Queen of Elisora

Chapter 9

                                                 Hera’s POV 

I woke up at the first ray of sunlight that hit my face. My eyes opening slowly to observe my surrounding.

I had wished fervently that the events of the day before be nothing but a dream but the soft bed below me, the heavenly feel of the duvet that enveloped me and the feeling of the dipping of the bed on the opposite side all it hinted at the reality.

I took in my surroundings, the beauty of the room finally settling in. The room was still quite dark since the lights were all switched off but the rays of light that escaped the thick royal blue curtains brightened the room a bit and a particular stubborn one fell on Eleazar’s face, illuminating the right side of his face for my wandering eyes.

I allowed myself take him in, his sleeping form less intimidating than when he was awake. 

How is he sleeping so peacefully with a stranger by his side?

‘The same way you did.’ An annoying voice whispered in my head.

I banished it and continued ogling wishing that was all I had to do today.

I hate to admit it, but the thought of facing the people outside these quarters seemed far less appealing than remaining here.

‘What if I remove his mask?’  I thought as my eyes fell on what replaced the metal.

He seemed to be hell bent on remaining behind the mask as the metal that would have been uncomfortable to sleep in was replaced with a dark blue silky one.

‘Should I?’

The thought of seeing his face thrilled at my adventurous side.

‘What could he possibly do?’

‘Kill me?’

Unconsciously, my head replayed his voice from yesterday.

“Call me dominating but I take pride in taking care of what belongs to me and you Hera, belong to me.”

Maybe because I was more at peace, I found myself blushing just a tiny little bit.

Just a bit.

I swallowed turning away lest he catches me watching him and blushing….. that would be so embarrassing and I had embarrassed myself enough already the night before.

Yesterday once I waked out of the closet in a two piece pajamas, I walked straight ahead ignoring him even though I caught  glimpse of his amusement.

I picked my side of the bed and laid down closing my eyes tightly shut.

“I hope you do not mind, but I am too big for the couch and honestly the bed is too big for you too.”

I swear I heard the laughter he tried so hard to stifle. Did he laugh so easily or was I really that amusing?

“You can stay, we wouldn’t do anything no matter what anyways.” I replied, my tone sharper than I intended.

I did not want to give him the idea that he was getting to me.

“You cannot be so sure.” He whispered before I felt the other side of the bed dip.

I was so tempted to ask him what he meant, however knowing I would be playing right into his trap, I let it go pretending to be asleep until I had truly slept.

“Have you ever heard of the phrase curiosity kills the cat?”

His voice, low and little groggy said

I shook, startled both at being caught and simply by how intimate it all felt.

His eyes were still closed but the knowledge of that only made me question myself.

Just how long had he allowed me look believing he was still asleep?

“ Atleast he died satisfied.” I replied, refusing to allow him have the upper hand.

I really needed to get it together, I shouldn’t allow him easily startle or disarm me

He opened his eyes, those black orbs stared straight at me, the blue in them now highlighted due to the blue mask around them.

“I will beg to disagree, the dead tells no tales. You wouldn’t know if he was.”

I scrunched my face displeased at his argument.

I hated that it made perfect sense.

“I would be if I was the cat.” I replied despite knowing i didn’t make any sense.

He sucked in his lower lip, as though he was trying not to laugh.

His gaze travelled over me and suddenly, I became more aware of myself.

I hadn’t bothered to check my face when I woke up, what if there’s a drool on my cheek or worse, my hair…

I fought the urge to feel it refusing to bring his attention to it lest it was as horrible as I imagined.

“I think you really are a cat.” He whispered.

I stared at unable to satisfy his words.

Was that an insult ?

Or a compliment?

Was I supposed to attack back?

I chose the safest route.  I briskly stood up and made for the bathroom.

“I’ll take a shower first.” I said as I disappeared into the corner that leads to the bathroom.

***************

I walked back into the room, wary of meeting Eleazar in nothing but a robe. I would have loved to move straight to the closet but it was on the opposite side of the large room. However when I stepped into the room it was empty, I looked around and my eyes fell on a note carefully kept on the bed. 

I picked it up wondering what it could contain.

“I have an early engagement, I won’t be available for breakfast. I had guards assigned to you, you can rely on them. Your maids will escort you for the formal introduction to the women of the palace…. And Hera, you are their Queen, never doubt that and even if you do, never let it show.”

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach, I swallowed the note tightly clutched in my hand. 

If only I could refuse the visit…..

I closed my eyes and chanted.

“I am their Queen.”

After the third time I opened my eyes and took in a deep breath, the dread hadn’t disappeared, neither did the knot in my throat loosen but I will eat because I am hungry, summon Leah and get dressed and I will walk out as the queen of Elisora.