Chapter 141: My Heart Screamed "Yes*

*Ciana*

The air was cool today but not in a way where it wasn't pleasant to be outside. The last few days had been weird, to say the least. I had settled into the palace well even though it didn't feel like I needed to settle in. This place, as strange as it sounded, offered me a certain peace.

My mind wandered to a pair of mesmerizing dark eyes and the way that they tried to lure me in.

I shook my head, trying to rid my mind of King Theo's presence.

Jake said to trust him but I didn't know why I just couldn't. There was something familiar about him but I couldn't bring myself to take that leap.

I had just turned the corner when I was nearly toppled over by one of the servants who were sprinting in the opposite direction from me.

"Forgive me, my lady." She bowed before sprinting past me.

Three more servants followed after her, brushing past me.

"What's going on?" I muttered to myself as I walked into the square and searched for what they were running from.

"Why the hell is it so damn big?" I heard Jake's muffled voice in the distance.

I hid behind one of the finely pruned hedges and looked through the small opening. There was Jake, approaching the square. But he wasn't alone.

Was that a... leopard? I squinted my eyes and zeroed in on the moving object.

Yep. That was a leopard, all right.

Why on earth was there a leopard on the loose in this grand palace?

Jake looked around the area and then turned to the leopard that was now moving toward the large oak tree.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty..." He moved to the animal slowly and groaned, "Why didn't I recommend a normal gift? Like a diamond or a damn handbag?"

Gift?

"Did you find it?" Warren came out of seemingly nowhere. "Of all the things this man could have bought, he decided to get her a leopard?"

"She likes animals." Jake scratched the back of his neck.

"Then get her a cat, not a freaking predator of the jungle," Warren panted. From where I was hiding, I could see his face was red from trying to get on the tree. It was rare to see the elegant and graceful prince frustrated like this.

"Believe me, that was what I meant when I said a cute cat. Sir, can we please just get it down before we ruin the surprise for her?"

"Alright. You go to the left, I'll be on the right to corner this baby," Warren instructed. As they slowly moved to the tree, Warren commented. "But I'm pretty sure that Ciana will love it. She has always had an affinity for animals."

What? This leopard was a gift for me? From the king?

That same light fluttery feeling returned to my chest. It happened whenever his name was mentioned or when he was close to me. I didn't fully understand my bodily reaction to him. It unnerved me.

"Ciana?”

Jake was staring right at me.

Oh well, they saw me.

I stood to my full height and hoped my cheeks weren't flaming red.

"Prince Warren, Beta Jake, fancy seeing you two here." I cleared my throat and came out from behind the bush, plastering on a fake smile, looking at both men.

My eyes flicked to the leopard that had now settled at the base of the tree. It was unlike its nature to not climb, but then again it probably felt safe here. I pointed to the predator on the ground, "I see you both are quite busy on this fine day."

two men exchanged

going to say

in his head. "Can you

also have a meeting to run to," Warren, smiling nervously, also started to back away. "You are

I looked at them

they

I waved

two little pups that had been caught

then turned to the leopard that was looking directly at

leopard reminded me of my friends in the woods back home.

gorgeous." I looked at the majestic beast, the apex predators-the kings of speed. I thought back to

all those people that were running from you. They just don’t understand your

the right spots to truly highlight her fur.

her slowly, closing the distance inch by inch. When I was about a foot away I stopped, not wanting to spook her or make her think I was coming

those were the keys to dealing

me to approach her. Then she raised her head and sniffed my hand. When she was sure that I was not a threat, she placed her

little and settled

and looked up

me. I stroked her fur and we just enjoyed each

at me. "You need a name, sweet girl. What should we

purred and scratched

Aurum? It matches your

She scratched her face.

It means strength and resilience.

I knew we

from the ground and went straight to a little shed off to the side. "I will be right back. You stay

knew exactly where to get food. It was what I had been feeling for

did seem

particularly like to be trapped

and decided not to get bogged down in

as Neava lifted her head and then looked at the meat treats in my hand. Animals don’t

head back against the tree and looked up at the

he do that? It wasn't my birthday nor was it any other special

day isn't it?" A deep and smooth voice sent

eyes open

Majesty," I cleared my

my soul, his gaze intrusive and sharp. “Theo. I'm only ever Theo to

Majesty." I insisted

the leopard and crouched down. He reached into the bag of treats beside him and offered them to Neava, who gladly accepted

Majesty," I smiled, trying to find a common ground for us, "Few

is there to fear?" He rubbed Neava's forehead. "Wait,

small blush heating my cheeks. "Yes, Neava. It’s an ancient name from her ancestral land that means strength and resilience." I looked down

came out

I turned to look at him I saw him

looked away. “Who taught you how to

person in

be good friends with that

face softened. "I'm sure you

considered polite, so I cleared my throat and looked away from him. "I feel much better now. I think now it's time for me to return

with my gaze. What did he mean? I wasn't a prisoner! "...Yet," he added, after

"My father?"

back maybe you can wait for

face heated a little, feeling guilty that I misunderstood him,

gave me a pointed look. "I told you,

still weird for me to say his name out loud in his presence,

about you join

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255