Chapter 10

We sat around the large dining table in the dining room, the fireplace crackling in the background, but it was as if it gave off no warmth at all. Otherwise, there was complete silence, except for the small sounds of our cutlery, plates, or mouths. Peace, as my mother would have called it.

Sicca glanced over at me now and then, as if he wanted to say something, but quickly changed his mind and continued eating. What lay on my plate resembled a sausage, but it had a strangely sweet taste. Even though I couldn’t decide whether I actually liked it, I kept eating.

My gaze landed on Nicolais, who looked deeply lost in thought as he stared at a particular spot on the table. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if he didn’t like his own thoughts, as if they repelled him a little. His wild hair had loosened further from the bun, with a few strands hanging around his face. His tunic was now slightly unbuttoned, revealing the top of his chest.

“I was wondering,” my voice was far too loud, far too loud for the overwhelming silence surrounding us, but it immediately grabbed both men’s attention, “if there’s a good book to read, or something that could give me information about you, about the Kingdom, and everything else I should know?”

Sicca looked at Nicolais, Nicolais looked at Sicca. “She could start with the collected works?” The collected works sounded like a massive undertaking. Nicolais nodded to Sicca before sending me a small smile.

“I can get you volume one of a book series that describes our history, both culture, religion, and a small amount of knowledge about the different kingdoms,” Sicca explained with an almost proud smile.

“Perfect,” I nodded to him, “that way I’ll also have something to keep me occupied during the day while you’re doing your work.”

My language had quickly changed, adapting to their etiquette and the way they pronounced words. They rubbed off on me fast. You’re possibly going to be a queen, and if you are, then damn well do it properly! My thoughts hadn’t changed, though, which was definitely a positive thing.

“Very well,” Nicolais agreed, a small smile appearing on his lips. But shortly after, he found that little spot on the table again and fell silent once more.

After dinner, I found myself at the piano again, to better access my thoughts, to better process all the impressions around me. My fingers glided over the keys, playing a simple melody, but a melody that reminded me of home, of my mother, my family. A small tear ran down my cheek, not so much because I wanted to go home, but more because I felt a longing, a longing for something familiar, something I understood.

I had never felt dumb or confused. Generally, I did well in school, got quite good grades, and my head and hands were well put together. The only thing that had held me back from pursuing an education was the lack of feeling that it was the right choice for me.

Now I sat here, in a strange kingdom, where magic was used for everything, for light, for warmth, for cold, for everything. And to make matters worse, the king of the kingdom apparently wanted to marry me. His advisor was smiling one moment and strange the next. It felt confusing, it felt odd.

The only thing that had ever felt right in all areas of my life was music. Music moved me, music understood me, music complemented me. I could laugh, I could cry, I could be angry, and I could be happy. Music allowed it all.

“Are you playing something specific?” Nicolais stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. He was relaxed, calm.

I smiled at him before letting my gaze fall back on the keys. “Just a melody that reminds me of home.”

The bench sank slightly as he sat beside me, his arm resting around my waist. “I’ve always been fascinated by people who can play music,” he said dreamily.

“You don’t play?” My fingers kept pressing down.

“No, my father thought it was a waste of time,” he explained. The warmth of his body flowed into mine.

“Then it’s strange that you have a whole room full of instruments.”

“There’s always music at our parties,” he said, and I could feel the smile in his tone. “Would you maybe like to play a little at the Summer Solstice festival?” He squeezed my side gently. “Just a little, of course, because we also need time to dance,” he added in a naughty tone.

I turned my head, meeting his burning gaze. His face was so close to mine, a small shift and our lips would meet. He looked enchanting, as if he shimmered a little, as if he had brought sunlight inside with him.

He had seemed so distant during dinner, as if he didn’t really want to talk, as if he didn’t really want to participate, but now he sat here. Now he sat here smiling at me, trying to talk to me, trying to reach me, as he had done so many times before.

Maybe I should just let the conversation flow? Maybe I should step out of my head a bit and just let things happen?

“I can’t dance,” I said with a crooked smile, turning back to the piano, “but I can play something.”

“You are so incredibly beautiful,” he murmured, changing the conversation entirely while brushing away some hair and trying to catch it behind my shoulder.

A blush spread across my cheeks. “What are you brownnosing for?” I could barely keep my composure, so I had to focus intently on the keys, which rang under my quick fingers.

His chest vibrated gently against my shoulder as he let out a small chuckle. “What am I brownnosing for?” He was testing me, deliberately cheeky.

“Yes, I really have no idea what a powerful elven king could scheme for with me, an ordinary human,” I replied, trying to sound convincing.

I could feel his nose against my shoulder, sliding up over the bare skin of my neck. “I certainly don’t think you’re an ordinary human.”

“Nicolais?” I had to ask him, had to figure out how it could already feel like this. He hummed an acknowledging sound into my shoulder. “How can I already feel so comfortable in your company?”

I turned to meet his orange eyes. He smiled at me, showing his perfect white teeth. “I don’t know either,” he replied, “I also think it’s wild.” His gaze dropped to my mouth, which I encouraged by licking my lips to moisten them. “Maybe,” he said, his eyes fixed on my lips, “it’s because it’s destiny, and our bodies just know it, as if we were what each other was missing.”

This is going too fast!

I turned my gaze back to the keys, my attraction to him so thick, so obvious, it could be cut with a knife. “I don’t believe in destiny,” I said, trying to calm my racing heart.

“So you don’t think it was meant for you to go to Ireland, during the exact week the town held the summer festival, so you could be sacrificed and we could meet?” Maybe there was some truth to that.

Pull yourself together, stop spreading your legs for just anyone!

I took a deep breath, feeling the crisp summer air fill my lungs, refreshing me, before I let it out again. “I’m not ready, Nicolais,” I said. Honesty. “I need more time,” I added, hoping and praying he would understand my mindset and my position.

“We have nothing but time,” he replied softly from behind me, “I also have no desire to rush.”

It was good to know, comforting to know. To know I wouldn’t be pressured, that he would let me recover. That he would allow me to take the time I needed. It was hard, it was difficult, it was not fun being here alone.

No one. That was how many I knew, how many I felt I could talk to about anything, yet still…

I turned my head and looked into those blazing eyes again. They called to me. They told me I could say anything, that I could ask anything.

“Am I what you expected?” My gaze fell once more on the keys beneath my fingers. “If you’ve waited five hundred years, you must have had some expectations?”

It was probably not the question he had expected, because it took a few seconds before he answered. And when he finally did, it was hesitant.

“Both yes and no,” he sounded thoughtful, as if deciding while speaking. “I’ve tried not to imagine too much, tried not to create expectations I couldn’t fulfill,” his fingers fiddled with a loose thread on my dress, “I probably expected a more classic girl, compared to how my own people look.”

Red hair, freckles, beautiful eyes. My thoughts ruined it all for me, ruined the pleasant feeling I had gotten after spending the day with him.

“But you’re different,” a smile resonated in his voice, “in a very good way.” I met his blazing eyes. “You are so incredibly beautiful, Luna, with your light hair, your—excuse my language—but downright sinful figure, and your sky-blue eyes.” His fingers caressed my cheek, and I couldn’t help leaning into them. “So, both yes and no,” he smiled at me, “I expected beauty, but you are not the beauty I expected.”

**

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the light in the room. The sun was streaming through the window, but only because I had convinced Lily to leave the curtains open, since I wanted to see the beautiful landscape outside. Though, honestly, it was mostly the night sky I was interested in.

Slowly, I got my body moving. I sat up in bed, swung my feet over the edge, and onto the plush carpet. As I stood, I stretched my entire body, a small crack ran through my back, and I let out a relieved sigh.

I walked over to the window to look down at the beautiful garden filled with roses, but as I glanced outside, I noticed a bunch of people running around, tending the garden. Duh, of course! Naturally, Nicolais had gardeners to care for the massive grounds.

After a quick knock on the door, Lily entered, smiling warmly at me before placing a tray on my desk—the tray with the cup of delicious tea. She continued to the bathroom, turning on the water in the bathtub. I picked up the cup and noticed a note on the tray. Written in neat, beautiful letters: I’m working, feel free to stop by my office if you want some company while reading. I smiled to myself.

Last night, when he had accompanied me back to my room once more, he had again kissed my forehead. As if he couldn’t help himself, but still respected the time I needed.

Lily came out of the bathroom again and quickly began straightening the curtains, preparing to make the bed, while I walked with my cup of tea toward the bathroom. I set the cup on the small shelf where the sponge also lay. Once again, I slipped out of my silk nightwear and sank into the luxurious water.

I leaned my head back, savoring the feeling, sipping on the tea. One could easily get used to this. The perfect bath, the delicious tea—it was a wonderful start to the morning.

Lily had dressed me in a pink dress today, one that didn’t puff out quite like yesterday’s. It fell softly around me, without clinging anywhere. She had left my hair loose today, but somehow, magically, it curled beautifully and elegantly.

I practically bounced down the stairs, eager to get my fingers on that book Sicca had mentioned. The dining hall was empty, though there was still plenty of breakfast set out, and it was clear the two men had been here earlier.

With my plate piled high, I scanned the chairs. Nicolais’ chair was empty—the largest and most stately chair, worthy of a king. I looked around to see if anyone else was there before walking over and sitting down. It was massive, soft, and comfortable.

I turned in it so my legs hung over one armrest, my back leaning against the other. With my plate balanced on me, I ate strawberries, pancakes, a perfectly runny, fried egg, and a crisp, juicy apple.

I couldn’t help laughing. Just a week ago, I had slammed the door behind Lucas and Carol, and now here I was, in an elven king’s throne, eating absolutely amazing food. Maybe I deserved this, maybe I deserved to live the best life possible.

The chair smelled of Nicolais, smelled of grass, smelled of sunlight. There was no doubt he was insanely attractive, and he knew exactly which buttons to press. Seven hundred years of experience. I didn’t want to think about the past, didn’t want to imagine how many women had moaned his name. The important thing was whether I could moan his name.

My cheeks heated at the thought, and I could feel my lower body tightening. I honestly felt like I would gain more clarity after reading the books Sicca had mentioned. Now, though, I felt like I was stumbling in the dark, unsure of what I was doing.

“There you are, sitting very nicely,” came a purring voice from the double doors. I straightened immediately, seeing Nicolais standing there with a crooked smile. He began walking toward me, elegant and floating like a cat. He held a red book in one hand, but it was hard to focus on anything other than his face. “Feeling powerful, aren’t you?” He winked at me.

I could only nod. Embarrassed that he had caught me like this in his chair, my gaze fell as if I were a naughty child. He placed the book on the table in front of me, his hand resting atop it, the other on one armrest.

His intense gaze met mine as he leaned over me. With my back pressed fully against the backrest, all I could do was pray he wasn’t too upset. But his eyes said something different—they didn’t burn with anger, but with desire, with passion.

“Mhm,” he almost moaned, closing his eyes, “you smell so good today.” His voice was thick with hidden passion, as if he were struggling to keep himself together. His gaze met mine again. “Tell me, Luna, what were you thinking about when I came in just now?”

Pull yourself together, woman!

I swallowed a large lump, cleared my throat, and straightened in the chair. I tried to smile mischievously at him, though how convincing it was, I couldn’t know. “I was just thinking,” I said, letting my hands trail up his bare, muscular forearms, “about how many possibilities are right here,” I met his eyes.

“What possibilities?” His voice had gone rough.

I tried to play it up, practically purring at him. “Let’s just say,” I said, placing a hand on the table where his plate had been, “that I’ll take care of dessert.”

His smile shifted, like a predator about to snap at its prey. But someone cleared his throat by the door. Sicca stood there, awkward and waiting. Nicolais sighed deeply and turned toward him. “Terrible timing, Siccala.”

“The King of Autumn expects you soon, so we’d better get going.” Sicca remained professional; he hadn’t even considered mentioning what might have happened if he’d arrived a little later.

“I think,” Nicolais said, as if ignoring Sicca, “that we’ll continue this conversation,” he said, pointing alternately at us both, “later.” He straightened, turned, and shrugged, as if to shake the situation off. “The book is for you,” he added over his shoulder.

Nicolais and Sicca vanished from the dining hall faster than they had appeared. The doors closed behind them, and finally, my reaction hit. My breathing and heartbeat were completely out of control. I rose from the chair, feeling how our conversation had certainly stirred me.

A completely insane reaction, an utterly incredible reaction. I hadn’t expected it would be so easy, that it would feel so unbelievably good, just letting the conversation flow, just doing what I wanted, instead of overthinking, instead of judging. But was I ready for this? Was I ready to move forward?

It hadn’t been that long since I’d been with Lucas, with the man I thought I was going to marry. But still, he hadn’t taken much time to move on, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to move on? And now with a stunning elven king, who clearly wanted me just as much. Besides, how much longer could I keep him away from me?