Safety first

Hazel stared at him not knowing what to say to him. They had left the hall and everyone had returned to their respective regions. They either looked at her with curious gazes, complicated ones or they looked at her in disgust and disappointment, especially from the dragon clan members.

She didn't know how to react to that or what to think of it. Were they against her stopping him from killing one of their own or what was the reason for their disappointed looks?

"Don't look at them," she had heard Arzaan say to her which was enough to take her eyes and thoughts away from them. "They don't deserve your attention," he said as they walked out of the hall and now they were alone in her room.

He had made himself comfortable on the bed as if planning to spend the rest of the night. The thought alone got her red and her heart skipping. She had never spent a night with anyone besides her mother before not to mention spending the night with a man.

"It's getting late," she said turning to look out the window where the sun had set. He followed her gaze and then nodded his head.

"It is," he affirmed even when he knew that was not what she meant.

"Well… could you… I mean... I…" she muttered unable to complete her words.

"Are you asking me to stay, love?" he asked with a sweet smile and her eyes widened.

 How did he come to that conclusion? She was stunned as she gazed at him still smiling.

"I would love to stay, especially since you want me to stay," he emphasized the "stay" and took off the first piece of his clothing while she just stood and watched unable to even look away from him.

"Your majesty," she called and he stopped with a frown. He knew she did that intentionally to stop him. "You misunderstood me," she said and walked towards the door, "What I meant to say was, it is getting late and would… I would like to have a bath and…ahm.. Perhaps you should go too," she summoned up the courage to ask him to leave. 

She might have agreed to stay but she was not ready for whatever was going on in here at the moment. She had weighed her life here and away from here and had come to understand that, she might have a better life here than in her world. So she would stay but not get all close like this.

"You want me to leave?" he asked. His smile disappeared and her heart skipped a beat again. He was not happy and she was afraid, especially after remembering what he had done just moments before.

"I…" she could not find her words. Unable to say "Yes" or to say "No" right now. She wanted him to leave but she couldn't say that outrightly anymore.

"It is alright, Hazel," he said, this time changing and becoming gentle again. "I will wait for you, as long as I have to. I will wait for you to fully accept me,"  he walked up to where she stood cupped her cheek, and felt her turn tense. He paused and clenched his jaws knowing why she was tensed. "Relax, I won't hurt you, I give you my word," he said and retrieved his hand.

Leaning forward, he pecked her cheek, "Have a good night's rest, My Queen," he whispered into her ears before leaving the room.

Hazel let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding until now. She touched her chest where her heart was located and it sounded like crazy but she could not understand why it was so. She closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and released it slowly before she walked further into the room and began undressing. 

She had the room all to herself now so there was no reason to be as guarded anymore. She slowly made her way through the bathroom door and shut it behind her.

***

Outside the door, Arzaan stood listening to her heartbeat. He heard it clearly, its erratic beating and the fact that it came because of her fear of him hurt him. It would be considered a good thing if there was another reason but he knew and was sure that it was because she had developed fear in her heart for him. 

When she moved further into the room, he stepped away from the door and walked away. The sound of her heartbeat drew distant with every step that he took but he had taken it to memory.

He had something he wanted to talk to her about but that could wait until she was done. She would be coming down for dinner so that would be the best opportunity to tell her. For now, he would just make the necessary arrangements.

***

He now stood before an old double door, though well-kept and preserved, its age could not be completely hidden from those who saw it. He stared at the door for a while, he didn't remember the last time he had been in there and never thought that he would have the need to return to here ever again but here he was now, standing before this long-forgotten old door. 

Having an incline about something was different from being sure and certain and that was what he wanted to confirm. Idril had told him that it was there but even he, could be wrong sometimes. Being sure was the only way to proceed to the next stage. 

And he just wanted to make sure everything in here was in the right order and wouldn't hurt her when he brought her down here. Her safety was of the utmost necessity he had to make sure she was safe first and able to protect herself. Getting her heart can come after that. 

"Open the door," he ordered. Two guards behind him stepped forward and pushed the huge doors open revealing what was held concealed behind it.