Page 23 of The Time Of Kings

“Only delectable, unruly, little blonde thieves I wish to imprison in my bedchamber,” he practically growled down at me, making me unable to hold back from teasing him, quickly forgetting the argument I was trying to win in my defence.

“Deal with many of those in these parts, do you?”

His eyes danced with mirth before his lips lifted in a knowing smirk.

“Only one that I wish to tie to my bed and interrogate for hours,” he purred seductively, making me suck back a quick breath at the erotic picture he painted. I swallowed hard, making his smirk turn into another knowing grin. Yet before he could dip his head and kiss me, there was a knock on his door.

“My Lord?”

“I told you that I do not wish to be disturbed!” Draven growled angrily, no doubt making the poor guy on the other side of the door jump out of his skin.

“I know, My Lord, but I merely wished to inform you that your guests have started to arrive for tonight’s ball.”

Draven sighed and while still looking down at me, he answered,

“Very well, I will be there shortly, for I have something far more important to do here first.”

I swallowed hard at that, the detailed picture he recently painted firmly at the forefront of my mind.

“Of course, My Lord,” was the unknown man’s reply, but Draven soon awarded me with his name.

“Oh, and, Jacobs”

“Yes, My Lord?” the man said, waiting to do his master’s bidding, one that unfortunately, this time…included me.

“Have one of the maids bring a selection of my sister’s dresses to my room.”

My eyes widened slightly, because of course, I knew where this was going.

“Miss Sophia’s dresses, My Lord?” Jacobs asked curiously.

“Yes, for tonight…” Draven paused to catch my eyes, gripping my chin once more and tearing my eyes from the door. This so he could see for himself my reaction to how he finished that statement, shocking me further when he said…

“…Ihave my new betrothed to announce to the world.”

11

MY TIME

DRAVEN

Finally.

Finally, I had found her.

I could barely believe it after so many lifetimes lived in waiting, it almost didn’t seem real to me now. Yet here she was, shrouded in mystery, and one I would soon unravel. It was as if her body had been wrapped in a length of ribbon for every year she lived. I would pull on each end until it gave way to the bare skin I craved to touch. Even now, as she stood looking up at me. doing so with those captivating big, grey-blue eyes of hers, reminding me of the storm in which she had arrived in my life.

Of course, when I had fantasied of our first meeting, never once did it include muddy footsteps that I would have to follow, only to find her hiding under my bed covered in the evidence of her escape. Meaning, it had somewhat tainted the first moment I laid my eyes on her, making me question if this was in fact, the girl. One I had been hunting for since Marcus had mentioned her being of particular interest to me. And now I knew why.

Yet just another reason why having a seeker in the castle had been useful, despite his unusual demeaner and, more often thannot, unruly behaviour. But, being a vessel of the Fates, I knew to take his words as serious as if they had been spoken by my own kin. Which was why I couldn’t help but think back to those early hours of this morning.

Early that morning…

“What is the meaning to this?”I asked the moment I heard the disruption to my peace. My foul disposition was made even greater from the turbulent dream I’d been having. And as of late, it had always been the same. A cruel dream whereas I had finally found my Fated Electus, only to have her run in fear from me.

In fact, I had just declared my affections for her, telling her in the meadow where we stood of my intentions to marry her, only to have her flee from me. I would then take to the skies, gifting her with my true form when landing before her amongst the trees. To which, she would cry out her fright at the sight of me, before a strange calm came over her. As though she had been waiting for me to show myself all this time. Yet stranger still, throughout the dream, her face was always hidden to me. Only her long golden hair flowing freely to her waist was the feature my cruel mind would grant me. For it shadowed all else, giving me only hints of the unknown girl the Fates had deemed born for me.

But dreams like this were not uncommon and nor was the theme, for she often ran from me in them. It was like the Gods’ punishment for being King of a realm they created but could never rule over. As if this was the only chain they could hold metethered with. A carrot to keep dangling in front of me in the form of an immortal promise.

---