Annihilation - Book Three

Chapter 30

I don't want to be held captive by his demands for my attention. What had happened between us was finished, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find some comfort in Marcus lingering. I felt exposed among these strangers; I'd grown used to a lycan at my side, sniffing out impending threats. To be left to my own when an assassination attempt wasn't out of the question, I found myself creeping into paranoia at the thought. 

The man I truly wanted to be with danced with the mother of his child; I might have been able to convince myself Penelope was only doing this to keep the drunken lycan occupied.  Marcus stands beside me as if we'd never had such a cutting discussion, unapologetic in his desire to continue to try for my hand. 

 "You must truly think I'm a fool, you brought Penelope into this mix to get a rise out of me." I accuse him. 

He shrugs. "I helped Penelope get a chance to drive the wedge. I won't lie. Politics are a horrible thing."

"He's your brother."

Marcus looks at me, his eyes intense. "I'm only a man. This comes easily to me, and he struggles with his nature. I suppose I'm just helping along the process; one of these days, one of you will realize that this affair is nothing but that, an affair of two men in high-stress times. It won't last, I just have to be patient. " 

I part my lips to speak, but there is nothing left to say to someone who feels so strongly that I'm too naive to decide my own future.  I depart, throwing myself into what I was bred to do and that's become a diplomat. If I must be trapped here, I might as well continue to strengthen alliances.

 Eventually, I make my way to Haryek and it pleases me to see he's absolutely glowing.

"Nicolas, this is going fantastic," the elf whispers to me after introducing me to his friends. I always knew this role would suit you, and look, you're incredible. You're a natural! I'd almost believe that your parents groomed you for this role." He tips his glass, and I offer him a small smile.

The fact that Haryek could lie so shamelessly to my face was never lost on me; I simply relaxed my shoulders with a quiet acceptance of the praise. My temper flaring, I couldn't allow my previously foul mood to ruin a decent evening. The elf had never seen any sort of potential in me, save for means in which to gain my kingdom through my bed chambers. 

Once the conversation gets repetitive and people begin to hang on each other as if they might require further entertainment, I make my leave to find a place to sit down. My feet and back ached, and it wasn't quite within what was acceptable of my position to lounge and slouch. 

 I actively avoid my warlord, sensing him following me from a distance, and every time he gets close I drift away again. I wanted him to see just how much I was capable of on my own, that my tolerance of his mistakes was out of love and not out of some sort of need for his guidance. 

A decorated war hero, I was worth talking to, despite his attempts to rekindle rumors that I was a sexual deviant. Frowning, I catch a glimpse of myself in one of the massive mirrors, taking stock of the heavy outfit and the tones of my skin playing against the hues of the royal attire. I wish to touch my lips, to remember how he held me so strongly at the beginning of the night, how weighted his voice had sounded. 

Two people kiss not far from me, a man and a woman entangled in each other, her dress hiked over her hip as he pulled her onto his body. 

The party was edging toward its completion, and the patrons were beginning to either disperse or find a warm body for the night. A quick sweep confirmed these two weren't the only ones caught up in the festivities. 

"Damned English bastard..."Casually dragging my fingers through my hair, I exhaled as I made my way onto the patio, ready for him to catch me and make his case.