Chapter 305: Mate?
Back in the camp, Duncan sat before a table in his tent. The air carried the scent of ancient leather and candle wax, a salient testament to the weapon forgery he practically indulged in. Clad in his intricate black robe that seemed to absorb even the tiniest bit of light, he gripped the spike-filled chain from the table, whilst his eyes measured it with a calculated intensity, his mind pondering on how to enhance the already lethal capabilities of Ivan’s chains.
Lucy was seated at the far end of his tent. Since she had been assigned to look out for Duncan in case he needed anything, that gave her the privilege to step into his tent. She was busy packing up the necessities that would be needed for tonight’s journey, but her eyes could not leave the beautiful man who was concentrated on nothing but the chain in his grip.
His chiseled jawline, defined by the soft glow of the candle on his table, accentuated the regal air that surrounded him. His long dark hair was tied in an elegant ponytail, whilst they cascaded down his broad shoulders. Duncan’s intense concentration only added to his allure, and Lucy found herself mesmerized by the subtle play of emotions on his handsome face. Her eyes followed his defined finger as he picked up a vial and coated the spikes with its essence, causing shadows to dance and writhe around it.
The very air seemed to recoil from the weapon’s dark influence, whilst he seemed satisfied but never complacent.
A soft sigh escaped Lucy’s lips, betraying the unspoken admiration that had taken root, and she instinctively covered her mouth with her palm. Lucy wasn’t sure if her sigh had been too audible, but her worries were immediately confirmed when Duncan turned his head to look at her, catching her dreamy stare. Like a startled doe caught in the moonlit gaze of a powerful, alluring predator, Lucy pretended to hum and lowered her gaze to the clothes she was folding.
She looked like a book with its pages suddenly closed, concealing the unspoken stories and emotions within.
Was he angry? She asked herself while humming continuously, unable to lift her gaze and confirm if he was still staring in her direction. That sigh had slipped without restraint, she hardly even detected it and now she suddenly felt like a fool that had been caught doing something inappropriate. Inappropriate was her style, but it hits differently when a man she likes sees her gazing at him in that kind of manner... or maybe she should stop for now and leave?
That seemed like the only good option her brain could come up with.
"Where are you going?" Duncan’s deep, velvety voice made her halt in her steps, and she was only a few inches away from leaving the tent. Just three more steps and she’ll be out of here... free from what that man was doing to her. At least, she could daydream to no ends without having to enter the spotlight in the tent she shared with Madeline.
"His Majesty is busy and I fear my presence will cause a hindrance, I shall come back later to finish my duty." She politely said without lifting her head to look at him. She was about to leave when she felt his presence behind her, and a gasp escaped her lips upon realizing she almost collided with a wooden box in front of her.
But then, she was saved by a hand that shielded her forehead, whilst she was carefully drawn back so she could make way for the soldiers carrying heavy boxes to enter the tent, preventing a collision. Lucy’s heart was at her throat for some seconds, and her tensed shoulders only eased when she felt Duncan’s hand resting on them.
"Perhaps you should keep those watchful eyes on the path ahead." Duncan quietly reproached, his tone carrying a hint of subtle concern. "Keeping your eyes on other matters might be more challenging than expected."