His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 35: Read Between the Lines

For a moment, I am enthralled, unable to look away. My breath halts, and I realise it is noticeable once Alaric looks up from his plate at me, brows pinching and flicks a suspicious gaze at Eryx. "Her guard will obviously accompany her," he states.

"Is that wise?" Eryx asks. My body’s ridiculous response to this man—most likely heat-induced—evaporates, replaced by a pressure in my chest. I lower my fork, narrowing my eyes at him.

"And why do you ask?" I say casually, masking my annoyance. "It will be improper to wander alone to wherever you wish to take me."

"I can protect you."

"I do not doubt your sufficiency in protecting me." It is you I need protection from! "But I will need a chaperone." To continue with this little farce, I add. "It is tempting to be alone with you. However, things are different here in the North."

Alaric’s gaze also falls on Eryx. The Alpha Prince smirks. "It is true, we do not follow such silly societal standards-" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Silly? It is for modesty-"

"And I would prefer to spend some time alone without being watched." Eryx continues, ignoring my interruption. "But I question his loyalty. Did he not accompany you to Ulfstad?"

My body tenses, and I glance at my brother. He is frowning, and I can see wheels turning in his eyes. Is he doubting Soren now?

My gaze cuts to Eryx. "He is my knight," I hiss, eyes burning into his. Then, I realised my defensiveness for Soren could make things worse.

I shouldn’t have acted so aggressively to Eryx in front of Alaric. My brother could easily remove Soren. What then?

He could be replaced by another of Deyanira’s spies. What of Soren? Would he be ridiculed for being my knight for so long?

With a softer voice, I add. "He is the most loyal to me."

"Did Soren help you the other night?" Alaric asks quietly, his focus on me, completely ignoring Eryx’s large presence.

"He protected me when I was there..." I drawl, my attention returning to Eryx, reminding him silently through my gaze and words that I could just as easily pin this on the Alpha Prince of the Southern kingdom. After all, it is his man who follows me and reports to him.

Eryx is our enemy. We might be sharing a meal, but we have been at war for centuries. It would be easy to believe he is trying to harm me.

Eryx’s eyes flash dangerously, warning me. The corner of my lips tugged up, satisfied he read my intent, before masking my features once more and adding with a shrug, "I forced him to come with me. I cannot exactly defend myself."

Alaric sits back at that, dabbing his mouth with a handkerchief. "Is there a reason for that?" Eryx asks, leaning forward, surprising me at his sudden interest and the intensity in those ethereal eyes. I do not trust it.

At my blank expression, Eryx raises a quizzical brow. "The Princess of Ice and Claws, a kingdom known for its brute strength, cannot fight?"

My chin lifts, teeth gritting as pressure squeezes my chest. "I am without a wolf," I clarify what many already know.

Eryx tilts his head, gaze roaming over me in confusion. "Humans do not have the ability to shift into a wolf," his voice is deep, somehow soothing. "Yet they know how to fight. They are still much weaker but I hear they are advanced in other areas where we, as Weres, are not."

"Idalia never wanted to learn," Alaric says before I can. "I supported her in that decision."

Eryx’s eyebrows rise in surprise. "I cannot imagine you not wanting to learn how to fight."

"Oh?" I clasp the wine glass, bringing it to my lips as I hold his stare. "Why so?"

"Because ever since we met, I have seen nothing but fire burning in your eyes."

That is because I do not like you. My eyes challenge him silently as I sip on the crispiness of the wine. Servants pass between us, removing our plates and filling up glasses; they become blurry figures in the background as I drown in those eyes. It isn’t until Alaric clears his throat that I remember we are not alone.

"The circumstances after every interaction has been... invigorating." I lower the glass. "You should not make assumptions after so little time spent together."

"Is that so?" Eryx’s finger tapped on the bottom of his wine glass, those enigmatic eyes drawing me in again. "I think I know you better than most."

His lips slide into a smug smile, eyes glinting back at me. He may have seen and touched my body, but he does not know me.

"We shall see." Slowly, I rise from my chair, wishing to be away from this man before my heat flares up again from interacting with Eryx. Besides, I am now unfortunately meeting with him tomorrow. "If you will excuse me, I will retire for the night."

Eryx rises with me, and it takes everything in me not to frown. "I will walk you back to your chambers." He looks to Alaric, then. "Or is that not allowed?"

"Soren is outside," my brother answers and looks to me. "I need to meet with Liva."

I bow my head, refraining from sighing as we turn away from the dining table. Eryx follows me step for step on the other side of the long table. I can feel his stare like a lover’s caress skimming along my skin and warming my body.

We meet at the end of the long table, and he offers me his hand. I take a second too long, nervous about the consequences of his touch. My back locks, and sparks shoot up my arm and down my bodice from where our hands touch. Eryx’s eyes are solely on me, the depths of the green darkening while looking at me curiously.

The doors burst open, startling me out of my stupor as Rynak marches through, his eyes sharp, immediately seeking the King’s attention. I watch as he hands a parchment to my brother. Something about the urgency in Rynak’s posture and the hard set in his jaw keeps me from leaving.

Alaric looks up, noticing my hesitation. "There has been an attack in Mornfell," he answers my questioning gaze in Issorian, the ancient language only a few know. "Only 17 survived."

Only 17! I’d heard about Mornfell before. It was said to be a large town closer to the mountains. There were only woods and a few small villages between the mountains and Ulfstad. It would be advantageous to take the mountainous towns that overlook the palace.

"Do we know who did it?" Eryx’s head snaps to me in surprise. I ignore his probing stare. If the Southern Kingdom had taken over the town, then there was much more we needed to consider.

Alaric pushes back from his chair. "That is what we will figure out."

"What of the Prince?"

"Do not fret yet." Alaric holds my gaze. "We cannot imprison him without evidence." He marches towards the opposite doors at the other end of the hall and looks over his shoulder. "Are you coming?"

His authoritative tone left no room for argument. I bow my head and look at Eryx, who is staring at me oddly. There is no way he is openly marvelling at me. The lighting in here is obviously odd. "Excuse me, Eryx. My King needs me."

As I turn, his hand grasps my wrist light and asks quietly. "You help the King?"

"Of course. This is my kingdom, too."