Odi's mind wandered as she followed King Darius to wherever he was taking her to. He asked her to talk and she's curious on what he wanted to talk about. While following behind him, she admired his physique and wished she could touch his well built body. She wondered what it would be like seeing him without those overwhelming garments he wore.
King Darius on the other hand had his mind wandering also. What was she doing behind him. What was she thinking, should he not stick to the plan and just beg her to be his bride. He doesn't want to disrespect her in any way but he wanted to have her to himself so badly. He wanted to know who wrote her that letter, he wanted her to tell him it was just a random person she didn't know and she had no man in her life.
He wanted to ask her to hold his hand, touch him, kiss him, caress him.
"Those books are mesmerising" he muttered, "why am I thinking this way?" He questioned himself quietly.
They finally arrived their, "let's talk area"
The throne room was quiet, save for the soft echo of footsteps approaching from the hallway. Odi stepped inside, her eyes squinting slightly against the brightness pouring in from the tall arched windows.
King Darius stood at the far end of the room, beside the throne, his back turned to her, as though he had been waiting for this moment in silence.
She bowed her head slightly in greeting. "Your Majesty."
He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. "Odi. Thank you for coming."
"I didn't think I had much of a choice."
Why did she always have something to say? She was just one strong willed woman, and he liked that. That's where the attraction started.
His lips twitched at the corners, almost like a smile, but not quite. "I didn't summon you to scold or command. In fact, I asked you here because I owe you the truth. And a choice."
She tilted her head, wary. "Go on."
Why was she sounding so confident? Have she forgotten so easily she was talking to the King?
Darius didn't mind anyway, he just wanted to do what was right.
He stepped closer, the distance between them closing with each echo of his boots. "I'm going to cut to the chase. I won't keep you here against your will any longer. If you want to leave, you can."
Odi blinked, startled. "For real?"
"Yes, for real but it comes with a price."
"I am willing to do anything, as long as it doesn't shed blood to gain my freedom"
" I want something from you," he said. "But I won't take it by force. You've been through enough of that."
She crossed her arms, folding into herself. "What do you want?"
"A theft," he said plainly.
Her brow arched. "Of course."
She laughed, "remind me why I am in this position again?"
She paused for a while, and Darius wouldn't stop looking her in the eyes. "I am here because of theft. I stole, I got caught, I am punished by the King by being his slave and now the only way to gain my freedom is to steal again?"
"Not just for me," he clarified quickly. "For the kingdom. For something bigger than both of us."
She gave a wry scoff, "Yeah, right." She looked skeptical. "And what exactly do you want me to steal?"
He hesitated.
She narrowed her eyes. "You're not going to tell me."
"Not now. Not yet. It's too dangerous."
"Dangerous, that means it will cost me my life".
Odi let out a humorless laugh. "You're asking me to risk my life stealing something dangerous, and you won't even tell me what it is?"
"I'll tell you when the time is right," Darius said. "But I will promise you this. Do this for me, and your freedom is yours. No tricks, no more obligations."
Odi hesitated, her mind racing. Her fingers curled slightly, thinking about the many chains she'd broken already—and the one she still wore in her heart.
He stepped closer, his voice quieter now. "I also wanted you to know... I like you, Odi. More than I thought I would. More than I should."
She blinked.
"But I'm not going to force myself on you," he said gently. "I know how that sounds coming from a king. But I mean it. If you want to go, I'll make it so."
She studied his face, searching for cracks, for deceit, but found none. Just that quiet, stormy truth that always lingered behind his eyes.
"I don't feel the same," she said carefully, she knew she was lying. She desired him, but she hated it and she's trying to fight it. "At least... not yet. Maybe not ever."
His jaw tensed, but he nodded slowly. "Thank you for being honest."
"You said you needed something stolen," she continued, stepping back a little. "I accept the offer. I'll steal it. Whatever it is. The Heartstone, right?"
His eyes widened. "How did you—"
"I'm a thief, Darius," she said, smirking slightly. "Not a fool."
He exhaled a small laugh, despite the tightness in his chest. "You'll have to leave within the week. Plans will be made, details provided. But Odi..."
She looked at him and they had a staring competition for some seconds. She had the time to admire his eyes. Those eyes were magical.
"One last question. That letter you received... who sent it? Someone dear to your heart?"
Odi scoffed, "How did you know about the letter?"
Her back stiffened. Slowly, she turned around. "No. I don't have a man."
And with that, she left, leaving Darius alone in the sunlit room, the echo of her footsteps fading like a broken heartbeat.
He stood still for a long while after she left, his fingers flexing by his side, wondering if he'd just given her a reason to leave him forever.
And wondering if she'd come back with more than just the Heartstone.