I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
—Pablo Neruda
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Her main intent was to punch him in the arm but Theo was quick to hold her hand and pin it over her head. Eva turned beet red as she felt exposed under his eyes that burned into her. Everything she did or spoke, he twisted it to his advantage making anything she did useless in front of him.
"My, my, I hadn't expected you to be so aggressive Birdy. You manage to surprise me every single time." he spoke as if impressed, and Eva retracted her gaze from his lips.
The nickname irritated her more than anything. Since when had she turned into an animal?
As if hearing her thoughts, he replied with a slight curve of the lips, "Since the day you tried jumping from a tree."
"I was falling."
"Same thing."
Eva glared at him trying to release her hand from his firm yet gentle grip. "My mother and sister will be anxious for me. Please, I need to go to them."
"I'm sure your sister would not mind your disappearance that much."
His words made her pause in wrestling out of his grip. What did he mean? "What are talking about?"
The King shrugged. "Which room do you want?" he asked, switching the topic and making her frown.
"I beg your pardon?"
"No need to. Since you will be staying here, I would like to know which room you like best. The one in which you were staying or the one beside it?"
None, thank you! "I have still not given my consent on staying here."
Her words made Theo cock his head. "You are only wasting your time in arguing with me. Your mother and sister might already be waiting for you in the sitting room and then you can say goodbye to them. I promise to not separate you from them without your permission."
Eva wanted to refuse but she knew it would be of no use. It made no effect on him, whatever she would say. He would still keep her here no matter what and Eva was aware of it. She knew she had to tread carefully for now and when the chance would come, she would try her best to escape and run away.
"What is going on in that beautiful head of yours, hm?" he asked, his free hand coming towards her head as he took a strand in between his fingers, feeling its softness.
"Can my mother and sister stay in Gleana, at our previous house?" she asked in a milder tone.
Theo nodded his head and Eva released her breath, grateful that he was not putting up an argument or asking why. At least, her family would be in no danger... the thought of the money lenders and the Lord entered her mind when the King's mouth opened up again.
"You don't need to worry about them. The lenders have been paid and that man... he will not disturb your family anymore. If he does, I will deal with him." he cleared out all her doubts in just a few seconds. "Your mother and sister will be given a better house and your mother won't need to work again. I'll assign some people to take care of them in Gleana."
Eva felt dumbfounded. How could she accept so many favors from him without feeling indebted? This was all so sudden and she knew nothing about him except that he was a King and a bit crazy in that head of his.
Once again, as if hearing her thoughts, he explained in a patient manner, "You are returning all these favors by staying with me. That's all I want in return. You have all the time to adjust and get to know everything around you. I am here." he spoke, care reflecting in his inky eyes and Eva finally gave in, dropping the first layer of her wall that she had managed to keep up until she met him.
"Okay." she agreed, but then his words entered her mind. "You will not harm the Lord will you?"
"If needed then, yes I will have to remind him of his place and your new position if he tries to cross the lines." his words were unclear and a spot of suspicion still remained in her head. She looked up at him and at the same moment, the door she was leaning against was knocked on.
Eva jumped and ended up with her bumping into his body, her hands on his chest, feeling the taut muscles underneath his black shirt. Theo's arm stretched forward to curl around her waist when she moved away and stood at a distance. He sighed, it would take her some time to get used to him but he was not planning on giving more than necessary. His patience was like a thin thread that could snap at any moment if pulled tighter.
"Come in."
The familiar Advisor appeared on the doorstep and bowed to the King and the girl which stood behind him. "The lady's family is waiting for her in the assigned room, My King," he informed and Theodore nodded.
"We're coming." and after Leon had left, he offered his hand to Eva who looked at it uncertainly.
Seeing her hesitancy, his hand fell and he stepped back to let her pass through the door first. Feeling bad for rejecting him so abruptly, Eva looked at his hand and kept on staring which made Theo look at where her eyes were.
"You don't have to force yourself-"
"I want to." and Eva screamed inside the confines of her head. Just a minute ago, she was planning to escape and now, she was planning on holding his hand? Had she gone crazy!
His eyes burned into hers as he placed his palm before her the second time without any embarrassment. Eva swallowed and placed her trembling hand in his which was larger compared to hers.
His hand felt warm and she followed him as he led her to the other side of the castle which she had never stumbled in on her previous visit. Pushing open a door, Eva caught sight of her mother and sister sitting on the couch with Leon standing in front of them.
Just as the sound of the door opening echoed through the room, Vanessa's head turned to the pair who entered the room. Her reaction was a mixture of irritation and shock as she caught sight of their intertwined hands just like Mrs. Blythe did. Leon smiled as he saw the King holding her hand protectively.
"Your Majesty." the two women greeted and curtsied low, not daring to look in his eyes. Vanessa, who was planning to seduce the King, felt annoyed at her plans being crushed by her own sister.
"I'll give you ten minutes," Theo spoke, not bothering to reply to her family except for a small nod.
Eva looked up at him sideways and her lips formed a small pout when she heard that she was only granted so little time. His eyes shifted to her pink lips which only looked more enticing when she pouted them. Here he was trying to exercise control and this little bird was making it harder for him!
He wanted to pin her against the opposite wall and kiss the very life out of her until she gasped out his name again and again with those maddening lips. But that would scare the little bird off which was the last thing he wanted.
"Fifteen minutes only and don't pout," he added before hesitantly leaving her hand. Leaving for the door with Leon following him, he glanced back the last time and saw her staring at him with those luscious amber eyes.
Theo halted in his steps, and Leon gave him a warning look knowing what the King was capable of doing. He sighed and detached his eyes from hers which was the hardest thing he had to do in all these centuries.
She would belong to him after her family went away and the thought made a sensual smile appear on his lips. Finally.