Chapter 12 : I Don't Care

Vika's POV I thought Asher was mad at me. I lifted my eyes and looked at his back. His shoulders and spine were stiff. Now and then, his hand tightened uncomfortably on my wrist. Was he mad at me? 'No, Vika, that is stupid! What would he be mad at you for?' I couldn't comfort myself. Asher had come to my defense in front of the princess. My heart raced at the thought, but I didn't know why he wasn't looking at me or talking to me. Asher brought me to a secluded clearing in the woods. I watched him glance around quickly before he faced me. "Are you hurt?" he asked sharply. "Nothing serious," I told him. He glared at me. Asher took a step toward me and grabbed my arm. He pushed my sleeves up, inspecting me for any injuries. "I said I was fine," I argued, trying to pull away. Asher growled. He fixed me with a hardened, angry look. I stopped struggling against him. Yup, he was definitely pissed. He pulled up the sleeve on my other arm and kept examining me. "Are you okay?" I asked him. I knew that his anger wasn't directed at me, but he was like a bomb that could go off at any minute. "I'm fine," Asher said with a sharp nod. "You sound a little tense," I pointed out timidly. Asher chuckled humorlessly and lifted his eyes to my face. His eyes softened, and he used his sleeve to wipe the spit off my face. "It passes quickly when I'm with you," he said. I felt my cheeks heat and turn red. He put his hands on either side of my neck and turned my head from side to side, still examining me for any injuries. I just let him. If it calmed him down to look me over, who was I to stop him? "Why'd you come back to defend me?" I asked. Asher sighed. He stopped his examination and gently caressed my throat with his thumbs. I closed my eyes as my skin tingled with warmth. "You know why," he said, his voice calmer now. "Prince…" I trailed off when Asher scoffed. He pulled his hands from my neck. I opened my eyes, brow creasing. "Asher," I spoke his name softly. Speaking his name aloud so informally tasted strange in my mouth, but it wasn't unpleasant. Taking my hands in his, he lifted them to his lips and kissed my fingertips. I smiled, small tickles running through my hands and arms. Thinking about what Princess Devi had done to him, I lifted his right hand and licked his index fingertip. I heard his breathing become heavier. How captivating he was. 'You really scored the jackpot with him, Vika. Now, if only we could find a way to get around our social statuses.' "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "For what?" I asked. "I'm not angry at you," he clarified. I shook my head, bringing my hand to his cheek. "I didn't think you were," I assured. Asher smiled. "I'm not going to let Devi lay a hand on you, ever," he promised. I sighed heavily, all the former warmth leaving my body rapidly. "Asher, you left the garden with me like that...." I trailed off, sighing and averting my eyes. "It wasn't a good idea." "Would you rather have me stand there and let you get hit? Do you think I could bear watching that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I took a step away from him, clasping my hands behind my back and looking down at the ground. "I'm a servant to a princess," I reminded him. "Running off with me like that will just raise suspicions and rumors." "I don't care," Asher said firmly. "But I do," I said calmly. "You're prince regent, so you don't have to worry about it. But suppose you're always stepping in and protecting me or taking me out of dangerous situations. In that case, those rumors are going to cause trouble for me. I'm just a maid. I don't have your standing." I looked up and met Asher's eyes. His face softened, and he nodded. Asher stepped closer to me, placing his hands gently on my shoulders. "I'm sorry, I didn't think of that," he said, genuinely apologetic. I smiled at him gently. "It's not that I don't appreciate the gesture," I added. "I can't help it," Asher said. "I have such a strong desire, no, a need to protect you." My stomach twisted at his confession. It made me so happy to hear that Asher wanted to protect me and take care of me. It was what any she-wolves wanted to hear from their mate. At the same time, it made me sad. I realized that Asher would probably continue to jeopardize his own relationships for my benefit. I knew he had a responsibility to the pack, and I didn't want him to compromise that. "I can look after myself, you know," I told him playfully. "I have a great teacher." Asher smirked at me, squeezing my shoulders with gentle, pleasant pressure. "You do at that," he said. "I'll make sure you can defend yourself properly." "Asher, we have to be careful," I said, stepping back from him again. His hands dropped from my shoulders. "Your attitude is dangerous for me. I mean… I'll be the one that takes the heat for anything that is discovered between us or even suspected between us." "I know. I won't ever let that happen," Asher promised. He took my hands in his, clasping them against his heart. I could feel the steady rhythm of his beating heart against my fingers. We were so deeply connected. I was getting in way too deep. I didn't even think I'd be able to get out now. "I don't love Devi," Asher said after a moment of silence. I creased my brow. "I don't love her at all. I don't feel anything toward her." "Why are you telling me that?" I asked. Asher's hands tightened on mine, pressing my palms against his warm, sculpted chest. The heat radiated through his shirt. "As her maid, you have to stand by and watch our interactions," he explained. "I don't want you to ever have to wonder if something has happened between the princess and me or if it is going to happen." I smiled at his assurances. It had hurt a little to watch Devi flirting with him, but I was glad to hear it aloud that he wasn't going to do anything with her. Stepping forward, I intended to kiss Asher, but we quickly broke apart when we heard footsteps through the trees. Another pack member appeared. I recognized Malcom, one of Asher's friends. "Asher," Malcom said. I stepped back, lowered my eyes, and headed to the ground. "Malcom," Asher greeted his friend. "We've got a few things that need your attention," Malcom said. "Give me a minute," Asher said. "I'll be right behind you." Malcom shrugged and turned around, heading far enough away that he couldn't hear us. I had a suspicion that he knew about Asher and me. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have felt the need to give us privacy. "I don't want to leave you alone," Asher admitted with a sigh. "I don't want you to get hurt again." "Asher, I'll be okay. I have a job to do, and so do you," I pointed out. Asher smirked at me. I saw him flick his eyes toward Malcom before he lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. I giggled under my breath, my stomach fluttering. I'd only ever seen royalty receive a kiss on the back of my hand. Asher knew how to make me feel special. "I have to get back to work anyway," I said. Asher nodded. "Alright. Please be careful," he said. "Avoid provoking Devi if you can. I'll probably be tied up for a while." "Go, be a prince," I said with a playful smile. Asher chuckled and shook his head. He raised his hand to my cheek. Nervously, I glanced over at Malcom, who still had his back to us. I leaned into Asher's touch as much as I could. "Tonight, the same meeting point," he said. It wasn't a request. Before I could answer, Asher left with Malcom. I wouldn't have a choice but to show up now.