His Dark Obsession by Moonlight Muse

42. A Couple of Gifts

EVANGELINE.

Hours have passed, but I can’t get the rule book out of my head…

Consummate the marriage before the tournament? How!

All I can think of is everything that can go wrong if we do that, but without it… it means we can’t even participate…

Urgh!

Just think Evangeline, if you weren’t an omega, you would have to be marked too. But the downside is, once the rest of the couples all mark one another until they go into heat, no one will even know if they are. mated, unlike me… I have a feeling that rule was put there because I am unable to be marked due to being. wolfless.

I shudder at the possibilities of what could go wrong; it isn’t that Zedkiel is that bad… but this life, this rank, it’s all a façade… 1

I sigh heavily, running my fingers along the spines of the leatherbound books that line the shelves in the royal library. I don’t even know what I’m looking for, but I need something to keep my mind off everything..

I had spent two hours with Alistair, and I am exhausted. He gave me all his theories about what our test may be but regardless of what it will end up as; I know I just need to think smartly and with a level head. I’m hoping I can at least do that.

Glancing around the library, I see that it is mainly empty. There is scarcely anyone here and I appreciate the silence. To my dismay, I had also learned that all the couples will move into the palace the night. before the tournament’s first day.

The double doors to the library open and I turn to see Lucia peek in, her eyes lighting up when she spots

“Luna Evangeline!” She whispers loudly. I frown slightly at that title.

“Evangeline.” I correct her, as she hurries over, trying her best not to run and remain graceful.

“You’re the Luna now… congratulations on your wedding…” She says, lowering her head to me politely, as if just remembering all that.

I reach over, and place three fingers under her chin and tilt her head up and shake my head. “Lucia… I’m still Evangeline… your friend, or I hope we were friends.” I say.

“Of course, we were- I mean we are… but you are a Luna now.”

“And it changes nothing, so tell me why you were looking for me?” I say.

She nods, smiling gently before she looks around and then reaches into the bag she is carrying. “I got you something.”

“Oh, for me?” I ask in surprise, not expecting anything.

She nods as she takes out a small rectangular box, its plain white with gold writing on it.

“Here” She says, holding it out to me.

“Thank you.” I say, as I take it. My heart skips a beat as I flip the lid open. My eyes widen when I look at the gold bracelet that sits on the suede cushion. A delicate chain with three charms on it set with pearls.

“I found out your birthday is June the third, so you’re a Gemini, hence the zodiac charm, a pearl pendant for your birthstone of the month of June, and a good luck charm to help you through this tournament.” She explains, looking at me with a smile, but I can see she’s worried I won’t like it but… I love it, I’ve never ever had such a thoughtful gift. 7

“Thank you… it’s….”

“Do you like it?” She asks softly.

“I love it, thank you, Lucia.” She hugs me back before I

said that to make me feel better. The Oracle is never wrong. I

wear it? I’ll put it on

please! I will wear it for the entire tournament, although I’m sure you are rooting for your prince to win.”

shakes her head. “Can

and places it around my wrist, my eyes fall on the one around her wrist, it is almost identical to mine,

two

it and once she hooks mine up; she moves back. “It’s mine and Prince Chasyn’s birthstones.” She explains

inside at the fact she couldn’t

say,

says, holding her wrist out to

but for me,

our eyes meet. I smile at her, feeling the gloom of the morning fade away. She had cheered me up

are you doing in here?”

looking for a good read.” I say. “Preferably about the

to be.”

books won’t be here. You will have to ask the Third

replies.

I guess I’ll ask

eyes

me to call him that.” I mumble, making her

love.” She teases, making

say with a pout, leading the way out of the room. She laughs softly as she follows. I bid her farewell and head to my quarters, remembering that Zedkiel said we would visit the oracle today. I better go back before he searches

an hour later when Zedkiel enters the bedroom. I had actually found a book on his shelf and had begun reading it but had fallen asleep reading, that is

my eyes, freezing when I realise what I had just said. I swallow hard as I look up slowly, only to see him

walking over to the bed

look at the slim black device in his hand and my mind instantly goes to the phone I have

the other

miss the way my heart began racing or the way I had probably paled. I need to get rid of that phone

Never had a

I say,

mind link, keep it close.”

pillow, hoping he thinks it is because of that.” No,

Second?” He asks, and

frowns, taking hold of my hand and yanking it up as he

He says, dropping my hand and

to the door after placing the phone on

the path for Zedkiel and lowering their

take a deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. He glances down at me before he takes hold of

last time I was here,

open and I feel the same

in there.’ The voice in my head returns, but it’s different today. Angrier and commanding.’ Leave Evangeline!’ It sounds shrill,

memories? Or am I going

the room. The Oracle is standing today, her hands are folded in front of her as she watches us emotionlessly. “I

will answer.” Zedkiel says coldly. His eyes flicker red as he looks

us over. Her eyes linger on me, and I feel as if she’s looking into my

if I can…” She says as