**WARNING - MATURE CONTENT**
Before we left for the stroll, Ryan left to discuss something with his men. Turns out he came along with five men who were dressed in a simple yet dignified attire, befitting of warriors who valued strength and honor over ostentatious display. The outfit was that of a black obsidian tunic designed with a mixture of black and crimson-red colors which hung on their body perfectly. It was surely made for them.
I went back to my room to wait for him. It was afternoon now and the sun was really up in the sky. It rays found way into my room through the glass window.
I laid down on the bed still in my dress. Justine was out of sight probably in the kitchen giving the maids a hard time like she always did. She was really a hard nut to crack sometimes.
I was lost in thought about Ryan. Before, I wasn't happy about getting married especially since it was a marriage of convenience, but seeing Ryan got me thinking, perhaps it wasn't that bad.
I didn't realize when I dozed off. I woke up later and realized it was already dark when I looked through the window. The moon was shining brightly. It was a full moon.
"Is he gone?" I asked myself and left the room in a rush. I wondered why no one woke me up. Just before I got to the door to open it, Justine beat me to it as she opened from the other side.
"Princess, you are awake." "Why didn't you wake me up, Justine?" I asked slightly frustrated. "I'm sorry. I came a while ago with his highness, he stood at the door while I came in to check on you. He said you two were going on a stroll. I realized then that you were fast asleep. I told him about it, and he said to let you sleep and left".
"Is he gone?" I asked with a sense of urgency. " Oh no I heard he decided to stay for the night. He will leave in the morning." "Oh..Ok," I was relieved. Justine looked at me teasingly "What?" "Please do tell me..., you are happy he didn't leave right?" She said with a nudging smile, one I was all too familiar with. "Don't you start," I said clearly annoyed. "Where is he?" " He is in the tree garden. The maids said he's been there for a while.
I was out the door before she could finish." Princess, wait...." I couldn't care less about what she was going to say next. "See her go," Justine said shaking her head in excitement.
I stopped to compose myself and straighten my hair before entering the garden. It was a large round enclosed space with an open roof that let the moonlight in. A big oak tree stood tall in the middle and there were several trees aligned in a circle along the sides of the wall with flowers of different colors splattered all around adding to the majestic beauty. It was simply enchanting.
There was a spring that filled up a pool of water on one side and just beside it sat Ryan.
I stood at his back watching him. He looked deep in thought staring at the pool. He looked so calm and beautiful. The scene was engraved in my mind. I knew I wasn't forgetting that any time soon.
"Ryan," "Mhh" he responded and turned his neck to look at me. "Sorry I meant Prince Ryan" he seemed unbothered about me calling him without his title. His eyes were fixed on me not averting his gaze, which made me nervous as I looked down and robbed my palms on my dress.
He slowly got up and approached me. I didn't dare to move. "Has anyone told you, you are extremely breathtaking?" "I.. I " I stuttered unable to form a word. He stood right in front of me and raised his hand swiftly to caress my cheeks.
"I don't know about your laws, but I would give anything to have you right here and now," he bumped his head into mine and I could feel his warm breath," stepping out of the reverie I took a step back. I tried to put a stop to something that could get extremely out of control. Even though my body was in disapproval.
"We were to go for a stroll, weren't we?" I managed to let out, yet before I knew it his lips were on mine. I was stupefied.
My breath hitched as he pushed me slightly to the wall, he stopped to stare at me with an intense gaze. I gulped. "I want you Lyra and I always take what I want". I was speechless.
He leaned in so close that our breath mingled together. His beautiful grey eyes were mesmerizing and held me in place. His silky, shoulder-length dark hair was being blown by the wind. His face shone under the moonlight. He was beyond beautiful. I knew then I couldn't say no to him.
As his gaze grew more intense by the minute. I couldn't take it anymore. Despite being hypnotized by him, warning bells kept ringing in my ears. I knew if I didn't make a move now it would be too late. I placed my palms on his chest in an attempt to push him back, but I realized immediately that it was a wrong move to make. He smacked his lips on mine.