Chapter 3 Kota

The aroma of different foods wafted the air before entering the room. As Cory opened the doors allowing myself and Maria to enter first, I could feel my anxiety grow.

The food is made and already set atop a large dinner table in the middle of the eating hall. The room is decorated with exotic flowers, leaves and all sorts of delicious dishes. We were all assigned seats of our own around the table, I found my name in-between Cory and Maria. As per the usual, the King and Queen sat at the head of the large table. I noticed two empty seats on the Kings right hand.

My eyes drifted over the people around the table nervously. Some glanced up at me smiling, only to go back to talking to the people beside them. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be

Everyone seemed very kind, I also noticed how now and again people would look at me with excited faces, which I will admit, made me a little uncomfortable, but nonetheless I brushed it aside, maybe they were just curious to know who I was?

"Kota will get it from the queen," Cory smirks.

"Last I heard he was on the battle grounds with Dimitri" Maria adds sipping on her wine.

"Whose Kota?" I ask. Just then we heard a ruckus outside and the doors opened. Two shirtless men walk in.

Something deep inside of me started to tingle. I could feel goosebumps all over my body.

What the hell is happening to me?

That's when I caught a smell that made my heart beat increase. The scent was hard to place, but I could smell a feint scent of sandalwood, and fresh rain, with a hint of cologne. It smells so delicious, I could feel my mouth water.

"Its about Time son, where have you been?" Queen Rosa, rose from her seat waiting expectantly for an answer from one of the two men.

"Sorry Mother, we didn't keep track of time." His voice made me shiver, It was the most attractive voice I've ever heard. The one- who I could only assume was the Prince- answered. I watch as he takes a step forward, being in my full view, I inwardly gasp as he's eyes search the room, and land on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine.

Our eyes met, and for a moment there, all I could do was stare at his icy blue eyes. His dirty blonde hair, shaved on the sides and back and long on the top, look as if he ran he's fingers through it one too many times.? His face was strong and defined, his features molded from granite. He is handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expression of his voice.

This is the prince? I thought to myself, how am I supposed to avoid him if he looks like that!

I see his lips move to say something, but my mind isn't focused on what he said, I'm too intoxicated by his scent, his eyes still locked on mine. I saw something flash in his eyes.

Did they just go darker? Maybe I just imagined that.

For some reason, I couldn't move my gaze from him. My heart started beating faster than normal. He is beautiful.

''Well then'' Queen Rosa clears her throat with a playful smirk, ''Son why don't you go and maybe put on a shirt?" instantly Kota's eyes leave mine as he takes a seat beside his Father ignoring his mothers request. He whispers something to his mother who briefly glances over at me, snapping me out of my trance. I could feel my cheeks warm as I take note of almost everyone on the table were looking at me with knowing smiles. I take a sip of my water, my throat suddenly dry, as everyone turns to the King.

The other man, who I assume was Dimitiri, sat beside Kota with a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. Dimitri was good looking, but some how just not as beautiful as the man sitting beside him. He had darker hair with green eyes. He was just as tall and slightly bigger than Kota.

The King had a knowing smile on his face too, before clearing his throat as he stood up.

"Thank you all for being here. Today, is a special day. As you all know, my son, Kota is going to rule our Kingdom as my reign as Alph-'' he clears his throat before quickly glancing over at me, ''as King shall end soon. However, in order for him to be King, he will need a queen," The king looks at me and smiles.

"Behind every strong man is an even stronger woman," he says as he looks to his wife and smiles, then turns his gaze to me. ''Thank you Princess Annalise, for joining us this evening. As per our tradition, You and Kota will be spending a lot more time together, learning about our people and our kingdom.'' He stresses out that last word and I hear the people around me laugh quietly to themselves. did I miss the joke? The King continues,

"In the mean time, please feel at home, everyone here are all very excited to meet you." Everyone wore big smiles.

I felt a pair of eyes on me, instinctively I looked up and met blue eyes watching me from across the table. My breath hitched in my throat, and that tingling feeling was back again. I looked away first, all of a sudden taking an interest to my hands.

what the hell is going on with me?

After the King spoke we all began to eat. Needless to say, the food was delicious. During the course of the meal I got to know Cory and Maria a little better, they are both so easy to talk to and vice versa. After dinner, we were all summoned to the court yard for some dancing and wine.

I decided to take a walk into the gardens to clear my head. I came across a beautiful fountain and sat by the fountain edge, as my fingers played with the water.

Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't hear anyone come up to me until I felt a presence beside me. My body started to tingle, and I could feel the hairs on my skin rise.

''May I join you?'' The voice asks. I look up and I am greeted by the deepest shade of blue staring at me, waiting expectantly for my answer, something flashed in his eyes.

What the actual hell?

''It would be rude of me to decline, seeing as this is your home.'' I reply nervously.

''Why are you out here alone?'' I hear Kota ask me as he takes a seat beside me keeping a much needed distance between us, but close enough for me to smell his scent.

oh god what is happening to me?

"I just needed some air." I say looking back to the water, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze.

"Are you not enjoying the festivity?" He asks taking me by surprise. I look up at him to find his eyes already on me.

He was watching me with such intensity, as if trying to read me. I felt like something weird happening to me by just being under his scrutinizing gaze. I clear my throat and look away.

''This is a beautiful kingdom.'' I say instead, ''Your people are very kind.'' I look at him again. He nods his head with a slight smirk and looks away.

''Do I make you uncomfortable?'' He asks, catching me off guard.

''what... uh.. no.." I quickly blurt, "I just don't feel well.'' I say more to myself as I look down at my hands placed on my lap.

''Whats the matter?'' he says, his eyes slightly narrowed in concern, ''Should I call the doctor?''

Shit did I say that out loud!?

''No, that's alright,'' I shake my head brushing it off, ''I'm probably just jet lagged.'' Kota nods his head after some time.

We sat in an awkward silence, for what felt like hours but it was only a few moments. None of us said a word.

Personally, I don't do well in awkward situations, I tend to talk without thinking.

''So we're getting married, huh.'' I joke, but his face doesn't move, and I look away awkwardly playing with my fingers.

Please stop talking.

''I'm really glad you came, Annalise.'' he says a moment later sounding distant. I turn my head to him only, he isn't looking at me. Not knowing what to say, I just look away and decide not to answer.

''Do you know why you are here?'' he asks and I frown. Is he serious? I look at him a moment longer only to find that he is being serious.

''We have been arranged to be wed.'' I mutter. When he doesn't respond, I look at him, but I am surprised to see that he looks angry? He looks away and sighs lost in thought again.

We sat in silence once again. I was curious. I could tell that he was hiding something, but at the same time I just met the guy, and even though we are to be wed, I still had no right to push.

''You know what, I actually don't feel too well, please excuse me.'' I start to get up and leave when I felt his hand on my arm, gently pulling me to face him. Electricity ran through me from his touch. He notices it too.

What just happened?

His eyes stare deep into mine, and for a second I forgot to breathe. We were way too close and I was pretty sure he could hear my heart racing inside my chest.

''Anna,'' he begins, the way he said my name causing goosebumps to rise on my skin, ''There's just...'' he sighs and looks away closing his eyes and clenching his jaw. When he opens them again, theres something different about them, they are darker, my eyes slightly widen. This only increased my heart rate, and not to forget the electric sensation I'm feeling where his hand is touching on my arm. Instinctively, my eyes wandered to his hand on my arm, which he quickly let go of. Strangely enough, I missed his touch. I cleared my throat and took a small step back, looking anywhere else but him.

Get ahold of yourself Annalise!

''I'm fine, just a little jet-lag, I should probably go and get some sleep.'' I began to nervously fiddle with my fingers.

''Its very nice to finally meet you.'' I look up at him only to find him still looking at me. ''Goodnight, Annalise.'' Its the way my name so smoothly rolls off his tongue, that make the hair on my skin rise. He smirks as if knowing what he is doing to me.

''Goodnight Kota.'' I watch as his eyes look even more intense than before. I watch as his eyes flicker down to my lips and then back to my eyes.

Okay, why did that give me butterflies. I clear my throat again for the hundredth time tonight, poor guy must think I have something in my throat.

I turn around and leave. As soon as I was out of his view, I let out a huge breath I didn't know I was holding.

what just happened?

Get ahold of yourself Annalise!

I entered the court yard and noticed how almost everyone was drunk and dancing and all looked to be having a good time. I spotted Cory and Maria, talking to Dimitri. I walked over to them. As if sensing my presence, all three heads turned to me.

''Princess Annalise, lovely to meet you. I'm Dimitri.'' he took hold of my hand and placed a small kiss on the back of it. How charming.

''Nice to meet you Dimitri.'' I smile. Maria gasped beside me, I look at her confused, then turn my head to the direction she is looking at. There by the entrance stood Kota, looking directly at us. He had a murderous look present on his face, again, I was certain I wasn't imagining anything earlier, his eyes went a shade darker almost completely black.

Only then did I remember my hand was still in Dimitris, who had a playful smirk on his face as he looked at Dimitri. I quickly retracted my hand and turned to Maria.

I must've had one too many drinks because I am clearly seeing things.

''I am going to up to my room now.'' I tell her, and she seemed surprised.

''We could walk you to your room.'' Cory offers and I shake my head with a smile,

''thank you, but that's alright.''

With one last look at all three of them, I said goodnight and walked off, but not before noticing an angry looking Kota making his way towards Dimitri.

As soon as I got to my room, I threw myself on my bed, releasing another deep breath.

What the hell just happened?

Avoiding Kota will be much harder than I anticipated.

I needed to clear my head. I waited a few hours for everyone to go to bed. Just after midnight, I assumed everyone had left and gone to bed, I gathered my things and left my room.

I walked down the stairs and made my way outside making sure no one could see me. Once outside I took a deep breath and smelt the ocean. I felt a pull towards the ocean and followed my instinct.

I need this.