Blakeshire (Insight #9)(66)
Alamos escorted Aden and me to the end of the table closest to us. There, two chairs with high backs were placed. Once we approached, the other guests stood silently. Aden and I stood before our chairs as our guards lined up behind us.
I was at a loss at this point, not sure if I should sit or stand. I took Aden’s lead because I was still holding his arm. There was no way he could smell what I smelled and not be making some kind of face, or even tensing. What was up with the sensitivity of my nose lately?
A moment later, in the silence of the room an echo danced across the walls: footsteps. The doorway at the other end of the room opened.
My heart stopped. Drake was there in all of his decadence. His suit was black, but the collar was short, very modern and sleek. His hair was not waywardly tossed to the side, but combed perfectly into place making him look like the regal king he was destined to become.
With dominant grace, he walked to his throne. His dark eyes didn’t bother to connect with anyone. I could feel the coldness in his energy from where I stood. Yet, fire bloomed in my core as I remembered our day together. I was hoping that the addictive aroma of mint or even roses would help cover the stench in the air, but he was just too far away. Not breathing became my only option if I were going to avoid vomiting in front of all of these people.
Once Drake reached his throne and nodded once, everyone else took their seats allowing me to assess the people I was all but forced to dine with.
The chair next to Xavier was vacant, leading me to wonder if Drake had followed through on his word and asked that Horace man to leave the palace.
Alamos was in the seat across from Xavier, and the glares they passed would be hard to miss by anyone—which was confusing considering that I knew at some point the pair of them had plotted together. The question was, who was trying to fool whom? The idea that they were playing Drake made rage bellow in my soul.
I glanced around the table, wondering how many of these cleavage ink waves were making eyes at Drake. The fact that I saw Drake nod and smile darkly at one of them was not helping me at all. What was that about? Who was she? And why did Drake’s gesture make Xavier grin? And speaking of Xavier, a man that I knew was evil, why was his face not covered in ink?
Needing to force my gaze in another direction, I glanced at the seat next to me. Britain. Oh my God, he was seated next to me. Just to stifle my rage, I breathed in, and when I did I found a relief to that awful smell. The scent of vanilla laced with cinnamon was strong, and as if Britain knew I was suffering he casually moved his chair closer to me and leaned in my direction. For spite, I held my breath once more, deciding that I hated vanilla, and cinnamon for that matter—especially since the last time it was that strong around him was when Anna was in his bed.
On the inside, I smiled when I saw the red line at the base of his collar; his tie barely covered the mark I’d left on him. That was one risk about The Realm: if you died there or were seriously hurt, that came back with you, too.
Aden ignored him, but I felt the rage rippling off him as he stared down the table in Drake’s direction. I was almost sure I saw Aden tilt his head in Britain’s direction to offer a warning to Drake, but he didn’t see that warning; he was too busy staring at the ink cleavage—well, not the cleavage, but the girls’ faces which were masked with ink. I would have been furious if I didn’t see him glance at Xavier a time or two so that he could ensure that Xavier saw where his attention was going.
Drake looked far more relaxed than anyone else at the table. He was leaned back in his massive throne. His elbow was perched on the arm of the chair as his hand covered his strong profile, highlighting each of his dominant features and those entrancing eyes. It was like anger and power intensified his magnetism. So hot. And he was mine. At least I thought he was.
When Xavier and the others lowered their head in a silent prayer, Drake’s eyes met mine. He winked once and moved his hand so I could see that ghostly smile lingering on the corners of his lips. When I told myself to ‘see’ him, I saw myself, I saw him staring at me as I took in the landmarks of that town, my expression when I saw the waterfall and the willow trees; he was thinking of our day together.
He was forgiven for the glances he gave those girls at that instant. Even if he were playing me right now, I didn’t care. He gave me a day that would take eternities to forget—and if the price for that day was not breathing through one meal, then so be it. It was a fair price that I would gladly pay.
When I saw images of him holding me in his mind, that fire in my core intensified. I casually adjusted the way I was sitting as I felt that burn and let out a silent sigh.
At least I thought it was silent. Britain seemed to notice and gave me one of his ‘watch your back’ glances as his scent was amplified, almost as if he were silently staking a claim on me with his energy. I immediately noticed how Xavier’s attention turned to the pair of us. He grinned wickedly as he nodded once at Britain.
I wasn’t sure if Drake realized Britain was there or not. Even if he did, he may not recognize him. When I took Drake to my home dimension, he knew I was furious at my recent ex. I pointed out who Anna was, but by the time Britain showed up we were deep into the act that stated I was not grieving for any ex of mine.
The silence was screaming at all of us as the soundless prayer ended and Drake’s glare moved around the table. When his eyes met mine once again, I saw a small, enticing smile threaten his lips. Flashes came to my mind as I appraised him once again. This time, I saw the gentle way he always seemed to caress my bottom lip. I could feel his desire to do that right now, and that made me feel invincible.