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CHAPTER 7

Eric’s POV

“I was out for a run.” Even her voice was beautiful... But she still wasn’t looking at me, her gaze was fixed solely on the ground.

“And what are you doing here, in the castle?” I asked her.

“I work here,” she said. Seriously? Why wasn’t I informed that a human works in the castle...

I could hear the incredulity in my voice when I asked, “You work here? In the castle?!”

“Yes sir, and I’m sorry for any inconveniences I may have caused.” Before I could even process what she’d said, she was already turning around and struggling away back to the castle. I began walking by her side, doing my best to act unaffected by her presence.

But then I had never really been good at pretending and she noticed it because she stopped walking and turned to look at me.... and I forgot everything... every reason was so determined to staying away from her was suddenly not so important, when I looked into those eyes.

I wanted to hold on, and never let go. I wanted her safe in my arms, I wanted.... her, all of her. But for now I’d take what I could... and enjoy this moment...

Suddenly someone cleared their throat making her snap her eyes away from me and look at the floor. It took everything in me to stop a growl from leaving my throat. I looked around for the source of the sound and saw it was Edward, he looked at me weirdly before focusing his gaze on her.

He focused his gaze on me again and asked, “What took you so long? They almost found out!”

I rolled my eyes at him, “I don’t think they would make such a big deal out of me going for a run Ed.”

“Then you don’t know them well enough.” Sighing I don’t bother answering him.

Hearing a twig snap I turned to the direction of the sound, only to see my mate trying to leave without us noticing. ‘Too bad’ I thought trying not to smirk.

“Who are you?” Ed asked her.

“Anastasia.” So that was her name... why didn’t I ask her that...?

“You’re human...?” I had to look at the guy to see if he was missing a part of his head or something. I mean how much more obvious could it get that she was human? It looked like she had something else to say, but instead she said, “Yes.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“I live and work here.” After a few long seconds he focused on me again dismissing her, “They are doing it.”

I looked at him, confused as I watched my mate walk away from me, “Doing what?

He slapped his hand on his forehead and shot me a glare. “How are you even meant to lead us if you can’t keep up with a simple conversation?”

I focused my gaze on him again, rolling my eyes I said, “Stop being such a puss and tell me, would you?”

He sighed, “They are doing it... the ball, it’s happening.”

I released a sigh, running my hand through my hair. I knew this was going to happen anyway but I wished ‘he’ would listen to me more a little more.... “It’s ok dude, we knew it was going to be like this anyway.

He took in a deep breath, “Yeah, and your dad wants to see us practice, because ‘He knows us well so he knows we didn’t take our training seriously.’ His words not mine.”

I released another sigh, bracing myself for what is to come, before heading back into the castle and to my room to freshen up for the day, and no matter how I tried I couldn’t get a certain pair of hazel eyes out of my head.

I stepped out of the shower and into the closet to get dressed. I left the room and headed to the training grounds meeting up with Ed and Art on the way.

I felt it before I even got there... the raw power that was possessed by only one person... the king. It was a lot more imposing than I remembered, but maybe it was because I had not been in his presence for years....

I stepped onto the training grounds and locked gazes with my father for the first time in years. They were just like I remembered them... those eyes... cold, hard, and indifferent.... “Why don’t we show him how diligent we’ve been?” I heard Damon say in my head.

After training I was so tired I could barely even think. He made the training today unnecessarily hard but we were amazing in everything, that look on his face... it wasn’t something I’m going to forget soon. I was heading to my room. I wanted nothing more than to just lay down and be done with this day, but when I got a whiff of that scent... I couldn’t help it and I followed it till I reached my room. She’s in my room..? I stood there for... I don’t know how long really, just basking in her scent, until the door opened and her small frame bumped into me.

Not wanting to seem off I said, “You? What are you doing here?” I mentally face palmed myself, is that the best you could do Eric?!

“Uh... I’m, uh...” Why was she here though? What could she possibly want in my room?... or... was she...?

“Are you following me?” the look on her face when I asked that... I couldn’t hide my amusement. Just then I smelt Edward as he entered the room.

“You? What are you doing here again?” I don’t like his tone...

“I came here to work, sir.” She came to work?!

Our gazes locked again and I was again lost in the warmth of those hazel eyes... that was till she looked away from me and to the ground again, I was really starting to envy that ground.

“Your highness I have arranged everything as you asked me to.”

“Thank you, you may leave.” As I watched her, I noticed how her body stiffened and she visibly paled when he mentioned ‘your highness’.

Then she bowed her head and left the room.

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