His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 51: Confusion

Eryx stopped lowering his breeches and turned the material inside out. It took every effort not to trail my gaze along the hard V line, pointing down to what I already knew to be of a monstrous size. I swallowed thickly and refrained from squeezing my thighs together as liquid heat pooled there.

I could feel his smug gaze on me. My pheromones had spiked a little, but I controlled it—most likely because someone tried to assassinate me today. My heat wasn’t feeling very frisky, either, it seems-- not as frisky as usual.

Eryx cleared his throat, and I realised I had been staring. I looked up, and that stupid smug smile was on his face. Fortunately, the sheer size of him hid me from the others. My attention landed on the emblem he pointed to on the inside of his breeches.

"So, this evidence can prove your innocence," I answer, my fingers reaching out and skimming along the symbol before I realised what I was doing. I’d felt compelled to get closer. My head snapped up after seeing Eryx’s muscles tense slightly.

"Were there any survivors?" I question, ignoring the slight heat feathering along my spine after smelling his pine and clove scent.

"There were none," Cohnal answered as Eryx pulled his breeches up and moved to the side; he didn’t stray far away from me as he rested his hand on the mantel.

"Did no one think to leave at least one alive?" I ask, remaining focused on the report and not the smell, which was all uniquely Eryx. "You could have interrogated them and saved the hassle-"

All eyes flicked to me as the Alpha Prince interrupted me, grumbling, "Sorry, Princess. We were busy trying to make sure you weren’t murdered." His fingers tapped beside me in irritation.

I blinked back. Did I sound like a whiny Princess just now?

"I meant no offence, and I am truly grateful for what all of you have done today." I dipped my head, but Eryx’s hand shot out and lifted my chin so my gaze locked with his.

I expected him to say something, a clipped reaction or some arrogant remark. Silence ensued, though, as we stared at each other.

My lips parted at his touch, and confusion swelled in my chest. Did he not want my thanks? Had I been too rude? I should look away. Only an Alpha’s mate was truly allowed to stare for so long.

I was a Princess, though. He was probably giving me respect after discovering how little I have of it from my own people. I really was a disgrace.

Eryx’s gaze narrowed slightly like he’d heard my doubts, then his brows tugged together and just as suddenly released my chin like he’d been burnt. He stepped back, seemingly startled by his own actions.

Clearing my throat, I speak to the room that had remained silent in our little staring contest. "If we are done here... I wish to rest."

"We will continue to find who is responsible," Cohnal says, bowing his head in deference. The action shocks me. We are alone now. There was no need to stand on ceremony.

"If there is anything else, please tell me." I started to bow my head again, but Eryx stepped closer, and I had the strangest feeling that he would tip my chin back up again. There was no explanation for the first time, and I couldn’t understand why I felt that way.

"Oh, did you want tea? I don’t really like the fuck you have here, but apparently, it is soothing?" Kharis says, easing any tension that had started to develop from my latest words.

"You know how to swear in Isa?" A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I watch the Southern Were.

Kharis grinned boyishly. "I learnt them on the road."

"You mean ’shit’," Cohnal corrects him.

I shrug. "I don’t know ’fuck’ has a nice ring to it."

Cohnal’s mouth drops open, and Kharis’ eyes light up. "Oh... I do like a posh girl with a dirty mouth-"

A smack on the back of his head followed his words. I tried not to giggle at their antics. It had only been a short time in their company, but it was much warmer with and without the magick gems heating this building.

"Thank you for the offer for ’fuck tea’, but I want to return to my own quarters." If only my room had those gems.

Kharis grinned at me for swearing, Cohnal’s eyes twinkled in amusement, and Eryx smirked and leaned forward, hand on the mantlepiece beside my head. "I will walk you out."

"Okay."

The door closed behind us, and I heard Kharis say to Cohnal, "I thought all Northerners were meant to be cold and cruel? She’s not what I expected of a Northern Princess." Then, his words switched to Solfyran to continue their conversation.

Maybe to insult me. It was possible. I wouldn’t know if they did!

"Make sure to put ointment on your neck," Eryx says gruffly, dragging my attention back to him, although I always seemed to be attuned to him no matter what. We stepped outside into the snowy grounds.

"It is nothing," I murmur, then after seeing his frown, I add quickly. "I will put some ointment on it."

Eryx nodded, his eyes guarded once more and looked across the grounds. "Where is your knight?"

"At the palace," I lied. I’m not sure why I did.

"I will walk you to your palace."

"That is not necessary-"

"You were almost assassinated today. You cannot go back to your palace unguarded-"

"Almost," I interrupt, then grab the top of his leathers and tug him down towards me before placing my hands over his mouth to stop him from arguing. "I am fine. They will not try again so soon if it is who we think it is."

Eryx stared at me with wide eyes. I smirked and dropped from my tiptoes, abruptly leaving before he could stop me. I was confidently at ease. It was highly likely Deyanira, and I knew she wouldn’t attack so soon after her first failed attempt.

She was smart-- allegedly. At the moment, it was questionable. I still couldn’t comprehend why she would use Eryx and his men and cause a war if the assassination attempt was a success.

Fortunately, I’d rushed off before the Alpha Prince could recover from whatever he’d found so shocking. In my rush, I’d taken some servant routes that would be safer for me and out of the public.

As I rounded the corner a little too close to Deyanira’s quarters, what I didn’t expect to see was Soren.

And he was naked.