Blythe’s POV
“My Lady?” His voice was faint, unsure. I blinked again, pulled from my churning thoughts, and found myself smiling—an instinctive response to him. “I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I got lost for a moment.” I wiped tiny particles off my gown, more to distract myself than anything. Xavier was still staring at me, his face opaque. I took the chance to watch him more carefully, changing so I was sat across from him, where I could take him in thoroughly. There was an anxious energy surrounding him. “Is something on your mind, My Lady?” he questioned carefully. I breathed, then patted the area next me. “Come sit.” He paused, as if frightened of approaching too near. Finally, he obeyed, his stance firm, his shoulders set. I smiled, directing my sight to the swirling river instead of him. Perhaps that might help him relax. “Be at ease,” I comforted him. “I won’t bite.” A laugh slipped me. He put forth a faint, timid smile in return. And my stomach flipped. That grin. It was the most gorgeous grin I had ever seen, and I wasn’t even exaggerating. How did Ceres turn down such a lovely man? Oh. Right. Because she was preoccupied with riches and power. Silence settled between us. I tried not to gaze at him too much, knowing he already appeared apprehensive. But my mind had other thoughts. My mind went back to the east wing. Back to Vito. Back to the betrayal. Vito, tangled in the blankets with an omega servant. I forced my eyes tight, as if that would wipe the picture from my mind. But it wouldn’t. It never would. I needed a diversion. Xavier needed one too. “Tell me about yourself,” I replied, turning to him. He tensed. “There’s nothing interesting about me,” he answered frankly. I giggled, gently poking his shoulder. His body felt heated, even through the fabric of his shirt. I breathed deeply, not expecting the mere touch to effect me. “That’s not true,” I said, clearing my throat. He smiled again—a bit softer this time—and my pulse stuttered. “I grew up on the streets,” he answered after a time. “My only chance at survival was serving the royals. That’s all there is to me.” I frowned. Why was he so closed off? Was it because I was his Luna? Or had life driven him down so badly that he honestly felt he wasn’t worth more than servitude? “What about your parents?” I asked softly. His jaw stiffened. “They’re gone.” I despise one-word replies. But I also knew the gleam in his eyes. Pain. The sort that never completely goes away. I know that agony. I lived with it every day since losing my own parents. I paused, then added, “How did you feel when my daughter rejected you?” His whole body tightened. He turned aside, hands fumbling together. The sensitivity in his demeanor made me want to put my arms around him. He was suffering. I could see it, even as he attempted to cover it. He let out a low sigh. “I always knew someone like me would never be good enough for a princess.” I frowned. “Xavier—” “She’s beautiful. Pure.” He gave out a breathy giggle. “I am… not.” I swallowed hard. Not pure? Not once had he proclaimed himself gorgeous. Not once had he recognized that he was powerful. Noble. Stunning. I wanted to tell him. To say, Ceres was an idiot. And you? You are more gorgeous than any aristocrat in this realm. But I restrained my tongue. I moaned, seeing his fingers twitch in his lap. The rejection was still raw. Too fresh. And yet, here I was, thinking about him. I just stopped myself before I blurted out something dumb. Instead, I inquired, “How old are you?” His lips twitched. “I’ll be twenty-two next month.” I grinned. A child, hardly a man. And yet, he felt older. Like he has borne hardships much beyond his years. “How bad does it hurt?” I asked quietly. His expression clouded. “I can’t explain it,” he said. “But my wolf… he hasn’t spoken since the rejection. He’s been waiting for her for six years.” A stinging ache rushed through me. Six years. He had yearned for a companion for six years. And in a single second, she tossed him away. Can I be your second chance buddy then? The notion slid into my thoughts before I could stop it. I clinched my jaw. Thank the Goddess I didn’t say it out loud. I moved slightly, adjusting my position—then, accidently, my sight rested on his lips. I shouldn’t have looked. A stream of energy burst through me. My stomach constricted. My mind snapped to crazy, hazardous notions. I felt humiliated. What the heck was wrong with me? “I’m sorry,” I said quickly. Xavier blinked. “For what?” “For… everything,” I mumbled. “For my daughter. For how she treated you.” But deep down, I was apologizing for myself. For the way I was staring at him. For the nasty, forbidden ideas. He didn’t deserve to be the topic of my aspirations. He has already been used and dumped once today. And yet, I desired him. His voice. His eyes. His silent strength. Everything about him touched areas within me that had been put up for years. I felt alive again. And I wasn’t sure I wanted that sensation to cease. My attention fell to his chest, to the way his uniform shirt stretched across wide, firm muscle. A muscle I immediately longed to feel under my fingertips. Stop. Stop, Blythe. But my wolf, Aria, was not helping. In her mind’s eye, she was already in his arms. Xavier gulped. I observed his Adam’s apple bob slightly. He knew I was gazing at him. He could feel my stare. And then, he licked his lips. Just a flick of his tongue. Innocent. Nervous. That was it. I couldn’t hold back. I moved. I stepped approaching him. Placed my hands softly on his face and lifted his chin up. His eyes widened, but he didn’t draw away. And then, I kissed him. A gradual, passionate push of lips against lips. A fire sparked in my veins. My body shivered. I felt alive. For the first time in years. He froze at first. But then—he kissed me back. Hesitant. Soft. Uncertain. Then… deeper. A faint, pathetic gasp slid from my lips. And I didn’t care.
