Chapter 33: Everything you owned

They were shining like the brightest end of a sharpened silver sword, scattering the moonlight into a thousand beams, beautiful and bright- two orbs set above perfectly carved high cheekbones. The black of his pupil sent out stormy waves of darker gray towards the outside, blending out with the silver of his Iris.

Eve found herself spellbound by the magic in his eyes, her senses numb to every other sound and sight. The regent, he was anything but an ordinary man or beast- whatever he was. Unbeknownst to her own self, she found herself wrapped around his pale fingers that were now wound around the small of her waist.

Her heart skyrocketed as her eyes slowly slipped down the perfect straight arch of his nose, the soft curve of his lips, and towards the sharp cut of his jaw, only to be drawn back into those bright silver orbs. The expression on his face was odd, his irritation strangely showing through his otherwise blank face.

Eve squirmed uncomfortably, disturbed by the frown pulling down his lips. Standing in front of her was the man that she had been unconsciously yearning for all these days, yet at that moment, she was more aware of his role in bringing her into this hellhole than ever.

She straightened, pressing her hand against his chest fighting against her desire to linger against his warmth any longer. The expression on his face hardened as she stepped away, and as he was forced to retreat his hand from where it was resting if only for the past few seconds.

The rhythm of the music pushed against her senses once again as reality crashed into her. She felt the rush of blood towards her cheeks, quickly looking away from him in embarrassment. Her eyes landed on a pair of golden orbs that narrowed into slits as they stared at her.

Eve was fully aware of the wetness on the crotch of her dress that was fast drying against the heat of her body. She cursed, looking away from the naked king and the bare leg that was wrapped around his waist. What had she landed herself in? She thought, mentally burrowing herself in the ground beneath her feet as her fingers closed around the material of her dress, crumpling it inside her fist.

"What is going on here?" The regent's voice was firm as he turned towards his nephew.

Eve raised her brows, surprised at the tone of his question.

"Enjoying my dinner." The king replied, lounging back against the slave's stomach. His index finger curled around the thin golden chain that stretched tightly across her wide hips, tugging the jeweled lingerie slightly, only to elicit a moan from the woman. "Isn't she beautiful in the jewels that I prepared for her, uncle?" He asked, turning towards his uncle languidly.

"I've seen better." The regent replied, waving dismissively at his ward.

Eve licked her lips, glancing between the men warily. The casual tone in their talk did not fool her. The tension between the two was apparent. She didn't know what it was that was holding them back from getting at each other's throat, but whatever it was, was only building the friction between the two.

The regent's statement had an immediate effect on the king's mood. The man's facial expression hardened. The muscles on his thick neck strained, projecting his adam's apple forward. The gold in his eyes brightened as he narrowed his eyes at his uncle. A slight shiver passed through her body at the sheer power radiating off of his body.

"Really?" Theodore asked through clenched teeth, his gaze boring into the regent's face.

"Really." The regent replied, without so much as batting an eyelid.

A low growl rumbled from the direction of the king as his chest started to vibrate. Eve's eyes grew wide as she turned towards him, her stomach clenching and unclenching in fear at the possibility of being caught in between two raging creatures of the night.

But maybe if they fought, it would make her job easier. Surely the regent was much more powerful than the king, at least that was what she hoped. The possibility was making her nervous much more than excited. Yet, it didn't come to fruition as Theodore relaxed once again, his gaze shifting from his uncle towards her.

"I see you got a new slave." He said, his eyes traveling down her body until it stopped at the wet spot on her dress.

Eve quickly put a hand on the spot, blood rushing to her cheeks. She glared at the man in irritation. She wanted to blame him for it. Blame the goddamn music for it. But she knew that his remark was not directed at her, nor his lewd gaze meant for her.

That much, she knew from the coldness that was hooded behind his eyes. So she stayed quiet on the outside, throwing curses on him in her mind. The regent's actions proved it as he came to stand before her protectively, hiding her from his nephew's gaze, making her heart skip a beat yet again.

"And when did that become your business?" The regent asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous low.

Theodore's laughter boomed, echoing through the royal tent. "Oh, c'mon uncle." He said, rising on the bed in all his naked glory.

Eve watched him from the space above the regent's shoulder, her body once again starting to react to the movement of the hard muscles of his torso. He came to a stop at the edge of the bed, looming high above them both.

"I thought everything you owned would be mine one day." He said, looking pointedly at his uncle. His gaze slowly shifted towards her wide eyes as he continued, "Aren't you only looking after it for me?"

She felt only the slightest breeze as he moved at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, the regent was standing at the foot of the bed, holding his nephew down by his neck, his cape covering the nudity of the king, whose hands were around his throat as well. Eve clenched her teeth, her very human emotions bubbling to the surface as she watched the friction escalate.

Treason. This is treason, right? No one can live after raising their hand on the king. That was the rule, wasn't it? Yet, there he was, manifesting the very dangerous thoughts that had only flashed through her mind a few minutes ago. She glanced around nervously, checking to see if there were any soldiers around, but stilled as she heard the regent's threat.

"I don't care what you do with your food." He growled dangerously. "But don't even think of touching my slave."

Eve turned towards the direction in surprise. That should have felt offensive. It definitely was, she told herself. Yet, her heart skyrocketed at the possessiveness in his tone. Suddenly, he turned towards her, his eyes immediately softening as he did.

Eve licked her lips nervously, holding his gaze as she stood there, her heart hammering against her chest. In a flash, he was before her, leaning forward to grab her hand. When he tugged at her hand, she moved forward without resistance, enraptured by the ocean of gray that warmly blanketed her. The regent smiled, patting the top of her head warmly.

With his free hand, he then loosened his cloak, swinging it behind her and pulling it close. Eve looked down, her face red as she snuggled into the warmth of the material. It was too big for her, too loose, yet it did what it was supposed to do. It hid her embarrassment. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked up at the man gratefully. But the warmth on his face had already vanished, replaced by a poker face.

"Come," The regent said, pulling her towards the other side. "You look tired."

Eve opened her mouth to protest, but she closed it immediately. She could see that he was annoyed, despite his cool demeanor. Was it her? Or had she imagined that smile? She wondered as she let herself be dragged towards the tent flap.

"Why, regent?" Theodore called out from behind them. "Do you think you can deny the king if he asks?"

The regent stilled, one hand on the tent flap as he turned towards his nephew. "I'm sure you know the answer to that." He replied, a corner of his mouth rising in a smirk.

Without waiting for a reply, the man walked out, pulling her along with him. A loud crash followed their exit. Eve glanced back nervously, only to see an enraged Theodore glaring at the two of them from outside a fallen tent, his eyes gleaming dangerously as he narrowed them at her in what looked like pure hatred.