46. Chapter 46

Chapter forty-six

N ik woke as soon as his ears picked up footsteps in the hall, too used to being on guard for when his father used to show up in the middle of the night to dole out punishments for whatever he thought Nik had done wrong. As soon as he'd recognized Havens scent, his nerves calmed and turned into curiosity.

He had been avoiding her since the night his father paid someone to destroy her room and paint her with blood but it was for her own good. He may not be able to stomach being terrible to her often enough to earn the hate he needed but he could keep her from getting any further attached to him.

He was surprised hearing her picking the lock. It was a very useful talent, one currently in Niks own arsenal, but he wondered how she learned to do it .

Nik heard her drop whatever pin she was using to pick the lock, heard her blow out a breath and continue attempting to pick his lock. An idea popped into Niks head to surprise her just as she'd surprised him. Quickly hopping off his bed, Nik strolled to the wall next to the door so he'd be behind it when Haven opened it. Nik pressed himself into the wall as much as he could, sucking in a breath when he heard the telltale sound of the door unlocking. He was impressed, it had only taken her a few minutes.

The door cracked open and Niks heart sped up as Haven slipped into his room. He watched as she scanned the room, not spotting him. Nik waited until right before she turned enough to spot him before he reached out and grabbed her. Pushing her back against the now closed door, he wrapped an arm around her waist and placed a hand over her mouth.

"Well well well, what might you be doing out of bed princess?"

Nik liked calling her princess. When he was a child, he'd heard Delroys dad call his mom that. While it meant something different when Nik called Haven that, the fact that she was an actual princess and all, the look of pure devotion on Delroys father's face was one Nik could only ever try to live up to. Not that he'd ever allow himself the chance.

"You're avoiding me" Haven told him, prying Niks hand off her mouth.

"And what makes you think that? Maybe I simply don't like you"

Nik felt Havens body outwardly cringe at his words. The words may be false but if he could be harsh enough then maybe he could get Haven to run back to her room, hating him a little more. Maybe that way she'd be less likely to give in when his father attempted to corner her into a deal Nik knew was coming any day now.

"That's not true. Both you and I know that" Haven spoke strongly, Nik could tell she believed in her words. He could even see the queen she was becoming hidden in the way she spoke. It endeared her to him more than he'd ever admit.

"How do you know?" He asked, tightening his hold on her waist and speaking low into her ear,

"There's lots of reasons for me to dislike you. Even to hate you. You're taking a crown that should be mine, you've got half the council eating out of your hands without doing much work at all, you flit about the castle as if you own the place after having been here barely a month and quite frankly, you are incredibly annoying"

Nik didn't actually believe any of that. Haven had been doing the work, she was earning her crown and doing a damn good job of it. Nik just needed her to believe that that was what he thought. He needed to send her running. Haven looked hurt for only a moment before she steeled herself,

"But what about," She paused, down casting her eyes, hesitating to bring this up. Nik knew what she was about to say and had been prepared for it, finishing her question before she could get the rest of her words out,

"When, in a moment of weakness, I went down on you?"

She nodded her head, an adorable blush rising to her cheeks. Nik could barely see it in the dim light but he knew it was there nonetheless.

"It's simple," He told her, "I won't deny being attracted to you, anyone with half a cock would be. That night was a moment of weakness on my part. I won't be making that same mistake again"

He saw the moment his words hit. Calling her a mistake, that was what hurt. He could feel the tension rising in her body. Niks heart seemed to physically ache but he couldn't relent. Not with everything that was at stake. He needed his words to be enough, he needed to curb this intense attraction between them.

It wasn't just a physical attraction, Nik was borderline obsessed with her and he wasn't sure he was strong enough to stay away. He needed Haven to be the strong one. He needed her to hate him enough to walk away because if she didn't, it could mean the end of the realm as they knew it.