Chapter 140: A Gift
"But it’s not like they can harm me or anything. I can be cordial, steer the conversation towards the Vault of Ages, and see if I can somehow make them agree to take me there." Eve suggested.
"Eve, I am not leaving you alone with him. I don’t trust them at all," Ivan replied in a tight voice. A surge of unease and anger swelled in him at the mere thought of Eve being with someone who wanted to covet her.
Seeing him grow agitated, Eve gently placed her hand over his, "You can be with me when I speak to him. And once we’re inside, you can search for whatever you’ve been looking for while I keep him distracted," she suggested softly.
A streak of possessiveness clouded his expression, "No. I won’t allow it."
"But it’s a much safer option in comparison to what you’re planning," Eve countered calmly.
Ivan clenched his jaw so hard as he tried to rein in the storm of fury rising inside him at the thought of her being alone with another man.
Not wanting Ivan to flare up next, Cece quickly chimed in, "I agree with Evelyn. Since we know they’ll try to make contact with her anyway, why not be smart and use this opportunity? We can all go with her so she’s not alone with the prince."
Ivan shot Cece a sharp glare, but before he could argue, Damien added, "I agree, brother. We can accompany Evelyn and keep the prince distracted while you do your thing. Besides, she’s strong, and no one would dare mess with her when we’re around. Not to forget that they’re only humans."
"I think it is a much safer plan to avert a war between two kingdoms," Edward said, supporting the idea.
Eve then glanced at Ivan, "I know you want to handle this your own way, and trust me, I’d rather not have any contact with them either. But knowing my father, there’s no way to avoid them. So, why not let me help you this time?" Eve asked with her tone soft but hopeful.
She then raised a hand and touched his cheek, "We can work as a team," she smiled gently at him.
As she touched him, Ivan felt some tension leave his body. Every cell in him wanted to keep that man away from her, but he could also see how much Evelyn wanted to help. Letting out a soft breath, he said quietly, "I need some time to think."
Eve took that as progress and nodded, "Okay, take your time."
Later that night, after taking a bath and changing into her nightclothes, Eve’s eyes drifted to a velvet-red box sitting on top of her desk. She walked over, picked it up, and unlocked it to reveal the beautiful brooch she had bought earlier from the jewelry store with Ivan.
She ran her delicate fingers over its surface, admiring its intricate design, before lifting it from the box and holding it in her hands. Enclosing her fingers around it, she closed her eyes, radiating a soft golden aura. She stayed like that for a couple of seconds before opening her eyes again. Her power ebbed, and when she slowly unfurled her fingers, the brooch glowed with her golden light for a brief moment before fading back to its sapphire blue.
A soft smile formed on her face before she tied a golden chain through the small hoop behind the brooch. Then she carefully placed it back in the box, just as a soft knock sounded at her door.
She set the box down on the table and went to open it, already knowing who it would be. When she did, Ivan stood there dressed in his night robe and pajamas. He tilted his head slightly, studying the soft smile still playing on her lips. "What are you smiling about?" he asked, stepping inside and quietly closing the door behind him.
Eve lifted both her hands, took his, and walked backwards with a playful glint in her eyes, "I’ll show you why..."
Intrigued by her sudden, mysterious playfulness, he let her guide him wherever she intended to take him. They stopped near her bed, she looked up at him, her voice soft but firm, "Close your eyes."
He raised a brow, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. "Is it something kinky?"
A faint blush rose to her cheeks before she rolled her eyes, "Just do as I say. Hurry!"
His lips twitched at her impatience, and he closed his eyes.
"Can you see anything? No cheating, alright?" she asked, watching his face closely.
"Yes, Eve. They’re closed." Ivan replied gently.
He then heard her soft footsteps move around the room, before stopping in front of him. He could hear her heartbeat singing to him again and felt her cold fingers wrap around his hand, turning it palm-up before placing a velvety box on top.
"Open your eyes now," she said softly.
When he did, he saw her fidgeting slightly, her throat bobbing in nervousness as her anxious eyes darted between his. His gaze dropped to the small red velvet box resting in his palm.
"I was supposed to give it to you this afternoon, but couldn’t find the right time," she explained nervously.
"What’s this?" Ivan asked curiously.
"Just something I saw and thought of you. Open it and see," she said, her voice laced with anticipation.
He stared at her for a moment before opening the box to find an exquisite, grape-sized sapphire brooch attached to a delicate gold chain. As he continued to admire it, she spoke quickly, "It’s a brooch, but I attached a chain so that you can wear it like this as well. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to accept it. I’ll just think of something else,"
She reached to take it back, but before she could, he picked it up, and the moment he did, a soft golden glow surrounded him, his body seeming to come alive with warm, renewed energy.
Surprised, he turned his molten red eyes towards her, "You placed your energy in it." It wasn’t a question; it was a statement.
"I did," she admitted softly. "The jewellery told me that the stone would protect the person who wears it if I placed my energy inside it. So I concentrated on conjuring a strong barrier," She ran a hand through her hair and added shyly, "I-I just hope I did it right, so that if you’re ever in danger, it’ll come to your aid."
Ivan continued to stare at her; something unreadable flashed in his eyes as he felt his heart stir. He remained silent, trying to understand the strange warmth spreading through him. She studied his face, uncertain of why he was being so silent. When he didn’t speak, she asked quietly, "Say something...Ivan."
When he still didn’t move, she lowered her gaze and whispered, "Maybe I shouldn’t have..." She reached to take the brooch from him, but before she could, Ivan suddenly bowed his head before her and said in a low voice, "Put it on me."
"What?" Startled by him suddenly bowing, she froze for a moment, unsure of how to react.
He then took her hand, placed the brooch locket in her palm, and said quietly, "Put it on me."
"Oh...you don’t have to. I just-"
"You’re not forcing me to do anything," he interrupted softly. "I accept your gift, and I want you to be the one to put it on me."
He looked up at her with those deep, molten-red eyes, and Eve could see the intensity burning within them.
So she silently stepped closer, unclasped the chain, and leaned forward to fasten it around his neck. Once it was secure, she heard him ask in a low voice, "Is it done?"
"Yes," she whispered. She was about to step back when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and whispered, "Thank you."
She felt him press a lingering kiss on her neck as he tightened his embrace. "No one has ever given me anything before," he said quietly. "So this...this is precious to me...my first gift. A gift from you. I’ll treasure it. Thank you, my Eve."
He kissed her just beneath her ear, sending warmth rushing through her. A soft smile spread across her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers gently through his soft raven back hair.
Closing her eyes, she pressed a light kiss to his neck and whispered teasingly, "So...should I take that as a yes...that you like it?"
He tightened his grip, "Hm, I love it." Inhaling her unique scent through her hair, he gently pulled away and looked at the locket. "It’s the colour of eyes and it carries your essence...so how could I not love it?"
The way he said, his rich voice full of depth, made Eve’s heart shudder. She bit her lower lip and murmured, "You always have a way with your words."
His intense gaze locked her innocent blue ones, "Those aren’t just words, Eve," He cupped her cheeks tenderly, "I mean it, it’s as beautiful as the person who chose it for me."
Feeling his heart race, he leaned down and kissed her slowly.
