Walking to the King, Brandon felt anger filling his lungs immediately. It was difficult to reside in a palace owned by the person he despised, to serve as his knight's commander. Brandon couldn't bring himself to look at him, knowing full well that his simmering anger would be too evident in the king's eyes.
"Brandon," said Erendor, acknowledging the presence of the man he trusted most. As always, Brandon kept his head lowered, avoiding meeting the king's gaze. "Up, son. We need to talk." The term of endearment grated on Brandon's nerves; he hated when the king addressed him that way.
"I'm leaving for Nyxoria, perhaps you've heard," Erendor continued. Brandon nodded curtly, attempting to conceal the storm of emotions swirling within him, though his stoic demeanor often hid his true feelings well. "I intend to negotiate with the king there, and surely he will accept our offer knowing you are on board."
Responding with only a subtle nod, Brandon surveyed the king from head to toe. This man had taken everything from him, his family, his home, and yet he expected Brandon's loyalty as if he owed him anything beyond the deep-seated hatred that consumed him.
Brandon's parents were nobles of Nyxoria who had fled their planet to escape the power struggles for the throne. Brandon's father, relinquishing his claim to the throne, simply desired a life of freedom with his family. However, Brandon's grandfather, the king of Nyxoria back than, was not willing to let them escape so easily. Upon discovering their intentions, they fled to another planet, with Eraklyon being the closest and safest option. For years, they lived peacefully on Eraklyon, until the king of Eraklyon learned of their true identity. Seeing them as a threat to his own kingdom, he ordered the execution of Brandon's family, sparing only Brandon himself due to a moment of hesitation prompted by Sky's presence. Before he could decide on Brandon's fate, a guard warned him of the potential consequences of such actions, preventing further bloodshed.
Realizing the precarious situation he was in, Erendor decided to keep Brandon in Eraklyon, integrating him into the kingdom's military and eventually appointing him as the commander of the knights. Though Brandon had earned that place himself. Brandon's uncle, who had attempted to reach out to him numerous times, likely sought his assistance in securing the throne of Nyxoria. However, Brandon was unwilling to return to a planet that his father had fled, suspecting that there were underlying reasons for his father's decision.
"It would have been better if you joined us there," Erendor remarked, hoping the young man would reconsider his stance.
"I don't think the king's mind would change only because I'm present in the room," Brandon replied, his tone firm. That wasn't the main reason behind his decision. He had promised Sky he would take care of Stella while he was away. Now, knowing the princess's boredom, he thought staying in Eraklyon would be a better choice.
"I disagree, son! Your uncle is dying to see you, even a little bit! He would welcome us if you were there," Erendor argued.
"I don't want him to welcome you in any way, though," Brandon thought to himself. Even this was enough for him to pass on the trip to Nyxoria. "I must stay with Princess Stella. Sky asked me to accompany her so she wouldn't feel left alone."
Erendor grimaced in distaste. Sky leaving for a mission on his second day of marriage had driven the king to madness. He was unable to control his son's behavior, and now this was not only affecting him but also Solaria. Wishing that Radius would not hear about this, he cleared his throat and nodded. "You're yet again clearing Sky's mistakes, Brandon. Thank you."
Brandon's gaze found the king's, and he had to hold himself back from expressing his disdain more openly. He never did anything for the king, not even once. The consequences of his actions were always connected to his own will or for Sky's good. Erendor was just a puppet, waiting his turn until Brandon found out how to take his revenge. Brandon's straight body and strict face directed at the king were enough for Erendor to sigh in envy. If only Sky were a little more like Brandon. His son had turned out to be a spoiled brat instead.
"My king, Princess Stella would like to see you," a servant announced causing for the king to shift nervously, unsure of what to expect from the princess. She would have every right to be upset because of his son's manners. "Don't make her wait, you moron!"
Brandon's gaze turned to the door, waiting to see the princess he had left in a chaotic situation. He felt his muscles relax as Stella's presence became visible. Her beige dress, which Brandon knew how soft its material was after he had grabbed her waist, floated gracefully around her as she walked to the king. Even her walk was elegant, and Brandon didn't think she was doing this on purpose. As royalty, they spent their whole lives learning how to act in every possible way. Sky too was always educated and toughened, but he moved as carelessly as a log. Meanwhile, Stella moved with a magical grace in every step she took.
Showing her courtesy, Stella glanced towards Brandon, greeting him with a small nod. Brandon had to keep himself from raising his eyebrows in shock. It was not difficult to understand what a good person the princess was. Every movement of the girl was adorned with elegance, and he was becoming more and more certain that there was not a single evil bone in her body. It was possible, why not? There was no rule in the universe that everyone would be bad. The problem was that there were very few people who grew up in royalty who became evil later. Besides, he had never seen anyone this beautiful. Even if a person was not spoiled by wealth, ornaments, and sight, how could she not be spoiled by this beauty when she looked at herself in the mirror?
Shaking his head slightly, Brandon raised his gaze to look at her again. She was hiding her hands behind herself, as if there was anything to hide. She was obviously nervous but wasn't aware that the king also was too nervous seeing her in front of him, fearing that she was there to hold him accountable for Sky's leaving. Shifting in his place again, the king cleared his throat before speaking, "Yes, Princess? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Stella tried to push her anxiety by playing with her ring. Her posture didn't give any signs of anxiety to the king or anyone else, but Brandon was aware she was nervous. Stella nodded her head, her eyes fixed on the throne, then shifted to meet the king's gaze. Her body stiffened immediately. Stella never liked Erendor, mainly because of how he treated her best friend and the things Bloom had been through because of him. Right now, she tried to mask the disgust growing in her stomach as the king smiled at her.
"I wanted to ask for a favor," murmured Stella. Already having the attention in the room, her words brought another wave of curiosity.
"Of course!" said the king, causing the princess to jump in surprise at his high-pitched voice. Brandon frowned, observing the king's extreme reaction. "Anything at all, whatever you want."
Kiss ass, thought Brandon as his grip on his sword tightened. Every time he had to speak to the king, his hand would grip the sword as if he were gaining patience from there. His eyes shifted to Stella, who was still playing with her ring behind her back. He couldn't help the smile forming on his lips. Just like she was doing right now.
"I used to have self-defense trainings in Solaria. I wanted to continue these if you could arrange a space for me outside in the forest."
The king was speechless. His nervousness had left his body the moment Stella asked him for a favor, but now, listening to her request, he was filled with boredom. "Princess, I would love to help you with a space inside the gates of the palace. The forest would be too dangerous for you, I'm afraid. Eraklyon is filled with wild monsters."
Stella frowned. Was this man not aware that Stella was the guardian fairy of the celestial bodies? She had fought in far too many wars and was an Enchantix Fairy. The monsters were the main reason why she had asked for a space in the forest. She wanted to improve her moon powers in case she ran out of solar energy. It was only natural to ask for a space in the forest since the castle was built terribly, blocking all her sources. The light coming from the palace and around it was blocking the stars, and Stella had to use her imagination to find out which star was where. The moon was hiding behind the trees that the king himself had asked the fairy of nature to block the moonlight since it was getting inside his room, making him uncomfortable. As for the sun, there was no sun here. Obviously, because Eraklyon was placed in the middle of two large planets, Nyxoria, the planet of darkness, and Solaria, the planet of shining sun, which absorbed all the sunlight to itself.
"That's exactly why I want a space in the forest; I must keep training. Besides, there's no sun in Eraklyon. I have to stay up to empower myself with the moon and the stars instead."
Erendor frowned. He didn't like Stella's request, not even a bit. What bothered him, however, wasn't the fact that Stella could get hurt or anything. His discomfort was because he'd have a lot to deal with in the forest. The king always ignored the needs of the forest, knowing that no one would want to go there unless they were out of their mind. Stella, seeing the forest's condition, would create a displeased impression. Perhaps she might even cause people to make remarks about the king's insufficient care of his kingdom.
Not hearing any response from the king fueled Stella's anger, "With all due respect, King Erendor, I will keep training. Just because I'm married doesn't mean that I'm chained in the palace. If you're not going to help me arrange an area, I can do it myself," Stella asserted firmly. Brandon watched her stunned, he had to hide his smile with a fake cough. Though Stella's words were respectful, they carried a rebellious undertone that was hard to ignore. Erendor froze, realizing the implications of Stella's defiance, especially after Sky's disrespectful behavior on his second day of marriage. Taking a deep breath and cursing his son internally, he reluctantly nodded.
"Of course, I'll help you, Stella," he conceded, though part of him wondered what would have happened if Sky had married Bloom instead. Stella's rebellious nature and combative spirit, which he had previously dismissed as inconsequential, now seemed more concerning. "Though you could practice inside the walls until the area is ready. After all, we do have to secure the place."
Sighing, Stella nodded, her grip on her ring tightening. "I understand. Thank you, Your Highness."
She turned away, gracefully curtsying to the king before making her exit. Brandon's gaze instantly met hers, both silently acknowledging the fleeting moment of connection amidst the tense atmosphere created by the king's presence. Stella nodded to him with the same elegance as before, and Brandon, without breaking eye contact, bowed to her in return, his movements mirroring the respect he held for her. Stella hurriedly left the hall, her steps appearing almost ethereal to Brandon. How could she maintain such grace, even in moments of urgency?
"Brandon," Erendor called out, finally drawing the knight's attention away from the doorway through which Stella had exited. "Can you take care of the princess's request?"
Brandon was the only person in the kingdom whom Erendor couldn't simply order around. As the knight of Eraklyon and Nyxoria, Brandon held a unique position of authority that made him indispensable. His uncle, ruler of Nyxoria, had eagerly welcomed Brandon's presence, even if it meant Brandon spent most of his time in Eraklyon. Brandon suspected his uncle harbored guilt over Brandon's parents' deaths and saw in him a potential heir to the throne.
Erendor observed the knight anxiously, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. "I can," Brandon replied with his usual sternness. Erendor breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Brandon's compliance. "Great! Please make sure she doesn't get hurt. I really have too much to deal with, and having Radius's fury on me as well is the last thing I want."
Brandon, focusing only on the task of ensuring Stella's safety, nodded in acknowledgment. "If there isn't anything else to discuss, I would like to examine the squires and training grounds," he stated, seeking to end the conversation. With a smile, the king gestured for Brandon to proceed, and with a curt nod, Brandon departed from the room.
As Stella wandered through the greenhouse Flora had lovingly created for the king, she found solace in the soothing aroma of the flowers. Memories flooded her mind of the countless battles she and her friends had fought over Flora's beloved plants back in their dormitory. Those vibrant, animated flowers had been a constant source of chaos and frustration for the Winx.
Each of Stella's friends had their own grievances with Flora's botanical companions. Musa couldn't stand the high-pitched noise some of the flowers emitted whenever she tried to sing. Tecna despised the cacti for draining the room's electrical power, leaving her technology useless. Aisha had been targeted by spitting flowers during her sleep, while Bloom found the sentient, chatty flowers downright unnerving.
Sitting amidst the greenery, Stella allowed herself to finally release the pent-up emotions she'd been holding back. Tears streamed down her cheeks, accompanied by hiccups and sobs that echoed through the greenhouse. In a tender moment of empathy, one of the flowers extended a petal to gently wipe away her tears, offering silent comfort in her time of need.
The weight of her situation pressed heavily on Stella's shoulders. Despite the facade of marriage, Sky's controlling behavior was wearing on her nerves after only two days. How much longer could she endure being locked away like this? Stella knew she wouldn't last if Sky continued to assert his authority over her in such a suffocating manner.
As Stella sat amidst the comforting embrace of Flora's plants, their vines gently encircling her in a comforting hug, her tears continued to flow freely. The earthy aroma of the greenhouse enveloped her, offering a sense of tranquility amidst her turmoil. Flora had always taught her that nature had a way of absorbing negativity, providing solace to those in need. Stella found herself clinging to that belief now, hoping that by releasing her tears, she could alleviate the heaviness in her heart.
Slowly, as her sobs subsided, the vines began to retreat, revealing her beige dress once more. But before she could fully compose herself, a voice shattered the silence of the greenhouse. "Even the nature refuses to see you sad." Stella tensed, startled by the unexpected intrusion. As Brandon knelt beside her, his presence both comforting and unexpected, he wiped away a lingering tear with a gentle touch.
"What's wrong?" His voice was soft, filled with genuine concern, and Stella found herself unable to look away from his gaze. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But the weight of her emotions was too heavy to bear alone, and she found herself opening up to him, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't want to be here," she confessed, her vulnerability laid bare in that simple statement. Brandon sighed, looking around for a better place to sit. They were at the back of the greenhouse, out of sight. Brandon was only lucky to find her since the guards had informed him that they had seen her enter the greenhouse an hour ago. Had she been crying all this time? He didn't know why he cared, nor did he understand why he felt so nervous. Her tears bothered him somehow, along with her hoarse voice, red eyes, trembling, and cold body. Gulping down his unease, he sat up, disliking the inner voice that urged him to hold her in his arms.
Stella followed him as he scanned their surroundings, anxiety immediately flooding her. She knew she shouldn't be too open with Brandon like this, but her mouth always seemed to misbehave in his presence.
"Sky will be back tomorrow. You don't have to worry," he reassured her, though Stella frowned, wondering how Sky's return would ease her nervousness. "He shouldn't if he wants to live," she murmured, attempting to stand up but failing due to her dress. Brandon looked at her, confusion clouding his expression at her words. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't hesitate to use his sword to swiftly end their words for good. But it was Stella who spoke. Brandon scratched his neck, unsure how to react to her words as she continued to struggle to rise.
As he watched her, he noticed she was struggling in another way. It was difficult to maintain a composed expression as he observed her flushed, overwhelmed face. Without even realizing it, his hand reached for her waist, grasping it tightly and lifting her to her feet with a swift motion that made it seem effortless, as if she weighed nothing. His hands then moved to her back, his actions guided purely by instinct. Stella's hands found their way to his shoulders, finding Brandon's touch not at all disturbing.
The knight stood there for a good ten seconds, captivated by her shining amber eyes. His heart began to beat faster, and he gulped, feeling the need to maintain his guard for his own sake as he lowered his hands. In response, Stella took a step back herself, uncertain of what had just transpired. "I would…" started Brandon, cursing himself inwardly for the way his voice betrayed him. "I would have to…" What in the world was wrong with him?! Stella blinked, puzzled by the knight's apparent difficulty in speaking. Had she done something to upset him?
"Brandon?" she asked, her tone tinged with concern as she observed his distress.
Brandon halted, hearing her say his name, the growing sensation inside him almost making him feel sick. Taking a step back, he struggled to control the overwhelming emotions surging within him. "I would have to warn you," he tried again, but it was futile. Stella giggled, teasingly pressing on his overwhelmed state. "Are you trying to warn me about talking to Sky this way?"
Brandon nodded, avoiding Stella's gaze and absentmindedly brushing his hands together, still caught up in the memory of the texture of her dress. He shook his head, feeling ashamed of his intrusive thoughts. "Well, I'm sorry, sir, but I don't care," Stella continued, her frustration evident. "Sky is acting like a jerk, leaving me behind and informing me a day later. Do you know how useless I felt? I agreed to this to save us both, but he is the one who didn't have any other choice, not me!"
Brandon frowned, looking at the princess with confusion. "You had another choice?" he asked, perplexed. Stella began to walk towards the exit, her steps halting at his question. She stopped in her tracks, swiftly turning to face him.
"Of course I did!" she exclaimed, her voice rising involuntarily. "I could have easily run away. My father would have done anything to hide me!" She wasn't sure why she was yelling; Brandon was calmly talking to her, but perhaps the anger she felt towards Sky was seeping out.
"Why did you do it then?" Stella breathed heavily, regretting her decision to yell and walk simultaneously. Brandon approached her cautiously, his gaze fixed on her as she struggled to control her breathing.
He attempted to hold himself back, to maintain his usual demeanor of coldness and indifference. He had never acted otherwise before; it was simply the person he had always been. But now, he found himself experiencing a tumult of emotions he couldn't suppress, no matter how much he wished to. And he cared. He cared far more than he dared to admit, especially to himself. He cared about the princess of Solaria, even though he knew he shouldn't.
"Because my best friend was in pain!" Stella continued, her voice still raised as she poured out her frustration. "Because Sky didn't have any other choice, and he's a coward when it comes to his father's orders! He would have accepted Diaspro as his wife and forsaken the love he shares with Bloom!"
Stella realized she needed to rein in her anger, but it seemed impossible to contain. Brandon, sensing the escalating tension, pressed a button on the wall, causing the greenhouse to seal itself off. The light turned green, the doors closing, and the plants growing in alarm, surrounding them through the walls.
Stella's eyes widened in alarm as her hands began to glow brightly, instinctively reacting to the situation. "You should lower your voice, Princess. This matter should not be discussed so openly," Brandon cautioned, his tone firm.
Stella rolled her eyes, her hands dropping to her sides. "You accepted this for your best friend?" he questioned, his disbelief evident. He didn't want to accept this reality. He didn't want to believe that she was capable of such selflessness, for his own sake. She was clearly devastated, while Sky and Bloom were out there carrying on as if nothing had changed, inadvertently blocking Stella's path forward. Anger surged within Brandon, causing him to clench his fists tightly to restrain himself. He could sense that the Solarian princess was on the verge of causing something significant to happen, though he couldn't quite discern what. Every instinct screamed at him to stay back, to maintain his distance, but his muscles seemed to defy his better judgment as he took a step forward.
"I…" Stella began, feeling as though all her previous yelling had robbed her of her ability to articulate a response. Bloom had been right; she had acted selfishly, and Stella was forced to acknowledge it. Yet, if Stella didn't have Bloom by her side, it wouldn't matter as much. What did matter, however, was Bloom's happiness, unlike Stella's current state of despair. Closing her eyes, another tear escaped, surprising Stella with its presence. "How ironic," she thought, "I sacrificed myself again. Even when I believed I was being selfish, it was ultimately to alleviate Bloom's guilt. It wasn't for me, once again."
Chills ran down Stella's back as she realized no one seemed to care about her. She reached out to grasp onto something, but the plants had surrounded the room, their thorns extending to protect themselves. Instinctively, her hand pressed against the wall to steady herself. In an instant, she felt the prick of thorns piercing her hand, and simultaneously, Brandon grabbed her waist, pulling her towards him. Stella found herself pressed tightly against his body, his concern evident on his face. She bit her lip to suppress a painful moan.
"Are you okay?" Brandon asked, his voice laced with worry. He gently took her injured hand to inspect the damage, mindful that the thorns could be venomous. Guiding her to sit down, he knelt in front of her, reaching behind him to retrieve a small bottle from his belt. With one hand supporting her, he held the bottle in the other, opening the lid with his teeth before tossing it aside. He then tilted Stella's head back, helping her to swallow the potion.
Stella didn't waste time explaining that she possessed regenerative powers in case of poisoning. Instead, she hoped that whatever she drank would help alleviate the ache in her heart. "Stella?" Brandon gently cupped her face, his eyes searching hers carefully as he inspected her for any signs of distress. "I'm fine," she murmured softly, a small shiver running through her at the sound of him calling her by her name. Brandon let out a deep breath, feeling as though five years of his life had been drained away by the stress and worry he had just experienced. Stella's shoulders slumped, her frame seeming smaller and weaker than ever before.
"I always sacrifice myself for the people I love," she whispered, her heart still pounding, perhaps as an aftereffect of the potion, she thought. Brandon sank down to the floor beside her, his hands still cradling her cheeks, finding it difficult to let go. But he knew he had to, aware that he shouldn't even be touching the princess without her explicit consent.
"But no one cares for me," Stella continued, her words heavy with the weight of her emotions. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of those words settle inside her.
"I'm sure your father would do anything to protect you," Brandon offered softly, his voice filled with empathy.
Stella nodded, not even considering her father as someone who would exploit her. Bloom, too, would never do anything to hurt her, but Stella couldn't deny her best friend's selfish actions, despite her attempts to rationalize them. "You're right. I meant my friends."
Brandon looked up, trying to quell the turmoil within him. His emotions were in complete disarray, each feeling overwhelming in its intensity. His hands itched to hold her and caress her cheeks once more. His worry gnawed at him, barely restraining himself from lifting her up to seek reassurance that she was still healthy and would live a long life. He had to know! If only he were a lion, he could roar away these tumultuous emotions.
Lowering his head, he gulped, aware that she was watching him. Her amber eyes still shimmered, and Brandon couldn't bear the thought of seeing them lose their sparkle. "You can break the deal. Nothing is more important than you," he murmured, his voice tinged with urgency. Stella blinked, unsure if Brandon's words were meant to affect her as deeply as they did. "Aren't you worried that Sky would be unhappy?"
No, Brandon realized, surprising himself with the certainty of his answer. I care for your happiness more. But why? He couldn't quite grasp the reason behind his intense feelings.
"He'll manage," He replied, as Stella shook her head and sighed to herself. "I can't do this to Bloom."
Frowning, Brandon had to bite his tongue to refrain from sharing his thoughts with her. Stella lifted her eyes from her hands, but avoided locking gazes with him again. She gulped, feeling the warmth spreading in her abdomen as he drew closer. Her cheeks flushed as she scrutinized his face. His chin was firm, though clenched for some reason. His emerald eyes traced her features, mirroring the way her amber eyes roamed his face. His lips were full, inviting, if she had to be honest. And honesty was always paramount for Stella. He parted his lips, and Stella waited eagerly.
"What are you running from?" he murmured, sending shivers down her spine. She lowered her gaze, certain that the greenery around them couldn't conceal her crimson cheeks. "It's who I'm running from," she murmured back. "Edden Renoux," she whispered, the mere mention of his name sending a shudder through her.
Noticing her reaction, Brandon felt his instincts surge. He knew who Edden Renoux was. Everyone did. Stella's eyes remained fixed on her hands, now bearing down on her palms with her nails. Brandon reached out, gently taking her hands in his and slowly prying her fingers open to ease her tension.
"I thought your father was behind the plan for you and Sky to marry. I'm guessing he's not pressuring you to marry someone you don't want to," Brandon stated, his voice gentle yet probing. Stella nodded, her gaze still fixed on her hands, though this time for a different reason. His touch on hers was calming, sending soothing waves through her body. "He's not the one pressuring me," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gulping, Brandon took a deep breath, unsure if he was ready to hear the rest. Anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. "Who is?" he asked, his tone edged with concern and frustration. Summoning her courage, Stella met his gaze, her lip caught between her teeth. With a slight tilt of her head, she whispered, "Edden is." Brandon sucked in a sharp breath, though he had anticipated her answer, hearing it still stung.
"He's strangely obsessed with me. Even though I'm sure I never did anything to provoke it," Stella explained, her eyes searching his for understanding. Brandon frowned, his muscles tensing with suppressed fury. He was too afraid to speak, fearing that his words might escape as a growl. But Stella was waiting for his response, expecting him to say something.
"People who are sick in the head don't need reasons," Brandon finally uttered, his voice tight with restrained anger. She blinked, letting Brandon's words sink in. Her lips trembled, finding it hard to believe that Stella of Solaria was allowing herself to be so vulnerable in front of someone she barely knew. Yet, Brandon wasn't making her feel uncomfortable. In fact, no one had ever made her feel this comfortable, enabling her to open up like this.
"He followed me everywhere I went and threatened my father," Stella continued, her fists clenched as her eyes burned with fury. "After my mother died, my father struggled to maintain control over both planets. Balancing takes time, and normally my father wouldn't have struggled this much. But Edden kept pushing him. He threatened my father with war if he didn't agree to give my hand in marriage."
At some point, anger alone couldn't describe what Brandon was feeling. He listened intently, carefully examining Stella's face. Brandon knew exactly who Stella was talking about. Stella sighed, a strange sense of relief washing over her. "My father and Bloom agreed to this plan. So whatever is bothering me now is nothing compared to what could have happened to me."
Her cheeks took on a darker hue, and Brandon wondered if she was blushing. He wished the room wasn't bathed in green light so he could see her reddened cheeks clearly. "At least I'm safe now," Stella added, but her anxiety was palpable, shaking Brandon to his core. He knew who Stella was talking about. His eyes scanned the beautiful princess once more, noting the exhaustion etched into her features. Yet, there was also a sense of relief. Perhaps confiding in someone had brought her some measure of peace.
But Brandon couldn't evade the truth any longer. He knew exactly who Edden Renoux was. His last attempt to distract himself by focusing on the soft skin in his palms proved futile. He was still holding Stella's hands, trying to prevent her from digging her nails into her palms. A flood of memories washed over him, the warmth of the princess's hands failing to dispel the darkness clouding his mind. Edden Renoux. Brandon knew him all too well.
Taking a deep breath, he fixed his gaze on Stella's pretty face once more, but this time not as a means of distraction. His heart roared with overwhelming emotions, though he couldn't express them aloud. Edden Renoux was the only man in the universe capable of invoking such darkness within Brandon. Their last encounter had ended only because a third enemy had intervened, forcing them to save themselves first.
Brandon knew they were evenly matched in power and skill. Both were hailed as the greatest knights in the universe, despite their mutual disdain for each other. Crossing paths would inevitably lead to another clash, with only one of them likely to emerge victorious. Stella's amber eyes searched his, her confusion evident as Brandon's emerald gaze held hers, his heart filled with a strange emotion. While he had never been afraid to face Edden, standing fearless in front of him, Brandon's heart refused to remain indifferent. It raced, betraying his calm exterior.
Stella frowned, unsure of why Brandon was looking at her like that. But this time would be different. Because Brandon knew, even though he didn't want to voice it aloud and cause Stella undue worry, he knew Edden. He was an obsessed psychopath. If he wanted something, no mere marriage contract or law would be enough to deter him.
As Stella's soft, pink lips parted, their color etched into Brandon's memory, he heard a voice within him speak the obvious truth: He'll come back for her. That day would mark their second encounter, and Brandon would rather face death than surrender Stella to him.