“We don’t care.” Draven said as he passed Sophia before nodding to the guy at the wheel. She then turned to me and couldn’t hide the shocked grin from lighting up her face. Only then did she really take in my appearance and turned an accusing look to her brother with hands on hips.
“Look at her hair, her makeup…what did you do to her, ravish her?!”
“Well it’s about damn time.” Vincent said making Draven step up to him and clasp his shoulder before agreeing,
“Yes, it certainly is.”
Sophia rolled her eyes at me but the smile didn’t match her pretend frustrations. Not only that but I think my own beaming grin was enough to show I cared little for my messy hair and smudged makeup.
“Come here and let me fix you.” She said and pretty soon with the Draven’s own brand of Mojo I was back to how I looked pre Draven and the beautiful confession.
“There, beautiful again.” She said standing back and obviously admiring her handy work. Draven walked up to me and pulled me into him like it was the most natural thing in the world once again. I wondered in fact if he had any clue what this was doing to me or my neglected nether regions?
“She’s always beautiful.” He said before kissing me like it was once again his given right. In fact it was slightly worrying at how much of a dream this felt. It was almost like stepping on thin ice and waiting to hear the crack beneath your feet. Because once you heard it you then knew you had no chance of reaching the other side and if I looked up I would only ever see one man that I needed to reach.
“Are you alright?” He asked me tilting my face up to no doubt get a read on my expression.
“Yes.” I said and with one raised eyebrow I knew he didn’t believe me. I was however thankful when he said,
“Alright, Keira, I will give you this evening but you have to promise me something.” I just started to pull at my bottom lip with my teeth and nodded. He gave me a small smile before using his thumb to free up my self-inflicted torture.
“I want you to promise me that you’re not going to run scared from me.” We both knew why he said this because one look in my eyes and that was all he needed to know…I was terrified.
I nodded but it wasn’t enough for him.
“I’m going to need words, Keira.”
“I promise.” I said quietly making him smile.
“Good girl, now look, we are almost there.” He said turning me and pointing an outstretched arm towards a line of gondolas. The canal opened up into what almost looked like a lake and I could see the tallest buildings that we were heading towards.
“St Mark's Square is where our Ball is held every ten years.” Draven told me after shifting me to stand with my back to his front.
“Did you go to anything like this last year?” I couldn’t help but ask. I heard him sigh behind me and I gave him the minute he needed. Actually it felt so long to wait for my answer that I was surprised when he spoke.
“Yes I did.”
“Oh.”
“Keira.” He said my name in response to my dejected ‘oh’ and I felt him pull me closer to him as the boat steered its way closer to the side.
“Its fine, I understand life doesn’t just stop because we broke up.” On hearing me saying this he started laughing. I frowned and turned to face him, no longer caring about the spectacular view. However it was only when I saw his face that I realised it was a laugh of the bitter variety.
“But that’s where you’re wrong sweetheart, my life did stop. Yes, I had to continue in my duty to my people. I had to continue in my ruling and maintaining the balance in my world but I did this a shell of a man. I did this as a dead man walking. Which included coming to events like this and trying not to show my world their dead King.”
“Oh Draven!” I said before throwing my arms around him and this time holding him to me. I reached up my hand and placed it on his cheek before saying,
“I had no idea.”
“And for that I am thankful. The pain I inflicted on you was great enough.”
“Draven I…” I started to say I wasn’t exactly sure what but I didn’t get that far.
“Hush now.” Draven said before taking my face in his hands and kissing me silent.
“Uh, I hate to be the one to tear away reunited lovers but we are here.” Sophia said giggling passing us as she then made her way off the boat. I felt the start of Draven’s growl in his kiss before he let me go.
“It’s moments like this I don’t care for duty.” I laughed making him smile down at me.
“You’re stunning.” He said taking me back and making me blush.