Page 23 of A Clash of Stars

“What are you doing?” I asked him.

As my body pressed against him, I could feel the curves of his muscles underneath his shirt. Everything felt flawless at this moment, as if nothing could ruin it. As the golden sun lightened our faces, he whispered to me with our foreheads gently touching.

“Clara, I have pretended not to be affected for the past three years not being with you, but when I see you, all I want is to seek out your touch. I have dreamed about your lips on mine and you in my arms too many times. I would conquer the entire land for just one moment with you to prove to you that I can make youhappy and that I need another chance. Even if I am not your mate. I don’t want to be without you.”

A surprised breath left my mouth as he inched closer to my face. His lips were mere moments away from colliding with mine.

“Clara, please tell me I can kiss you.”

I was brought back to when we were just young kids in the garden when he asked me the same question and committed his life to me right then and there.

My eyes flickered up to his, the brightest radiating color of gold. I couldn’t respond with words. All I knew to do, almost like an instinct, was to lean into his soft lips, like I had done hundreds of times before.

When I did, his hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer to him. Our embrace turned into yearning, missing how this has felt for the past three years. His kiss made my eyes spark with light and vibrant colors, and happy memories of the two of us danced in my head.

When he pulled away, my desire was saddened, so I reached behind his head with my right hand and pulled him back in.

His left hand slid down my back to my hip and gripped tightly. As our kiss heightened, an overwhelming feeling of being watched crept up the back of my neck, clawing its way in. I started to pull away when his eyes pierced into mine. With that look, I knew Madok would do anything for me. Without saying words, his soul spoke directly into mine.

“I didn’t think I could stop.” His smirk rose in the corner of his beautiful mouth. “I should go. I’ll see you later, beautiful.”

When Madok turned to walk away, I noticed just how detailed his muscles were in his back. The white shirt clung to his every curve as he strode away from me. His significant striking figure would stop anyone in their tracks. The boy who once rocked my entire world just stepped back into it. I wasn’t sure how to think or react to it, but it must be fate, right?

The day of the opening ceremony had arrived. I knew I would have all eyes on me and I would be scrutinized by those who did not honestly know me. Tonight would be my last regular night in this castle. After this, I would no longer be Clara, Crown Princess of Artesia.

I stared at my reflection in my floor-length mirror for one final moment. Tonight, we all would wear white to symbolize our joining together for the greater good of our land. My white lace dress’s front streamed to just above my navel.

The straps formed daintily over my shoulders, and the back of my dress was just low enough to show part of my family’s marking. My marking was woven around the vertebrae in my spine, darkening in color the further south it went. The bands of ink carved my skin with thin black lines with small symbols intertwined throughout. I never asked what the symbols meant, but they were beautiful, and every once in a while, it almost looked as if the marking moved through my spine, which was wickedly cool, especially once I was officially crowned at my coronation.

Every royal had a minimum of two markings. Family markings displayed symbols and animals specific to their Kingdom, whereas the power markings were different and more secretive than all the others.

The bodice fits snugly against my curves and streams of white fabric drape over my legs when I walk. My hair was pulled away lightly from my face, and my pink morganite and rose gold crown sat proudly on my head with weaves of hair in and out of the curves of it.

I had never felt more beautiful than I did at that moment. A new belief in myself was awoken. I had been training so hard this past week, and I knew I could win the Variance. Not only could I outwit the others, but I could also beat them physically.

Even though my curves were vivacious, I felt strong. The muscles in my thighs were noticeable, my arms denser, and my core felt unshakeable. I was a wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing.

A small sigh escaped my mouth as I stepped into the corridor. As I approached the sitting room, I knew the remaining royals would be waiting. Of course I was never on time, so I mentally prepared myself for the looks that would follow me as I entered. With a push, I entered the room.

As my eyes adjusted to the space, I met the gaze of Madok. His white buttoned-down tucked into white fitted trousers. His crown sat proudly on his head, and his light brown hair was messy. His mouth spread into a loving smile as I approached him.

I knew others were in the room but could only see him. We walked toward each other, greeting one another with a warm hug. When he embraced me, I could feel the citrus entangling me with warmth, just as it used to.

“My beautiful girl,” he whispered in my ear.

I pulled back from our embrace just slightly when he shocked me by leaning in and kissing me. I knew my eyes widened from the realization that everyone was watching us.

Until now, no one had seen Madok and I interact with one another the way we used to. He pulled back and slid his hand down my arm grabbing my hand. When I turned to join the rest of the royals, I was immediately hit with massive emotions. Not my own, but everyone else’s.

I met Griffin’s eyes first. His stoic expression didn’t give me much to decipher, but I could sense his bewilderment. Luke, his blue eyes darkened with an expression I had not seen before. Almost a rage, as if he could snap at any moment. I always thought that Luke was handsome with his blue eyes and bright blonde hair, but I never thought of him romantically, so I’m not sure whyhe is so upset.

Then, there was Evander. He wasn’t even looking at me. He was in the corner of the room, gazing at his family portrait on the wall. An instinct told me to walk towards him, that Ineededto.

Madok leaned over and whispered, “I must step out for a minute. I’ll be right back.” He kissed me quickly on the side of my temple before walking out.

After watching him walk out of the door, my eyes drifted back to where Evander was standing. To my surprise, his gaze met mine, and a deep color of green radiated from his eyes, sensing the feeling of sadness. Before I could talk myself out of it, I started my strides toward him. His expression changed to become guarded. I could almost see the shield being placed over him to protect his emotions and thoughts.

“Evander, you look very deep in thought over here. Worried I might kick your ass in the Variance?” I breathed out as confidently as I could.

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