Hidden Empress

Chapter 37

Edward's pov

Castor and I have been studying the pair in amusement. William and Alina were behaving odd. Each time both of them are in the same room, the tension becomes so thick you'd need a knife to cut through. I noticed William watching Alina with a pained expression when he thought no one was looking. The same thing goes for Alina. They barely said a word to each other. Sometimes I notice Alina stare at nothing, she just blanks out. Though it seemed funny how both of them are trying to deny their feelings, I can't help but think there's something serious going on. T also seems Alina is avoiding me. I notice she avoids meeting my eyes whenever we are in the same room. I decided that I'll do my best to find out what.
I cornered her in the hallway and pulled her into a room. She snatched her hands away from my grip but I wasn't bothered. I quickly moved to the door and locked it, pocketing the key.

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Alina's pov

I stared like a deer caught in a fire as Edward locked the door. I watched him pocket the key making me lose hope of escaping. I know you guys are wondering, why not use magic to open the door? Well I would have considered it if Edward was not standing in front of the door guarding it as if it were the royal treasure. There's no way I can use magic on the door without hurting Edward and that's one thing I can't risk. I felt eyes on me and looked up to see Edward's inquisitive gaze. I started feeling nervous. And whenever I feel nervous, I tend to ramble which is exactly what I did now.
"You know magic is so vast and wide. Of course I'm sure you have heard of it. I've been practicing black magic. I mean if I'm to beat Alice, I might as well learn a thing or two about her technique. I mean it's not her technique per say but it's something. I've also been teaching Elena how to control her powers. She - - - -"
Edward arched a brow distractedly and cut off my rambling.
"Wait a minute, did you say Elena?"
Wow out of everything I said, you picked out Elena? I thought.
"Yeah I did. Why?" I asked wiggling my brows at him. He chuckled weakly and smiled sheepishly knowing he has been caught red handed.
"Nothing. Nothing at all"
I smiled at him like a Cheshire cat and began teasing.
"Hmm it seems someone has caught my big brother's eyes. I wonder who it could be?"
I felt a sharp pain on my scalp and turned to see Edward pulled my hair. He cuffed my nose saying
"Stop teasing. It's not as if you don't already have your eyes on someone here in the palace"
I paled instantly and tried to act innocent but I stuttered
"Wh-What a-are y-you talking a-about?"
Edward smiled and wiggled his brows
and replied in a high pitched voice mimicking me
"w-what a-are y-you talking a-about?"
I raised my hand to hit him but he dodge it laughing at me.
He walked up to me with a serious expression and asked
"So are you going to tell me what's going on between you and William or do I have to force it out of you?"
I kept my head down trying to hide my face with my hair. I knew if Edward looked into my eyes, he'd get a glimpse of what I'm feeling and force the rest out of me. I felt a hand on my jaw raising it up, forcing my eyes to meet his. What he saw there made him pull me into a hug. The action made me lose control and it suddenly became too much to bare. I burst into tears holding on to Edward shirt. He held on to me as I sobbed it all out. When I was spent, he wiped my eyes with his shirt and led me to a chair. He took both my hands in his and said
"What's going on Alina? Talk to me"
I blinked away the tears threatening to spill and tried to make my voice even. I took a deep breath and said
"I think I'm in love with William"
I expected him to scream, scold or something but he didn't. Instead he watched me with eyes full of understanding and silently urged me to go on.
"I'm in love with him but we can't be together"
He arched a brow at me confused and asked
"Why? If it's because of Elena, then you don't need to worry. William and Elena are not together and will never be together"
I shook my head at him refuting
"No it's not because of Elena, it's something else."
He squeezed my hands and said
"Then what is it?"
I took a deep breath. I trusted Edward. He wants me to be happy and my sisters would never have appeared to him if they didn't trust him and that's saying something because my sisters do not trust easily.
"Sisters of light are not allowed to have sexual relations or they'll lose their powers" I said, my voice trembling. I heard his sharp intake of breath and looked up to see him shocked. But then he smiled at me and said.
"Then I guess you have to choose which is more important to you. Love or magic?"