SWNOVELS Chapter 71 - Kiss
Tanya's POV.
Through the conversations between the princess and Caspian as we walk around her garden, I come to find out that although she's a princess, she does basically run the kingdom. Her father was the former Alpha, but due to old age and a myocardial infarction, he passed away a year ago.
Marco mentions to me that the former Alpha was well liked by many, both by the royals and the residents of the kingdom. He was a noble man, majestic in nature, with a charismatic flare. He was the reason the Fauna kingdom's economy thrived and had an abundance of connections.
And now I can see that same trait in Isabella. She is highly intelligent, and well capable of holding her own in a conversation. She has her father's charming mannerisms. But what Marco also discloses to me quietly, was that the King had died on the day of the younger sister's wedding. Peyton was getting married to her fated mate. However, thirty minutes before the ceremony was set to begin, the King collapsed and could not be revived.
Isabella does mention that Peyton and the King were very close. And after his death, Peyton grew increasingly ill. Many doctors attempted to solve her mystery illness, but none were successful. And none of the treatments they suggested were working. Additionally, she had no symptoms other than weakness, and so a diagnosis couldn't be given, and hence the right method of treatment couldn't be established. All they could do was provide her with medication that eased the pain of her illness.
Eventually, Isabella invites us to meet her sister and takes us to her room. And while all other aspects of my wolfish abilities are particularly weak, my sense of smell never fails me. As I step into the room, the scent of decay hits my nose. My nostrils flare, and the bridge of my nose wrinkles as the smell hits me. I can smell the infection, notes of mold and mildew compounded on top of one another to strengthen the scent of disease. It reminds me of how Mr. Barlow smelt before his passing. The infection isn't of the same sort, but something similar tickles beneath my nostrils. The smell of death. She is indeed dying...
My eyes are somber as they rest upon the princess. It's almost darkly comical of how small she looks beneath the mass of blankets and pillows that surround her dainty figure. The brightness of her pinkish and cream colored room, contrasts with the dim paleness of her skin that has a greenish hue. I take the initiative to walk up to her, watching her weakly smile in my direction as I approach.
"Hello Princess Peyton, I'm Tanya."
There's clear curiosity in her eyes. I'm not some famous doctor, nor am I a well-known royal. And I can tell she is searching my gaze for some form of familiarity. Nevertheless, she still offers me a warm smile. "Hello Tanya, nice to meet you."
She tries to sit up, but I can tell she is struggling too. Her eyelids look like they weigh a ton as she's slow in her movements. I quickly touch her arm to stop her. "Please, it's pretty late. I'll leave you to rest. I'll come to see you in the morning?" She chuckles sadly. "That might be a good idea. I'm feeling rather sleepy," I nod my head in understanding, and in response she lays back down, resting her head against the pillow, and her eyes somehow instinctually shut, as if simply talking is enough to justify rest.
My eyes cascade down the parts of her body I can see, noticing how other than her paleness, there are no other physical symptoms, no other visible signs. No rash markings, or redness in her eyes. She just appears frail and weak, which is very odd indeed.
But as promised, I let princess Peyton sleep, and the rest of us shuffle out of her chambers. However, Caspian doesn't follow me and Marco to our quarters. I realize Isabella has discreetly called him over. "Caspian, may I speak with you for a moment? Alone."
Up until now, I have noticed the strange atmosphere between them. Where Isabella is increasingly trying to find ways to talk to Caspian. And despite knowing it is wrong of me to spy, I couldn't help but be immensely curious and want to find out what is going on.
Marco doesn't initially notice as I hang back. I round a corner and press myself against the wall, peering over its edge to listen in. Isabella speaks first rather softly, her tone cradling disbelief. "You felt it?"
"Course I felt it," says Caspian, his hand rubbing at the nape of his neck as if trying to ease the tension in his back. "We're fated mates. Aren't we?"
"Yes..." I can almost feel the smile in Isabella's voice.
My mouth drops in utter surprise. No wonder Caspian has been acting so strange and restrained earlier on during dinner. They must've felt it from the moment they locked eyes. "What are you doing?"
The voice is neither Caspian's nor Isabella's. I jolt with a gasp as Marco appears to stand behind me, and inventively also draws the attention of the fated mates. I swirl round in a hurry, my hand rushing upwards to clasp around Marco's mouth to stop him from saying anything else.
My heart hammers furiously against my chest, since it would ultimately be tremendously embarrassing if I am to be discovered eavesdropping on a conversation I haven't been a part of. My eyes flit desperately to our surroundings as I hear the two edging closer to our location. His mouth is still pressed against by my fingertips, I feel his lips twist upwards into a smile. And I look at him slightly confused.
But before I can react, Marco grabs my hand, and pulls me through double doors not away from us that lead out onto a balcony. He then wraps an arm round my waist and with agile speed he hauls us over the railing into a crevice of the outside walls. We're basically standing on a ledge, with a massive drop below us. Because of both logic and fear my arms wrap round Marco fiercely.
I'm clinging to his body, and his hand is placed just by my waist to cup me against him. My head lifts up, staring into his eyes as we breathe the same air. Although my breath is mostly caught in my throat as I look into his dashing blue gaze. There's complete silence between us. I don't know I feel awkward or at ease, but I have little time to think on it.
I hear Caspian and Isabella make their way out onto the balcony, both expressing confusion to the noise that they heard, and why the doors are open. Nevertheless, they fail to see us, and leave to continue having their conversation elsewhere. Marco quietly shifts us, so we edge back to the railing. He helps me over first before climbing back onto the platform. I breathe a sigh of relief, still unable to find the words to speak to Marco directly after having stood so close to him on the ledge.
Although, my thoughts about Marco are disturbed, as a flicker of light catches my attention. The balcony is situated in parallel to a window. The curtains aren't drawn as the light in the room illuminates the individual. I then recognize the woman to be Peyton. And I watch in confusion as she empties a vial into the bin. I recall the vial contained a tonic Isabella had given her sister to soothe her illness. Hence my utter confusion as I watch Peyton empty the contents.
***
With little to no conversation during the walk back, Marco and I head back to the residence that has been provided to us by Princess Isabella. Obviously, we are playing the role of a happy couple, and we are technically married. So naturally Isabella gave us a house where we could stay together. And despite my love for Marco, it feels completely wrong to sleep beside him when I know he wants nothing to do with me.
It hurts. Deeply. But I still don't want to make this anymore uncomfortable than it already was. As we step into the house, I turn to face him. "I'll make this easier for the both of us. Since I know we're only married by contract. I'll sleep in the smaller room, and you sleep in the bigger room. And let's just leave it at that," I say, trying to not appear as awkward as I feel, before taking my luggage and disappearing into the room I designated for myself.
***
Marco's POV.
The clock by my bedside tells me it is midnight, and I still haven't found the ability to fall asleep. Tanya's words are playing through my mind over and over again. Deciding that a glass of water would probably help, I step out of my room and into the kitchen.
It's only a couple of minutes later that I notice Tanya's door suddenly open, and she steps out looking somewhat dazed. Despite my puzzlement, I intend to ask what she is up to, so I move quickly, blocking her path.
But before I can even say a word, Tanya steps towards me. She strains onto her tip toes and cups my face in her hands suddenly. And without warning, pressing her lips against mine in a deep, passionate kiss. I stiffen in utter surprise.