Chapter 004 — The Almost Kiss

Ariana POV

I let out a groan before opening my eyes, even though it felt as if someone had split my head open with an axe.

The first thing I saw was the familiar white ceiling of the Frost Tower, followed by the soft blue curtains.

I let out a sigh, because for a moment,  I was certain those three arrogant Alphas were going to destroy each other, and accidentally kill me in the process.

"You finally woke up." A  calm voice startled me.

I turned my head to see Eryx, he was sitting quietly in a chair beside my bed.

His silver hair fell neatly over his forehead, making him look more like a prince than a student. One leg was crossed over the other, and an open book rested in his lap.

The moment our eyes met, he closed the book.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was gentle, much gentler than I expected.

I blinked.

"Better..." I answered honestly.

 "At least I think so."

He let out a faint smile.

"I'll take that as a good sign." He said.

I looked around the room, the shattered furniture from earlier had been replaced as if nothing had happened, even the cracked walls were perfectly repaired.

Magic, I guess.

I almost forgot I wasn't in the human world anymore.

"How long was I unconscious?" I asked.

"Almost three hours."

"Three hours?"I stared at him.

"You stayed here the whole time?"

He looked away for a brief second.

"You collapsed because the three of us released too much aura at once."

"So?"

"I felt partly responsible."

I couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

"Only partly?"

His lips twitched.

"I was just trying to make sure you're fine." He said and I didn't know when I laughed, and to my surprise, he  laughed too.

Even though it was brief, it felt real.

"So," I said, folding my arms.

"you're admitting your friends are impossible?"

"They are not my friends." He dropped.

"Oh?"

"They merely test my patience every day." He added and I smiled.

"Now that... I believe."

The room felt peaceful with him in it felt normal, that is, If I ignored the fact that I had somehow been transported into my own novel.

But then, the bedroom door flew open.

"Mistress!"

Luna rushed inside carrying a tray filled with medicine bottles.

The moment she saw me sitting up, her eyes became watery.

"Oh, thank the Moon Goddess! You're awake!"

Before I could react, she threw her arms around me.

"Oof!"

"Luna..." I wheezed.

She immediately jumped back.

"I'm so sorry, Mistress!" She said as her face fell.

"I was just... I was so worried." She lowered her head.

"I failed you."She said, twisting the edge of her apron nervously.

"I was afraid."

I looked at her quietly, and then the Images from earlier flashed through my mind.

Well honestly speaking, If I had been an ordinary maid, I probably would've hidden too.

"You watched those three idiots tear apart my living room, and you didn't even throw a flower vase at one of them?"

She blinked.

"A... flower vase?"

"I would've accepted a pillow." I said.

Her eyes widened.

"Mistress..." She called.

For two seconds, neither of us spoke. Then I burst into laughter.

Luna stared at me as though I'd grown wings.

"I-I'm joking." I said, wiping the corner of my eyes.

"You really believed I'd ask you to attack three Alpha heirs?"

A tiny smile appeared on Luna's face.

"I wasn't sure... you've asked me to do impossible tasks in the past"

“Really?” My brows furrowed.

That must be Seraphina, probably not me.

I reached for Luna's hand.

"It's alright." I told her, my voice calm.

She looked up.

"I don't blame you."

"But…" She said but I  squeezed her hand gently and hzer eyes shimmered.

"Thank you, Mistress." She smiled.

Luna slowly placed the back of her hand against my forehead.

"Hmm."

"What are you doing?"

"Checking if your fever has melted your personality."

I couldn't help laughing again.

"I'm perfectly fine."

"I'm not convinced."

"You never are."

She sighed dramatically.

"The healer said the fall might have affected your head."

I looked toward Eryx.

"Did the healer really say that?"

He calmly shook his head.

"No."

I looked back at Luna.

"You made that up?"

She smiled sheepishly.

"A little."

"You are unbelievable."

"I learned from the best."

"The old Seraphina?"

She nodded proudly.

"I've served you for years." She said and I went quiet.

Luna thinks she is serving Seraphina,which means any mistake I made could expose me, I have to be careful.

"Are you alright?" Eryx voice caught through my thoughts.

"I'm fine." I said.

"You don't look fine."

"I'm just thinking."

"About?"

I forced a smile.

"How to stop three overgrown children from destroying my tower again."

His expression softened.

"I'll apologize for my part in what happened."

I looked at him in surprise.

"You're apologizing?"

"Yes."

"I wasn't expecting that."

"Neither was I."

Our eyes met, his silver gaze was calm and steady, for some reason. It made my heartbeat race faster..I looked away first.

"I think... I'd like some water."

"I'll get it!" Luna said quickly before hurrying toward the table.

I decided to sit up properly, but that was a bad idea because the moment I pushed myself upright, a sharp pain shot through my head.

"Ah..." I groaned, I lost my balance, but before I hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught me.

I froze. It was Eryx, one of his arm supported my waist, while the other rested behind my back, his face was now few inches away from mine, as his silver eyes searched mine.

"Easy," he murmured.

The words were simple, but it made my heart raced faster.

A golden glow flickered beneath my skin, Eryx inhaled sharply, as his pupils widened, he felt it too.

Our faces moved closer without either of us meaning to, my heart was beating so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

His gaze dropped to my lips, and mine drifted to his.

Why couldn't I look away?

It felt as though the entire world had disappeared, and there was only him, only us.

Our foreheads were almost touching, his warm breath brushed against my face.

"Ahem." Luna cleared her throat loudly, and that sound alone shattered the moment.

Both Eryx and I jumped apart as though we'd been struck by lightning.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I covered my face.

"Oh my God..."

Eryx coughed awkwardly and immediately took two steps backward.

"I... should give you some privacy." He said and without waiting for an answer, he turned and headed toward the door.

"I'll be outside if you need anything." He added, the door clicked shut behind him, and silence filled the room.

Luna slowly turned toward me, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

"So..."

I buried my burning face in a pillow.

"Don't."

"You almost kissed him."

"I said don't."

She giggled.

"I didn't know the mate bond worked that fast." She said.

"It wasn't the mate bond."I replied.

"Oh?" She asked.

"It was..." She said and I stopped.

Actually...

What was it?Because for one terrifying second, I hadn't wanted to pull away