His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 91: Truce

I knew he was there before the loud bang on the door. It wasn’t urgent, nor there to frighten me. It was just there to announce his presence and ask for my time. I wanted peace and quiet to sort through my thoughts and to read this book on the creatures of this world.

When the resounding knock came again, I sighed, closed the book and said, "Come in, Eryx."

The Alpha Prince’s large frame almost made the room shrink around him. Pure power radiated off him in waves. Theo paused what he was doing but continued once he shook off the rigidness Eryx caused him from his presence alone.

Eryx closed the door behind him, observing the room as he flopped down on the sofa, ankle crossing his knee, arms spread wide, like the study was his own and I was the visitor. "It is late, Eryx," I state, my finger sliding along the book Sverre gifted me.

Eryx followed the movement then his nostrils flared, eyes widening slightly and strode to the side of the desk to look down at where Theo was. Kneeling beside me, his hands worked their magic on my feet and calves.

I arched an eyebrow. "Yes?"

A low growl rumbled through his chest but whatever pathetic Alpha male ownership he believed he had on me was pushed aside and his features were stoic. He watched Theo, uncaring. My slave fearlessly or possibly foolishly leaned the side of his cheek against my foot and stared up at the Alpha Prince, seemingly innocent but the act was not.

Eryx clicked his tongue. "How pathetic."

"Do you need something or are you intent on interrupting the only relaxation I can have before tomorrow morning?" I say icily, not liking the way he spoke to Theo.

Theo, for the almighty Gods above, smirked back, eyes twinkling before he returned to caressing my legs, provocatively first, then returned to his usual massage. I hummed and closed my eyes for a moment to the relief of tension in my feet from his splendid fingers.

Eryx scoffed and flipped back down on the sofa. He waved a hand in Theo’s direction. "Please continue. Don’t stop for my benefit."

"He shan’t," I say cooly.

Eryx sighed. "Can we stop doing this for a moment..." He waved between us.

My head tilts again and I playfully pout. "But I thought you liked playing these games?"

Eryx smirked, his eyes alighting at my words. "I need to have a private discussion with you. One not fuelled by your rage at me or biting commentary."

"One must deal with the consequences of decisions made..." I sigh both from Theo’s skilled hands and for dramatic effect. "You took a vital choice away from me and now you are suffering the consequences."

Eryx gave me a pointed look. "Will he stay or go?"

I glanced at Theo who paused and looked up at me with those deep blue eyes. He’d left his hair down for once, not tied back and it had been nice to look at whenever my eyes had grown tired from reading. "He will stay," I say, staring at him a moment longer before looking back at Eryx.

A muscle in his jaw ticked. "You... trust him?"

Like you trusted Soren... A voice whispered in my head. I shook it away. I didn’t entirely trust Theo, especially since Soren’s attempt at my life. I shouldn’t compare the two but I cannot help it. Theo wasn’t in a powerful position just like Soren.

"Yes," I say anyway, not missing a beat.

That tick in his jaw still feathers against his skin. "Fine," he says slowly, trying to sound unaffected.

I only kept Theo here because it was actually fun toying with Eryx. I’m not sure where this possessiveness did come from but he’d angered me too much. Enough that I wouldn’t have entertained him.

Unfortunately, all I have seen is his face today. So, I wonder what it is he wishes to speak of now. "Last night when we fought the High Fae..." He began.

I instantly sat straighter. I thought he would discuss the engagement, apologise or tell me his plans. "Go on..." I say, waiting for him to continue. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your aide quicker. When I saw it standing in front of you like that... Unable to get you in time-"

"It is fine," I interrupt. "You do not need to apologise for it. I went against your orders, slipped out of Sverre’s grasp to help... help as much as this weak body can anyway."

Theo’s hands stilled on me and turned into light caresses like he was telling me I was not weak. There hadn’t been any bitterness in my voice but perhaps my words were enough and Theo knew me well. Could probably feel the tension in my legs.

Eryx bowed his head slightly, the same as I did, both acknowledging our own faults, though he had none. I didn’t want him to feel apologetic over something that might have happened anyway but more so for his behaviour this morning.

"If that is all..." I say quietly, lifting my book a little, a silent dismissal so I can read more about the Fae, wildlings and whatever else might suddenly pop into these lands.

"It isn’t," he answers, holding my gaze. "You could tell that fae’s magick was weakening last night. You shouted at us about it."

My hands went deadly still on the book as I stared back at him, keeping my voice steady as I added more to what I said earlier, "It was from watching your attacks. I am a strategist and-"

"I don’t believe you."

"That I am a strategist? That’s a little sexist-"

"Stop deflecting," Eryx’s resounding voice made me slump in my chair. "I am not here as an enemy. I could tell you didn’t want to say anything in front of the others." He was leaning forward now, his hands together between his wide-spread legs.

"If you know I don’t want to say anything then why are you insisting now?" I ask quietly but firmly, holding his gaze.

"We are allies now, Lia. Betrothed... I want to help you, protect you... If ... If there is something on your mind, something that plagues you... I am here."

"The man who blackmailed me and only this morning forced my hand?" I tilt my head, assessing him coolly.

"I came here as a friend. You do not have to tell me if you don’t want to. Know that I am here for you." He rose and strode towards the door.

He can’t say that! It crumbled my defences against him. Walking away from me like that as well without demanding anything of me? Something in me urged me to stop him from leaving this room. To trust him.

"There’s nothing to say, Eryx," I say quietly, rapidly, halting his hand from turning the doorknob.

He looks back at me, those ethereal eyes flicking between mine, searching for my lie.

"I don’t know how I knew. I could feel the magick... taste it... and the taste kept weakening until it disappeared with it." My nerves started to bunch up again but those eyes softened and so did my body in relief.

"Thank you," his voice was deep, a low rumble. "For telling me anyway."

Like that he left me and something in me calmed. I don’t know how or why, especially considering everything that man has done, but I sensed he would keep what I said to himself. I sensed... that I could trust him.

I rid the thought from my mind as soon as it entered and aggressively opened my book.