novelxo Chapter 92
The kiss lingered, its warmth still dancing around on my lips. It was totally unexpected. I did not see it coming and as much as I wanted to be mad about it, I could not. Though the kiss was sudden, it was still gentle. It made my toes curl in that short moment. The way his lips took in mine like he intended for the kiss to last forever. Like he wanted the taste of his lips to be stuck on mine for as long as possible.
“Brax, I muttered.” Still unable to comprehend what it was that just happened, I stared at Brax in utter confusion and I was apparently not the only confused one. Mara had bigger problems than who I decided to kiss and the maids seemed to just be gathering their jaws from the ground. I could not tell if Aston was looking or not or what the look on his face was because Brax was hard to look away from.
It felt like an eternity, even though it had only lasted a few seconds. I knew the maids had witnessed it, and I braced myself for the inevitable gossip storm that would follow. But Brax’s gentle smile and reassuring words momentarily distracted me from the impending drama. It was like a thing out of this world. It was the of treatment that I didn’t deserve to get from Brax but was getting anyway and I felt so guilty about. I also felt glad to know that there was someone on my side and Aston had not used his words to take away the only ally that I had left.
I was still a little confused though. I wondered if he really told him or not. Brax could not possibly know and still treat me this way, right? Brax was like a freaking angel, he actually could but even angels got hurt now, did they not?
“I’ll miss you, Kira,” he whispered, his eyes locked on mine. The sincerity in his eyes were unmatched and the way he placed an arm around my waist and cupped my cheek with the other made me feel safe. It made me feel like I was f***g princess and I had nothing to worry about anymore but I still had to face reality and the reality of it was that if Brax was going to get me out of here, then he was going to need to think about a better plan that confronting Aston, he was going to have to outsmart him.
As if our minds were linked and our brains were spinning in the same direction, he used both hands to cup my cheeks, making sure he had my full attention before he spoke.
“Don’t worry Kira, I’ll work on getting your freedom sorted out before you return in three days. I promise you, I won’t rest until you’re free from Aston’s grasp. You deserve to live your life on your own terms, without his manipulation and control.” His eyes never left mine as he said those words and it was better than why love confession I had ever gotten in my entire life.
It had my heart racing fast like the time I had my first kiss. The inches between out faces were not enough to hide how rapidly I was breathing. He did not make me feel embarrassed about it, instead he pulled me close and wrapped his hands abound me enveloping me in a tight hug.
His body made me feel warm and he smelled like something I did not want to walk away from. He smelled like chocolates and I knew it was just the smell of his perfume but that did not stop me from latching unto his clothes and not wanting him to let go. I wished that I could just stay wrapped in his freaking arms and I didn’t have to go for this trip that Aston was forcing me on but I did not have much of a choice. A warm hug from Brax was not going to stop the trip from happening.
I shook my head, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. Brax still had his hand wrapped around me, studying my face carefully. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” he asked again for the umpteenth time and even though I didn’t exactly have an idea of how my stay there was going to be, I knew too well that I could not making any more worried than he already was.
“You don’t have to bother, Brax. I’ll be fine. Really, I will. I’ve survived this long, I can handle a few more days.” I told him and he let out a long sigh.
What I also meant for him not to bother was about the freedom thing too. Getting me free from Aston was not going to be easy. It could be bl**dy even and I realized that I didn’t want Brax to get hurt trying to save me. I would never be able to live it down and it would be the only thing ringing in my head if something had happened to him.
But he insisted, his determination evident in his voice. “I want to, Kira. I need to do this for you. You’re strong and capable, and I know you can handle whatever comes your way. But I also know Aston, and I know he won’t let you go without a fight. Let me help you, Kira. Let me be your ally in this.” His offer was hard to refuse but I still would not risk him getting hurt.
As we spoke, the sun beat down on us, its warm rays contrasting with the chill of Aston’s gaze. The had been staring at us for a few minutes now and even though I was too busy getting lost in Brax’s beautiful brown eyes, I could still feel the chill coming from his stare.
The maids bustled around us, their curious eyes fixed on our exchange. I knew they were eager to share the latest scandal with the rest of the palace.
Our exchange was interrupted by another brief kiss, leaving me breathless and Aston’s expression remained completely unreadable. I feared he might reveal our secret to Brax in a fit of his anger but instead, he simply ordered me to get into the car, his tone dismissive.
“We don’t have all day, Kira. Let’s go,” Aston said, his voice dripping with impatience. “We have a long journey ahead of us, and I won’t be delayed by your sentimental goodbyes. You can pine for my brother later, once we’re on our way.” He said and waved Brax a goodbye which he completely ignored and pretended not to see. Not only did that make Aston a little ashamed, it put a smile on my lips to know that someone was ready to give him a taste of his own medicine even if that person was his brother.
Brax bid me a silent goodbye, his eyes never leaving mine. I returned the gesture, feeling a pang of sadness as I turned to enter the car. Aston followed, his presence beside me in the backseat suffocating. I had prayed to never have to be in the same car with him again after the last time but of course, the moon goddess was busy answering all other things that didn’t
matter to me.
The air was thick with tension, and I knew this trip would be a long and difficult one. You could always tell from the way the trip started.
As the driver pulled out of the compound, Aston’s laughter sent a chill down my spine.
“Pathetic,” he sneered, his eyes fixed on me. “Do you think my brother has any idea you’ve been f****d b**y me and you enjoyed it too? And you came all over me panting like a demon? Do you think he has any idea what you’re really like, Kira? You’re a toy, a plaything, a means to an end. And once I’m done with you, you’ll be discarded, like yesterday’s trash.”
The car’s interior seemed to shrink, the shadows cast by the passing trees outside feeling like prison bars. I remained silent, my eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside, praying for the trip to end soon. I knew Aston was trying to provoke me, to get a rise out of me, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. I bit my tongue, holding back the sharp retort that threatened to escape my lips.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I finally said, my voice low and even. “You’re enjoying the power trip, the control. But it won’t last, Aston. I promise you that.” I don’t think there was literally any other thing that brought me joy than seeing me have to suffer for the things that I wanted.
Aston’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. “We’ll see about that, Kira. We’ll see who comes out on top in the end.”