Chapter 79

"You can heal people…" I said aloud, staring at him with furrowed brows. "That's… That's amazing".

His eyes at mine before he looked away sharply.

"It's because I drank from you".

The words cut through my admiration for him and I could hear bells ringing from afar, signalling the new hour.

"Oh… "

"Our souls are connected" he continued to explain and I could barely make sense of any of it.

"Shouldn't you know how I feel then? You said you could understand how people perceived you" I looked away, feeling my cheeks flush. My mind brushing over the dream I had.

"I can differentiate between bad and good emotions, but not beyond that. I'm familiar with fear and disgust, but you have something different. It scares me because I can't quite place it" he looked out of the window and the light of dusk caught his face, illuminating it into an ethereal painting.

I knew what it was. That emotion that he couldn't place. But I denied it. I pretended it was something else and tucked it away.

"What does it mean for our souls to be connected?"

"It sounds like more than it truly is" he quickly replied eyes finally staring at mine. I glanced away this time, mind focussed on that dream. My body felt warm all over.

"I'm sorry about dinner and about not sharing your feelings" I knew I had to leave, before he could realize, but as I stood he grasped my hand- the same wrist he bruised- he let go as if it had burned him. It made me stop, turning to him hesitantly.

"Why not just do it for fun?" His question made me freeze, the hair of my neck lifting as I realised he was serious.

"Running a country is not... fun" I furrowed my brows at his small humourous smile. He looked like he was joking.

"We could make it fun".

I stared at him. His eyes not once showing laugh lines. He wasn't joking.

"You- What exactly are planning?" I asked just as the library door opened and someone who knew nothing of personal space walked in and spotted us.

"Fancy meeting you two here!" Mathias walked over without a care in the world, in his arms a severed bouque of roses- no doubt because he handed each one to whatever lady he passed on the way here.

"Brother that is not how you greet royalty" I sighed and turned to apologise to Jules, but seeing as he hardly cared I didn't bother.

"Mr Colter, have you already marked the papers?" Jules seemed comfortable with Mathias.

"Of course -I'm as efficient as I am charming" He gave a chortle and I cringed. It was hard to believe we were related.

"Not so much as your sister" The prince replied with a flirty grin my way that made me blush.

"Not a comparison I enjoy but as you two seem very invested in eachother I'll let it slide. You should know my sister talks of you fondly" Mathias' words had me springing up and grabbing his arm, ready to drag him out of the room.

"I think my brother is tired and running his"-

"Look at her getting all flustured" Mathias patted my head and i glared at him.

"I think of your sister fondly too" Jules words had made me swallow my words as we both turned to him. His eyes serious and not a smile on those perfect lips.

"Oh... look at that" Mathias let out a laugh and then he stopped, smile fading, "I hope you aren't playing around your majesty. This is my sister we're talking about".

"I would never play around with Madeline" He hadn't broken eye contact with me, a small smile fluttering across his face, "It seems to be the other way".

I felt a stabbing at my heart and looked away.

"I- I should head back" I spoke up, noticing how high my voice was and how I couldn't help a stutter.

"Is that confirmation?" I winced at the question, not looking at him and instead hearing his dry laugh as I felt a coldness pass over my skin before he was gone.

Mathias hadn't said anything at the time and instead walked me back to my room. It was only when he had opened the door to me that he spoke up.

"That guy... he seems to like you... a lot. I don't know how I can weasel you out of this one Mads." He frowned at I rolled my eyes at him.

"You don't need to help me with this, not further anyway".

He let out a small 'hmm' as he took in my expression with an analytic expression.

"Have the pills been working - you're almost half way there" He asked just as I expected.

I shook my head, "I haven't noticed the effect and I've realised it may not be as effective as we hope" I added while my head dropped.

Mathias said nothing further and wished me goodnight. I didn't have to ask if he understood.

It had taken me a while to sleep. I had bought a book with me this time, but it lay open on the dressing table. I wasn't sure why I had picked a romance of all things but I had and it was an obvious mistake.

When I finally drifted I could have sworn I felt a gust in the room. A breeze yet the window was closed. But I was too far in my dream state and when I heard a voice call my name I was fast asleep.

Madeline..

Madeline…

Madeline….