Ava clutched her cloak tighter around her slender frame as she made her way back toward the palace. The night air was crisp, whispering secrets against her skin. She had merely wished for a moment alone, a simple stroll beneath the stars but a prickling at the back of her neck warned her otherwise.
She paused, her heart quickening. "Who goes there?" she called, her voice firm despite her unease.
A low chuckle answered her, and out from the shadows stepped none other than Lord Gabriel Flynn.
"You know," he said with an infuriating smirk, "a young lady ought not to wander alone at such an hour. You could easily fall prey to men who cannot control their baser instincts."
Ava scoffed, folding her arms. "You mean men like you?"
Gabriel's smile faltered, his brows drawing together. "I do not see how this has ought to do with me. I was merely ensuring you returned safely. You would not even have known I was here, were you not so… vigilant."
Rolling her eyes, Ava swept past him without another word.
Gabriel moved quickly, positioning himself in her path once more. "The way I see it, you have been avoiding me, my lady. What have I done to earn such disdain?"
"Move," Ava demanded coldly.
"I shall not," he said, standing his ground. "Not until you speak to me. I have tried to extend friendship, yet you spurn me at every turn."
"I do not seek your acquaintance, nor your friendship," Ava said sharply. "Now move, Lord Flynn, before I forget myself."
Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Can we not set aside our differences? Surely you cannot deny that I have made your time here somewhat bearable. I leave for my kingdom at dawn… I wished to see you before I departed."
Ava stilled, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Slowly, she lifted her chin.
"Then allow me to make my sentiments plain: please leave, and do not return. I wish never to lay eyes upon you again. Goodbye, Lord Flynn."
She brushed past him once more, but fury burned in Gabriel's chest. He seized her by the shoulders, spinning her to face him.
"Why do you hate me so?" he demanded, his voice rough with emotion. "What wrong have I done you to deserve such loathing?"
Ava wrenched free of his grasp, her eyes ablaze. "It is not dislike I feel, but hatred! I despise you, Gabriel Flynn. I despise the ground you tread, the very air you breathe! Men like you, who chase every skirt without a thought, you're nothing but a disgrace!"
Gabriel's fists curled at his sides, his temper flaring.
"Is this because you saw me with the palace maid?" he sneered. "If you had wished for it, you could have joined us. No one would have stopped you. Or…" he leaned closer, his voice dripping with mockery, "...are you simply jealous?"
Ava recoiled as though he had struck her. "You disgust me. I would rather rot than offer you a second glance," she spat.
In a sudden, furious motion, Gabriel seized her again, crushing his mouth against hers in a brutal, unwanted kiss. Ava shoved him back with all her strength, her palm cracking against his cheek in a resounding slap.
His chest heaved as he glared at her, his eyes dark and wild. "You will belong to me," he hissed. "And when that day comes, you will regret ever scorning me. You are not as special as you believe."
With a final, contemptuous shove, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ava standing alone under the cold, indifferent stars.
A single tear slipped down her cheek, but she refused to let another follow.
Not tonight.