Both their eyes were fixed on each other. Anisha frowned, her mind racing as she tried to recall what he had told her.
Nhel's eyes dimmed, hurt by her earlier actions. He lowered his hands and headed back inside.
Watching his retreating figure, Anisha cursed herself for giving herself away. Her memories flashed back to when she had stared deep into his eyes.
His sun-like eyes had spoken volumes. For a moment, she felt what he was feeling… or was it?
She placed a hand on her chest. It seemed Madlyn's words had affected her more than she expected.
Her stomach rumbled, and Anisha stepped inside but couldn't find Nhel.
He had seemed upset when he left. Maybe she should go find him.
The night was getting colder, so Anisha slipped on a thick coat.
"Madlyn, do you know where Nhel went?" Anisha asked after coming out of the chamber.
"No, my lady," Madlyn replied. "Let me check his study. I'll be right back, my lady."
Anisha stopped her as she rushed ahead.
"No, Madlyn. I'll go myself."
"Okay, my lady. But won't you have dinner first?" Madlyn asked, knowing Anisha hadn't eaten.
"That's why I want to go look for him," Anisha replied, surprising her.
"Oh… alright, Your Highness."
Anisha made her way to the study. Medium-sized intricate tables and shelves filled the room. The torches flickered, unable to completely illuminate the corners.
"Nhel?" Anisha called, her shoes clicking softly against the floor.
No response.
She called once more just to be sure before leaving, but curiosity suddenly took hold of her. Her steps led her to the table, all for the frivolous desire to see his handwriting.
A quill and paper lay on the table, so she picked them up. Her lips curled as she nearly burst into laughter, but she held it in.
Then she saw a word that made her pause.
Her father's name.
She furrowed her brows and moved to the beginning to read its contents.
To His Majesty, King Aldric of the Willowvale Kingdom,
I write to inform you that your daughter will soon be escorted back to Willowvale, as the times ahead of us grow uncertain.
I appreciate your willingness to receive her once again under your protection. Your understanding in this matter brings me great relief…
Anisha dropped the paper before she could finish the last sentence, her lips parting in utter bewilderment.
She picked it up again to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her.
She couldn't believe this.
Just a month into their marriage and Nhel wanted to dissolve it?
Tears threatened to fall from her eyes, but she wiped them away quickly.
What happened to "we could make our marriage work"?
Anisha was also hurt that her father had agreed so easily.
But she still found it hard to believe.
Who gets married and then separates after a month? It wasn't as if marriage were an engagement.
Anisha walked unsteadily toward the door, but the knob suddenly turned.
The door opened.
Nhel stepped in, a flicker of surprise etched across his features.
His gaze trailed from her distorted expression to the table.
"What did you come here for?" he asked, fixing his attention on her.
Anisha refused to meet his gaze. Instead, she walked past him toward the door.
Only a few steps away, she heard Nhel's nearly inaudible voice in her head.
"Anisha."
She stopped in her tracks and turned around sharply.
What was that?
Nhel simply stood by the door, the darkness kissing one side of his face.
Anisha remained where she was, staring at him in confusion, trying to determine if she had heard wrong.
Nhel approached, forcing her to look up at him.
"That's the only option I have to keep you safe," Nhel said.
Anisha frowned, unable to understand what he meant.
She adjusted the coat around her body, feeling the cold creeping in.
"Are you okay?" Nhel asked when he saw her shiver.
"I am," Anisha said, shifting away as he tried to hold her.
Nhel frowned. She had begun to shiver more than normal.
Before she could object, he pulled her closer and led her back to the room.
Moments later, Anisha was lying in his arms, her temperature rising rapidly.
Nhel was clueless about what was happening to her.
Was she… sick?
It seemed unbelievable, how someone could go from being perfectly fine to ill in the next moment.
He watched as beads of sweat formed along her temples, and for the first time, his heart thumped unevenly, simply watching and not knowing what to do.
"Get the physician immediately," he ordered the two maids present.
"Yes, Your Highness," they replied before leaving.
Anisha, whose eyes had been closed, slowly opened them. She looked up and met Nhel's gaze.
She realized her head was resting on his thighs.
"The physician is on his way," Nhel said. He had never seen her this mellow. The urge to protect her in his arms rose within him.
Anisha looked away. "You don't have to."
Nhel assumed she sounded that way because of the letter she had found. He needed to clear up whatever misunderstanding she had.
"My army is on the sea. Before they arrive, we cannot remain in this palace. The king's health is deteriorating, which will lead to major events. I've spoken to your father, and he agreed to let you stay in Willowvale," Nhel explained.
Anisha's lips curled slightly, which Nhel didn't fail to notice.
His brows lifted questioningly.
"That's the longest I've heard you speak," Anisha muttered.
Now she understood.
Her mind went back to what she had wanted to tell him, and she gripped his biceps, causing Nhel to stiffen.
A sad expression suddenly crossed her face.
"I don't want the physician here. I'll get through this. It's a common occurrence."
"Common occurrence?" Nhel furrowed his brows.
Anisha nodded.
"I used to be a sickly child. Physicians surrounded me more than I wanted, so I'm sick of seeing them," she said softly. "Please, I don't wish to see one right now. I'll get better."
But right at that moment, sleep overtook her, and her eyes fluttered shut.
Nhel watched her sleep soundly. He slowly brought his hand to her forehead, hesitating.
Sweat began to form on his own skin.
He now had a family he was responsible for.
Subconsciously, a claw slipped out.
Before he realized it, he had slit a small part of her flesh near her neck.
He froze.
And the next moment, he found himself leaning down toward her neck.
His felt his eyes beginning to transform.