The Devil's Warrior Queen
Chapter 91: Picnic In The Woods

Chapter 91: Picnic In The Woods

"Let’s go." He said half heartedly as his gaze flickered over her.

She nodded in silence before cladding a robe over herself as they exited the manor. They proceeded into the dark forest, while she followed after him, placing one foot after the other to avoid tripping in the darkness.

She wanted to question him, but he was silent, too silent it unnerved her, making her only prepare for the worst as every flicker of hope was snuffed out of her in a beat.

Beneath the cover of a moonless sky, the dark woods exuded an air of mystique and quiet unease.

Trees, ancient sentinels, stood like towering specters, their gnarled branches intertwining overhead to create a tapestry that blocked out even the faintest starlight. Shadows danced amidst the undergrowth, whispering secrets to the wind that rustled through the leaves with a mournful sigh.

The forest floor was a carpet of damp leaves and fallen needles, muffling footsteps and an eerie hush broken only by the occasional distant hoot of an owl.

Faint glimmers of luminescent fungi clung to the base of trees, casting an otherworldly glow that revealed the twisted roots and hidden hollows.

The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, decaying wood, and the faint musk of unseen creatures.

As Rama ventured deeper, a sense of being watched seemed to settle upon her heart, as if the very woods themselves were sentient. The darkness clung to every corner, and even the most familiar trails seemed foreign and foreboding.

Her heart raced in fear and anticipation on the unsaid words hanging on Damien’s tongue. He hadn’t said anything other than requesting for her to follow him into the forest where their picnic would take place.

She clutched on her garb as she walked down the eerie path in silence, it wasn’t a far distance off as his manor was located precisely in the woods.

His silence defied words from rolling off her lips which made her tightlipped as she swallowed back her questions, while she racked her brain on his unnerving silence.

"We’re here." He announced after a few minutes walk away from the manor. They stopped and her eyes caught the sight before her.

Beneath the silver glow of the moon, a picnic spread of crimson velvet and antique silver glimmered amidst the ancient woods, an intricate bottle of wine and a basket of fruits seated at the middle.

A still lake which rippled in soft waves glimmered under the dim moonlight beside them, earning an ethereality in the shadowy forest.

Without an invitation, they both got seated on the spread, intensifying silence weighed over them like a veil.

The charming vampire lord’s porcelain skin contrasted with his dark attire as he poured deep red wine into delicate goblets.

For an unknown reason, Rama was both enchanted and cautious, her heart racing like distant thunder, while the flickering fireflies cast a soft, enchanting light around them, creating a scene that seemed to exist beyond time itself, but she barely relished in the beauty as trepidation weighed heavily in her heart.

She wondered why he hadn’t mentioned anything about his visit in the castle and his encounter with Draco. She knew whatever their discussion was, it didn’t end well.

She swallowed the uneasiness down her throat as Damien handed her a goblet sufficed with wine, a smile garnished on his face, the dark look had faded as if it had never been there.

With slightly trembling hands, she took hold of the goblet half filled with wine, making sure not to spill it. She inhaled the rich aroma of the expensive wine that strangely soothed her nerves, and when she took a sip, her uneasiness almost faded into thin air.

It tasted divine, bliss itself seemed to rest on her tongue as she savoured the exquisite taste.

"Lord Damien." She called, bringing his attention to her. He seemed lost, staring out into space as the soft gust of wind blew across his hair and face.

"Damien." He corrected, an unfathomable glimmer flashing across his eyes as he peered them into hers, they spoke of unsaid secrets, desires and longing, one she couldn’t decipher. They seemed so deep, she felt drowned staring into his crimson gaze.

"Damien." She repeated, as if familiarizing herself with just his name.

"How did it go with the King? Did you speak with him?" She queried, her heart banged loudly against her ribcage in her ears, as she waited with bated breath in suspense for his response.

"It went well, I was only in a bad mood earlier because of something else, there’s nothing for you to worry about." Damien said with a wide grin, squeezing her hand gently into his in assurance.

Divulging to her about the deal with Draco would only make her more agitated and disturbed, thereby distracting her from the real quest of winning her heart.

It would be easier to win her over if she was at ease with herself, her mind would be free of all unsettling situation and her heart would be more open for acceptance.

As if an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders, she sighed deeply in relief. A smile broke through her lips as she regained her composure. No words could explain the wave of solace that washed down on her at that moment.

"Thank you so much lor...Damien." She said with genuine gratitude.

"It’s alright. To avoid anymore issues, I think it’s best we get married as soon as possible." Damien said, leaving her dumbstruck for a moment.

The only option she weighed on was getting married to lord Damien and having a peaceful life, she didn’t care about courting or her feelings involved, she was only doing it for a logical reason and that was to protect Malika and be free from Draco.

It was an opportunity, rather than an option.

Still, it was a bit of a shocker for Damien to propose marriage so soon when he had given her time to think his confessions through and develop feelings for him, but now he seemed to be in a rush to tie the bond.

Damien waited for her response, as the vicinity was suddenly plunged in silence.

"Yes, you’re right. Why waste any more time?" She said, earning a grin of satisfaction on Damien’s face.

The least she could do was get to know him better before the wedding would commence, so she spent her time with him, gaining more knowledge of him better.

"I would love to familiarise myself better with you Damien." Rama said in a delicate voice.

He popped a grape into his mouth before speaking.

"I’ve been alive for a long time, even the entire night wouldn’t be enough to speak about myself." Damien said with a chuckle.

"We could start with your family. I still have no idea about your parents." She remarked, but his face suddenly darkened.

"They’re dead." He said stiffly and after a minute or two, his dark demeanour was replaced with a cheery one as he spoke about himself.

As they sat by the glimmering lake, the vampire lord’s voice was rich and melodious as he spoke of his centuries long journey, sharing tales of his encounters with the world’s greatest figures.

Rama listened with genuine interest, drawn to his charisma and captivated by his stories. Despite her unknown feelings, their conversation flowed seamlessly, a dance of shared thoughts and dreams that revealed the intricate layers of their personalities, even as destiny’s threads intertwined in different ways.

Sensing her openness, Damien revealed his vulnerable sides, expressing his feelings for her. She listened with a kind smile, touched by his honesty, but her heart remained distant, unknowingly yearning for an enigmatic darkness.

She could feel the sincerity in his words and the flicker of deep passions swirling amidst his crimson iris, declaring his unsaid love for her, yet it was nowhere close to her heart, as it had been taken captive without her awareness.

The air grew tense with palpable pressure as his gaze locked on hers, untamed desires swirling in his crimson gaze.

Her breath hitched as he leaned in on her, she became stiff as she realized he was about to kiss her.

He slipped his hand to rest on her neck, his slender fingers grazed her skin, but there was no tingle or spark elicited unlike when Draco touched her. His other hand curled on her waist, holding her like a lover before planting his lips gently on hers.

She stiffened even more as his lips pressed against hers, something was undoubtedly very wrong.

Neither his touch, nor his musky scent affected her in even the slightest, it was nothing like Draco’s that made her shudder under his very touch, or made her skin tingle with just a kiss that lingered longer in her mind, every sensation embedded deeply.

Her subconsciousness screamed hysterically.

A pair of glowing red eyes watched the scene unfold before him, within the thickest depths of darkness that swallowed his form and his jaws ticked in uneasiness, as displeasure flashed across his burning crimson ember gaze.