Chapter 19: Calm..
Zavren moved. His body turned in a swift motion, his hand catching the arrow just inches from his chest. His lips curled into a smile, clearly intrigued, as he watched the bow fall from Ariana’s hand. She hadn’t meant to let go—at least, it didn’t seem like she had wanted to.
His bored expression lit slightly.
Ariana stood frozen in shock, her lips parting slightly in fear and astonishment. The very thing she had gotten angry at Zethan for doing... was exactly what she had almost done.
Raven’s eyes flew wide open, his mouth parting in disbelief as he took a sharp step back. It had happened so fast—first he and the king were talking about something important, and then an arrow was shot straight at the king.
Did she just try to shoot the Alpha King?
For a second, he forgot how to breathe.
"Your Highness..." he began, voice cracking as he tried to lighten the moment, "it seems your wife-to-be wants to see you dead before the wedd—"
But his words died on his tongue the instant Zavren turned to him. Even though his eyes were devoid of emotion, it was even more scary than any emotion showed. Those grey eyes staring at him looked like they were burning his soul slowly.
Raven quickly scratched the back of his neck, laughing nervously. If it was another person, he was sure they would have missed—but this was the king, His Majesty.
"Your Highness, I will be taking my leave now," he said with a respectful bow before dashing out. He had no desire for his throat to become the next target practice—or warning.
Ariana’s body remained still as Zavren turned toward her. To her surprise, his lips curled again into a smile wider—the kind that showed the trap the predator had finally set had worked, and now the prey had nowhere to hide or run. With each step he took closer, her heartbeat pounded louder. Every movement of his feet sounded like an easy access to death itself in her ears.