CHAPTER 56: ASKING FORGIVENESS

(Amaia)

I stare at the empty cell, misery splitting my heart open. The flickering light from the candle Kacir holds reveals nothing to me.

I know he is there; my magic can sense him, yet I can’t see him.

It’s then that we are interrupted by Alnitak. Strangely I can’t scent Alnitak, maybe it’s the foul smell of this place.

Not wanting him to discover anything or ask too many questions, I decide to leave. He remains on my tail, speaking to Kacir. My annoyance and angst mingle, putting me on edge. I can’t stop Rigel’s screams from echoing in my brain.

As we emerge from the dungeon and go past the unconscious sentinels, I turn to face him and ask.

"Why are you even here Alnitak? Didn’t you make it clear you didn’t want to talk to me? Or are you here because somehow you feel pity for me?"

Surprise flashes in his eyes and he turns towards Kacir.

"Can you give us a moment?"

Instead of answering him Kacir turns his attention towards me while side-passing the sentinels.

"Will you be alright?"

"Yeah!" I cross my arms on my chest to prevent them from shaking.

He gives me a nod. "I will return to our room."

Once Kacir is gone, Alnitak guides me towards a deserted corridor. His eyes shimmer with concern as we stand facing each other.

I notice how stubble has grown on the sharp contours of his face.

"How are you doing? I heard you were hurt pretty badly." His words delve deep into my fragile heart. The kiss we had shared resurfaces and my eyes drop to his soft lips.

No, I can’t do that again. Not when he doesn’t trust me.

"I am alive, it’s nothing."

He hesitates, his hand rubbing the back of his head, and an apologetic smile covering his lips.

And then his scent blasts at me like the misty spring morning, overwhelming me making me take in a deep gulp.

How did his scent suddenly appear?

Was he masking it while he followed us?

The soft blue deepens and melds with the original gold of his eyes.

Zevran is here.

"I am sorry, Amaia. I shouldn’t have said those words. I have no right to judge you or the life you must have," he apologetically says.

"Yes, you shouldn’t have," I answer, keeping my arms folded as my nails dig into the flesh of my biceps.

Stinging pain has begun in my thigh from his proximity. He takes a step closer to me. His barrel chest is almost pressing into mine.

Delicious tingles spread all across my skin and I forget to breathe. All I can do is stare into his mesmerising eyes which reflect the yellow flame of the torch mounted on the wall above us.

Damn, this mate bond.

"I don’t know what the truth is but I realise I am no one to judge you."

His long lashes are downcast casting shadows on the soft skin under his eyes. His voice gets low, raspy and desperate.

"But if you give me a chance to be your friend I won’t let you down again. I promise." His hands land on both sides of the wall, trapping me inside his thick muscular arms.

The intense heat that radiated from his body makes sweat pour out of mine. Every neuron in my body seems to have been hyperactivated, bombarding my body with chemicals, heating up my face and core.

’Breathe, Amaia, breathe... don’t fall into those golden chasms...’ I repeat inside my head.

"Please!" He begs this time and my heart almost bursts from the surging emotions.

"Al...right." I pant, trying to bring the wild drumming inside my chest under control.

His tender lips stretch out into a teasing but pleased smile.

"Thank you, Amaia." The gold in his eyes completely disappears, only to be replaced by the tantalising blue and purple. Leaning closer, he places a sweet, gentle kiss on my forehead.

Such velvety touch his lips carry as they caress my skin.

The pain and pleasure fuse within me, scalding me, burning me like a fire, consuming me with his touch, the caress of his lips, the affection and apology he gives.

I know it’s his wolf who is pushing him. Alnitak is divided because he doesn’t know what the truth is but his wolf understands. Even without my scent, he feels me and maybe deep down trusts me too.

His wolf is a darling and I can’t wait to meet him.

"Forgive my wolf, he is infatuated with you."

"I hope one day you can trust me and see the truth," I murmur as he separates, still watching me with such intensity that it makes my bones ache.

He nods, pulling me off the wall and placing his giant arm around my shoulders.

"Let’s go, Lassie. I am glad we are friends again. I hated spending four days without you. Not again."

We begin to head back towards our dorm.

"But we will take this slow. This time around I want to get to know you, real you," he professes.

"Then be ready to be amazed," I answer, enjoying the warmth of his body, the solace his touch brings to my heart although it burns my body and thigh.

"I am ready," he chuckles, like the ray of sunshine he is.

"I heard both of you butchered the Antrodias." I changed the topic. Kacir had informed me in detail how easily both of them had overcome the Antrodias.

"Yeah! You should have seen the faces of the other two guilds, especially that of Ramian. We secured 20 extra points. Even our grumpy older brother seemed pleased," he proudly explains, his other hand waving in front, making me appreciate him.

But our steps halt when someone blocks our way and speaks.

"Out of bed and roaming around in the middle of the night. That’s five points deducted." It’s Jamina, she watches us with narrowed, scrutinising eyes.

Instantly, I wriggle out of Alnitak’s hold, who doesn’t seem to mind holding me, like he doesn’t care who sees us.

"Oh! Come on Jamina. We were just strolling. Amaia couldn’t sleep because of how badly her head had been hurt." Alnitak makes puppy eyes at her but she remains unmoved.

"You know I will have to report this to your brother. Rules are for you as well, you can’t just keep ignoring and breaking them. What if something happens to both of you?" She questions, seriousness dripping from her voice and I know it’s my fault that Alnitak is going to get in trouble again.

"I apologise. It’s my fault, I insisted because I couldn’t sleep or breathe properly. We will not repeat it again." I step forward and take responsibility.

Her eyes waver to me and they mellow down. I don’t know why this woman is always gentle and kind towards me.

"Next time that happens, come to my room Amaia. We can have some girl time but roaming like this is dangerous. So be careful." I appreciatively nod at her and she smiles.

"Go to your rooms and sleep. Tomorrow you have training sessions." She sends us away and we hasten before anyone else catches us.