As I recognized the person holding me hostage, or rather keeping me from exposing us, his hand slid off my mouth and settled next to my head. Nestled in my hair.
Caged between him and the floor, I had nothing to do but look at him under the moonlight. And as much as I would like to not be the lady with feelings for her knight, I have to admit that he is quite the looker. His nose was sharp and angular, his eyes shining of gold, eyebrows shading them perfectly. My heartbeat was playing symphonies and the voice inside me singing praise for every aspect of him. His frame was filling my view, and I realized I was no longer cold. With no fire in the fireplace, and no cover shielding my exposed shoulders.
That had me coming to my senses, yet he was still under the spell, looking down at me as if there's something new he sees in me.
I shoved his shoulder:" Off and away from me!" I hissed and he barely budged. Reluctantly, he rolled over and got up, extending an arm to help me stand.
"Cut the act Hebron, stop it" I gestured to him, now angry with his actions," What is your aim? Just tell me what you want and stop pretending to be... this!"
Hebron sobered, his eyebrow lifted in an inquiring manner:" This? What's this, your highness?"
Oh he is so full of shit.
" This! You! You acting like this! Ugh you bother me!" I whisper-yelled, my chest is not big enough to contain how mad I feel. My lungs burned as I tried to breath and control my feelings.
How he manages to play with my head is beyond me.
"Well, if my company bothers you that much, your highness, let's get to business" said my new knight with a grin, that stupid grin on his face.
" Thank fuck! I thought I'd grow old before we do" I let out a breath of relief.
"Language, your highness. One would think you're the one living in a knight lodge and not me." well, that was a new information. A useful one at that.
" Why? Your delicate ears can't handle my foul mouth?" I said sarcastically, but he did not laugh, instead his eyes narrowed at me" Oh your mouth is indeed quite...", he paused, looking down at my lips before he gulped," I, it is as you said. Foul. And dirty."
" Very. Now speak. What do you have in mind?"
He looked away, breathing heavily as he glanced around the room, then he moved to the other couch, far away from where I stood.
"Easy, I don't ask you for much. You pretend we are on friendly terms and I give you what you want"
" Which is?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.
" Recognition. Approval. A place at the war committee."
No. No that could not be. Was I that transparent to him that he could see my deepest desires.
I felt shame, one would think I have everything anyone would ever want, how could I not when I am the only princess in the great empire of Tanery, however this man had found a way to make me feel like I am still... incomplete.
I had come to terms with my family's protectiveness, and how they, in order to keep me safe and sound at all times, have also kept me locked.
It is not like my life is bad, I got to study at the hands of the most knowledgeable academics in the world, yet my knowledge remains unused as my title and responsibilities toward it forbid me from living the life of an academic. One that strives for knowledge and its people, one that uses it and follows their mentor. But that will never happen, not as long as my father and brothers assume me to be the lady in need of protection, not while they insist on ignoring my skills.
The Naib's presence is the the biggest proof that I can not have their faith unless I earn it. I was given this mission but not their trust. It is my chance to prove them wrong, and I will not let this man steal it from
Hebron seemed calm, but only on the outside. Hi fingers were twirling a pen, a sign of anxiety he fails to hide.
" And how could you do that?"