The Royal Contract

She closed her eyes, imagining his eyes boring into her back. Her senses were heightened as she waited for his hands to touch her, for his body to capture her.

“You are the most alluring prey I have ever seen.” He whispered at her back, but still, he did not touch her.

He just stood close enough for her to feel his presence. But like a predator, he watched her. His eyes studied her, reading her every reaction. He moved around her until he stood before her.

With her eyes closed, he could not read her thoughts. But with a single touch, he could sense her desire. With the palm of his index finger, he touched her lower lips, opening them a bit to release the air she was holding inside.

“Then, what are you waiting for?” She dared him to touch her more. To claim his prize.

In truth, she could not wait for him anymore. She wanted him, even craved him. She wished to continue what was interrupted earlier. She longed for the long due honeymoon that was promised to her.

.....

“I want this to be meaningful.” He spoke gently near her ears, allowing the air from his lips to graze her skin. “I want this moment to be one of the best memories you will have of this place.”

His fingers pulled the pin holding her hair up in a bun on top of her head. But he still did not touch her. He just let her hair cascade down on her shoulders like a waterfall.

“What are you doing?” She asked as anxiety started to settle in. She opened her eyes to check on him as a different memory popped out of her mind.

Somehow, the trees around them, the breeze of the wind outside, the scent of the wood. Then, the creaking noise of the floorboards reminded her of a different time and place.

What started as sweet and lovely was becoming a nightmare before her very eyes. She just had to be assured that it was not real. She had to see the man in front of her.

“I am helping you.” He spoke calmly, gazing into her enchanting eyes. He knew he could stare at them and be lost forever. “Do you trust me?” He asked.

Finally, he raised his hand to touch her face, giving her the guarantee that it was him. No one else. Because he could finally see in her eyes, not the desire he so hoped to see. But the fear that had been hiding just beneath the surface.

“Yes, I do. But...” She did trust him with all her heart, mind, and soul. However, she could not help the dread that kept pushing at the forefront of her mind.

“If you truly trust me, there should be no doubt.” He gently said, not wanting to scare her but to ensure that she would trust her.

He could see the hesitation in her eyes and the slight quiver of her lips. But he was not giving up. He was set to help her get over whatever shadows were lurking around her, blinding her from the truth that she was finally free.

“I do. I trust you.” Hearing his reassuring voice somehow uplifted her spirit. It slightly made her believe that she could be brave again. She could fight whatever fear gripped her heart and refused to release her.

She again closed her eyes without waiting to be told. Once the darkness set in, the memories came rushing back. But this time, she allowed them to flood her memories.

“Thank you. That is all I need to hear.” His voice entered her ears. A familiar soothing voice invaded her mind. “Follow my voice. Trust me that I will never leave your side.”

He watched her slightly struggle in her standing position as if she was fighting an inner battle. But he could not fight for her. This was one war that she should beat alone.

But he would make sure that he stood on the sidelines and cheered for her. He had to show his support so that she would be inspired to win.

“What do you mean?” She realized that she had to distinguish the different voices talking in her head to hear him.

Luckily, it was a sound that was very familiar to her. It was the only voice that could calm her down. After a while, she could already zone out the other sounds and concentrate only on his voice.

“I need you to trust me and follow me, using only your ears.” He said carefully, making sure that she understood his instructions. “Follow my voice and follow me. And no peeking.” He added the last part just as a reminder.

Slowly, he walked backward when he saw her nodding her head as an acknowledgment that she heard him loud and clear. Then, he gave her an instruction to step forward towards his voice.

It was just a few steps toward the bed, but he knew it would be a milestone if she could continue to do so without breaking down. He only wished to break the curse that she had placed on herself.

“Where are you taking me?” She asked, her hands slightly raised in the air, trying hard not to bump into anything. Still, his voice seemed so near, but yet so far.

She still could not feel him anywhere near her. It was as if he was constantly moving, avoiding being caught. But she knew he would never leave her, just like what he said earlier.

“Anywhere you want to go.” He finally stopped when the back of his legs finally hit the side of the bed.

Then, her hands finally landed on his arms. Touching him, feeling his skin against her fingers. Reminding herself that this was Alex and no one else.

The setting of the place might seem the same, but the man standing in front of her was not. He was the man that she loved and her protector.

“I only want to be with you.” She raised her hands, cradling his face, feeling every contour of his cheeks, nose, eyes, and chin. Even without sight, she could tell that he was perfection.

“And all I want is you.” He finally touched her, grazing his fingers along her cheeks, feeling its softness against his rough skin.

He was satisfied with the way she had trusted his voice. He only wanted to help her fight off her fears. The only way he knew how was to always face it head-on. To never allow it to get control of the mind and the body.

“I love you, Alex.” She finally opened her eyes, seeing the man that had completed every part of her being. Helped her during all those times of trouble. Never left her during her rough times.

Until now, he was not giving up on her. He still continued to stand by her side and support her. He was not only perfect physically, but he was a complete package.

“I love you more, Dani.” Alex stared into her eyes. This time, he was satisfied with what he saw. “You can make any house a place I can call home.”

Gone was the fear he witnessed in her eyes earlier. Deep into her soul, all he read now was love and the desire to be loved. He finally saw in their depths the reflection of what he felt for her.

He finally took her lips, claiming them as his reward. A worthy prize that both of them could enjoy.