Astra felt a wave of emotions sweep in her heart as it accelerated rapidly. Her mind was in total chaos unable to think straight.
"Where did you learn that?" her voice came out as a whisper but Theron who had a good hearing ability caught in her words.
"I read it in a book," he replied, a feeling of satisfaction clouding his heart.
"Huh? What book?"
"It's called 'Essence of Love and Sin'. When the husband is happy, he... he places his lips on his wife's then whispers to her that he loves her. So, I just followed that," Theron explained joyously but when he saw the shocked expression on his wife, his smile fell. "Did I do it wrongly? Don't you like it?"
Astra opened her mouth to answer but words were stuck unable to fathom what to reply.
"I... That's not it. Am... I," she stammered biting her lip while fidgeting her fingers.
Theron held her hand and led her to the bedroom. "Come let me show you. Am sure I didn't do it wrongly."
Astra swallowed as unknown emotions crept in her heart as well as the warmth from Theron's hand. She followed himself silently as a smile found her way on her lips.
"Here! Come let me show you," Theron led them to the bedside and say down before taking out a book under the pillow.
"Theron, you... didn't do it wrongly," she whispered the last words holding her dress tightly with her free hand. "I was just a little surprised."
"Oh! Don't worry, I'll tell you next before I do it. Is that fine?" Theron asked nonchalant of the chaos he was creating in someone's heart.
Astra was afraid her heart would burst with how fast it was beating. Even if Theron was not aware of the weight of his words and might not have actually understood the meaning, Astra still felt her heart waver with complicated feelings she had never experienced before.
Astra agreed to his suggestion thinking she would always least have a chance to stop him the next time.
"Let's leave that for now," Astra swiftly changed the topic and without warning, she made Theron climb on bed before tucking him under the blankets.
Theron stared at her blankly as if telling her he was not willing to sleep.
"You still have an injury on your leg, Theron."
"But am not sleepy," Theron said not willing to give in. How could he sleep when all he wished for was to watch his beautiful wife all the time.
"You don't have to. Just don't move your leg too much," she sat on the bedside looking at him.
Theron was about to retort but an idea struck him. "Beautiful wife, will you please tell me a story?" He blinked his eyes expectedly. At least this would keep her beside him, and he would make sure not to close his eyes.
Astra thought about then replied, "How about a... poem. I used to write them back in my home whenever I was bored."
Theron nodded excitedly and readied himself to listen to her sweet voice.
"Alright. I'll recite for you one that I named 'Enchanted Hearts'," she paused and took a deep breath before her voice filled the air and Theron's mind and heart.
"It's the whispers of your heart
That makes me run before the clock
The fangs of desire
That grew out of a deadly passion
Whereas your heart of darkness
Became my only limelight
Enchanted to the depth
Drowning in the ocean of your love
That brings sorrows and death
But I had no complaints
For our hearts, had become enchanted.
I still remember sometimes ago
When all lovers turned blind
When you become the only star in my dark sky
I've buried my soul in your grave
Under the stones of death and life
How I yearn for the warmth you emitted
You took away my freedom to feel
Caged me in your boundless love
Whispering sweet nothings to my heart
Until the sun took you away
Far away, till the end of time."
By the time Astra finished, a lone tear fell from eye. The poem had carried her to another world as always. How long had she immersed herself in her art.
"I want to heart it again," Theron whispered and Astra nodded.
She placed hand on his hair rubbing it gently before reciting the poem to him again. Time flew by and Theron fell asleep. Astra smiled emotions flowing in her eyes. She leaned towards him before placing a kiss on his forehead, then slept beside him holding his hand.
*************
Queen Cora paced from one corner of her room to the other, anger visible on her face. If she could breathe fire, for sure the whole palace would have turned into ashes by now.
"I won't spare her! I won't spare her!" she exclaimed breaking another vase.
Vance and Lance looked at their mother unable to do anything. They knew better than trying to interrupt her when she was fuming.
"What are you standing there for if you aren't going to help me think of what to do," she shouted glaring at the two men.
"Weren't you the one who told us to be quiet," Lance whispered under his breath.
"You better shut up if you don't want to leave here headless," Vance warned him before walking towards their mother.
"Mother, you need to calm down. Only then can you think clearly and... become less scary," he murmured the last words, but Queen Cora still heard him. She shot him a warning look but then thought he had a point too, so she let him off.
"What do you think I should do? I want something that will destroy that little girl once and for all."
"With her attitude, she won't fall into any of our trap that easily. We have to think of something or someone who is capable of bringing her down before she gets out of control."
Queen Cora nodded in agreement then fell into thought.
"I know," Lance said interrupting the two.
"It's not time for your petty ideas Lance. This is serious," Vance warned glaring at his brother.
"Am serious too," Lance matched towards them smiling wickedly. "From what I could see, the little princess has a soft corner for that dimwit Theron. Even if not much, she cares for him. And as we all know, there's someone who would never allow that to happen. So, I was wondering what she will do once she learns that Theron is married to someone else."
"You mean..."
"Yes, my dear brother. Princess Valka. She will do all the work for us. We only have to send a message for her about Theron's... beautiful wife."