Page 49 of One Last Promise
I stood in the grand hall with my father as Xavier walked in.My breathing relaxed a little when he didn’t look war-wounded.Clearly, there had been no Noxlin army waiting for them.
“We have scouted the entire land, Zohar,” the general bellowed, meeting my gaze for a few short seconds.“There was no further trace of the Noxlin scum!”
“That is good news, General.Make sure the army is fed and well rested before you continue training.”
“Of course, my king.”Xavier bowed his head.“Can I request to eat with your daughter?It has been quite some time since I’ve had the pleasure of her company.”
“Your request is granted.Alora, please see that Xavier gets seated with you on my private balcony.The kitchen will bring the food to you there.”I had done well in avoiding Xavier for the last ten years.The thought of spending an afternoon with him didn’t fill me with joy, but it would help in asking about the Noxlin he had killed.
He followed closely behind me as we walked to the private balcony.I was wearing a long white, plunge dress that was embroidered with gold thread.My figure was a lot fuller since my training with Darce, and over the years, I had noticed Xavier’s hungry gaze.
“How long are you going to keep your distance from me, Alora?”he asked once we were alone on the balcony.The food and mead was already waiting for us on the gold, marble table.“I’ve given you the time you requested.I have stopped trying to control your every move.What more do you want from me?”
“It’s not that simple, Xavier.My sexual awakening isn’t something we can rush.”Stepping closer towards me, his eyes looked me up and down but lingered on my breasts.
“You can not tell me you have no sexual awakening with a body like that.It is yearning for a male’s touch.Let me show you.”Reaching out, he tried to touch my face, but I pulled back.
“No!”I ordered.“I know myownbody.I amnotready!”
“No?”he frowned.“Why do you deny me?You are alreadymine, Alora.No other male is allowed you.Your father has already declared that we are promised.”
“Oncemy power manifests.Which means right now, I belong tono one.”Shaking his head in defeat, he took a seat and started to help himself to some of the food.“Did you find any more Noxlin while you were out with the army?”I asked, pouring him some mead.
“Only a few that were already dead.Some beasts must have gotten them.I have a feeling they were all part of the same scouting group.”Knowing that it might have been a group of Noxlin didn’t make me feel any better.
“What do you think they were planning?”
“General Nox is probably searching the Barren Lands for a way into Dallethas.It’s been five hundred years since we had any kind of battle.My guess is that he’s growing restless.”
“Did the Noxlin you killed give much resistance?”I picked up a few pieces of meat, putting them on my plate without meeting Xavier’s gaze.
“No, he was already wounded.I did him a favour, if I’m being honest.A beast would have smelt the blood and finished him off.”
“I bet he was terrifying to look at.The way you and my father depicted them always makes my blood turn cold.”
“He was fairly old.You would have been petrified if you’d seen him.He was all teeth and claws.”My body finally relaxed at his statement.It couldn’t have been Darce.
“I was lucky that I met such a young and inexperienced one all those years ago in the Barren Lands.He wasn’t beastly at all.”
“They grow into their hideous form with age.You wereverylucky back then, Alora.You have no need to fear them anymore.I willalwaysprotect you.They’llneverget their filthy hands on you.”I tried to ignore the images of Darce touching my body, but they flooded my senses.“Are you okay?You look a little flustered?”
“I’ve not been feeling well from worrying about the army, my father, and...”Xavier stood up and wrapped his arms around my waist.Did the asshole think I was about to admit that I was worrying abouthim?
“Hush,” he soothed, stroking my hair.“I will protect this kingdom with my life, but you do not need to worry about me.”Oh, gods!Hedid!“It would take a lot to destroy me.Once you are by my side, I’ll be indestructible.I’ll give you a little more time, Alora, but I have to let you know of my intentions.”Lifting my face up to his, he planted a soft kiss against my lips and then quickly pulled away.“The things I’m going to show you...”he sighed, stroking my face.“You are going to give me so much pleasure.”Givehimpleasure?What about my own?“I know you won’t understand my words right now.Once your sexual awakening emerges and you become mine, you will.”His hands snaked down my back.My body wasnotenjoying his touch.Pulling away before they reached my ass, I moved to the other side of the table to collect some fruit.
“I’m feeling a little lightheaded.I’m going to take this fruit to my chamber, if you don’t mind.”
“No, of course.Go and rest.Can I call on you again next month?I’ve enjoyed this time alone with you.”
“You may speak with my father.”With a forced smile, I left before he tried to touch me again.I needed Darce to teach me a way to protect myself from Xavier’s advances towards me.
****
AS I STEPPED THROUGHthe clearing into The Shielding Valley, I sighed in relief at the sight of Darce leaning against a tree, waiting for me.Even though Xavier’s accounts of the Noxlin he killed didn’t seem to fit Darce’s description, I still feared it might have been him.
“You’re later than usual,” Darce called, walking towards me.My body moved of its own accord.I rushed into his arms and crashed my lips against his.Seeing him standing in front of me...breathing.All my fears faded.Hewasalive.
Darce wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer while he deepened the kiss.His fingers tangled into my hair and he groaned into my mouth.That rich, midnight taste of him invaded my senses as I gripped his shoulders.Thiswas what I needed.What I had been craving since the moment I left him last month.
