Brandon felt like he was trapped in the shower. Feeling so helpless was definitely hard and heavy. As water poured down his head, the only thing he could think of was how to beat Sky without hurting him and leave him devastated. He had to hold himself back a lot to keep from going insane as he thought about the things Sky had said. It wasn't easy, growing up so close to such a despicable person and risking his life many times just to keep him safe and well. For someone like him, who wasn't worth it. Sky was like a brother to him, and it was hard to see his true face now, especially when he cared so deeply about something so personal.
What was even heavier was that the girl who made his heart race was so close to him yet so impossible at the same time. Stella was his biggest impossibility. He pressed his hand against the wall, struggling not to bang his head against the black marble. He felt like destroying everything, breaking and tearing it all down. Sky's shameless words had spread like acid under his skin. He was disgusted by his friend because just a few minutes ago, he had promised Stella that he would change. Besides everything else, Sky had guaranteed his position by using Bloom against Stella just to avoid getting hurt. How could he have such a characterless and shameless friend? Brandon couldn't comprehend it.
He didn't know what was worse, Sky's dishonor or his inability to do anything about Stella, but both had disturbed him enough. Deep inside, a voice whispered what he should do, but Brandon knew that listening to that voice would suddenly bring the responsibility of an entire kingdom upon him, and his only concern would be far from just Sky. But Stella... he would be closer to her. The situation would stop being impossible because Brandon could protect Stella without thinking and give her comfort without forcing her into an unwanted marriage. Edden would taste the sharpness of Brandon's sword. Because if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that Stella's safety would come before many things, even his own life.
Brandon lifted his face, letting the water run down his face, hoping to pull himself together. He didn't know why, but the situation was increasingly pulling him into a quagmire, and the voice inside him was starting to grow louder. It wasn't hard to guess; Brandon's mind and heart were now carrying the burden of more than one person. Stella was also his responsibility, and even if Stella was uncomfortable with it, he would still protect and watch over her without her knowing. But there was something in the young fairy's eyes, Brandon could see it. It wasn't something he experienced often; Brandon didn't have much of a relationship history, but he had had one-night stands and was aware of his effect on women, but Stella was different. She was compassionate, stubborn, and determined. She chose to pursue what she wanted, follow her dreams, and most importantly, fight for her freedom. She hadn't given up or submitted.
That's why his anger about Sky was so intense. Because even Edden wouldn't treat her that way, he knew it. Stella didn't want Edden because she didn't like him, not even a bit. Sky, on the other hand, had lost himself even if it was all a game. The ones who saved him were Bloom and Stella—though what Stella did made Bloom's actions seem like vapor—but Sky continued using his parents' brains instead of his own without changing anything in his life. His mother... she hadn't returned yet, and the big issue that was supposed to emerge hadn't erupted yet. Sky and Stella had hurriedly married, leaving many kingdoms and planets in great astonishment. Because his mother was touring planets to establish peace, she couldn't attend the wedding and was extremely angry. It had been a while since they heard from her, but it wasn't hard to guess that it was just the calm before the storm. She wasn't the only one silent; Diaspro and Edden were also very quiet. Brandon was trying to be careful with everything Stella ate and drank, ensuring there was no poison, but Edden was undoubtedly going to be harder to deal with. If Sky had been aware of this threat from the beginning, he would have taken back everything he said and run away without looking back because his own life was always more important to him.
Feeling his face ache from the continuously running water, Brandon turned around without turning off the water. Imagining Stella was something he avoided, but thinking about her during training made him grateful for the cold water on his skin once again. Her bronze skin never lost its glow. Stella was truly the embodiment of light. The softness of her skin created a strange tickling sensation on his fingertips, and his brain had stored that feeling deep in his memory. As Brandon ran his hand through his wet hair, his breathing unintentionally quickened. Her scent was another factor; it filled all his senses so intensely that he had to struggle not to moan. His olfactory memory had captured her scent, and he knew no other pleasant scent. As he leaned his back against the wall, he could no longer focus on the water running down his skin. His eyes closed, and he started torturing himself by recalling everything about Stella.
As his breathing quickened, he tried to understand how he had fallen into this situation, but there was nothing to understand, really; Stella was perfect. And Brandon was aware enough to see that. Brandon had never pursued pleasures, seeing them as a necessity to be addressed occasionally. It happened without belittling anyone, and when Brandon returned to his path, he just felt relieved and didn't feel the need to look back. But thinking about Stella that way, seeing her as the main character, even the creator of his desires and pleasures, now made his windpipe feel like it was tied in a knot. His hand instinctively grasped his hardened length, feeling the absurdity of doing this for the first time. Thinking about Stella was easy for him; living with her was hard. Existing around her and breathing around her.
It felt like using something that wasn't yours. Everything seemed to belong to her, as if the entire universe revolved around her. As his hand movements sped up, Stella's laugh and gaze came closer, making him feel like having her was like growing a cactus in a pool in the middle of a desert. It wasn't impossible; it felt like you had no right. Because the desert is hot, created that way, and bringing a pool disrupts its nature. And cacti cannot survive with that much water. They struggle, but their death is inevitable. That's why you couldn't have Stella; you could love her, you could fall in love with her. But you couldn't restrict her independence for your own sick desires because that would be against nature and disrespectful.
This time, it felt like her voice was ringing in his ears. It was so easy to reach the peak by imagining and desiring Stella, even under the cold water. Because now, even in his angriest moments, Brandon saw only her when he closed his eyes. Her body was perfect in every way, walking and speaking with elegance in every move. The softness of her tongue when she spoke... Brandon groaned, hitting his head against the wall. He knew what he was doing, but he couldn't help it; being around Stella affected him on so many different levels that Brandon was helpless. Even if his heart would burst out and his skin would burn and turn to ashes, he didn't want to be anywhere else but next to Stella. His hand movements now seemed to act independently of his brain, and Brandon closed his eyes, waiting for that scene to pass like a film strip. Stella had wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to pull Brandon down with her strength, but she was hanging on, her nose touching his as her dry lips were so close to his, begging for attention! As Brandon grabbed her waist, he was far from what he really wanted to do, but he had to. Wondering about her taste had become a burden, it didn't annoy him, but he was burning with desire. Her amber eyes, squinted and mirroring Brandon's desires, were unforgettable. His eyes closed tighter, and as his heart pounded against his chest, Brandon started trembling and moaning. Stella had completely shattered the 26-year-old commander of knights.
Brandon was not surprised by the loss of control. As long as he restrained himself around Stella, facing his weakness for that beautiful woman behind closed doors didn't weigh on him. But fear, for the first time, had trapped him. As his eyes cracked open, Brandon stared at the black marble. He had never known a more beautiful woman, never spoken to someone who attracted his interest more each day. Stella was a perfect woman, in every way. It was so absurd not to fall for her that anyone who glanced once wanted to look a thousand times more, believing her eyes deserved it.
As he leaned against the wall, still focusing on Stella's presence, the knock on his door made him turn his head and furrow his brows. Sky, shocked by Brandon's open threat, had been forced to leave the room, and if Brandon knew him well enough, he wasn't someone who would dare to face Brandon easily again so soon. So who would have the courage to enter his room while he was in the shower?
"Brandon?"
Reminding himself of his own strength not to groan, Brandon growled as he hit his head against the wall. Damn it, he thought, I had just relaxed. Stella's worried voice was heard once more from behind the door, and Brandon turned off the water to catch his breath. Looking at himself briefly, he reopened the water and splashed it around to clean himself before wrapping a towel around his waist and moving towards the door. It was good that he had locked the door, but he wished he had brought his clothes with him too.
As he slowly opened the door, Stella took a couple of steps back, but for someone as large as Brandon, it wasn't much of a distance. After all, Brandon didn't expect her to blend into his chest with just one step. Swallowing as she took another step back, Stella looked up at him. He could have the towel on, but if that towel fell, anything could happen at any moment!
"I..." Struggling to keep her gaze from lowering, Stella swallowed again. "Sky came and said something foolish. I wanted to make sure you were okay, did you have a fight?"
Although his desire hadn't subsided, Sky's bluntness had allowed Brandon to forget it a bit. What had he told Stella? Could he have told her the same things he had said to him? The desire for anger took its place beside his other emotions, and Brandon struggled not to close his eyes. But being half-naked made it even harder to express his feelings. "Let me change my clothes. We can talk, okay?"
Stella couldn't help but widen her eyes. Nodding, she quickly turned around and closed her eyes, "I'm sorry, it was so sudden!"
Brandon grinned, reaching his hand out to Stella, but perhaps remembering his situation, he quickly lowered his hand and hurried to his closet to change, surprising himself with his speed. Turning back to Stella, he noticed that the young girl's eyes were tightly shut and her head was bowed. Brandon looked up, seeking patience, waiting to collect himself. Would every movement of hers affect him this much? He thought that if Stella even spat, he would be enchanted by that too. As he headed towards one of the chairs in the room, it was hard for him to bypass Stella. He gently touched her arm and realized that she had already changed into a golden-toned dress. Looking into Stella's eyes meant getting lost there. Not just any outfit, even if a dinosaur cried right beside them, Brandon would only notice once Stella looked away. The yellow dress's skirt created a contrast against Brandon's gray floor, but to him, it seemed like the most beautiful color harmony he had ever seen. The thin straps looked like they were bearing the weight of the whole dress, and for a moment, Brandon couldn't help but wonder how those straps didn't break. Princess dresses were usually heavy. But even thinking about it led his thoughts to stray far, wondering if the straps would break and the dress would fall, how his heart would withstand that sight, how he would survive without dying? Damn it, as he thought this once more, an anger formed within him, and he shook himself to come to his senses.
Stella turned to him with her blushing cheeks, Brandon prayed for patience once more. Smiling at her, he guided her to the chair. As they both sat, Brandon involuntarily chose to sit a little further from her. He had come to understand himself and his mind, realizing that Stella was a red line.
"Sky asked me to stay away from you. What kind of fight could lead to that?"
For a moment, Brandon felt like he had taken a giant punch to the gut. How could Sky have betrayed him like this behind his back? And for what? Because he saw him protecting Stella? Or had he seen even more? How could that be when even Brandon was just realizing it himself...
"It's nothing, training must have worried him." Cursing his so-called best friend inwardly, Brandon noticed Stella's furrowed brows, clearly not believing him. When she realized she wouldn't get more out of him, she sighed and moved a bit closer, placing her hand on his leg and speaking in a whisper-like voice. Damn it! As an electric current ran through his body, Brandon flinched where Stella had touched and quickly caught her recoiling hand in mid-air. Reflex, but this time a reflex that, instead of helping, made things even more difficult. Brandon felt the place she had touched burning as if it were on fire. Damn it, princess, you don't even realize what you're doing to me. Both of them felt overwhelmed by the extended gaze, not oppressive but extremely intense. They were drowning. Stella swallowed and Brandon felt the weight of her hand slowly sliding across his palm, continuing until their palms touched. Brandon exhaled through his nose, he realized that the timing of all this, whether sooner or later, didn't really matter. What mattered was Stella, and she was right there with him. "Don't lie to me, Brandon." Her voice trembled even herself as Brandon suddenly intertwined their fingers and pulled her towards him. Stella's hand rested on his chest, his face slowly approached hers.
"Lying to you is not as easy as you think, princess."
Her breath cooled his face, Brandon watched her every move as if he wanted to memorize them. "I told you not to call me princess."
A smile appeared on Brandon's lips, and Stella felt butterflies in her stomach doing athletic flips that would make Aisha envious. Brandon's closeness didn't disturb her; it actually made her lose herself. She wanted it, his skin on hers, his breath in hers. Brandon's gaze fell on Stella's lips; she inwardly said, please, let it be. Don't hesitate, and do what I'm scared and hesitant to do myself. Stella wanted this because approaching Brandon the way she wanted and felt scared her. Brandon's presence alone was grand enough to create silence behind him. His steps shook the ground, and his words shook people. When his gaze fell on someone, that person wished to evaporate, but Stella wanted to evaporate with him. It hadn't been slow; it had descended into her suddenly like a revelation. She had surrendered herself to Brandon, and she felt no regret about it. Her heart was pounding in her throat, her hands were trembling, but she felt light inside.
"I have a lot of respect for you, Stella. But calling you princess is not something I do out of respect."
As Brandon gently tucked a strand of hair that had fallen over her face behind her ear, he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "Then why?"
When she raised her head, their noses touched. Brandon, being so close to her and knowing that he wasn't overstepping, was a great blessing he had come to understand a bit late. For Stella, he could accept being the king of Nyxoria without a second thought. If necessary, he would unleash the entire kingdom on Edden to shake the universe for her safety. He would do it for Stella. And that was the only thing that scared him: falling for her so quickly and getting lost. Whatever came out of Stella's two lips, Brandon would be ready to act without hesitation, sharpening his sword for whatever she wanted. "You're a princess because you are so beautiful, noble, kind, compassionate, and full of pride. Every step you take is decisive, every word you say is brave. I had only heard of a princess being this perfect. Although, you could be a queen too..."
His eyes narrowed with thought and Stella couldn't help but let her mouth fall open. What she heard, what Brandon said...
"Do you really think these things about me?"
"Think? Stella, this is you. I just voiced what I see."
Barely suppressing her smile as tears filled her eyes, Stella struggled to contain her laughter. Of course, what she heard had affected her in ways beyond just making her happy, but the fact that Brandon said it, in particular, had moved her the most. Because now, in a way that wasn't strange anymore, Stella could see why she placed so much importance on his words. This man she had just met. This man she had known for two weeks had gained such a place in her life that Stella found it hard to believe it was real. Brandon wiped away her tear with his palm and both of them sighed deeply. As he leaned his face towards hers and drew her face closer with the hand on her cheek, Brandon hesitated for a moment. Something was stopping him, and with Stella not yet closing her eyes, Brandon thought it was best to stop, but his whole being was on fire. Just as when angered, a cold shiver ran through him, now the opposite spread through him.
Stella shivered, blinking her eyes as she looked at Brandon with anticipation for a moment, but just then, the window in Brandon's room flew open with a massive gust of wind, slamming against the wall with a loud noise but miraculously not shattering. Stella jumped and moved closer to Brandon, who instantly stood up and pulled Stella behind him. His eyes narrowed in anger as he reached for his sword, which flew silently into his hand and activated. Stella stood up and transformed into her fairy form, but Brandon glanced at her and indicated for her to stay back. Stella ignored him.
Brandon rolled his eyes and couldn't help but sigh at the fairy's stubbornness, one of the most obvious traits of Stella, which he had just praised a moment ago. Now, he found it quite annoying. He had no idea how he would be prepared for potential threats in front of him as long as he knew she was standing behind him. He was certain that if anything happened to Stella, he would lose his mind. Just as Stella moved a bit further from Brandon, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back behind him, leaning towards her to whisper.
"If there's ever a danger, you will never be the one leading. I'm not underestimating you, but if you get hurt, not even the innocent will escape my wrath."
Stella looked at Brandon in shock, about to place her hands on her waist and object, when her eyes widened as she turned her head to follow the eagle that had flown in through the window. Her hands rose to create a shield but Brandon grabbed her hand and shook his head, making a clucking sound with his mouth, waiting for the eagle to come to him. The eagle slowed its flapping wings in front of Brandon, then perched on his shoulder and rubbed its beak against Brandon's cheek. Stella, experiencing another wave of astonishment, stared at Brandon. She had never seen an eagle so tame before. This was a first, and Brandon had not only spoken to it but also communicated with it.
"Is it yours?"
Brandon nodded in confirmation, his face looking quite stern. Stella bit her lip, feeling like she had spoken at the wrong time, and slowly moved away from Brandon, sitting on the arm of the couch. As she reverted from her fairy form, she gazed at Brandon, unable to understand why she felt so much admiration for him.
"What's wrong, Claw?" Stella raised her eyebrows at hearing the eagle's name, sucking in her lower lip. He has an eagle pet, named Claw, and here I am, standing here more than impressed and fascinated, watching him.
Brandon's eyebrows furrowed as Stella forgot everything she felt and watched him tensely. How was he communicating with the animal? Brandon slowly touched the eagle's beak, and Claw flew back out the window. Stella looked at Brandon's tense back, confused and starting to worry.
"Brandon?"
Slowly, Brandon turned towards Stella, taking a deep breath. As he walked towards her slowly, Stella looked at him with anticipation. Brandon examined her carefully, a storm brewing inside him, but he knew he wouldn't achieve anything by scaring her, so he continued their silent gaze. Stella didn't want to pressure him, but her anxiety had grown, her fear increased, and for some reason, she felt an unprecedented lack of confidence. Brandon reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"A ball is going to be held. Sky's mother is returning." Stella flinched and stared at Brandon. Samara was returning? She shouldn't be surprised because Samara didn't like Sky and her marriage, and she had lost her mind over it. It wasn't because she didn't want Stella, of course; on the contrary, she hadn't wanted Diaspro or Bloom either, but Stella was always a princess she admired from afar but never dared to ask for her. However, missing her only child's wedding and the very simple ceremony held by the Prince of Eraklyon had driven her crazy. Let her be, thought Stella. Samara was the last person she would worry about. Just as Erendor had suffered, Samara should get used to suffering as well. Although Stella had initially acted hostile towards the king, over time, she increased her defiance, thinking that as Erendor became worse, he would look more favorably and warmly towards Bloom. When Sky and Stella separated, Sky's divorce would undoubtedly stir up royal gossip, but just as Stella didn't care, Samara and Erendor would be just as affected by the gossip. Especially Samara, who would quickly look to remarry Sky, and they wouldn't find anyone as good as Bloom, the Princess of Domino.
Sighing, Stella shrugged off the good deed she had done for her estranged best friend. Even if they were not on speaking terms, she cared. Trying not to think about Bloom right now, she looked back at Brandon. He seemed excessively worried; why would a ball stress him out so much?
"Brandon? Why are you so stressed? And that eagle, sorry, Claw, how did it enter like that? Is it your pet? How did you train it like that? I read that eagles are rarely domesticated; Tecna mentioned it too. How did you manage? I should probably stop calling Claw it now, shouldn't I?"
Brandon dismissed the thoughts running through his mind and smiled. He wanted to hear as many answers to the questions she asked so quickly, impulsively, and excitedly. If Stella talked all day, Brandon would gladly listen without getting bored. Brandon's hand slowly moved to Stella's arm, his knuckles grazing her skin. Stella felt a shiver and swallowed hard.
"The queen has invited everyone, all kingdoms." Stella frowned and nodded but paused for a moment. She couldn't hear her heartbeat anymore. As her ears rang, she felt her world darken. The cold air entering through the open window made her shiver, and Brandon, approaching with concern, lifted her to her feet and slowly wrapped his arms around her. Stella's blood was so cold she couldn't even feel the thrill of the moment.
"Is he included too?" Brandon's arms around her tightened, but Stella was indifferent to the response from the muscles she admired. She felt Brandon nod, his chin on her head. Even though their closeness felt good, Stella couldn't hide her shivers.
"Don't worry, Stella, I'm here." Wetting her lips, she slowly raised her head to look at Brandon. She wished their gaze could last forever, but there was something she feared, and this fear was so immense that even Brandon's presence couldn't help her overcome it.
"Stella." Slowly, Brandon cupped her chin, prolonging their gaze a little more. "Don't be silent, tell me what you're thinking." She couldn't stop her eyes from welling up. Since leaving Solaria, it was the first time she felt valued. Apart from her father, no one had genuinely cared about her well-being. "Do you really care?"
Brandon paused for a moment, his thoughtful gaze wandering over Stella's face. He felt like doing something entirely different inside, but he knew that it was best not to show his real reaction for Stella's sake right now. Otherwise, the arrival of Edden Renoux had affected Brandon the most. He didn't know if this feeling was anger or rage, but he knew that right after Stella left this room, he would undergo the most intense training session he had ever done and personally oversee the ball's arrangement, ensuring all safety points for Stella. Returning his focus to Stella's question, he answered.
"Stella, it's not difficult for me to express it, but don't you think we're already dealing with too much right now?"
Stella bit her lip and scrutinized Brandon. She really wanted to hear it, but Brandon was right in many ways. What about her? What if she said it? It didn't matter to her who said it first or last, but Stella couldn't get her head around how this had happened so quickly. The problem wasn't that it hadn't happened before or was too absurd; Nabu and Aisha had confessed their love to each other in the same amount of time and had now taken a step into a very happy life. But what if theirs was different? She shuddered, and the thought of losing Brandon scared her even more. Deciding to leave it to time for now, she nodded and swallowed. Brandon stroked her cheek and tried to smile. "Why don't you go rest a bit, maybe decide on your ball gown?"
Stella, deep in thought, looked at the floor and then suddenly raised her head, her eyes shining as she looked at Brandon. This time, Brandon smiled more sincerely, wrapping his arms around Stella again, and she hugged him tightly, taking a deep breath. This was exactly what she needed.
To avoid lingering any longer, Stella stepped out of Brandon's arms, waved at him, and walked towards the door, but then suddenly stopped. "Brandon?"
Brandon raised his eyebrows, indicating he was listening. "What Sky said doesn't matter to me." Brandon nodded to show he understood but felt like there was more to hear. "If he says the same to you, what would it mean for you?"
Despite everything piling up, Brandon sighed, frustrated that only Stella's annoyance could annoy him. He knew girls tended to build more emotional scenarios in their heads. Stella was no different from them, he was sure of it. After all, a woman could turn something a man did into an entirely different scenario. Brandon had been irritated with Sky, but he couldn't even take his warning and threat seriously because Sky was too scared to even control his own shadow.
"There would probably be a punishment. Because Sky, the prince, if harmed, the king wouldn't like it." Stella wondered for a moment if Brandon had really understood what she meant. Finally, she nodded, showing she accepted it, then smiled and giggled, waving at Brandon again before leaving the room, unaware that she had left Brandon alone to face the most challenging night of his life.