Returning Reign

Chapter 17

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow! Now enjoy the new chapter!

"Yeah, how did you know I read that book?" I ask Nathaniel slightly breathless from the fear. He walks beside me and places it back onto the bookcase. He was much taller than me and had no problem reaching so high up.

"This is basically my private library," Nathaniel shrugs it off as if having a library the size of a high school is a normal thing.

"Have I been invading unknowingly?" I ask Nathaniel.

"No its open to everyone its just that no one comes here because they are always so busy. I guess I just claimed it as my own," He explains briefly.

I turn to look at the books once again and start walking down the long aisles of dark bookcases. "Do you have any more books like that one?" I ask, understanding that there is no point in trying to hide what I did.

"Are you a history lover?" Nathaniel chuckles at me as he follows closely behind me.

"Actually, I am." I turn to look back at him and pretend to look hurt. Its okay that he knows I read a simple history book, but I dont know if hes okay to trust. He cant really know my real intentions. I just need more time to make a choice.

Trusting Nathaniel could be the key to getting him to help me, or it could land me in worse trouble. He knows so much about the Royal family, because he is part of the Royal family. Who can I trust? And where do his loyalties lie?

"I love history and all the wisdom and stories we have in these history books." I explain to him trying to sound passionate about a subject that has never really been my favorite.

"I know much more than all these books about the history of Zemira," Nathaniel heads over to the couches near the fireplace, its our spot now.

"Really?" I question him with an arched brow and make myself comfortable on the couch across from him.

"Ask me any question and Ill find an answer for you," he tells me as he rolls up the sleeves of his black button up. For him, wearing a black button up and black slacks was a casual outfit.

"This feels weird, asking you about history is like asking you about your own family gossip," I tell him. I wanted to make sure he was certain about what he was going to tell me. I never want to pressure him into doing something he doesnt, and we hardly know each other, he doesnt owe me anything.

"No hardly at all." He replies pushing aside my doubts. It's probably because they arent his blood relatives. I need to look deeper into everything, I know there is something that I am missing.

We talked for about an hour about the Zemiran wars, revolutions, and allies. It was an insightful conversation but it didnt have what I was looking for. All Im hoping for is to grow my friendship enough to see if he is trustworthy. He is one of them after all.

"These are very surface level conversations," Nathaniel suddenly says in the middle of another conversation.

"Yeah they are," I agree with him. I didnt know where he was trying to go with this.

"Lets talk about something that matters right now," he suggests as he gets even more comfortable on the couch, he's not going nowhere right now.

"I doubt that you are ready to talk about any personal matters with me, Nathaniel." I tell him. I am playing with fire, poking it with a wooden stick to see what I can get out of it.

"I could say the same thing about you Cartia. I can see right through you, you're scared to trust anyone." He analyzes me with terrifying accuracy. I keep my face straight and try not to let my emotions or thoughts be portrayed to him.

"Why are you always speaking so vaguely? Is it because you are scared to let people in? You have been betrayed before. I can play this game too Prince," I tell him a bit harshly. My emotions are getting the best of me and I am getting defensive. But I can tell I struck a nerve because Nathaniel's posture straightens and his jaw clenches.

"You dont know anything about me, and my life. Do not make assumptions about me Cartia," Nathaniel stands up getting ready to leave me alone in the giant library to ponder my thoughts. He isnt ready to open up to me yet.

I stand quickly and grab his forearm to stop him from leaving. "Im sorry, I got defensive and I lashed out on you." His face softens and his jaw visibly unclenches. He nods slowly accepting my apology.

"I started it too, its just as much my fault." Nathaniel owns up to his mistake. He seems shocked that someone is able to apologize to him.

"Im not used to giving or receiving apologies around here, everyone is too prideful," he admits quietly. It is at this moment that I realize that we are standing closely. His addicting cologne is interlaced with my vanilla berry perfume.

"We should get to know each other better." He looks down at me with his light brown eyes. I nod my head in agreement too much in awe of his beauty to say anything else.

"Maybe if we understand each other better we this wont happen again," I murmur softly. I need to get to know him better. Not only for my parents sakes but for my curiosities sake as well.

"See you around Cartia," he leans in and gives me a quick hug and walks out. I walk back to my bedroom like a zombie. In a trance trying to figure out my emotions before I let them run wild.

Authors Note:

It's almost time for the holidays!!! I am so excited to spend time with my family and eat some delicious food.

- xoxo Ellie Violet