Chapter 11

Belle's POV

Darian groans against her lip at the interruption, clearly displeased, but still doesn't pull away.

Not until the door handle starts to rattle, and Belle has to press both palms against his chest, pushing him off her.

He frowns but even then he doesn't completely let her go. His hand remains firmly wrapped tightly around her waist as he props himself up, using his body as a shield as the door finally pulls open, and David steps in quietly.

"Darian?" He looks around completely ignorant for a minute, before his eyes land squarely on them on the bed.

He sees the slight swell of his cousin's lips, the way his hair is just a bit more disheveled than usual, and the unmistakable tension still hanging thick in the air.

Oh.

So that's what he's been up to? His brow arches even higher.

Belle looks away trying to hide her face, but it's too late. David's seen her already. Evident by his amused smile.

His cousin is one sly, sly, man.

But Darian doesn't share in his amusement, still frowning. "Did I permit you to come in?"

David is taken aback for a minute, before his smile returns brighter.

Honestly, at first he'd been wondering what kind of maid could provoke Darian of all people who could have anyone he wanted... so infuriated with her.

It hadn't made sense.

But then he saw her that day outside the hall and it clicked.

She was undoubtedly very attractive, too delicate to be just a mere maid. With silk, full golden hair that framed her face, and the kind of brown eyes you could easily get lost in.

Her features were soft but exceptional, with a straight nose, thin pale lips that seemed to naturally draw attention, and a face that looked like it held many secrets.

And even beneath the modest maid uniform, it was impossible to miss how beautiful her figure was. Slender in all the right place. The kind of body that kings went to war for.

So, yes, he understood. There was no mistaking it...she suited Darians's taste.

He just didn't expect Darian to take things so fast. How many days has it been?

He bows slightly, but Darian can read the sarcasm in his act. "My apologies, Your Highness." His gaze flicks briefly to Belle before returning to Darian.

"I didn't realize you were… occupied."

Belle on the bed makes a sound next to him, pressing her face deeper into the sheets.

David smirks and continues, "I've brought the information you've asked for," he lifts a small scroll in his hand. "And I thought it would be best to deliver it personally considering..."

Darian just glares at him. So whatever he had to say couldn't come in the morning?

His hold didn’t loosen around her waist. A clear warning to David.

"Say what you came to say," Darian says, his voice low and cold.

Belle steals a quick glance, noting that there is something unsettling about him, before she turns away again.

"I did," he says oblivious, lifting the scroll slightly. "You asked for a report and I brought it."

He walks over to his desk, dropping it gently, before going back toward the door. The silence stretches so long after, that Belle almost thought he was gone before she heard his voice again, more seriously now.

"Be careful brother." He warns, "Mother isn't going to like this if she finds out."

Darian growls at him. "That's my business."

David's hand rises in surrender. "I'm just looking out for you." His gaze flickers to Belle one more time as David grips the handle.

"I'll leave you to it now. Let's talk tomorrow."

Darian doesn't respond to him, just waits for the door to close shut before he finally pulls away from Belle, his frown dissipating as he glances down at her curled-in frame. 

"Are you okay?"

"I am, my Lord. But.."

"But what?"

"You-We shouldn't have done that." Belle blurts out, sitting up, eyes defiant. "I'm sorry for giving you the wrong impression, My lord, but we shouldn't have crossed that line."

Darian frowns. "If it's about my cousin, he wouldn't dare tell anyone..."

"It's not that, my lord." She cuts him off, contemplating how absurd it would sound if she tells him how she just came out from a toxic relationship that completely shattered her heart.

She refuses to be someone's distraction again. Not after what she had already endured.

And even if she was open to a relationship, or whatever this was right now... The Prince's cousin is right.

Queen Skyler is definitely not going to be happy if she finds out. And if the queen decided to punish her, there was nothing anyone could do.

She's nothing but a simple maid.

The guards that stood guard are a problem too...what if the rumors spreads around the palace? About the Prince carrying her to his chambers dead at night?

What if it makes the other Maids chastise her even more? Call her names?

The Prince is an attractive man no doubt. And maybe if they'd met under different circumstances, she would allow whatever this was to fester.

But their lives are too far apart for anything to work between them.

Right now, she needed to focus on getting away from here. Needs to find a way back home, back to her family. 

The silence long long between them, Prince Darian's gaze unwavering.

"And what if I refuse?"

Belle's head snaps up. "M-my lord?"

He gets up, glaring with her with a possessive intent. "Who says you have a choice?"

Belle's heart pounds at his words, but she forces her voice steady. "You can't just decide that," she says, "You don't own me."

Prince Darian chuckles, leaning closer. "I own everything in this palace, Isabella. I own everything in this kingdom. I own the very air you breathe."

His eyes darken, "And if I wanted to claim you…you wouldn't still be laying here arguing with me."

His hand grips her chin again, gentle but firm. "So no, you don't really have a choice."

Belle's heart is pounding too loud now, she's sure the Prince can hear it. There's just something about Darian that makes her want to submit entirely.

She needs to get a grip!

She drags her chin away from his hold, brown big eyes staring back at him as she makes her way to stand. She needs to leave now, before things escalated even further.

"Then I'm sorry for coming into your space. I'll leave now."

Belle holds back a wince as her leg touches the ground, holding the edge of the bed for support.

She half expects the Prince to hold her back, but he doesn't. He actually maintains a small distance between them, following closely behind her until she reaches the door.

His hand lingers on the handle, turning to face her again.

"Don't even think for a second that I'm letting you go." She swallows thickly at his words. "I'm not trying to scare you, I can wait."

She opens her mouth to retort, but is cut off as he continues.

"...but not for long." He leans closer, letting his warm breath brush over the shell of her ear as he whispers. "So see you soon Isabella."

In that moment the Prince releases his pheromones, scenting her slightly, a small gesture of possession. Belle gasps sharply, her breath catching as the scent wraps around her warmly, surprised that the Prince's scent could actually be this gentle.

Her body reacts to the enticing scent, and before she knows she's already leaning instinctively.

His green eyes glint at the sight.

But then he pulls back abruptly, gaze dropping to her legs.

"I'm commanding you not to work for the next two to three days. Let your wound heal," he pats her hair gently, "Take care of yourself, Isabella."

The way he says her name...

Belle lowers her gaze, her voice soft. "Thank you, My lord."

Darian's POV.

The moment she steps out, his wolf stirs in protest, wanting nothing more than to drag her back in and keep her here with him exactly where she belongs.

With him.

And though he knows he could take her easily,

He wouldn't do that...not if he wanted her to trust him.

He exhales heavily, calloused hand dragging down his face as the memory hits him again.

The way her eyes widens when she's startled.

The soft gasps when she's pressed again him.

And her lips... He can still feel it.

The way they pressed against his, the way she clutched at his shirt like she didn’t know whether to hold on or push him away.

Pulling away from her had been absolute torture.

His tongue presses against the inside of his cheek as he exhales through his nose, slower this time.

"…She's trouble," he mutters under his breath, slowly making back to his bed, before his eyes catches the bright red scroll still laying gently on his desk.

Damn David and his utterly bad timings.

He runs a hand through his already slightly ruffled hair, walking over to the desk instead, reading the heading of the scroll written in neat letters.

DETAILS OF ISABELLA RAVELLE.

Darian stills.

For a moment the air around him seems to drop.

She's a....RAVELLE?