Scattered

36

The Cerulean Ring

As much as a powerful emotion fear was, it didn't come equipped with a navigator.

Or in other words, Olivia was hopelessly lost in Keres' maze like home.

She found new murals hung in unexplored parts of the mansion. Olivia found a peculiar interest in a mural depicting what might have been an ancient torture method. A man was lodged in a wooden log with his limbs let out through holes and was force-fed honey and milk before he was sent floating along the river. Termites, ants and other insects would eat him alive as soldiers would continue to force-feed the victim with more honey and milk making them throw up and fill the log with more of the sweet liquids that would attract more insects, eventually eating up the man slowly and painfully. Olivia shook her head to reign in her active imagination as a forensic expert and walked ahead, trying to find any resemblance to where her room would be.

In the far end of the corridor, a glint caught Olivia's eyes.

And like a moth drawn to flame, Olivia was pulled by curiosity towards a door that seemed to glint differently with every different angle the light hit it. She touched the wood gingerly, watching the very fine engraving on the expensive wood catch he faint light of the spotlight nearby and shine like little diamonds. The engravings were filled with silver or some other lustrous metal and were an ancient tongue written in calligraphy. It mesmerized Olivia into a trance, wishing that she knew what the words meant.

She jumped back in fright when the said door swung opened.

Keres stepped out of the dark room and Olivia's mouth went dry. He was dressed only in a pair of low hanging silk pants and his hair mussed from sleep. He was shirtless to display his powerful body that seemed to be carved from smooth marble; his abs and a delectable v-line accentuated by the tricky lighting.

'Is anything wrong, Olivia?'

His voice was huskier than normal and Olivia almost shivered. He seemed so human then, she couldn't help but notice; the lack of his powerful suit and his piercing eyes languorous with sleep made him more appealing than Olivia could have imagined.

'I-I am so sorry if I woke you up.' She scrambled up a coherent reply. 'I was l-lost and I saw the door and... I am so sorry.'

Keres eyes finally seemed to focus out of his sleep to scan Olivia's scantily clad body. She burned in embarrassment in having been caught in her sheer nightgown, standing outside his bedroom.

'I-I'll just... find my way back, I guess...'

Olivia backed out from his overwhelming presence slowly to attempt a speedy getaway. But she failed to anticipate his hand that shot out like a viper to catch her upper arm. His hand was a warm vice against her soft skin; his grip strong but not enough to bruise her. Olivia gasped softly as he gently pulled her back closer to his warm body. His masculine scent attacked her senses, making her part her lips as her breathing turned irregular. She could feel every dip and curve of his firm body against her but she dare not turn around or open her closed eyes. His warm breath was glided across Olivia's heated skin so delectably that she thought that she would faint.