Chapter 26

BALCROFT

Zelda's POV

Aidan skims through some papers on his desk with squinted eyes standing. He seems engrossed in his actions with his eyebrows marred with concentration.

Picking at my nails I summon up courage to to talk to him.

"Aidan." I call looking at him.

"Hmmm…" He says not looking at me as he focuses on the paper in his hands.

I sigh and stand, walking over to the wardrobe to pick a towel. I walk over to him and dab it continuously on his wet hair which I noticed he didn't dry after his bath.

He stills in his action and stares at me while ignoring his stare, I continue with my actions.

He wraps his arms round me and buries his face in the crook of my neck.

Tossing the towel on the table, I weave my fingers in his wet hair which feels soft.

"What's wrong?" I ask him.

He doesn't reply but squeezing me holds me tightly.

"Aidan…" I say and slightly push him back to look at his face.

"I'll be having my coronation today. The ritual is tonight." He says peering at me.

I open my lips to speak but nothing comes forth.

"Aidan.. but you.." I say but is cut off by him.

"I'm shocked by the sudden news too, I know it's meant to happen but not so soon." He says wearily.

I look at him and smile, "Congratulations." I say pecking him on his lips.

He smirks and envelopes me once more.

"Unfortunately, you can't attend the ritual as only the high council members, elders and some Kings from allying kingdoms can attend.

But the ceremony would be held later and you… my cherry would grace the occasion with me." He says against my lips.

I dart my eyes to corner, gulping in trepidition at my plans set to be put into motion soon.

I consider it a miracle as he won't be around much tonight to hinder my plans in any way.

"Cherry…" He calls.

"What's that… Cherry?" I ask chuckling.

He smiles and leans towards me pressing his lips to mine. Slowly, he envelops my lips with his in a passionate and sensual way which makes my toes curl.

Before, I can comprehend anything my back makes contact with a soft material as he roams his hands on my body.

I gulp in realisation and make a move to push him but he's faster and pins my hands above my head.

"Aidan…" I say as I squirm beneath him.

I open my mouth to speak but the words are logded in my throat as I see his hooded eyes staring right back at me.

"Cherry.... all mine.." He says placing wet kisses on my neck.

"You do realise that after the ceremony tomorrow, a date will be picked for our engagement and marriage, then your coronation?" He says as I become still.

"Engagement?! Marria.." I push him off me as he budges but gets up still caging me.

I sit and glare at him as he returns the stare.

"Aidan… Aidan, I don't know what's going on between us. This relationship hasn't been defined yet and here you're talking about marriage and..?" I say but is cut off by him.

"Do you have an issue with that?" He asks squeezing my knee while staring at me.

"We both have this connection and feelings for each other. I've marked you and fed on you and…"

"Aidan just stop.." I say holding my forehead.

"You can't just decide to get married to me and all, based on the fact of these you listed.

To everyone out there, I'm your mistress. Your mother hates me and so does your brother.

Goodness! Me living here from the start was because I was sold to you. I'm a Gilmorsh, Aidan and how long do you think you can conceal that till people find out…

A Gilmorsh married to their king and then there's Marilyn, who…."

"Cherry, breathe." He says holding my face.

I heave and furiously wipe my tears which I find streaming down.

Aidan sits and leaning on the headboard draws me closer to him.

"Do you in the slightest have any feelings for me, Cherry?" He asks as I nod.

"Words, my love."

"I do, Aidan! I hate the fact that despite the situation which brought us together, I still like you!

I like you to the extent that I find myself staring at the door each time you leave for duties, expecting your return! I hate it. So don't ask me if I do love you because you know I do." I say looking away as he smiles.

"Zelda." He says holding my face.

"Look at me, Cherry." He asks pleadingly.

I peer at him through my lashes picking my fingers.

He chuckles at this and asks in the most gentlemanly way, "Will you please be mine, cherry?"

"Do I have an option?" I ask to which he smiles.

"Not really, love." He replies.

"Well, I'm already yours, my king." I say against his lips.

He pulls me closer, which ends up with me straddling him to which I chuckle.

"Gilmorsh or not, you'll be my queen, Zelda. If anyone has an issue with that, I'll gladly behead them.

And about Marilyn…" He says pulling my hair to the side to trace his mark sitting on my neck with his fingers and his right hand holding my waist firmly.

"I've told you already that there's nothing between us. Don't you believe me?" He asks.

I nod in reply and heave.

"Aidan.. can I ask you something?" I ask.

Noting the seriousness on my face, he nods and stares at me not blinking.

"The Gilmorsh's, the captured ones. Can you please let them go?" I ask holding my breath at his response.

He leans back to the headboard squinting at me, sliding his rough but soft palms on my bare thigh still staring at me. After a while, he nods.

Still skeptical, I ask, "You'll let them go?"

"Yes, I will. I'll let them go." He says with a slight smirk.

In glee I hug him as he slowly pulls my hair to the side again, nestling his face in the crook of my neck, he holds me firmly as I slowly fall asleep.

*****

I wake up as I'm hit by a throbbing headache. Looking around, I find a note on the bed beside me.

Smiling at the cursive writing which I recognise immediately as Aidan's.

I glance at the note's content, sighing. Aidan has gone for his coronation ritual and informs me we'll meet at the ceremony, which is later.

I sit up and lean on the bed as the door bursts open with Aine rushing in.

"Where have you been, Griselda?! I've been waiting for you?" She asks panting.

"Goodness gracious! I'm so sorry, I fell asleep and forgot to let you know."

"Let me know what?" She asks.

"Initially, I had a discussion with Aidan regarding them and he agreed to letting them go." I said.

"What?! No! That's not true." She says stepping back.

"What do you mean?" I ask her.

"How can you be so gullible, Griselda? Aidan grew up in an environment where he was taught to hate the Gilmorsh's. He has killed hundreds of them be…" She says but I cut her off shouting,

"What happened, Aine?!"

She heaves staring at me. Slowly walking to me she says something that makes my blood run cold.