Playing it Safe

Adriel's POV

"Adriel,this is ridiculous. You can't run off again. I have already sent her a message informing her to come back to meet you. How do you think she will feel when she doesn't see you."My mother scolded me as she followed me outside.

It wasn't going to make a difference,or at least not a huge one. What will make a difference is finding Zalem, making sure he indeed went into the spirit world.Knowing him, he would look for Kiara anyway.

"Adriel!" my mother yelled out, almost to the point of running as she tried to match her pace with mine. "The poor thing is frightened to death, and even her breaths are labored. You should at least say hi before you go again. That will ease her up a bit."

I chuckled dryly at her reasoning.

"I highly doubt that my presence will make matters better. If anything,she will be scared of me even more, and the situation will get even worse."

"Oh, don't talk like that. She likes you,"she said, taking a sip from her wine glass she had brought along

My eyes slipped around the veranda as I pondered a distraction—something that would start a whole other conversation. "I'm going to meet up with the Sirens today. My recent absence from office wasn't previously announced, and there are probably dozens of pending agreements to sign. Now that the war is postponed,we can focus on economic deals. You should come; you are still the Valerian Queen."

"She asked about you,"my mother blurted,ignoring me. I gave my mother a scornful look.I knew the game she was playing.She believed Kiara could be my "one".

"Did she?"

A sly smile wrinkled the corners of her mouth. "Yes. Do you miss her too?"

"Don't be ridiculous." I snapped. "Are you coming to the meeting or not?"

"Not. I have to take care of the future Queen tonight since you abandoned the responsibility, and I can't be a minute late. You prolong every meeting you attend, and quite frankly, I would rather spend the evening dressing up than listen to your misogynistic blabber."

I nodded in agreement and made my way out of her sight. I was secretly praying she would refuse to come along. It would be better if I went alone. I needed even more time alone than I had thought. I couldn't even step back into my own palace quarters because all that was there reminded me of her. That was supposed to be my quarter of the palace until Kiara showed up. I could already feel her presence there. Every inch of it, I could smell her jasmine tea. I saw her light-colored dresses hanging in my closet. I could smell her everywhere. It was a mix of warm vanilla,jasmine, lavender, and a subtle hint of white lotus.

I had isolated myself to help stop my thoughts from raging wild about her. It obviously didn't work. I spent the past day drinking,thinking of her, and smelling random assortments of flowers while trying to duplicate her scent. I remember the sad look Annie had given me when she found out the true reason I had been calling for so many flowers. It was as if there were pity in her eyes

And to worsen it, the maids here spoke well of her,as they should; that was no problem, of course. The problem was that they wouldn't stop. Not even for a second. They spoke of nothing but her. I couldn't complain because they were nosey gossips who would run to tell my mother if I breathed differently when her name was called. If I could make sure Zalem had returned to the underworld and wasn't a threat to her, and that she was safe. I would happily go back into isolation.Just until my head could clear up.

"At least put some effort. She is a beautiful young lady; she isn't just a power source for you and your men..."I heard my mother say behind me.

I froze in my steps as the hard truth dawned upon me. This was no happy tale. I couldn't have her if I wanted to. The situation was so messed up that even her high hopes and optimism couldn't fix it. I swallowed nothing and kept walking, only to be stopped by more words from my mother.

"That is if you intend to share the power in the first place. You have been really quiet about your plans with the lady. Will you betray your men?" I took a big sigh and turned to her. "I will see you at the ball, mother."

She eyed me for a while and formed a smile. "Try not to be late, son."

* * *

I checked the clock above Charles' head; the short hand was a bit after nine. I was late. I adjusted myself in my seat and returned my focus back to the siren king, who was discussing the budget for some bridges and who pays what.

When I glanced at the clock again,the short hand was an inch away from ten. I blink hard. What the fuck just happened? I could swear that it hadn't been that much time. I groaned inwardly. It was an even more frustrating delay when I saw Charles staring at me. His eyes were bright and alert, and he was not bothering to look away or to even pretend he was paying attention to what his father said. He smiled as I glared at him, pissing me off even more.

"I will pay for it all." I declared getting up to leave.I earned a few new glances, but Charles and his amused look were the cherry on the cake.I ignored them and walked outside.

I tried hard to ignore Charles as he approached me,hoping he wouldn't say a word. Long story short, he did. In fact, he said a lot of words.

"You are in a hurry today. You usually love long discussions, but here you are showing complete hatred. You were also noticeably unattentive. Do you know the bridge you so generously volunteered to pay for costs about a billion dollars?"

"Leave me alone, Charles." The guards took some time to open the gates, and Charles took advantage of the fact to taunt me even further. It was times like this that I hoped he was useless so I could kill him off, but the motherfucker was actually a genius when he chose to be.

"You made me lose a bet,I was telling the other folks that I didn't think you were going to show up in the first place."

"And why not?" I frowned.

"The same reason kept you away from your own kingdom for weeks. Affairs of the heart."

I could feel his smile grow beside me, but I controlled myself. Like I usually did. That is,until I met Kiara. She was like a storm, disrupting everything. I fought to keep my cool; one snap and I could make matters worse.

I walked to my carriage as my jaw hardened. I would ignore him until he went away.

"You are changing. I am so happy for you."

I stepped into my carriage. I stared at him from the window, a bit puzzled as to why he hadn't gone to his own carriage. "Aren't you coming to the ball?"

"As much as I would love to meet this wonderful lady, I can't tonight; I have other plans," he smirked.The type of smirk I used to do.

"Matters of the heart?"I asked.

"No, Adriel,matters of the dick."

I scowled. I missed those days when another female could arouse me. Now a simple memory from Kiara's kiss could do way more to my body than a naked stripper.

"Have a good night then."

"I surely will." Charles laughed.

It wasn't until I entered the crowded room that I realized how anxious I was. I longed for her. To see her sweet hazel eyes scan me with curiosity, like a child discovering fire, I know it was a bad way to see it, but she looked so adorable. Her soft, calm voice,her smiles,her scent.

Control. I NEED CONTROL OVER MYSELF AGAIN.

I walked around with an abnormal rush... I stopped at the entrance and rummaged through the crowd for her. I got more impatient with each passing second. I walked a little further into the crowd, casually ignoring people who greeted me.

"Adriel." I heard Erica call. I unwillingly turned to the voice. I must have looked shocking because Erica appeared a bit taken aback by my face.

"Are you okay?" she asked,concerned.

No,I'm desperate. I am desperate to see her.

"Yes." I replied curtly,not bothering to raise my voice over the loud music. Her eyes stayed pinned on me for a while before she decided to speak again,obviously unsatisfied with my answer but smart enough to not press on it.

"Do you like the set-up?" I looked around the room, which was full of guests happily mingling with each other. This only happened when they were all slightly drunk. I did look around the room, but not for the designs, but for Kiara. Then,like cold water on fire, My heart easened as my eyes landed on her.

Damn,she was stunning. My brain always seemed to realize this every time I saw her. It was my first time seeing her in black too; I never knew such a dark color could look so heavenly on a person. Her elegant diamond jewellery was no match for the shine in her eyes, she radiated light around the crowd she was talking to.

The only flaw was that she looked a bit uncomfortable with Gregg Itello whispering in her ear.She did her small frown thing.

Gregg dared carry it further with his hands, they began circling around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

She smiled politely, trying to wiggle out of his arms.

The soothing heat I had felt in my chest was soon replaced by scorching flames. A deep-rooted hatred grew in me. Why the fuck was he touching her that way?

"Adriel?" Erica called me.

"Huh?.. We will talk later." I said, patting her back as I kept my gaze firm on my Kiara, afraid to lose sight of her again. And just as I predicted,she left the crowd and began walking back up the stairs alone. My mother stopped her for a while, but it was only a minute of chatting.

She continued up the stairs,resting her full weight on the railings. I felt a pang in my chest. She wasn't okay. She seemed tired—exhausted.

"Adriel! You finally showed up!"my mother exclaimed,calling unnecessary attention to me. Gregg Itello gave me a weird smile that I decided to ignore…For now.

I will deal with him later. I tuned out every voice around me and tried to keep a clear mind. For her. My eyes went up the stairs to where Kiara had gone. I wanted to go to her to see if she was okay.

To comfort her, in fact, but was that the most rational decision? I remembered the last time I went to have a 'talk' with her.

Will I be able to control my urges this time? That's highly unlikely, but I couldn't leave her there alone. She would still be mad at me too.Especially now that I have avoided her again.

I knew my mom must have issued an apology or two on my behalf, but I doubt Kiara believed any of them came from me. I will be making the situation worse. I needed to think rationally; this was no time to push my boundaries to the extreme.

My control was already weak as it is. My brain told me to stay, but since when did I do things rationally?

I was going after her.