Chapter 31 - Will You Be My Goddess?

**Eloise’s POV**

It had been a week since everything happened with Mrs. Leonard. After she forced me to bake goods and tea for noblewomen by myself—even though it was supposedly meant for me—I stopped seeing her.

I thought maybe it was Xavier’s doing. But I didn’t tell him about what happened at the supposed party. Although Nora might have…

Regardless of where Belinda went, I was glad that I didn’t have to deal with her for a little bit. Having to put on a mask for someone who was rude and mean at heart was draining.

Today I was coming back from the gardens. Since spring was here, I found it easier to enjoy my time outside of the castle because it wasn’t so cold.

Plus, the alone time had given me a little bit of some freedom from Xavier. I wanted to use the garden to practice some more of my magic but lately, Xavier had requested for my presence more and more.

If I was late for anything, he would come find me. I didn’t know how he was able to find me every single time but I didn’t want to take the risk of practicing magic knowing he could come upon me at any moment.

As I was going back to the bedroom for lunch with Xavier, I ran into Adrian.

He greeted me with a smile. “Lady Eloise. Always good to see you.”

“It’s always good to see you, too, Adrian.” I smiled back. “Have you seen Mrs. Leonard lately?”

He shook his head. “Mrs. Leonard has taken a vacation to her private manor in a small city just south of here. I don’t know how long she’ll be gone for, though.”

I waved my hand. “No worries. I was just curious.”

With a bow, Adrian took his leave and walked down the hall.

Thank goodness. I hope that vacation extends for a few months… Trying to get along with her is too tiring.

I walked back to the bedroom and as I extended my hand to open the door, Xavier had already done so from the other side.

“Eloise.” He smiled. “Where were you?”

“The garden.” I curtsied. “I just wanted to get some fresh air for a little bit.”

“No need to be so formal.” He gently led me into the room. “Come, lunch is ready for us.”

Ever since I was able to prove my innocence against Belinda, Xavier had grown to be clingier than he had ever been. It was a complete 180 from when he would neglect me and leave me alone for the majority of the day just to avoid me.

On the days he had his meetings, he started to take breaks halfway through them just so he could come to see me. He told me he just wanted to make sure I was okay. We even started sharing every meal of the day; not just dinner.

After we had breakfast the next morning, instead of going out to tend to his duties, Xavier followed me back to the room. I swear, he was acting like a hawk circling a bunny rabbit—he never took his eyes off of me.

As I was approaching the door, Xavier stepped in front of me to open it. Then, as I was walking to the table before I could even stretch my hand out to grab the chair, Xavier pulled it out for me.

“Thank you, Xavier.” I smiled warmly at him. “You’re being extra kind today.”

“No need to thank me, Eloise.”

I looked up at him before I extended my hand for the teapot. I wonder if he’ll do what I think he’s about to do.

On cue, Xavier reached for the teapot before I could and poured me a cup.

“Please, Eloise.” His tone was stern. “You need to be careful with your hand!”

I couldn’t hold back the giggle that I had stifled these past few minutes. I waved my left hand—the uninjured one. “Xavier, I have two hands, you know. I use my left one for everything else.”

Xavier sat on the chair next to me and gently held my injured right hand. He placed a soft kiss on the back of it. “We’ve been married for a while now, Eloise. You can be a bit clumsy… I just don’t want anything else to happen to you. “

I gave him a warm smile. “I’m fine, Xavier. Truly. I’ll be okay.”

He looked up at me with saddened eyes. “I wasn’t acting like an Alpha that day… I let my emotions get the better of me. If only I had been able to calm myself and thought everything through with a clear mind, you wouldn’t have had to go through this…”

I gave him a soft kiss on the cheek and patted his hand. “You’ve apologized to me numerous times since then. On top of that, you’ve been really caring and kind to me since. It’s okay, Xavier.”

I paused. “I don’t blame you. It was a curse on your mother, after all. If someone had done that to my mom, I’d probably react the exact same way.”

“You’re too kind to me, Eloise.”

“Nonsense. You’re my husband.”

Xavier’s eyes met mine again and then he kissed the back of my injured hand again.

I withdrew my hand from him as I felt the heat rush to my cheeks.

Xavier smiled at me before he pulled me into his arms. He kissed my lips softly and placed my injured hand on his shoulder.

I placed my other hand on his chest and I felt him catch his breath. Then I started to unbutton his shirt without thinking about it.

Xavier tore his lips from mine. “As much as I would love to do this with you, I think we should wait until your injury is completely healed.”

I laughed. “It’s only my hand I hurt, not my body. I don’t understand why we can’t be intimate now…”

We haven’t been intimate ever since I hurt my hand. These past few days in particular, even though I told him I was okay, all attempts ended with a simple kiss.

I couldn’t lie to myself about this… Xavier did make me feel good whenever we made love. I thought to myself. I honestly thought he was just being unreasonable.

Or maybe something happened.

I shook my head from my thoughts. No.

He took a deep breath before he responded. “I’m just afraid of pressing on your hand and hurting you.” A slight pink blushed his cheeks.

“Let’s just be careful, okay? It’ll be alright.”

Before he could get another word in, I climbed onto his lap and began to straddle him. With my left hand, I started to unbutton his shirt again. His chest and the upper part of his abs were now exposed.

When I leaned in to kiss him, Xavier pulled me away though he wasn’t rough.

“Eloise… Wait, please—”

I began to get frustrated. He was obsessed with my body one week, then the next he wasn’t. He didn’t want to be in the same room as me, and now he couldn’t leave me alone.

I pulled myself back. “What, Xavier? What am I doing wrong now?!”

He hesitated. “Nothing, nothing. I just… Let’s just take it slow because of your injury.”

“Xavier, I’m going as slow as I can… Just trust me to let me take the lead just this once, okay?”

He sighed but before he could speak, there was a knock at our door.

Nora opened the door and peeked her head in the room. “Lady Eloise, it’s time to apply the ointment to your hand.”

I locked eyes with Nora and saw as her eyes scanned me being on Xavier’s lap.

Her cheeks were flushed with a deep red as she began to back out. “Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll come back at a later time.”

“Wait,” Xavier called out. “I can take the ointment and apply it on her hand for you.”

Xavier kissed the back of my injured hand before placing it on my lap. He lowered his head just enough to where he could see what he was doing—and just enough to where I could still see his features.

The glow of the morning sun softened his usually sharp features. It was like I was looking at an angel. His movements were also careful and gentle as if he was handling something fragile and delicate.

I pressed my forehead against his and smiled. “Thank you, Xavier.”

He tilted his head up to kiss the tip of my nose before he went back to massaging the ointment into my hand.

“Can I ask you something?” Xavier asked.

“Of course. Is something wrong?”

“Yes and no. Do you know anything about the Luna Festival?”

I paused to think for a moment. “It’s a traditional holiday for werewolves, isn’t it?”

He smiled. “My smart Lady. It is. My kind gathers to celebrate the birthday of the Moon Goddess, and we also hold a fighting competition that all werewolves are free to participate in. The winner receives the title of the ‘Strongest Werewolf in the Leonard Family.’”

When Xavier was finished, he tossed the ointment onto the table and wrapped his hands around my waist. He placed a soft kiss on my collarbone. “For the opening ceremony, normally, the head Lady of the Leonard family plays the role of the Moon Goddess.”

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Normally,” I repeated. “Is something different this year?”

“Well, my mother is usually the one who plays the role but as you may have already guessed, she’s not here. She’s on a vacation and will be away from Noah for quite some time.”

“So what are you asking?”

“Will you be my Moon Goddess for the ceremony?”

My eyebrows shot up and my jaw dropped.

Xavier laughed at my expression. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Are you sure? Will those in the Presbyterian Church agree to have me play such an important figure to your people?”

Xavier scoffed. “They don’t get the last say in the matter, do they?”

I smiled and my heart fluttered with happiness and excitement. “I’d love to, Xavier!”

“I’m glad.” He smiled and softly kissed me on the lips.