Dragon's Bride

11. The Invisibility Spell

Ethan stood in the corner of the room a bit confused. Iris had managed to drag him into her room without making any suspicious move. For some reason, he didn't speak as Sasha wasn't aware of his presence there. Still hidden under the invisibility spell, he looked around and found himself in a room that resembled a garden.

The walls were covered by vines which were sprouting strange flowers. Iris surely had broadened his knowledge of the flora as he had seen several unique species in her garden and no wonder her bedroom was a miniature garden too. Even her wooden bed looked like a large tree but the pale pink bedspread gave it away.

"My lady, let me help you undress", Sasha said bringing the nightgown.

"No!"

Before Ethan could react, he heard a vehement protest by Iris.

"No? Is something wrong, princess?" Sasha was looking at Iris with a confused expression.
"No, no. I am just... cold. So I will sleep in this tonight." Iris giggled nervously and looked around her to guess where the invisible Ethan was standing.

"Then I shall rub warm olive oil on your back and breasts, my princess,"
Sasha suggested a quick solution for the cold.

Iris felt her face getting crimson. She grabbed Sasha and began pushing her to the direction of the door.

"I am really fine, Sasha you go ahead now."

Sasha was still gaping at her when she closed the door on her face. Iris felt a bit sorry for Sasha but she couldn't tell her that Ethan was hiding in the room and she obviously can't undress or let her maid massage her in front of a man.

Sighing inwardly, she was about to whisper his name but she felt something soft under her feet followed by a sharp intake of breath near her. Startled, Iris tried to move sideways and felt her body colliding with a harder one. Seemed like they both moved to the same side to avoid each other.

Ethan immediately moved back a step but Iris swayed as she was confused about his position and just when he tried to call her name. She fell forward losing her footing in all this confusion.

Iris was concentrating to lift the spell and the sudden movement confused her, as a result, she found herself falling on top of something. The moment they both fell on top of each other, the spell was lifted like a curtain being drawn up and to her horror, Iris realised she has just planted her lips to his cheeks.

For a moment they both looked at each other. And then like lightning, they scrambled to their feet.

"My lady..."
"Mr Ethan..."

"I deeply apologise for troubling you, your highness. I should go back to my room." Ethan spoke in a careful tone.

"But, you cannot go there. The guards will be there and they will take you as the assassin." Iris was plainly worried for his safety.

"But it is after hours. I don't want to intrude your rest."
"I am not tired and besides I don't fall asleep so soon," Iris replied with a smile.

There she was doing it again! Dazzling him with that innocent smile of hers. She wasn't aware of what her presence do to him and he was having difficulty in hiding his attraction towards her. But she was right, the only place the guards would not scan tonight was her private chamber. He didn't want to risk showing himself now. It would be chaos. She might be labelled as a traitor for being his accomplice. He can't do that.
Iris tried to gauge his thoughts as he considered everything. She didn't know why she was so brave when it comes to his safety. To be fair she has taken all sorts of risks for him without even completely understanding herself. It was as if all reason left her the moment she found him half dead that night.

Ethan finally nodded in agreement and earned another glorious smile from her.