Chapter 73: Lingering Scent
Darius~
The soft creak of the door pulled me from my thoughts. A young girl, no older than nineteen, stepped into my chambers, her head bowed, hands trembling at her sides. She had been dressed in fine silks, her dark curls pinned back with delicate golden clips, her lips painted a deep red. Despite the effort to make her look desirable, fear clung to her like a second skin.
She stopped a few feet away from my bed, her gaze locked on the marble floor. I leaned back against the pillows, shirtless, my arms folded behind my head, watching her with mild interest.
"Luna Gabriella sent me," she whispered, her voice barely a breath.
I didn’t bother with pleasantries. "Take off your clothes and lie down."
She flinched, her breathing uneven. "Please... I just want to go home to my parents. I don’t belong here."
I sighed, irritation sparking in my chest. "Did I ask you to speak?"
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t move. I pushed myself off the bed, crossing the room in two long strides. My fingers curled around her wrist as I yanked her closer, my grip tightening just enough to make her gasp.
"If you were smart, you’d do as you’re told," I murmured, releasing her with a shove.
She stumbled back, shaking, and I could already feel my patience wearing thin.
Twenty minutes later, she was gone, ushered out of my chambers in a mess of quiet sobs, torn dress and trembling limbs. She was wounded and bleeding all over but I didn’t care. I sat on the edge of my bed, running a hand through my hair as frustration curled through me like wildfire. The scent of her tears did nothing for me.