Days had passed since the meeting between King Alexander and Zed Laskaris.
Zed could barely wait. Every passing hour made him restless. He wanted Skye, he wanted to make her his. But he forced himself to wait a few more days.
"When will your wedding be?" Pharian asked one afternoon, leaning lazily against the wall.
"I don't know," Skye sighed, setting her comb back on the table. "He has it all planned."
"Do you really have to marry him?"
"If I don't, my kingdom will fall," she said softly, her gaze fixed on her reflection.
"So you're giving yourself to the most dangerous prince in order to save a kingdom that thinks of you as a royal snob?" he teased.
"Sometimes the subjects don't know the sacrifices their rulers make to keep them safe," she replied.
Pharian smiled. "You'll make a fine wife."
"I don't think so," she muttered, though a small laugh escaped her lips.
"You will. You're young, but wiser than most." he praised.
She turned to him, brow arched. "Says the one who looks even younger than me, are you not younger Pharian?"
"Supposedly," he grinned, and she laughed again and he smiled a little it was a sound he hadn't heard in a long while.
Their laughter echoed softly through the room, a brief reprieve from the heaviness of her situation. Though Skye didn't fully understand who he was, she had grown used to Pharian's sudden appearances. In his company, she felt a strange kind of comfort.
Pharian's smile faltered as his senses caught the faintest feel power in the air, one he knew too well. "He's coming," he muttered.
The air shifted and Pharian's form flickered and then he was gone.
Before she could even call out, the door slammed open.
Zed stood there, his eyes glowing faintly red, his jaw locked tight, he seemed angry.
"With whom were you speaking?" His voice was low but dangerous.
Skye froze. Of all his moods, anger was the one that scared her most. He didn't hide it — he wore it like a second skin.
"No one," she said quickly. "Just… myself."
"As I have no one else to talk to" she muttered under her breath.
"Do not take me for a fool, Skye. Who were you speaking to?" His tone rose, sharp enough to make her flinch.
When she hesitated, he stepped closer. "Answer me!"
Before he could reach her, someone pushed him back hard.
Pharian.
"She was speaking with me," he said, standing between them. Skye's eyes widened; she'd never seen the two together before.
"I warned you," Zed growled, his claws sliding out slightly.
"And as always, I never listen," Pharian replied calmly. He was careful not to reveal too much; Skye's human mind couldn't yet comprehend what they truly were.
"Stay out of my life, and out of my room," Zed hissed.
Pharian feared for Skye he knew that Zed got angry easily even at the pettiest of matters. His anger usually controlled him and his decisions, if he had not interfered now, he may have hurt Skye.
"I enjoy his company" Skye admitted and Zed glared at her his eyes almost fully red.
Pharian sighed, "Calm down, brother. She's your future wife. Don't let your anger confuse you."
Zed's chest heaved, his breath unsteady. He hated that Pharian was right. Closing his eyes, he forced himself to breathe slowly until the tension began to fade.
"Do not show up here again," Zed said finally.
Pharian nodded once. "Understood." He gave Skye a fleeting, apologetic look before disappearing.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Zed turned to Skye, guilt tugging faintly beneath his crimson eyes.
Foolish! He scolded himself, he was trying to make her less afraid of him.
"Skye… I would never hurt you."
She didn't respond. She just looked at him warily and guarded.
"I'm not a monster," he blurted, as if saying it would make it true.
"I know," she said quietly, but he could tell she didn't believe it.
He walked closer towards where she sat by the dressing table and immediately she stood up and instinctively backed away.
He paused. He didn't want her to be afraid, he wanted her trust. The whole world feared him. He needed at least one person who didn't.
"Come here," he said softly.
"I'm fine where I am."
"Are you afraid of me?"
She hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
The word hit him harder than he expected. He clenched his jaw, trying to contain the familiar surge of anger. "In a few days, you'll be my wife."
"A few days?" she echoed.
"Any problem with that?"
"I just thought… it would take longer." She replied playing with her fingers.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "Come to me." he cooed.
She hesitated, heart pounding, and took a few trembling steps toward him.
"Please don't hurt me," she whispered when she stood before him.
He frowned, his chest tightening. Gently, or as gently as he could manage. he pulled her closer, his arm firm around her waist.
"I would never hurt you… not on purpose," he said, though even he wasn't sure he believed that.
Her breath hitched. She'd never been this close to a man before, let alone someone like him.
"Once we're married," he said, his breath warm against her ear, "you'll be much closer to me than this."
Her cheeks flushed crimson. His lips twitched into a real smile, rare and unguarded, and he found himself laughing quietly.
For a brief moment, the air between them shifted feeling much softer, almost warm.
"I know" she whispered and finally managed to look up at him to find him smiling; a smile that reached his eyes which made him look more handsome. Seeing him smile made her smile without thinking.
And then, without warning, Zed lowered his head and crushed his lips against hers.
He shut his eyes, relishing the feel of her soft lips, he had been craving any source of touch from her. The kiss wasn't gentle, it was desperate and consuming. A spark that set both their worlds on fire.