Contract With The Alpha King
Contract 43

Chapter

43

"Alright, we have been walking for quite some time now. Can you at least give me a clue as to where we're going?" Fiona asked, glancing at Elijah's back. They had just gotten married that morning, and now Elijah was leading her through the maze at the palace. The maze was dense with tall hedges, each path twisting and turning in a way that made it easy to lose track of direction. Fiona felt a bit disoriented, unsure of where they were headed.

"You know... this maze is disorienting me," she added, a small hint of frustration in her voice as she trailed behind him.

Elijah glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He seemed perfectly at ease as if he knew every turn and twist like the back of his hand.

"I used to play in this maze when I was younger," Elijah said casually, his voice calm. "I would hide here from my father whenever I didn't want to deal with the royal duties. It became my escape."

Fiona raised her eyebrows, surprised by the confession. The thought of Elijah as a boy, avoiding responsibilities and hiding in the maze, made him seem more human, and more approachable.

"Is that why you brought me here?" she asked, half-joking. "So we can hide from everything?"

Elijah stopped suddenly and turned to face her. Before she could react, he pulled her toward him, his hands gentle but firm. He leaned in and pressed his lips softly to hers. The kiss was brief-just enough to send a flutter through her-but he pulled away almost immediately, a teasing smile playing on his face.

"If I told you right

way, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" he said, his tone light but affectionate.

Fiona blinked, still caught off guard by the sudden kiss, but she smiled back, shaking her head. She glanced up at the sky, noticing that it was beginning to get dark. A soft dusk was settling over them, casting shadows through the maze, and a small knot of worry tightened in her stomach.

"Are you sure we won't get lost? It's starting to get dark," she said, her voice betraying a hint of concern.

Elijah's smile didn't falter. "It won't happen. I know exactly where we're going."

Fiona wasn't entirely convinced, but despite her apprehension, she trusted him. There was something about the way Elijah moved through the maze, confident and sure, that reassured her. He continued walking, leading her deeper into the winding paths, the tall hedges towering over them on either side. Even though the maze felt more daunting as the light faded, Fiona followed him without question.

Elijah didn't speak much as they walked, but his presence alone made her feel safe. Despite her lingering fear of getting lost, she kept her steps steady, her trust in him growing with every turn they took. And Elijah did not disappoint.

After what felt like forever, they arrived at a clearing in the maze, and Fiona's breath caught in her throat. Before her lay a beautiful lake, its surface reflecting the deepening twilight. The water was still, except for the gentle ripples caused by the soft breeze. Tiny bees hovered just above the surface, their golden bodies catching the fading light, making them look like stars dancing on the water. It was mesmerizing, almost as if the lake had its own quiet, magical glow.

She immediately noticed the narrow wooden bridge that stretched across the water, leading to a small covered seating area in the middle of the lake. The structure was simple but elegant, with soft drapes tied back to reveal a table set for two. Candlelight flickered in the middle of the table, casting a warm, inviting glow that reflected off the surface of the water below. The surrounding air was fragrant with the scent of roses, their delicate perfume wrapping around Fiona like a gentle embrace.

Fiona froze, her heart swelling with emotion. She looked around in awe, taking in the scene that felt too perfect, too surreal -like something straight out of a movie. This was the first time anyone had treated her like this. The careful thought behind. every detail, the beauty of the setting-it overwhelmed her. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. She wanted to thank Elijah, but before she could replace the words, she felt his hand tighten around hers.

"Shall we?" Elijah's voice was soft, steady, and filled with warmtli

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Chapter 43

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Fiona looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She nodded, unable to trust her voice at that moment. Without saying anything else, they began walking toward the bridge, Elijah guiding her with gentle assurance. As they crossed, the soft sounds of the water lapping against the bridge's wooden posts filled the quiet air, and Fiona felt herself relax, the earlier tension from the maze fading away.

When they reached the covered seating area, Elijah pulled out a chair for her, and Fiona sat down, still taking in the romantic setting around them. The candles flickered in the gentle evening breeze, casting a soft glow that made the entire scene feel like a dream. Elijah took his seat across from her, his eyes never leaving her face. Fiona finally found her voice, but the emotions were still so raw that she didn't know where to start.

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"This place- This is very beautiful," Fiona said. She had so many things to say, so many emotions she wanted him to know, but all she could say was, "Thank you."

"This place... belonged to my mother," Elijah said. Surprisingly, his voice was calm. "She created those gardens, planted its first roses... designed this seating area and everything around it. "Including the lake?" she asked.

Elijah nodded. "This lake was created by my mother... as a gift to me." Elijah held Fiona's hand as he added, "Not even my father is allowed to stay here."

Fiona frowned. She thought about meeting the King in the maze. "Not even in the maze?" she asked.

"He is allowed to visit the outskirts of the maze but not this part."

Fiona nodded.

"Now, I am sharing it with you," Elijah said.

Fiona didn't know what to say.

Soon enough, the two started their meal. As they began to eat, the conversation flowed naturally. Elijah calmly shared more stories about his childhood in the maze and the special connection he had with this hidden sanctuary. Fiona listened intently, touched by how personal this place was to him.

Halfway through their meal, Fiona noticed a sudden burst of color in the sky. She gasped softly, looking up just as the night erupted into light. Perfectly timed fireworks lit up the sky in vibrant shades of red, gold, and blue. The display was close enough to feel intimate, yet distant enough that they could see each explosion clearly from their spot by the lake. It was as if the entire show had been arranged just for them.

Fiona smiled, her face lighting up with pure joy as she watched the fireworks crackle across the sky. She couldn't help but feel like a part of something larger, something beautiful and perfect in its timing. For a moment, she forgot everything else -forget the politics, the dangers, and the world beyond this lake. Right now, it was just her, Elijah, and the brilliant light above them.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, still gazing at the sky, her voice soft and gentle.

Elijah didn't look up at the fireworks. Instead, his eyes were fixed on her, watching her reaction. He leaned in slightly, his voice low but filled with warmth. "You're beautiful."

Fiona turned her head, replaceing his gray eyes locked on her face. The fireworks continued to light up the sky, but all she could focus on was the way Elijah was looking at her.

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