KING DRAVEN
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The moment her hand slipped away from his, he left for a drink. He needed to calm his chaotic mind from her. He had thought everything would have gone well when he had asked her to come alone. He had thought it would be safe for him, but not anymore, not when he had held her in those hands, felt the beat of her heart, and the scent of her breath. Perhaps this was the worst idea anyone could ever make.
He poured himself a drink in his cup and gulped it in one go. Then he leaned against the railing, watching as she observed the world around her. She stood like a lost puppy finding its owner.
He knew how overwhelmed she felt in this society she wasn't used to, and he couldn't say she didn't belong here because she truly did. The gown she wore made her look different from any woman he had laid eyes on, not even the one who had come for business; yes, she didn't even look like her old self.
His grip on his cup tightened. It took all of his self-control not to shatter it into pieces.
Draven took one more gulp of his drink. He needed to be far away from her because being near her was making him lose his senses. She was intoxicating him without even doing anything.
He should send her away. He should not keep her as planned, but he couldn't. No matter how much he wanted to keep her away, she was the only person who could truly help him with his torment.
The music started, and he saw Sebastian walk up to her. The minute her eyes fell on him, he saw warmth that had never been directed at him, a smile that had never been given to him. All she felt for him was fear, and all he felt for her... Damn.
Something inside of him burned. He knew Sebastian meant no harm, but right now, he cared less if he was his best man. He would tear him apart if he didn't let go of her waist, if he didn't stop staring down at her like she was the most important being in the world.
Draven gulped the last of his drink. His hold on the cup tightened even more. He needed more drink, more drink, or he would lose it right here, which wasn't a good thing.
It was in this moment, when he almost turned away, that he caught her again, swaying to the slow music and being held by Sebastian's. Then her eyes began traveling over the room as if searching for something, like the lost puppy searching for its owner again.
But it didn't take long for her eyes to find him, and Draven thought she would look away. Instead, her eyes remained fixed on him.
A warmth spread through him. This time, she didn't look at him with hate and fear in her eyes. There was suddenly curiosity in those blue eyes.
He felt intoxicated for a second, being lost in them, wanting to know who she was beyond those eyes. But then he quickly shook his head and looked away.
He must not be lost in those puppy eyes. She had come here for business, and he also meant business as well. He needed their bargain to go well, even though he didn't want to do it.
"She is the one, the only one who could save you," that voice rang in his ears again whenever self-doubt tried to creep in.
He took a deep breath and turned back to pour himself another drink. Yes, this was business. He would give her what she wants, and she would give him what he wants. Then she could go her way, and he wouldn't feel lost for staring at a beautiful lady, one who was invading his head space.
Thankfully, the dance came to an end, and Sebastian let go of her waist. That damn man, could he not find another partner to dance with? Why must it be his guest? Hell, she was his guest, was his alone.
But he didn't go down and hold her wrist to tell her that, neither did he tell Sebastian to back off. Maybe Sebastian was the help he needed right now; Sebastian was probably the only one she would talk to without feeling fear.
Draven sat down in a seat in the upper room, staring only at her. Sebastian stood with her, and she laughed at everything he said.
Draven scoffed and looked away. Seriously, was she that free with men? Couldn't she keep a stoic face like when she had seen him? Why was he even interested in her life? She could do whatever she wants.
As Draven continued sipping his drink, this time he drank slowly to savor every taste, one of the guards from outside entered the room and walked up to him.
"My King, she has come," he announced.
Draven raised his brow. Who was it that had come? He merely wanted to throw a ball only for Madeline; he was sure he didn't invite any guests. Sebastian was the one in charge of that, so who was it that had come that he didn't know of?
"Who?" he asked the guard, but his gaze was still fixed on Madeline, who was now standing alone, and her eyes kept traveling to the food on the table, just like before he asked her for a dance. After this ball, he would have the kitchen prepare every dish on that table for her.
"She said her name was Annabelle."
Draven paused, the cup that wasn't too far from his lip came to a halt. His eyes narrowed at the guard. Anna? What was she doing here? He had told her to stay out of his sight until everything worked out.
"She said she would not leave until you see her," the guard added, his voice now laced with fear. With the king's current mood, it was easy to snap his head off.
"Where is she?" Draven asked.
"At the garde-"
Draven didn't wait for the guard's last words to finish before he sprinted out of the room and headed towards the garden.
As he reached it, he spotted Annabelle, her hand caressing a rose flower, her back facing him, her long white hair cascading down her back.
"You have a nice garden. Too bad you have fewer flowers," she remarked before turning around, her black eyes staring curiously. "Do you not like flowers, my king?"
Draven gritted his teeth. Seeing her was like a reminder of his torment. He wouldn't blame her; she was probably trying to save him but then again, she only wanted something in return something he couldn't give.
"I told you not to come here," he gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Annabelle threw the rose on the ground and faced him, her eyes stern. "Is that how you greet your guest, Draven?"