Chapter 9 Trance Breaker

Gideon's voice breaks me out of my trance and I glance up at him with a small smile. "Thank you, Gideon," I say.

Queen Marinella looks between the two of us with a doubtful expression on her face. "It seems like there is more to your story than meets the eye."

Gideon chuckles lightly and reaches for his glass of wine. "There's nothing more to say, mother," he says smoothly.

But Queen Marinella doesn't look convinced. "Well then, how about we play a little game?" she suggests.

I feel a knot form in my stomach as I turn to look at her. What kind of game is she talking about? And why does it sound so ominous?

"What kind of game?" Gideon asks.

"A truth or dare game," Queen Marinella declares, her eyes still fixed on mine.

The thought of the childish game almost makes my heart leap - that is, in its stupidity. Was I really this gullible that she thinks I will reveal all my secrets in such a foolish game?

"Okay..." I answer, as soft as possible.

Queen Marinella claps her hands together and orders for a bottle of wine to be brought out.

"Gideon?"

"Actually, mother," he begins in a serious tone. "I don't think this game is appropriate for Serra at this time. She needs some time to adjust and settle back into her life here."

I stop my brows from lifting. At least, he can already say NO to his mother. Before, whenever Marinella asks him to treat me better, he will grumble like a spoiled brat, but he will still do it.

"Come on, my dear child. A glass of wine and some harmless fun won't hurt, right?" she asks no one in particular. "Besides, wine is the color of blood, which I am pretty sure Serra had been familiar with when she was in Liddicoat."

Gideon looks taken aback by his mother's words, but quickly regains his composure. "Mother, you know that she wasn't turned into a vampire," he says. "I am certain you can sense that."

Queen Marinella shrugs. "Serra, what do you say?"

"It's alright, Gideon," I say with a small smile. "I don't mind playing a harmless game."

Queen Marinella's eyes light up and she pours each of us a glass of wine. "Excellent! Let the game begin," she declares.

"No, mother," he insists. "Why don't you just ask your questions to her directly?"

The tension in the room is thick as Queen Marinella looks between Gideon and I. I can tell that she's not used to her son defying her.

Then Marinella takes a deep breath and says, "Fine, you spoilsport of a son." She shifts her attention to me and asks, "Tell me, what was your time like in Liddicoat? Did you make any friends?"

I take a small sip on the wine and answer, "I was injured and sick the entire time, and when I was healthy enough, it was difficult to befriend the citizens there."

"And how about that Prince Caius?"

"He helped me adjust to my life there and he also showed me kindness," I tentatively say. "But he is still a prince. He was very busy and wasn't able to spend as much time with me. Besides, I am just a guest in Liddicoat kingdom. In fact, I stay in a separate house from the castle."

"Are you certain? Nothing happened between the two of you?" she insists.

"I am certain, my Queen," I reply calmly, as I feel Gideon's growing frustration.

"But before, I know for a fact that Prince Caius was infatuated with you. I thought that he-"

Gideon suddenly slams his glass on the table. It was a bit too hard that the wine glass almost shattered. Marinella and the servants turn to look at him in surprise.

"Serra and I will need to excuse ourselves," he says through gritted teeth.

Without waiting for a response from his mother, Gideon stands up and takes hold of my hand, pulling me up from my seat as well. He leaves the room in large strides, dragging me along behind him. As we exit the room, I cast a final glance towards Marinella. Her eyes are wide in shock, her fingers clutched tightly around her wineglass.

We stride down the corridor, my hand still firmly in Gideon's. When we reach a quiet corner, he finally lets go of my hand and leans against the wall with his eyes closed.

"I apologize for my mother's behavior," he says after a few moments of silence. "She can be quite persistent."

"It's alright," I say with a small smile. "I understand that she is just concerned for her son."

"I should have put a stop to it earlier."

"It's fine, Gideon," I assure him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. I can feel the tautness in his muscles, like an uncoiled spring ready to snap at any moment. "I am really fine."

Besides, worrying about me this late of a game in our relationship, is just laughable.

He looks at me with a grateful expression. "You..." he whispers. "You have always been forgiving... I... Thank you, Serra, for understanding..."

I almost blow up at that. How can he say that I am forgiving?! After all the pain he caused me, is there really any woman alive who would still forgive this bastard?!

Thankfully, he thinks that there is... He thinks that the previous Serra still exists in this world.

"But Gideon, you cannot shield me from every line of inquiry," I say. "I also understand where all the questions are coming from."

He looks at me, his body getting more relaxed.

"Besides, if it becomes worse, I can just leave and not cause you any of my problems," I continue. "It's mine to begin with, anyway."

He suddenly feels apprehensive. "That's not the solution, Serra," he says quickly, alarm clear in his tone. "You leaving... It won't solve anything."

I look away from him. Intentionally, I bite my lip as I consider his words. "Gideon, I-" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"Serra, listen to me. Yes, my mother can be overbearing - she's had her way for too long and doesn't really know when to stop. But you are not the problem here."

His hands reach out and gently cup my face, guiding my eyes back to meet his. "Please don't think that you're causing me any trouble. You're not. And believe me, I can handle my mother now. You don't have to leave."

I stare into his eyes, searching for any hint of insincerity or hesitation. "And if it gets worse?" I ask.

Gideon shrugs confidently. "It won't, so please, Serra," he pleads softly. "Don't leave."

A small smile forms on my lips as I lean into him. "I have a request though," I say, looking up at him through my lashes.

"Anything," he replies.

"Yesterday, I embraced you," I say, increasing my body temperature so heat will rise to my cheeks. "Can I do that again?"

Gideon's lips twitch into a smile as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to his chest. "Of course," he says, his voice deep.

I tuck myself into his embrace. I can smell his familiar scent that I learned to hate. It's been awhile.

"I missed this too," Gideon murmurs against my hair, pressing a soft kiss on top of my head.

At his words, I know that he still wants me, even after we separated. Or maybe he only wants me because I was gone for a long time. But honestly, I think it's my talent in magic that he missed the most.

"I missed you too," I whisper back, resting my head against his chest.

And soon, he will really fall for me and when that time comes, it will be too late before he realizes that he lost everything to me - just as he stolen everything from me before.