His Dark Obsession

32. A Couple of Gifts

EVANGELINE.

Hours have passed, but I can’t get the rule book out of my head…

Consummate the marriage before the tournament? How!

All I can think of is everything that can go wrong if we do that, but without it… it means we can’t even participate…

Urgh!

Just think Evangeline, if you weren’t an omega, you would have to be marked too. But the downside is, once the rest of the couples all mark one another until they go into heat, no one will even know if they are. mated, unlike me… I have a feeling that rule was put there because I am unable to be marked due to being. wolfless.

I shudder at the possibilities of what could go wrong; it isn’t that Zedkiel is that bad… but this life, this rank, it’s all a façade… 1

I sigh heavily, running my fingers along the spines of the leatherbound books that line the shelves in the royal library. I don’t even know what I’m looking for, but I need something to keep my mind off everything..

I had spent two hours with Alistair, and I am exhausted. He gave me all his theories about what our test may be but regardless of what it will end up as; I know I just need to think smartly and with a level head. I’m hoping I can at least do that.

Glancing around the library, I see that it is mainly empty. There is scarcely anyone here and I appreciate the silence. To my dismay, I had also learned that all the couples will move into the palace the night. before the tournament’s first day.

The double doors to the library open and I turn to see Lucia peek in, her eyes lighting up when she spots

“Luna Evangeline!” She whispers loudly. I frown slightly at that title.

“Evangeline.” I correct her, as she hurries over, trying her best not to run and remain graceful.

“You’re the Luna now… congratulations on your wedding…” She says, lowering her head to me politely, as if just remembering all that.

I reach over, and place three fingers under her chin and tilt her head up and shake my head. “Lucia… I’m still Evangeline… your friend, or I hope we were friends.” I say.

“Of course, we were- I mean we are… but you are a Luna now.”

“And it changes nothing, so tell me why you were looking for me?” I say.

She nods, smiling gently before she looks around and then reaches into the bag she is carrying. “I got you something.”

“Oh, for me?” I ask in surprise, not expecting anything.

She nods as she takes out a small rectangular box, its plain white with gold writing on it.

“Here” She says, holding it out to me.

“Thank you.” I say, as I take it. My heart skips a beat as I flip the lid open. My eyes widen when I look at the gold bracelet that sits on the suede cushion. A delicate chain with three charms on it set with pearls.

“I found out your birthday is June the third, so you’re a Gemini, hence the zodiac charm, a pearl pendant for your birthstone of the month of June, and a good luck charm to help you through this tournament.” She explains, looking at me with a smile, but I can see she’s worried I won’t like it but… I love it, I’ve never ever had such a thoughtful gift. 7

“Thank you… it’s….”

“Do you like it?” She asks softly.

her tightly. “I love it, thank you, Lucia.” She hugs me back before I step away. “I

only said that to make me feel better. The Oracle is never wrong. I push the gloomy thoughts

like to wear it? I’ll put it

“Yes, please! I will wear it for the entire tournament, although

she shakes her head. “Can I not root for both

takes the bracelet out of the box and places it around my wrist, my eyes fall on the one around her wrist, it is almost identical

two

looking at it and once she hooks mine up; she moves back. “It’s mine and Prince Chasyn’s

feeling an ache inside at the fact she couldn’t

I say, “We

holding her wrist out

seem trivial to some, but for me,

the gloom of the morning fade away. She had cheered me

doing in here?” She asks, now scanning

for a good read.” I say. “Preferably about the Chamber of Truth, its origins and

to be.”

have to ask the Third Prince for access to the private area.”

replies.

I guess I’ll ask Zedkiel. Shall we

her eyes lighting up as

me to call him

very in love.”

with a pout, leading the way out of the room. She laughs softly as she follows. I bid her farewell and head to my quarters, remembering

the bedroom. I had actually found a book on his shelf and had begun reading it but had fallen asleep reading, that is until the

bang the doors?” I ask, rubbing my eyes, freezing when I realise what I had just said. I swallow hard as I look up slowly, only to see him watching

over to the bed and taking

my mind instantly goes to the

the

my heart began racing or the way I had probably

Never had a

have!” I say, taking it quickly. “Thank

and since you can’t mind

my head quickly, shutting the book that lay on the pillow, hoping he thinks it is because of that.” No, not at all. I just…

Second?” He asks, and I hold

frowns, taking hold of my hand and yanking it up as he observes

Come on, let’s go to the oracle.” He says,

after placing the phone on the

the hallways, passing people, but apart from clearing the path for Zedkiel and lowering their heads, no one seems curious about where we

deep breath, feeling nervousness overcome me. He glances down at me before he takes hold of my wrist and knocks hard

the last time I

swings open and I feel the same odd atmosphere settle over

it’s different today. Angrier

these memories? Or am I

her hands are folded in front of her as she watches us

says

react, swiftly looking us over. Her eyes linger on me, and

I can…” She says as the door shuts behind