He knew the moment I stepped into the room.
I had just stopped myself at the top of the grand staircase, dropping the heavy fabric of my gown, when his eyes met mine. Out of the hundreds of guests here, I spotted him without hesitation.
His sapphire eyes were a striking contrast to his dark robes and black hair. Those brilliant eyes regarded me with such a passion that I had to grasp the cool marble railing to steady myself. The weight of his gaze made my custom made breathtakingly beautiful burgundy and gold gown feel greatly heavier, and made the crown on top my brown curls feel like a boulder.
He looked absolutely ravishing in his royal attire. His muscle-bound body was accented in all the right places, yet looked all the part of a good and responsible future consort. Only I knew what that body looked like out of the ridiculous clothing. The thought sent a hot shiver down my spine.
He held his hand out at that moment, gesturing me to join him amongst the guests. The people around him began to turn and look, their eyes going round as they saw me standing above them. In a show of respect that I'd grown quite familiar with, the ladies curtsied and the men bowed.
My eyes flicked back to him, a small smile playing at the edge of his mouth, sensing my unease. It took all the strength I possessed to not run at him then. Thankfully, I knew better. A lifetime of proper ladies behavior ran through my mind; head up, back straight, stride flowing, emotion in check.
I began my descent down the staircase and the guests began forming an aisle for me across the large room. I took the time it required for me to walk over to him to fully appreciate the beautiful ballroom. Walls that seemed to be taller than I could ever imagine, covered with what appeared to be every color of the rainbow, patterns ranging from leaves and vines to simple swirls and loops. Pictures of beautiful gods and goddesses hung high above, and on the ceiling lay large chandeliers, surround by bright gold molding. Candles were placed all along the walls, draping the room in a warm airy glow.
"Would you do me the great honor of giving me this dance?"
I gasped, startling at his voice as it whispered in my ear. I hadn't even noticed that I'd reached him. I simply nodded, still suffering from breathlessness at being so close to him. He seemed to enjoy this, smiling as he placed a hand on my lower back and ushered me to the center of the floor.
He pulled me close, so close that our chests touched and his breath caused the loose hairs to tickle my forehead. He smelled magnificently intoxicating, and I found myself leaning closer, allowing his scent to swarm around me and cover me like a childhood blanket.
Leaning in, he whispered in my ear. "You look absolutely breathtaking." He placed a small kiss just below my ear, causing an unearthly heat to shoot through my veins.
I just stared up at him, my green eyes simply drinking him in. I found myself unable to utter a single word. Instead, I focused on the hum that ran through my body, the familiar sensation that signified his presence.
"I don't think I can do this," I muttered, my gaze flicking to the ground as he continued to lead me in circles around the floor. At my words he pulled me tighter, protectively wrapping himself around me.
"Don't think like that. You're strong. You can do anything, moyata kralista." His words were like a summer's rain, drenching me in a warm embrace and drowning out my fears. His affectionate nickname caused a smile to slip on my face, but it quickly disappeared the more I allowed myself to think about our future.
"I'm scared," I whispered, dropping my head towards his body, shielding my moist eyes from the curious looks of the guests around us.
"Look at me." I ignored his words, refusing to let him see me at such a weak state. But his fingers slid under my chin, gently forcing my head up, locking our eyes. "I will always protect you, my love. Anything that tries to hurt you will cease to exist when I'm through with it." He placed a kiss on my forehead before dropping his hand and pulling me back to his body.
My heart fluttered with a mixture of admiration and fear. Fear not for myself, but for him, because I knew he meant every word. I knew he'd lay down his life for me, even if it gave me only one more day.
I spared a glance around the room, noticing the dancing couples looking at us as they spin around.
"Everyone is watching us," I whispered, observing as every gaze in the room flicked to us before quickly looking away when they noticed me catching them in the act.
His hand swept my long dark locks over my shoulder, playing with the curls, clearly not as affected as the gawking as I was.
"They're just marvelously petrified of us."
My gaze shot to his, my brows furrowing in confusion at his hard words yet calm tone.
"That is ridiculous. Why would they be afraid of us?"
His eyes locked with mine, a brilliantly beautiful smile coming to his lips as he leaned in like he's about to tell me the biggest secret of the world.
"Because, Rosa mea, although we are here to protect them, they know we have the power to destroy them. There's one thing we are together, and it's a magnificently dangerous thing."
Pulling away, I glanced up at him in a mixture of confusion and curiosity. For some reason, my heartbeat picked up and that humming in my body became more intense. It's as if my body wanted to know exactly what he was talking about, yet wanted him to keep it a secret from me at the same time. The former won.
"What's that?" I asked, my voice wavering.
He squeezed my hand then yanked my body flush against his. His face lowered so that his mouth was against my ear. He placed a small kiss on the lobe before letting out a small, deep laugh.
"Unstoppable."
YOU ARE READING
Reborn Deceit
Fantasy"Do you realize who you're talking about? That girl went through hell and back, literally, and she's alive to tell the tale. She may not remember it, but she will, eventually. She's not as fragile as you think. She is actually the strongest woman I'...
