"Sometimes, the dark things we see appear to be scary & it's okay to feel that way. But when you look at those very things closely & see that there's more to it, beyond the dark & terrifying shadows, something more meaningful & beautiful than this...
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'Ace is here.'
'Ace is here.'
These three words were just ringing through Riley's ears. These words would've been pretty normal or wouldn't mean anything if the situation was different. But in the given circumstances, these very words sent chills down Riley's spine. Not because of fear. But because of something else.
"Hey, Riley. You okay there?" Matt asked Riley, who was in a complete trance.
"Huh? Yeah...yeah, I'm good." She replied Matthew, after snapping out of whatever trance she was in.
"Listen, there's nothing to worry about, alright. Ace isn't going to harm you in anyway. Believe me, Ma Cheríe." Matthew tried consoling her.
"I'm not afraid of him, if that's what you think. I don't know exactly how I feel about him. I mean this whole mate bond seems like it's forced upon us. If it weren't for this bloody "mate bond", he wouldn't feel shit about me." Riley clicked her tongue while turning her gaze towards Matthew.
Matthew turned to look at her, after throwing his can of Diet Coke into a bin. He walked towards her & stood a few feet away from her. He raised his hand & suddenly a tiny but gorgeous black rose with thorns appeared on his palm.
"Sometimes, the dark things we see appear to be scary & it's okay to feel that way. But when you look at those very things closely & see that there's more to it, beyond the dark & terrifying shadows, something more meaningful & beautiful than this, you'll grow to accept all of its flaws & find yourself more drawn towards its raw & dark beauty." Matthew explained softly while carefully plucking out the thorns of the beautiful black rose & handing it over to Riley.
But before Riley could grab the flower from his outstretched hand, it turned into flames out of nowhere right in front of her very eyes.
"Tsk! I was starting to wonder how long would it take you to figure out where we are & I must admit...you disappointed me, Ace. I overestimated you & your abilities." Matthew smirked & clenched his hand with the flower on flames still very much burning & closed it tight, turning it into a fist & making the burning flower disappear.
Both of them turned around to find a tall, dark & petrifying silhouette walking towards them in quick steps. As the figure got closer, Riley finally realised that it was indeed Ace. She wasn't surprised as Matthew had already warned her earlier at King Malphas' palace. She wondered for how long Ace has been standing there, watching them. A shudder running down her spine.
"Well it's been 9 goddamn hours ever since you vanished into thin air with MY mate, mind you, & took her on an ancient trip to where, freakin' Game of thrones?" Ace retorted, coming to a halt in front of them, all this time glaring at Matthews.
Then he suddenly whipped his smouldering gaze towards Riley, who already had her own orbs on him ever since he walked in. She ran her eyes all over him, without even realising it. She couldn't help but notice that he seemed quite tired & those dark bags under his eyes were screaming 'sleep deprived'.
She unknowingly took a few steps closer to him & came to a stop when she was at a proximate where their clothes were brushing against each other. Still not breaking the eye contact, Riley raised her hand, reaching out to his face. Her cold fingers, gentle but hesitant, rested upon his prominent cheekbones & her thumb gently stroking the tired skin just under his eyes. Ace subconsciously closed his eyes at her feather like touch & leaned more into her touch while heaving out a sigh of relief & content.
Ace reached out with his own hand & placed it just above Riley's, snuggling more into her addictive touch. Placing a small & sweet kiss right on her palm, slowly opening his eyes & meeting her unique but striking orbs.
A small smile crept onto Matthew's face, who was witnessing this extremely intimate gesture between them, quietly. His eyes twinkling with happiness & gratitude, gratitude towards Ace. Because he knew that Ace would do anything & everything in order to protect Riley, even if it means to set himself ablaze. He would.
"Okay lovebirds, if you're done with making love through your eyes, can we proceed further. We still have an angry & grumpy King of dragons chasing us. So please focus, will ya!" Matthew smacked Ace's head with a Japanese fan, which appeared out of the blue, by the way.
Ace groaned in pain while clutching his head, letting go of Riley's hand that he was preciously holding onto earlier. He soon whipped his neck so fast that any human would've gotten a whiplash, towards the culprit with his eyes throwing daggers & glowered at him.
Riley, who was silent this whole time, turned her head towards Matthew to see him walking deeper into the forest. Glancing at her hand, that was previously touching Ace & then glancing at Ace to find him still rubbing his head while muttering curses directed to Matthew.
She clenched her fist & with a last glance towards Ace, she started following Matthew, catching upto him in long strides.
Ace cursed one last time & followed in pursuit, matching their steps, still thinking about that little sweet moment he just had with Riley. Grinning from ear to ear, he ran a hand through his hair, ruffling them & making a mess. His strands pointing in every direction, giving him a cute puppy kinda vibe.
Riley couldn't help but feel a small smile crawling up her face after witnessing this side of Ace. Gentle & warm.
"So what's the next step? And where are we going, Matthew?" Ace asked Matthew, still following him without any idea where they're heading.
"We're going to a nearby village, named Rodden." Matthew replied while looking at his pocket watch & pushing his hair back with his right hand.
"Rodden? Where's that? And why though? What's over there?" Riley asked, having no clue or whatsoever as to why is Matthew taking them there instead of going back home, to present when the King, who also happened to be her father is looking for them.
"It's not what's over there. It's more like who's over there. Our next step is to wait. Wait for the soon to be Queen." Matthew smirked with mirth sparkling in his eyes.
Authors Note: Hellooo hellooo. I'm back guys. After a long, long time. I know it's been forever, isn't it. Now now, hold on with the slippers. Don't throw them. Yet. First of all I'd really like to apologise for being MIA for centuries. I just couldn't find an inspiration & my mind was completely out of ideas to take refuge from. I was trying real hard to come up with some good stuff & I still am. So here I present you with another chapter. Some of you have given me feedbacks which mean the world to me btw. Lemme make it clear, I'M OPEN TO CRITICISM as well so please do NOT hesitate to come up with anything. I'm more than happy to hear y'all. Lastly & more importantly, I'd like to THANK Y'ALL FOR ALL THE LOVE & SUPPORT you've showered me with. It's truly a blessing & I can't just tell you how much I'm grateful to you guys. Thanks a lot once again. I'll try to upload more regularly now. Keyword: TRY. Anyways lemme know in the comments how y'all liked this chapter. DONT FORGET TO VOTE. I had to squeeze & grind my brain into writing this so hope y'all like it. Have a great day ahead. Take care babies. I'll be back soon InShAllah. Lots of love & kisses ♥️💋 ~Falah
