KING ELIJAH

“Elijah, answer my question, Do you know him?” I asked him for the sixth time which he ignores.

I stop walking and fold my hands together and glared at him. He looks back at me confused and when he sees my expression, he looks up at the sky and sighs.

“Yes, yes I know who he is”

“And who is he?” I asked again now walking beside him.

“He is the son of the rogue King”

I gasped at this, “No way.”

“But I need to confirm if it’s true” The king said, narrowing his eyes at the people we pass.

“Why do I need to come back to the palace with you?” I asked him another question.

“You’re not safe here. If Derrick really is out, he’s going to come back for you again and I’m sure you guys won’t be having a chat this time.”  I shivered from his words and gulp, Who knows what he might do to me.

We got to the palace and walk silently as Elijah escorts me to my room. I stand at the door facing Elijah’s tall figure and sigh at him.

“You should rest” he whispered coming close to me. All I can do is nod my head in response. “I promise to give you a tour of the Palace tomorrow, hmm?”

“Really?” I asked, my eyes going wide with excitement.

“Yes,” he said chuckling. He walks closer to me and I hold my breath.

“Goodnight” He mumbled and I release a breath and inhale his sweet honey and vanilla scent letting it intoxicate me.

“N-night” I stammered back. He places a kiss on my head and my wolf and I hum from the tingles. He backs away and smile at me before going into the room next to mine.

I enter my room, close the door and press my back to it, I release a breath and place my hand on my beating chest. Shaking my head, I take of my shoes and sit on the bed and stretch my sore limbs. I get under the cover and within a minute, I doze off.

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I awoken with the sound of my door closing. I jump out of bed from the fear of being attacked by rogues again, my heart beating fast I look around the room to see if there’s anyone else but there’s no one. I sigh when I see a pair of sweatshirt and jean placed neatly on my bed. I take the clothes with me to the bathroom, The brush I used the other night is placed where I dropped it on the counter. I brush my teeth and change into the fresh pair of clothes.

There’s a nock on the door, I walk towards it and open it. The King is standing there, dressed in a pair of dark blue suit. His brown hair gel to perfection, not a strand out of place.

“Good morning,” he said smiling at me, his pearly white teeth showing.

“Morning” I mumbled back.

“Breakfast?” Elijah asked and my stomach grumbles in response. He chuckles then leads the way and I follow behind him.

He leads me through the palace and a few guards and maids bow at us. We stop at a very beautiful balcony, there are servants holding different types of foods and my stomach growl at the aroma of delicious foods.

The foods are placed on the table and Elijah tells me to take a seat.

“Leave us,” The king said to the servants and they do as they are told with a bow.

I take some Bruschetta and shove it in my mouth. I sigh at the delicious taste of the roasted bread.

After having breakfast, Elijah and I were still seated. I look out the balcony, and to my left hand side, I am surprised to see the Red roses filled in the garden. It is covered in snow.

Like blood splattered on the white snow, I thought to myself.

“What’s with the red Roses?” I asked Elijah and he turns his head to look at what I’m  pointing at.

“Oh..” Elijah murmured now looking the trees, “It was my mates garden. She use to love red roses.”  He was a little bit reluctant to tell me but from the smile on his face, I knew he loved her-or still loves her.

My heart clench, not from jealousy but from sadness, sad that I could never experience that with my mate. The one who was meant to Cherish and love me.

I cleared my throat and Elijah turns to me with a smile. “Shall we start with our tour?” He asked, standing up and taking steps closer to me

“Yes.” I said also standing up and pulling my jean up.

For nearly two hours he’s showed me the castle, the halls, the grand rooms, the most important to the simplest. To say the least, this palace was truly built for Kings and queens.

The king looked at his watch then at me and sighed. “I have a council meeting to attend in a few minutes”

“Is it about the him” I asked, emphasizing of the word him.

He nods his head and look at his watch again. “I will tell you everything about it” He promised. “I’m sure you can find your way around?”

“Yes” I tell him. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind an alone time to do a little extra roaming. I watch him walk away and sigh when he is out of sight.

After walking around for a while, I find this very library. I close the door behind me, I am marveled at the amount of books that are here.

I pick out a few books to read and walk towards the couch to take a seat. I place the books on the couch and take the first book.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

After ten minutes of reading, I am startled by a voice coming from the opposite direction of the room.

“I see you are enjoying Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, quite an interesting book. My favorite actually” the strange man said coming out of the shadows, taking an old dusty lamp that was placed on the table.

“Who are you?” I ask, glaring at him as he came closer.

“Ah yes, my name is Cedric Follett, Elijah’s best friend” Cedric said, stretching his hands towards me for a handshake.

I stare at his hand for a second before taking it. “I’m Celes-” “Celeste Sampson. I know”

“Oh right” I mumbled not know what else to say.

Cedric sits on the armchair opposite me and drinks his tea that was on the table and next to it was a book. How did I not notice that.  He pick up the book and I look at the title. Peace And War it says.

Cedric’s blonde hair is gel to his scalp, his black suit fits his body and his black shoe polished to the point that I could use it as a mirror. His blue eyes gaze at me, catching me staring at him. I adverted my eyes and pretend to be dust dirt from one of the books.

“Don’t you have a council meeting to attend to?” I asked him. I don’t know why I brought it up to be honest, I just need a conversation topic to make this less awkward.

“I do, but I won’t be attending” He said, taking a sip from his tea.

“Then why come if you won’t be attending?” I asked, curious of his answer.

“I came to see you?”

“Me.. Why?” I ask Cedric.

“You shouldn’t be here, Celeste” He mumbled, staring at me now.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“You really do not know what you’ve gotten yourself into, and if I were you, I’ll run while I still can” Cedric said getting on his feet.

I do the same and glare at him. “Is that suppose to be a threat?”

“No dear, just an advice. Run while you still can.”