Annalise's POV
I had barely opened my mouth to speak when the least thing I had imagined would happen, happened. Vincent's lips pressed hard against mine conquering it. His hands moved from the door to my neck and face cupping it as he continued to force his lips against mine.
The low heat that previously crawled against my back turned into blazing fire that churned inside me. I tried to pull away and kept pounding my fist to his chest but his hard hands gripped my face tightly and he barely reacted to my blows. Iris's wolf rose fully almost conquering my sanity as I fought so hard not to give in to Vincent's dominating kiss.
The full heat inside me made my skin melt and my mind immediately started going blank. I finally decided to give my all into resisting his invading pull. My teeth found its away to Vincent's lower lip and I bit it so hard that he flinched and I managed to push him hard away from me.
"What do you think you're doing?" My voice broke out in a roar almost immediately. I shot him a glare breathing hard as I watched him lick his bloodstained lips and meet my gaze. His lips curled with a smile, one that seems to be amused by my reaction.
"What do you think I'm doing Iris, I'm giving you what you want of course" His scoffed. He took a step towards me again and I immediately raised my hand to stop him. My other hand actively searching for the door handle behind me. "The fucking nerve of this guy" I thought angrily.
"This isn't what I want, you pompous baboon!" my voice rose louder than before while pulling the door open. My other hand still raised in front of me as I moved to open the door fully. "What I want is for you to reject me as your Luna so I can live my life you idiot!" I screamed at his face. Vincent's smile disappeared again at my words.
The door fully opened revealing Richard and Hannah who were standing outside Vincent's office, waiting for a disaster I presumed.
"Your grace!" Hannah's voice caught my ears and I turned to look at her. My face reddened with embarrassment and I immediately dashed out of the office running down the hallway as fast as my legs could take me while Hannah followed calling out to me worriedly.
I finally stopped when I reached the entrance of the castle catching my breath still feeling flustered from what happened with Vincent. His scent still lingering in my nostrils as the electric warmth he caused in my body or rather Iris's body thrummed in my veins.
Hannah finally caught up along with Roselle and Selene who saw me dashing through the hallway to the entrance. "Your grace!" they all exclaimed breathing through their mouth, Hannah the most breathless of them.
She looked so worn out trying to catch my breath from the short marathon I made them do. A pin of guilt pricked me as I watched them look at me with so much worry.
"What happened there your grace?" Roselle spoke first, her clear voice sending a small rush of anxiety inside me.
"Nothing!...Sorry about that!...let's got back to the moon castle" I ordered raising my hand to cover my flustered expression. "Dammit!" I cured inwardly. "This is so embarrassing I could die"
I stepped outside the castle and rushed to the carriage and the ride back to the moon castle was awkwardly silent. Hannah parted her lips a few times to talk but it seems she couldn't find the words to say so she just remained silent. The other two just simply avoided my gaze and exchanged confused glances at each other.
I reached my chambers exhausted and immediately ordered a cold bath hoping to drown the lingering heat and invading thoughts of Vincent inside me. Later in the night after dinner, I collapsed into the bed tucking myself into the soft fabric of the sheets and pillow.
Memories of the what happened earlier began to crawl back to my mind again. "That dumbass!... What does he want from me?... I thought he hated Iris… why is he acting out of character? Is it because I'm acting out of character?" I mumbled to myself. "Arrrrrrgh!!!" I yelled softly clutching the thick curls of my hair in frustration and immediately letting it go.
"I can't get swept away by these superficial feelings" I continued, a deep sigh escaping my mouth. I knew if I followed the path of falling in love with Vincent like Iris did it would end up tragically for me and I didn't want to waste another life time chasing vanity.
"It looks like Vincent is indeed going to give me a hard time but I need to keep pushing… despite his strange attitude today, he still has to hate Iris and if I probably keep provoking him, he's going to let me go eventually" I thought silently, steeling my resolve as I held my fist.
"But the kiss…" I dazed into high grand ceiling that stared back at me. The familiar heat pricked the skin on my back again "…was totally unnecessary" I snapped myself back again.
"Ugh!" Vincent was my favorite character and getting to kiss him was something fifteen years old me would've killed for but now… as much as it felt right because he was Iris's fated mate, it also felt wrong. Every time the image flashed through my mind, an electric feeling zapped through me followed by a chill running down my spine.
I soon fell asleep and the next morning I was met with an even bigger surprise. "Your grace!" Roselle's voice jolted me awake completely as I stretched and yawned on my bed.
"What?" I yelled softly, my voice sharper than I intended.
"Sorry Your grace!...Uhm" a glee flashed in soft voice making me curious about why she seemed so happy. "…The king has sent a gift for you as his future bride" she continued
My blank expression immediately scrunched into annoyance as if on command. "a gift?"
"Yes your grace!"
"Oh God! What is he planning again?" I muttered silently, sinking my face into my palms.
"Is something the matter your grace?" Roselle asked noticing my lack of enthusiasm.
"Nothing" I immediately looked back up trying to brush it away. "So what's the gift?"
"It's better to see for yourself?" Roselle grinned beckoning me to stand up.
"Fine!" I rolled my eyes and got up from the bed. I followed Roselle down the hallway, my steps slow and reluctant. The thrill in her voice had me on edge, and all I could think was, "What the hell has Vincent done this time?"
We arrived at the guest room where the rest of the maids were waiting and Roselle threw the doors open with a proud smile, her eyes practically glittering with excitement. Inside, the sight that greeted me almost made my jaw hit the floor.
In the middle of the room sat a massive bouquet of the prettiest flowers I'd ever seen. Their deep blue petals seemed to shimmer in the light, each one encased in a magical glow that was unmistakably enchanted
My heart thudded faster. "Why would he send me these?"
I took a step back, swallowing hard. "This is…" I muttered, rubbing my temples, "…unbelievable."
Roselle giggled beside me, practically dancing on her toes with excitement. "Your Grace, these gifts are extraordinary! They're symbols of loyalty, protection, and admiration. I mean, the lunar blooms alone are said to be a sign of eternal love!"
"Right," I muttered, pressing a hand to my forehead. "Love. Of course…I'm guessing that's the name of the flower"
Beside the flowers lay a box. Set on a velvet-draped pedestal, surrounded by soft sunlight that shine through the window, was a dagger, as mesmerizing as it was unsettling.
Its blade was slender and curved, etched with intricate patterns that glowed faintly, each line crafted with such detail it was almost hypnotic.
The hilt was inlaid with blood-red gemstones, glinting like the eyes of a predator in the shadows. A crest of the kingdom's first royal house was carved at the base.
I let out a shaky breath, barely able to look away. "Is this… from Vincent too?" I whispered, half in awe, half in disbelief.
Hannah who was also present in the room nodded, her eyes shining. "Yes, Your Grace. The Crimson Dagger. This belonged to one of our ancient queens. Legends say it was a gift from an allied kingdom centuries ago, and it was used to protect our land in times of war." She clapped her hands together. "The king has entrusted it to you, a gesture reserved only for his fated mate. It's a symbol of devotion and protection."
"Protection," I muttered, staring at the blade. "What exactly was he trying to protect me from?"
All I'd wanted was for Vincent to reject me, yet here he was sending the most symbolic, overly sentimental gifts in existence. Iris may have appreciated these gestures after all she chased after him till her death but all I felt was absolute disbelief.
I turned back to Hannah, trying to keep my voice steady. "Doesn't it seem a little… excessive?"
Roselle's brows furrowed, as though the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. "Oh no, Your Grace! It's a treasure, a priceless heirloom. The king must think highly of you to offer something so sacred."
I took a step closer, tentatively reaching out, my fingers hovering just above the dagger's hilt. Its cool, dangerous beauty pulled at me, almost whispering that maybe this was more than a gift, maybe it was a trap.
I exhaled sharply and peeled my gaze from the extraordinary items and turned to Hannah. "Please send them back to him" I ordered before walking past her.
Everyone in the room gasped quietly, I could feel their eyes shining in disbelief that I would reject such a gift but truthfully I had no use for it. All I wanted was to be free and live the life I couldn't live before in Iris's body.
"But your grace! The King sent them to you!" Selene's voice broke out sounding disappointed.
"She's right your grace, the King hardly does gestures like this one" Hannah added. "… and you once expressed your desire to own the crimson dagger before so he definitely put some thought into it"
"Right…" I muttered
"of course they still think I'm the original Iris" I thought silently.
"well that was in the past, tell him I no longer want it" I continued with a tired smile on my face and walked out as the room fell silent in disbelief.
"Wait!" I stopped in my tracks as an idea hit me. I decided to write a letter along with the gift to be sent back to Vincent. In the letter I reinforced my wish to no longer be his Luna and sent it hoping he'd finally grant my wish.