CHAPTER 113: THE SMELL OF WINE

I don’t think there is a limit to how Drevon can surprise me. Even after we freshened up for the day, he still clung to me, refusing to give me space.

What is space to Drevon Balthar?

I leveled my eyes at Drevon’s head on my lap, hands wrapped around my waist.

Probably this, annoyingly so.

"Haven’t you had enough?"

He smiled but didn’t say anything back to me, enjoying whatever comfort he derived from this. I sighed, going back to finishing my sewing. I was almost done with this.

After a few minutes of needlework, I used my teeth to cut the thread when a knock came at the door.

"My liege, Your Grace."

It was Lucan, it’s been a while since I saw him.

"Sorry for the disturbance, but Garrick has uncovered the ancient texts."

Ancient texts? What’s that?

Drevon sat up and faced the door, his attention drawn. "When?"

"This morning. He’s in the middle of sorting them out and asks me to come get you."

Drevon faced me and gave me a soft smile. "Forgive me, Eloise, but there is something of importance I must attend to. Don’t worry, I’ll be back as soon as I can."

I have spent the entire day telling him to stop clinging to me, but now that he was leaving, I felt...hurt.

I forced a smile. "Okay."

He leaned toward me and kissed my forehead, rising from the bed and grabbing his jacket.

I observed as he wore his uniform and made adjustments. When he got to the door, he paused and turned, giving me one more sweet smile before exiting the room.

My smile dropped, and a hollow feeling followed. I placed my hand on my chest as it got deeper, as if a part of me was missing.

I exhaled, shoving whatever that feeling was, climbed out of bed, and walked to the table. I grabbed the crystal jug and poured myself some water, taking big gulps.

I dropped the crystal goblet, and gave another exhale. I need an audience with the Royal Princess. Now that Drevon is gone, I can do that.

"Anyone out there?" I called out. "Ravyn? Osha?"

"Lady Ravyn is not yet here, and Osha was asked to take the day off, Your Grace," A knight guarding the door said.

"I want to go out, who will escort me?"

"Your Grace, the monarch has given the order that you’re not to leave the quarters."

"What?" I frown, stepping close, just to be sure I grabbed the doorknob.

The door’s locked.

"Why is the door locked?"

There was no answer, and I tugged against the knob to get it open, but it wouldn’t budge.

I don’t believe this!

~•~

It was sunset, and with just a few hours with no one to talk to, I felt like losing my mind. I kept calling on the knight who had chose silence as his peace.

I never thought I’d find myself in a situation like this, locked in his chambers? I was more than ready to give Drevon a piece of my mind when he got back, but when it became dark, my eyelids grew heavy and I was dozing off in my seat.

I jolted awake when my hand mistakenly shifted the silver plate on the table, resulting in a loud sound.

Now, I’m wide awake. I yawned, stretching before slumping on the chair.

I don’t think he’s coming back tonight. I clenched my teeth, getting more frustrated. He’d no intention of coming back, and yet he locked me in this room? I grabbed the crystal bottle of wine and poured, chugging it, repeating my action over and over again.

"It’d have been so much better if there had been no one at the door!" I yelled. "How many of you are out there? Just play dead!"

I chugged a whole full cup and coughed, using the back of my hand to wipe my mouth before hiccupping. I took some more, but suddenly the taste wasn’t as appealing.

I pushed to my feet, staggering, but I held the table for balance. I shake my head. Did I have too much?

I looked at the empty bottle, hiccupping. Oops! Seems like I did, I finished the whole thing. I tasted my mouth, making a smacking noise. I wish there was more; the sweetness was just too good to stop so soon.

The smell of this wine was also appealing, and I wondered where I smelt it because it was familiar. I sniffed the air, trying to drown myself more into it, but I couldn’t get that particular flavor. That wine scent was far more alluring.

I need air.

I swayed to the glass doors and pushed them open, walking to the vast balcony.

My teeth chattered as the wind howled through. I closed my eyes, my hand holding my hair to keep from being dismantled, my other hand on my robe to stop it from going up.

When the wind finally settled, I opened my eyes to the view. Why didn’t I come here at night? It was far more beautiful, now it wasn’t the view of the gardens to enjoy, but the night lights of the empire, it was so bright.

I couldn’t help myself as I walked to the balustrade and rested my hand on it to take in more of the view. I wonder how lively it’d be at night. I have only been there during the day, which was an exhilarating experience.

Will Drevon take me to see it if I ask? I smiled at the thought.

I turned to my side, the wind carrying my hair weightlessly, I closed and opened my eyes, before squinting them.

I tipped my head as a confused look morphed on my face. "Damon?"

On cue, a wicked smile spread on his lips, his hand holding his hair at the top, keeping the wind from blowing it, a strand of it fell, casting a mesmerizing flow.

"Hello, Eloise."