Chapter 11

The arrival of the council shook Azmeera with the harsh reality that Eryx's threats were not mere words but tangible dangers. Neftali seemed to age before Meera's eyes as he sat with Darwin and the councils. Desperation echoed through the palace as they sent countless offers to the Voreans aboard their large warships, each attempt met with resistance and inflexibility from the opposing side.

Amid the tension, Meera and Marcella sought refuge in June's room, the air heavy with apprehension. Neftali's concern mirrored the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

"Do you think it's wise to anger Eryx?" June asked, her voice reflecting the fear that lingered in the palace air.

"Anger him?" Meera scoffed, her irritation palpable. "Who does he think he is, and why are we all so afraid of him?"

June, wide-eyed with surprise, questioned Meera's lack of fear. "You're not? Meera, have you seen the man? He could just look at me, and I would faint out of fear."

"I thought you found him attractive?" Meera arched her brow. "What happened?"

"He's bringing war to our doorstep," June asserted. "That's what happened."

"He's not going to bring war," Meera shook her head.

"If you go with him," June corrected her, her words heavy with a sense of impending doom. "Just go with him, Meera."

"June!" Marcella's voice carried a mix of warning and shock. "How can you say that?"

"I'm thinking about the people," June defended herself.

"Stop thinking," Marcella threw a pillow at her sister's head. "You're not very good at it."

"I'm just saying what everyone else is too afraid to voice," June insisted. "Meera, I love you. But everyone is afraid. No one wants a war with the Voreans."

"It's not her decision," Marcella interjected firmly. "And we don't trade lives in Azmeera, especially not for idiots like Henry."

"Maybe you should talk to him," June suggested, attempting to ease the tension. "See what he wants?"

Meera looked away, her mind filled with worry and her heart drowned in frustration. Why was Eryx doing all this? The unanswered questions added to the weight of the impending crisis, leaving Meera in a state of uncertainty and concern for the fate of Azmeera.

Later on, as Marcella and Meera walked back to their chambers, a restless energy clung to Meera, tugging at her thoughts like a persistent wind. Unable to contain her worry, Meera stopped abruptly and placed a hand on Marcella's arm.

"What is it?" Marcella asked.

"I think June is correct," Meera confessed, her voice a hushed murmur. "I think I should go speak to Eryx."

Marcella's eyes widened in disbelief. "Have you gone mad?" she exclaimed.

"I can reason with him," Meera explained, desperation lacing her words. "He wants me, remember? Maybe he will be more receptive to any treaty I make with him."

"Don't be ridiculous," Marcella retorted, her grip firm as she pulled Meera away. "Father will never allow it."

"But, Marcella," Meera pressed on, a plea in her eyes. "You don't understand. I think he'll hear me out."

"That's enough, Meera," Marcella shook her head, her tone stern. "Get this ridiculous idea out of your mind right now."

"Marcella, just listen to me—"

"No!" Marcella interrupted sharply. "We're not talking about this anymore."

Defeated, Meera watched as her cousin walked away, the restlessness within her bubbling like a witch's brew. The jitters running through her veins left her feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. There had to be something she could do to reason with Eryx, and the frustration of being stifled only fueled her determination. The weight of uncertainty hung heavily over her, and Meera couldn't shake the feeling that time was slipping away, slipping through her fingers like grains of sand.

That night, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow through Meera's balcony. The room was shrouded in shadows, but the restless flicker of candlelight revealed the turmoil etched on Meera's face. Tossing and turning, she found no solace in the sanctuary of her bed. The silk sheets whispered beneath her, a symphony of rustling fabric that mirrored the turmoil within her mind.

The palace, usually serene in the quiet hours of the night, felt like a fortress of shadows closing in on her. Meera's breaths came shallow and uneven, each inhale a reminder of the weight pressing down on her chest.

Time ticked away mercilessly, the distant echoes of the night stretching into an eternity. The flicker of the candle flame danced in rhythm with Meera's racing thoughts. Sleep remained elusive, slipping through her grasp like elusive dreams.

Unable to contain her energy any longer, Meera rose from her bed and walked to the balcony. The cool air greeted her with open arms and the darkness, lit by the silvery full moon above her head, smiled down upon her like an old friend. Meera titled her head back and stared at the celestial light.

Two side of the same moon.

Eryx's unsettling words lingered like a delicate whisper inside Meera's chest, a reminder of caution that played at the edges of her thoughts. As she stood watching the moon. the sound of wings startled her from behind. Meera turned, finding the Helios perched gracefully on the railing of her balcony. His black eyes locked onto hers as he settled down like a vigilant sentinel.

"What are you doing here?" Meera wondered aloud, a subtle wariness in her voice.

Feeling a surge of bravery, she took a small step forward. Her gaze traced the intricate patterns of Helios's beautiful feathers as she slowly lifted her hand.

"You won't bite me again, will you?" she asked, a note of uncertainty in her words.

Helios responded by taking a small step forward on the railing, his sharp talons gripping the structure for balance. With a demeanor of patience and caution, he observed Meera as she approached him.

"What a beautiful bird you are," Meera murmured, daring to raise a finger and gently stroke Helios's head. To her surprise, he was warm, and his feathers felt smooth beneath her touch. If she were blindfolded, she might have mistaken the sensation for running her finger over the finest silk Delphina had to offer.

In a soothing rhythm, Meera continued to run the back of her finger up and down the crown of Helios's head. A soft smile played on her lips as she observed the bird lowering his head, as if expressing his delight at the affection shown to him. Despite the lingering caution, Meera found a sense of solace in the patience and trust Helios showed her.

"I've never seen him like this."

Meera's eyes lifted as Eryx voice spopke from behind her. Slowly lowering her hand from Helios's feathers, she turned around to face Eryx, who had appeared without warning in the low flickering candlelight of her room.

"Usually, he does not like being touched," Eryx commented as he stepped forward, revealing his face. His eyes shifted from Helios to Meera. "Couldn't sleep?"

Meera shook her head, attempting to appear calm and unbothered by his sudden presence.

"Me neither," Eryx's mouth curved up in a subtle grin.

"Is that why you're here, disturbing me?" Meera asked, her tone laced with defiance.

Eryx raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Disturbing? Is that what I'm doing?"

"Yes," Meera folded her arms across her chest, her gaze fixed on Eryx. His eyes flickered for a moment before returning to hers, leaving her feeling exposed and naked. "Why are you here?"

"You don't seem surprised to see me here," Eryx acknowledged.

"Nothing about you surprises me anymore," Meera jeered. "You bore me with your predictability and tactics."

"Is that so?" The grin on Eryx's face spread wider.

"Yes," Meera nodded. "I knew you would show up. I have yet to spend two days without seeing you since you arrived at Azmeera. I know Helios follows you wherever you go. I know I can smell you before I see you—"

In a swift and blur of movement, Eryx had Meera in his arms. Before she could gasp, he lifted her up and held her over the railings.

"Do I bore you now, Your Highness?" Eryx asked, his voice low as he ducked his head to meet her wide eyes.

"Yes," Meera said, but the trembling in her voice betrayed her. Eryx caught the nuance and chuckled.

"I suppose there are better ways to thrill you," he remarked, pulling her back and placing her down on her feet, leaving Meera with a swirl of conflicted emotions.

"What do you mean?" She asked, pushing the delicate sleeve of her nightgown back on her shoulder.

"I'll explain some other time," Eryx chuckled and took a seat on the edge of the railing beside Helios. The bird moved closer and Eryx began to stroke his head the way Meera had been doing just a few seconds ago. "Why can't you sleep?"

"Because of you," Meera said with frustration.

"I can't sleep because of you either," Eryx looked up. His gaze met Meera, making her thoughts fumble inside her mind for a split second.

"There has to be something else you want from Silverkeep or Azmeera," Meera said. "Punish Henry for his crimes, but I have nothing to do with his actions. Why are you ruining my life?"

"I'm not ruining your life, Meera," Eryx sighed. "I'm trying to make it better."

"By taking me away from my family?"

"Wasn't Henry going to do that too?"

"I was going to leave as his wife," Meera said. "Not as his prisoner of war."

"You're not leaving as a prisoner of war," Eryx rolle dhis eyes. "You're leaving as my mate."

"Which means nothing to my people," Meera reminded him. "You can't make up stories and expect the king to happily hand me over to you. I am not a chest full of treasure."

"Meera, you know everything I've told you was the truth," Eryx said, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity. "I don't care if no one believes me here. Just as long as you believe me."

"I don't," Meera retorted stubbornly. "None of this is real. You're lying to me."

With a heavy sigh, Eryx rose to his feet. Meera took a step back as he began to approach her like a dangerous tiger, a predatory grace in his every movement. He moved slowly, stalking forward with his eyes locked onto hers, creating an air of danger and intensity that filled the balcony.

In the flickering candlelight, Meera couldn't help but notice the undeniable attractiveness in Eryx's demeanor. His features, chiseled and intense, seemed to accentuate the air of mystery surrounding him. The play of shadows only added to the allure as he advanced, a dangerous yet captivating figure.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as Eryx closed the distance, his every step echoing in the room like the prowling of a predator. Meera's gaze wavered, caught between resistance and an unspoken acknowledgment of the undeniable magnetism Eryx exuded. The intensity of the moment left her breathless, a captive audience to the dangerous dance unfolding before her.

"You mean to tell me you don't feel this?" Eryx questioned as he backed Meera up against the wall.

Meera shook her head, "N-no."

Eryx chuckled and the sound vibrated through Meera's body.

"I can tell when you lie to me, M," he said, raising his hand and placing it against the wall beside Meera's head. "And I can prove your dishonesty."

Meera gripped the fabric of her nightgown as Eryx leaned in closer. She turned her face away and shut her eyes as his scent of pine and cedarwood engulfed her. Her heart began to pound loudly inside her chest as she felt her skin crawl with a current of pure energy. Eryx's warm breath danced over her ear before the stubble on his jaw grazed over Meera's cheek.

Meera gasped. She was ready to jump out of her skin as she felt Eryx's words against her ear.

"Did you feel that?" He asked, his voice deep and gravely.

Stubbornly, Meera shook her head once more. Despite the fear running through her veins, she couldn't stop the thrill of pushing Eryx's buttons. She wasn't going to give him any satisfaction.

With another great sigh, Eryx placed his big hand over the curve of her hips. Meera's eyes widened as she turned her head and stared up at Eryx.

"What are you doing?" She asked, her breathing changing immediately as his hand squeezed her hip.

"I thought you didn't feel it?" Eryx teased.

Meera stared into his playful eyes as his hand began to move up her waist, searing hot flames all over her.

"I didn't expect you to be this stubborn, princess," Eryx said, his eyes never leaving the challenge in Meera's eyes. "How far are you willing to go to prove your point tonight?"

"I thought you said you don't touch princesses without their permission?" Meera questioned.

"Are you saying you're feeling something and you wish for me to stop?" Eryx asked, his hand on the curve of Meera's waist.

Meera held up her head with defiance, very much aware of the face that it brought her face a bit closer to Eryx's. For a brief second, her gaze flickered towards his mouth. Eryx pretended not to notice.

"I feel..." Meera spoke slowly and with confidence. "Nothing."

It was Eryx's turn to let his gaze roam over her face before coming to rest upon her full lips. His eyes stayed glued on her mouth as he swallowed.

"Fine," he said, pushing away from the wall. "You win this time."

"I don't want to win," Meera stepped away from the wall. "I want you to leave. Leave Azmeera and never return. Accept the treaty my uncle is proposing and forget this idea of taking me with you."

"And if I don't?" Eryx challended. "What if I don't listen to you?"

His words caused Meera's eyes to narrow. She stepped forward with her brows furrowed in anger.

"Then the only thing you will be taking back to Voreios is my dead body."

Immediately, Eryx eyes darkned. His jaw clenched as all traces of playfulness disappeared from his features. He became unrecognisable as he towered over Meera. Gone was the man teasing her and entertaning her banters. The Eryx that stood before her was the commander that rumaged through cities with his arm and concurged whatever he wanted.

"You're going to regret those words," Eryx warned. "Because if I lose my patience with you, you're going to wish you were dead, M."

"And if I lose my patience," Meera replied. "You're going to wish you had never laid eyes on me."

"Highly doubt that," a hint of the old Eryx peaked out. Meera felt her heart flutter as a small smile made a brief appearance on his lips. "Nothing could ever make me regret that."

Meera's eyes narrowed, "Get out."

"Or?"

"Or I will scream and call for the guards."

"Let me make your life easier," Eryx's words hung in the air, and Meera felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach as he turned on his heels and headed for the doors of her bedroom. His long legs moved quicker than she had expected as he pulled the double doors open and stepped out into the corridors.

Shocked and alarmed, Meera ran after him, a sinking feeling of dread settling in her chest. Her eyes widened in disbelief as the palace guards and maids all stood and stared at Eryx exiting her chamber. Panic gripped her as the realization struck like a bolt of lightning – she remembered she was dressed in her thin white nightgown.

The blood drained from her face, and her hands and feet turned ice cold. Fear and embarrassment coursed through Meera as she became acutely aware of the eyes upon her. The weight of judgment from the onlookers felt suffocating, and she wished she could disappear.

"I told you," Eryx said, looking over his shoulder with a smug smile. "You'll wish you were dead."

Meera stood frozen, caught in the spotlight of scrutiny. The corridor seemed to close in on her, and the realization of the public spectacle she had become left her paralyzed with humiliation. 

Oh Eryx :/ Why would you do that?