The White Wolf Chapter 160: Under the Moon

Enzo had not been told of any departure of the Eastern Kingdom. “When was that decided?”

“Our king has ordered us to return. He wants the prince home when there have been attacks.” It made sense. Dristan was the crown prince and with their kingdom being under attack while he was here that put them in a bad position. Since the borders have been secured, the prince would need to go back to the safety of his home. 

Enzo took a step bringing a hand to his face and the other on his hip while he thought. It made sense. Dristan was probably speaking with Caspian at that very moment. Had he been there he would have heard. He wondered if Caspian would say something on his behalf. 

Even if he challenged them, they would simply take her back with them. It would be the easier course of action. Plus he knew nothing of her betrothed. 

“When do you leave?” He asked his mind immediately planning. How could he stop it or at least her? Steal her away on the journey back? Follow her back alone and challenge her betrothed in front of everyone? Risking execution in the Eastern kingdom. 

“At first light.” That wasn’t a lot of time. 

“I’ll go to your brother and I’ll ask for your hand.” He turned starting for the door. 

Cynthia grabbed his arm pulling him back “No he won’t agree.” 

“He had to at least consider it.” He wanted her to stay here with him. Be with him. Love him. Turn these dreary chambers into a home. A haven that the two of them could retreat to. If need be he would buy them a place away from court. They both had spent their lives in a court it would be nice to have a place they could go to. 

He would do it. Anything she wanted. He would make it happen. All she had to do was stay. 

“With the arrangement, my family is ruined. We were raised to do what is best for the family.” She tried to explain to him but he wasn’t getting it. 

“Your father didn’t.” He blurted before he could think better of it. He had no affection for her family when they could sell her at an auction like livestock. How could they not see how precious she was? It was blatantly obvious to him. 

It felt like a knife as Cynthia flinched away. “The irony is not lost on me.” She admitted. 

Enzo could see that she knew she was the only one making sacrifices. Why should she sacrifice herself when others would not do the same? “Then I’ll challenge your brother.”

“He will not accept.” She said matter of factly. Ruhn valued his position above anything. 

“His honor demands it.” Enzo insisted. 

Her head tilted as she looked at him with her eyes narrowing “You assume he has honor. You assume the eastern kingdom has honor at all.” 

Looking at her from head to toe he just said perplexed “How could it not when it has you?” 

In the little time he had known her, Enzo was able to deduce she was loyal and steadfast. She would willingly sacrifice herself for the goodness of others. He worried that it was also her downfall. She would not let herself love him because of it. 

Cynthia’s body sagged “Why do you make it so hard?” He said things that no one had ever said to her before. He made her feel special but she wasn’t. She was average at best and would not let him risk his life for her. 

“It wouldn’t be if you would just stay with me.” He argued. For someone so timid she was being very stubborn. 

“They won’t let me go.” She told him. 

“They will.” He said determined. 

“They won’t.” She said in a stronger tone. 

They were at an impasse. Neither relenting believing they were right. 

“I guess this is then goodbye. “ Cynthia said in a small voice as she hugged herself. 

Enzo growled picking her up and scooping her into his arms they left the room. Cynthia could barely comprehend what was happening as Enzo rushed through the palace. He turned down halls and walked through doors. Expertly he avoided being seen. Finally, he rushed outside. Through gardens, he did not stop till each an outcropping of trees. 

Once they were in the middle of the trees he set her down. How in the goddess had they ended up here? She looked around there was a break in the trees allowing the moon to shine in the clearing. 

“What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?” She asked in bewilderment. 

“No one can see us here.” He said as if that was the only explanation needed. 

“He’s gonna murder me.” She said to herself. “If he can’t have me then no one can. I misjudged him completely.” She muttered. 

“I’m not going to kill you,” Enzo said annoyed. “I’m going to mark you.”

“Here? Now?” She was unprepared for the turn of events. The trees bristled in the wind as they stood there alone. 

“Here. With only us and the goddess as witnesses.” He said pointing to the moon causing Cynthia’s eyes to follow. “You and I in the moonlight.” 

“What if we do this and they try to kill you?” She asked worried that her family would just let her go. 

“Let them come. I will fight whoever tries to come between us. I will fight them all.” His hand brushed the hair that had come undone out of her face. 

“But-“

“Just say yes.”

“I can’t-“

“You can.” He coaxed. “Say yes and whatever comes we will be together.” He was barely holding it together. He needed her to say yes. 

She stared into his eyes under the moonlight looking for any hint of deception that may hide in them. 

She nodded but Enzo was not satisfied. “Say it. I need the words.”

“Yes. I’ll stay here with you.”