Page 101 of A Clash of Stars

He tilted his head on the pillow to face me, his tousled midnight hair laying wildly with a slight shadow across his cheeks where his beard grew. The green in his eyes glistened into mine. That’s when I felt it. This overwhelming feeling of warmth, the smell of teakwood, and roses.

Was that love? Did he love me?

Leaning over, he licked his lips before lowering them onto mine in a swift, lingering kiss.

“All right, princess. Time to get some sleep. The fun starts tomorrow. We both need to be well rested for it.”

He took a deep sigh, and I knew what he meant. The wedding celebration festivities native to my kingdom held great respect amongst our people called Venusto. I had honestly forgotten all about it until now.

I also hoped my parents didn’t hear me screaming at the top of my lungs for Evander. I felt the blush spread over me at the thought, then I closed my eyes, drifting off into the best sleep I had ever had.

Chapter 31

The warmth from the sun danced across my face, wanting, begging me to open my eyes for the day, so I caved and did what it asked.

As my eyes flickered open, they were pleasantly surprised to see a naked Evander sleeping beside me. I took that to my full advantage to scope out all of his perfect details. My eyes kept drifting back to his lips. They were full and soft and completely distracting.

“Stop staring at me, Clara.” His voice was soft and flirty as his eyes still stayed closed. I let out a soft giggle, turned onto my back, and leaned my head over to glance at him again.

“How did you even know I was looking?” I said softly and much more seductively than planned.

Green eyes opened and gleamed into mine with such affection I thought I could melt under his sear. He scooted closer to me in the bed, placing our faces beside each other.

“I could hear your thoughts. Your struggle of wanting to look at me but being distracted by my oh-so-full and soft lips.” He smiled, and my eyes darted to his mouth yet again.

“I love how you describe me like I am some kind of hero, but I can assure you I am not. I want to be, but it isn’t in the cards for me, darling. I told you last night I have done terrible things, and I’m not this man you paint me to be. I can’t be him.”

I wasn’t sure what “him” he was referring to. No man had ever been a hero to me, I knew he wasn’t perfect by any means, but he was perfect for me.

I sighed, sitting up and clutching the soft satin sheet. “I’m fully aware that there are things about you that I don’t know, and that’s okay. I’m no angel, Evander. We all have our secrets, the parts of us that we don’t want anyone to see or know.” I let out a soft chuckle before telling him a story from my childhood.

“When I was about six years old, I was running around the castle when I knew I wasn’t supposed to. My mother often told me that I would break something or get hurt. I thought she was silly, of course. Well, I rounded the corner near the dining room, and when I did, I slammed into the side table, pushing it into the wall and leaving a big hole. I panicked and started looking around for something to cover it. I remembered a painting my mother never hung up in the corner, so I grabbed the artwork, a nail, and a hammer and put that painting up over the hole. The painting is there today, and my parents have no idea it happened.”

I felt Evander sit up, and I glanced over to see him with a wild look on his face.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” I patiently waited for his response.

He leaned closer, and I could smell his signature scent, completely drawing me in. This man made me completely lush over him.

“It’s cute, you know. That story. That’s what you think is bad. You are not bad. You are full of goodness and light. I am full of darkness. Clara, I’ve killed people and done terrible things that I can’t take back. The only good thing about me is you.” The green eyes that once looked at me with such lust stared back into mine with admiration.

He quickly grabbed my face pulling my lips to his. We heard the bangs on the door but ignored them the first few times. Then we heard the voice of my mother.

“Good morning, sleepy heads! I’m aware you don’t want to be disturbed, but we must prepare for the festivities. Breakfast is ready, be done in ten minutes, please.” She yelled but so kindly that it made me giggle. I couldn’t believe she threw in the ‘be done in ten minutes’ part, but I guess she knew more than I wanted her to.

We slowly got out of bed and started getting ready, which was a lot of horseplaying and almost having sex again. Still, we knew we were expected downstairs quickly, so we let that take precedence over our lovemaking, at least for now.

Evander and I walked hand in hand into the dining room, laughing at each other and smiling.

“Well, well, looks like our newlyweds had a very restful night.” My mother cheekily said to the table, though it was directed towards us.

We sat down, and Evander responded to her statement. “I’m not sure about the restful part, but we most definitely had a great night.” His smile spread too far across his face, and I could practically see the beams of happiness coming off of him.

Looking at the others at the table, I noticed Madok, who looked… angry. Maybe even furious.

Thankfully, Madok couldn’t read my mind, only my future. I wondered if what he told me last night was true or if it was just his fury talking. Although, I had a feeling it was the former.

I couldn’t help but notice that his once golden amber eyes were dimmed, darkened. Overtaken with unhappiness.

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