"Guest," Draven tilted his head, watching her keenly. "Do you call yourself a guest, Anna?" Then his face darkened, his eyes became as cold as the night. "State your purpose for coming. I do not have time to waste."
Anna smiled. His coldness was something she had known and was used to. "You flatter me, my king. Do you want to go back to your little princess?" She raised a brow. "You know what you need from her."
Draven gritted his teeth. Of course, he knew why he had asked her to come to the castle in the first place, but what must he do if she refused?
As if Anna read his mind, she spoke. "Do not worry. She will do as you will say. You are the king, are you not?"
Draven narrowed his eyes. He knew Anna was merely trying to help for her own reasons, and it was even more shocking that she was approving of what he wants from Madeline. "Tell me, Anna. Will you not worry if she accepts?"
There was a slight flicker in her eyes, one that read pain and uncertainty. But then it returned to its normal calmness, and her mouth curved into a smile. "I want you alive as much as everyone else. This is necessary."
Draven nodded. "Very well. I will see that Madeline accepts my request." Then he raised a brow at her. "Anna, tell me." All this while he had not walked up to her, and it was a good thing she had not walked up to him either because he feared what his hand might do when it came in contact with her body. While she might want him to caress her all over, he would rather strangle her, for he does not do love – it was the one thing that tormented him. Yet she would bring herself to him. "Why do you show up at my place uninvited?" She better not lie.
Anna spoke softly and began walking towards him. "I heard she has come. That is why I came."
"Do you want to see her?" Draven said calmly, remaining still despite watching her walk up to him. Her steps were careful, seductive, and she would occasionally lick her lips.
The red paint on her lips was causing him to boil. Red – it was his favorite color. Unfortunately, she knew this and decided to wear red often, but he wouldn't falter, despite her being a temptation.
"I would like to see her, my king. I want to know who will be our savior," now she had reached him but was still two feet away. She tilted her head, scanning him from his beautiful face down to the shining shoe he wore. "I want to know who will stand beside our king."
Draven scoffed. "Why? Do you want to know if she is beautiful?" Draven smiled when he saw the slight anger on her face. Then his eyes traveled to the half-moon above. "Eyes as blue as the ocean," he said softly, trying to picture Madeline in his head. "Confident as a lioness, a little fear in her, but that seems to only be for the unknown. She is quite a person." Then he looked down at Anna, his eyes darkening. "Do not interfere in my business. I can do this alone."
"We do not have enough time," Anna gritted her teeth. "You have to tell her tonight. You have to hurry, Draven."
Anna reached her hand towards the king, but it stopped midway before reaching his face, her grip tightening. The moon shone brightly on his face, revealing the handsome features she had been thinking of all night in her dreams and all day as she walked. She knew she could not have him, as he had vowed not to be with anyone, but it felt like he had noticed Madeline even though this was just a bargain, only because he needs something from her.
"I could caress your smooth face, my king," Anna said boldly, ignoring his darkened eyes. "But not today. A day will come when you realize that I am good for you."
Draven sighed, unsure of how else to tell her to back off. Thankfully, her hand had halted before it could touch his face, or he may have reacted harshly.
He leaned forward, his mouth close to her face, and whispered softly with a sharp tone that instilled slight fear, "You should go back, Anna, for I will not have anyone."
Anna's voice was laced with impatience as she spoke, "You will, my king. You know you cannot rule alone; you will need someone by your side for the sake of our people, and you," she eyed him, narrowing her gaze, "you need no one but me."
Draven smiled, raising a brow, "Really?"
Anna nodded, "Soon, you will realize that only I can stand beside you, someone strong by your side."
Draven leaned back to look at her, his head tilted slightly. It was futile trying to convince Anna that he would not have anyone for love; she would not give up easily. "I will not love you if that's what you want."
Anna bowed her head, smiling, but Draven could see the pain in her eyes when she raised it. She merely shrugged, "Things change, my king. For years to come, things will change." Anna then turned her back to him, her gaze fixed on the flowers, most of them yet to bloom. It was as if they were waiting for the king to be free and saved.
"I will come again to see how you are faring with her, and to know if you've changed your mind," and with just a tap of her finger, white smoke engulfed her, and she vanished into thin air.
Draven stared at the half moon in the sky, its glow illuminating his wilting garden. This garden was his life, and if all the flowers died, his life would end as well. Soon, they would all be gone, and his life would follow suit, unless Madeline, the only one who could save him, agreed to the bargain.
Draven took a deep breath; he must do all he can to make her agree to this arrangement. Now that he had seen her, he would not let her go until he was saved from dying, until the pain in his heart subsided.
Anna might try her best to be with him, but he knew she was doing it for herself and her clan. If she became his wife, standing by his side, she and her people would be protected. But he could not comprehend why she wanted love from him, knowing it was his torment and pain.
Draven looked away from the moon, its brightness and beauty suddenly filling him with anger. His gaze returned to the castle, watching as lanterns and lamps illuminated the building, while soft music from the ball reached his ears.
He must not think of Madeline; he would only focus on what was most important. If she refused, he would have to take action forcefully. After all, he was the king, and no one goes against the king.