanted to find out. For the first time in my life, I was outraged. I detested and cursed my luck. Why me?! I sometimes wondered fruitlessly. Why...?

Why does it have to be me? Why can't I, for once, be happy? I bit my lower lip.

Scared of my own selfish thoughts, I looked up to survey the room. Only when I did look up, I realized that the heart throbbing Blackthron brothers were both staring at me. One with questioning concern while the other with cold amusement both expecting me to respond to something.

I tried to search my brain for something that I might have conciously missed but nothing pooped up so I gave up trying and asked "Yes?"

"You haven't eaten Dakota. Are you alright?" Devlyn's grey eyes darkened with concern and another emotion I did not understand loomed within their depths. I glanced at the food in front of me and my stomach protested clenching its muscles tighter. 

"I-I am not hungry, Your Grace." I shook my head and excused myself. "Excuse me. I'll just go back to my room."

"Your wound is alright?"

"Yes, of course. I...am just tired." I gave him a smile which died halfway as I felt Nicholas's glare boring into me. 

"Perhaps, I will accompany ' my wife'." He watched my face pale with contemptuous satisfaction. No! I did not want to be alone with him! 

King Devlyn must have sensed my panic because his next words soothed me into a false sense of security. "No, stay Nicholas. We need to talk."

Before I could witness their next words, I ran away from there like the coward I knew I was.

Hours ticked away and before I knew it, the sky began to darken. The birds vanished back to their sanctuaries. The Palace started to quieten down after the busy day. And my heart began to throb even harder. I was afraid of what might happen next.

Naturally, a man was expected to sleep in the same bed as his bride. I just wished-no, hoped- that this obligation did not apply to our farce of a marriage. That Nicholas would oppose the idea of such...'collaboration'.

To my absolute horror and despair, the maids forced me into a white flowing dress and scattered flowers and scented candles all over the room. I couldn't help myself from shuddering violently. I did not want this. I could not want this. I did--

"We will leave you to it, Your Highness." The maids bowed. "Have a good night." That statement was followed by many, many giggles and awkward coughs.

"But--!"

"Good night." They left not listening to a word I had uttered.

I started to pace around the room, frantically blowing off the candles and clearing the flowers off the bed. Thereby, completely ruining the romantic aura the room was emanating. I had to get rid of these before my husband showed up..that is if he does come. No! I did not need him to get the wrong idea. I was not the same as all his other 'mistresses'. 

"And what are you doing darling?" His derisive drawl caused me to drop the flowers I had hurridely gathered.

"I--"

Yes, it's a cliffhanger...-ish!

Lol! This chapter is dedicated to the person who motivated me enuff to write...so voila!

Once again, I got lost half way through but I t don't think tht this chapter was tht bad...

I still need suggestions for Devlyn!

I do realize tht my chapters are...shorter lately but this way I can upload faster..

Also, I hope u enjoyed this!

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Abeera xx