Chapter 24

Chapter 24

I can't help but become increasingly curious about Troy. There's something about him that I need to uncover. I know I'm hiding something too, but it's different. Troy lives here in Tyreese... or does he? I'm not sure, and that's exactly what I need to find out.

"Where did you go?" The voice made me stop in my tracks. I looked up to see Troy leaning against a tree near his house. I hadn't even realized I was in front of his house, lost in thought as I was. Our eyes met, and the darkness in his green eyes revealed his frustration and concern for me. The more time I spend with him, the more I learn about him. I never knew he could care so much for someone.

I always saw him as cocky, annoying, and unserious, but seeing him now—troubled, worried, frustrated—it makes me wonder if I might have an effect on him. Maybe I'm not the only one who has fallen. Maybe he has feelings for me too. I don't want to assume, but my foolish heart can't help but feel it.

"I told you to stop meddling in my business," I said, trying to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. The devastated look on his face made my heart ache.

"How can I stop when I care so much about you? You're my girlfriend! You live under my roof, so you're my responsibility!" he said, his voice filled with frustration. I sighed heavily and met his gaze with a cold stare.

"Then... do you want me to leave? Should I go?" I asked, my voice icy. He closed his eyes tightly, his handsome face now a mix of confusion and frustration because of me. I've never seen him like this, but I need to do this. I need to understand everything about him, Troy because I have a feeling there's something hidden in his personality. Maybe I can reveal my true self once I know everything about him. But how can I do that when he keeps hiding things from me?

"No... I don't want you to leave..." he said weakly, pulling me into a hug. He rested my head on his chest and kissed the top of my head. I felt weak in his embrace. I just wanted to stay by his side all night, but I had to fight against my feelings.

I pulled away from his embrace. "I want to rest now," I said.

"Did you eat already?" he asked, studying my reaction. Now that he mentioned it, I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since earlier. I didn’t respond, so he took my hand and led me into his house.

"I cooked for you. I know you're hungry," he said, gesturing to a dining table filled with food. I saw three dishes that looked freshly prepared. Did he really cook all of this?

He pulled out a chair for me and made sure I was seated, then handed me a plate and utensils. He even served me some rice. "Which dish do you want?" he asked, looking at the three dishes he had prepared.

"This one," I said, pointing to a dish that looked like beef steak. He nodded and placed a piece on my plate. We ate in silence. This quiet, subdued atmosphere was unusual for us—normally, by now, Troy and I would be kissing. I felt a slight blush rise to my cheeks as I thought about it. I really need to stop thinking about our kisses, right?

Instead of getting lost in those thoughts, I should focus on asking Troy about his life. I swallowed hard and looked at him. He was eating quietly, so I took a bite and then spoke.

"Have you found her yet?" I asked directly. He furrowed his brow, clearly confused by my question. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What?" he asked, still puzzled. I took a deep breath.

"The girl you're supposed to marry. Have you found her yet, or do you even have any idea where to find her?" I asked curiously. He stared at me for a long moment, as if carefully considering how to answer.

"I don't even know who she is," he said honestly. I frowned at his response. He doesn't know who the girl he's supposed to marry is?

"You're joking, right?" I said, unable to believe it. He sighed deeply and looked down at his plate.

"They just told me I have to find her because that marriage is supposed to be important for the whole king—I mean, for the whole family," he said.

"How do you expect to find her if you don't even know what she looks like? Are you serious?" I asked, baffled.

"It doesn't matter anymore, Eli. I've already made up my mind. I'm not going to look for her," he said firmly, staring into my eyes. His words took me by surprise. He's not going to look for her anymore?

"But you told me it was important to your family. How can you just stop looking for her?" I questioned.

"No one is more important than you, Eli," he said directly. His words stirred something in my heart. Could he really be serious? Is he willing to give up this responsibility for me?

"So... please... let's make up already," he almost pleaded. I looked away, uncertain. Could it really be that simple? What if I just forget everything and accept Troy for who I thought he was? What if I just let go and keep feeling this way about him?

I was startled when Troy stood up and moved closer, taking the seat beside me. He held my hands and gently caressed them. His warmth enveloped my skin, and I couldn't deny how much I missed him.

"Nothing matters more than you, Eli..." he whispered, his voice full of longing. Tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart raced as I felt myself slipping back into the quicksand of my feelings for him.

I wanted to keep him, no matter who he really was. I wanted him so much. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close for a kiss. I felt his surprise, but he responded by holding my waist as our lips met. As the kiss deepened, the heat and longing I felt for him spread through my entire body.

I kissed him with all the passion I had, biting his lower lip and exploring every corner of his mouth. His moans fueled my desire, and soon I found myself sitting on his lap as we kissed passionately. We didn't care that we hadn't finished eating. We were completely absorbed in each other's warmth.

His hands slipped under my blouse, and I felt him unhook my bra, his warm palm pressing against my chest. He massaged my breasts like they were his favorite toy, making me moan as he simultaneously lowered the zipper of my pants. I felt his fingers teasing my wet folds.

"Ahhh..." I moaned again when he slipped two fingers inside me. I felt a mix of embarrassment and pleasure when he pulled them out, coated in my arousal.

"I missed you so much, my princess," he whispered in my ear, his breath hot as he licked it. My lips parted as his fingers moved faster, and I spread my legs wider, feeling the intensity build inside me. His other hand played with my nipple, pinching and teasing it.

"Troy… shit!" I whimpered as I reached my climax, feeling utterly weak as I rested my weight against his strong body. He stood up, and my legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, making me gasp as I felt something hard pressing against me. My sensitive bud reveled in the sensation of his arousal against mine.

He laid me down on his bed, and I watched him undress. I quickly followed suit, peeling off my clothes. His eyes lit up as he watched me, and then he pushed me back onto the bed, climbing over me.

"Fuck... I like you so much," he said, frustration in his voice, before kissing me with a desperate, relentless passion. His words only fueled the desire burning inside me. His eager kisses trailed down my neck, reaching the top of my chest. He massaged one of my breasts while licking and sucking the other.

"I'm going to taste every inch of your skin, my princess," he murmured sensually as his kisses continued down my body. I was on fire as his lips reached my womanhood, and I gasped when his tongue began exploring my wetness. The sensation was overwhelming.

"Troy… damn…" I moaned, lost in the pleasure as he sucked and licked my folds. The feeling was beyond anything I could comprehend, and when I reached my peak again, my toes curled, and my body felt drained.

"I'm not done with you yet," he said, his voice was husky as I felt the thick, strong length of his shaft press against my folds. He lifted my legs, draping them over his shoulders, preparing for more.

"I'm not letting you sleep tonight," he said with a fiery determination just before entering me. I moaned so loudly, that it felt like the whole town could hear me! Troy moved with such intensity, lifting my legs over his shoulders as he thrust into me. I could feel every inch of him, and although I knew he was staring at me intently, I didn’t care about how I looked. All I knew was how much I loved the sensations he was giving me.

"Fuck! You're so tight!" he groaned, thrusting even faster and more powerfully inside me. Just before I could reach my release, he stopped abruptly, pulling me onto the bed and turning me face down. He positioned himself behind me, lifted my hips, and entered me again from behind. I had no idea this kind of experience was even possible, but Troy was incredibly energetic tonight!

I couldn't stop moaning as we stayed in that position, but he wasn’t done. He pulled me again, this time sitting on the bed with me on his lap, and he entered me once more as I straddled him.

"Ride me," he whispered, his hands cupping my breasts and playing with them. The warmth spread through my body again as I started to move on top of him. He kissed me hungrily as I pumped up and down.

"That's it, my princess... come for me," his warm voice sent shivers through me. As I finally reached my climax, he followed immediately after. Exhausted, I collapsed onto the bed while Troy cleaned me up. When he was done, he lay down beside me and hugged me tightly.

I was too tired to speak, but just before sleep took over, I felt Troy kiss my cheek. I’m not sure if I imagined it, but I thought I heard him say, "I won't let them take you away from me..." before I drifted off to sleep.

I woke up to the sound of rustling outside the room. I reached for Troy, but he wasn’t there. Where did he go?

My brows furrowed when I noticed the lights were on outside the room. Is Troy awake? It’s only 2 a.m.! I thought I heard voices coming from outside, so I quickly wrapped a blanket around my naked body and pressed my ear to the door to listen.

"She's asleep," I heard Troy's voice say.

"Is that why you called me here at this hour?" If I'm not mistaken, that's John speaking.

"Just tell me everything you know, John," Troy replied, clearly irritated.

John chuckled. "Everything is fine. They still believe you're searching for the woman mentioned in the prophecy," John said.

The woman in the prophecy? Troy had mentioned something about that before...

"Are you sure you’re done looking for her? You know the council won’t accept any woman unless she’s the one from the prophecy," John added.

I’d heard about this council before, but I still didn’t know who they were. In my world, the council would refer to the officials in the Alpha King’s court. But that seems impossible. Maybe they’re talking about the council here in Tyreese?

"And you know the council won't accept a woman who isn't your ma—"

"I know. Do you think I haven’t considered that? I'm not stupid, John," Troy snapped, clearly frustrated. What was John about to say? He left his sentence unfinished, and now I’m even more confused!

"What about her brother? Do you have a plan for that? You know her family won’t stay quiet knowing she’s in your hands," John added. Who? Whose family? Damn it, I need to know more!

"Phoenix won’t just stand by and do nothing, Your Majesty," John said, making me freeze.

Did he just say "your majesty"? And... Phoenix? Is he talking about my brother? How do they know my brother?!