Saphira
"Valric Ashfell," I mused softly, a small smile tugging my lips. His name rolled off my tongue too easily, like it belonged there. I felt him stiffen beneath my touch.
"Is something the matter?" I asked, a little thrown by his sudden reaction. He just smiled that heart-stopping smile, melt- you- on- the- spot kind of smile. The tenderness in his gaze made my chest ache, though there was something in his eyes, too, something I couldn't quite place.
What is wrong with me tonight?
"Earlier, when you asked me to dance... You called me your queen," I began, forcing a teasing lilt to my voice. "Do you call every... lost luna that, or is that just something you say to the women you twirl around a dance floor?" I needed to lighten the moment somehow.
He twirled me again, this time pulling me closer, so close I could feel the steady beat of his heart against my ribs. "I only call queens what they are," And so far, I've met just one queen... you." His voice dropped a little, making my stomach flip.
"Should I stop?" He asked with a grin on his face and an arch of an eyebrow. " I will...if you tell me to."
"Now, now, you don't hear me complaining," I shot back, unable to hide my grin. He laughed, and the smile made me smile brighter than I had in a long while.
After that, we didn't talk much; we just swayed to the music, letting the world around us fade.
The tune slowed, soft and sweet. I rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart that was beating erratically. My hands settled on his broad shoulders while one of his hands stayed firmly around my waist, the other gently cradling the back of my head.
It felt...nice. Safe and I couldn't remember the last time I felt this way...so secure, so content, and ...happy.
Wait one good second. I have a mate.
Like a jolt of cold water, reality crashed into me. I stepped out of his arms as if burned. My mate may be foolish, careless, and cruel, but I won't do the same thing he did; I wouldn't stoop to his level. No matter how drawn I was to the man standing in front of me and would like nothing more than to be in his arms, I have a mate. I won't cheat like Kieran did. This is the reality I have to face.
"I ...am so sorry about that," I said quickly, my voice tight. "I just remembered I have to do ...something I need to attend to."
That was a lie, A blatant one.
"It is a beautiful night," I added, although the words tasted bitter. "I hope you find your mate."
Another lie.
"Good night, Valric. Until next time." I turned to leave, my heart pounding, but his voice stopped me.
"That's too bad." He murmured. "I was hoping you wanted to see me," he said,, feigning a sad tone. I paused and looked back at him, confused. "I beg your pardon?" He only shrugged and leaned in, then whispered, his breath warm against my ear, "I will be at the celebration tonight. Can't wait to see you."
I froze.
Those were the exact words in the letter I got this morning from Gia. And at the bottom of that note...VA.
Valric Ashfell.
Suddenly, everything made sense. All those teasing words, those jokes, the quiet conversations, the embarrassing childhood moments I shared with my anonymous pen-pal... it had been him.
"I don't know what to say, I..." But he cut me short. "How about we take this talk somewhere more private? There are too many prying eyes," his eyes flicked towards a corner of the room where a few wolves were failing miserably at pretending not to watch us.
I followed his gaze, just in time to see Kieran's furious gaze. He was glaring daggers at me and Valric as he spun Alina around the floor mindlessly with zero care, his eyes locked on mine... he spun her the first time, the second time, and finally the third time he spun her, his eyes still on mine. And then, Alina went flying with a shrill "Eeek!" and landed flat on the floor. The entire hall seemed to pause.
She blinked in shock, probably realizing that not only had her supposed mate let her fall, but everyone had seen it. Fury contorted her face as she snapped her head towards Kieran, who hadn't even noticed.
Because his eyes were still on me.
When she saw this, she growled under her breath, a pathetic little sound, "Kieran, your beloved is on the floor". Only then did he snap out of his haze and direct his attention towards her.
Without a word, Valric placed his hand on the small of my back; he led me out of the ballroom. I let him. At first, i was skeptical about being alone with Valric, but then I decided that if Kieran could sleep with other women, I could talk to whoever i damn well pleased.
We stepped into the courtyard, the night air cool and sharp. For a while, neither of us spoke, just strolled on the path, our hands at our sides brushing against one another.
"I found my mate," he blurted.
The word stabbed through me.
I stiffened, pretending my heart wasn't splintering apart. Of course, he'd find his mate. Someone like him was bound to be taken sooner or later.
"You did?" My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat, forcing myself to smile.
"How is she?" I asked, my voice shaky, my words frail and forced. "What's she like?"
He sighed, gazing into the distance. "She is beautiful. She has the face of a goddess, and grace– there is such undeniable grace in everything that she does.
Jealously flared in me, hot and sharp. Too hot, in fact, like I could burn this woman if I laid my eyes on her.
"I doubt she's that beautiful," I muttered under my breath, surprising even myself.
He grinned. "I'd bet my entire fortune she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
I let out a cold, incredulous laugh. "Then you haven't seen many women."
Wine. I needed wine. I turned around, but to my disappointment, there was no tray of wine anywhere. With my current location, you'd think I would come to terms with that fact.
Glancing in my direction, he continued, "Oh, but I have. I've seen plenty."
The nerve of this man.
"If you like her so much, then go to her. Why are you wasting your precious time with me?" I snapped, glaring up at him. "Why are you even here?"
"I'll admit, I didn't peg you for the jealous type," he teased.
"I am not—"
But then, he stepped into my space, so close his breath ghosted along my skin. Why was he so close? What was he doing? Why did I want him closer? I have so many questions.
His hand lifted, tracing the curve of my collarbone.
My breath hitched.
"Saphira." He murmured, his fingers tracing a slow, deliberate line along my collarbone.
He cupped the back of my neck in a possessive hold– It was not cruel, not rough, but firm, claiming. Intimate. I shivered beneath his touch.
"Do you feel that?" His thumb grazed the sensitive spot just below my ear, releasing a soft, involuntary moan from me. I nodded to answer his question.
"Use your words, my queen."
"Yes," I whispered breathlessly, my eyes closed.
His other hand trailed down my arm at an incredibly slow pace, skimming my waist, brushing over the curve of my stomach to rest just below my breasts.
"And that?" he asked, his voice low, dangerous, and intoxicating.
"Yes"
"Saphira"
"Hmm?"
"Open your eyes."
I obeyed. And he was so close, his lips nearly grazing mine. My skin prickled, every nerve of my being alive from the sensation of his touch.
And his scent– the scent of fresh Rain and Sandalwood. Clean, earthy, like the world after a storm.
It clung to him, sharp and soft all at once, stirring something deep in my chest. It wasn't just how good he smelled; it was what it made me feel. Safe. Wanted. Home.
He looked happier now, probably because I had just noticed his scent; his eyes shone gold, and he looked so dangerously beautiful.
"Mine." He growled, looking into my eyes, making my knees go weak, but he caught me and held me in place, a victorious smile playing on his lips.
Celia paced and purred in my mind, she loved his touch as well.
"You are my mate."
Those words brought me out of my haze.
"What did you say? Repeat what you said. I must have heard you wrong." I demanded taking a few steps back. This wasn't happening, it wasn't fair to me.
"You heard me correctly," he replied softly. "It's you– The woman I called a Goddess, the most beautiful soul I have ever laid my eyes upon," he continued, "The strongest woman I know, it's all you."
I staggered, my feet unable to support me from the amount of emotions I was feeling. He was by my side and caught me before I could fall, his expression etched with worry.
"Can't you feel it?" His gaze flicked to Kieran's mark on my neck, his obvious disdain towards it unmasked. "You may not sense it fully because of him, but you feel it, don't you?"
I felt it, it was not the explosive, overpowering, all-consuming bond that came with finding your mate, but a steady, quieter, and deeper pull. And for that, I was grateful that I could still choose and think clearly. I could make my decision, and I wasn't in a haze anymore.
"No." I stepped out of his hold, putting space between us. "I can't do this, I refuse to. You saw what Kieran did to me… do you really expect me to accept another mate?"
For the first time, I saw fear flicker in his eyes– raw and unguarded. Not for himself but for me. For what he might lose. The kind of fear a man felt when he realized he might lose something irreplaceable.
And that fear deepened with every step I took away from him.
"Please don't leave, I beg of you. I'm not like Kieran, I love you. That foolish alpha is a fool for leaving someone as special as you for a lesser person." His voice cracked.
I scoffed. "Love? How can you love me so soon? We only just met a few hours ago." It was all the same.
" It's just the bond talking. I don't blame you...Sometimes, it makes us think about what we feel is love."
I took another step back.
I'm sorry," I whispered. "I can't do this."
And with that, I turned and walked away, leaving him alone in the garden beneath a sky of cold, indifferent stars.