Mariettedr’s Comments (group member since Sep 06, 2014)

Mariettedr’s comments from the Write, Wrote, Written group.

Duke Daniel Parnell escorted Akira to her chamber when the ball came to an end. He was charming and alluring, but to her disappointment he only kissed her on the cheek before bidding her a good-night. Dissatisfied, she stepped into her chamber and went to her room. It was late but she was not as tired as she thought she would be. She would light some Ember in her room and unwind until she was tired enough to sleep.
Akira opened her cupboard and fumbled around to find the Ember she kept hidden. But to her dismay her Ember was gone. She took in a sharp breath. Nobody knew where she kept the Ember. Except for –
“Jon,” she groaned.
Instantly furious, Akira grabbed a cloak from her closet. She wrapped herself in the cloak and pulled the hood over her head. She slipped out of her chamber, sneaking through the dimly lit halls. Sneaking out the castle through the gardens, she reached the Aemazon Warrior’s courtiers. Relieved to find most of the Warriors asleep in their rooms and chambers, Akira pulled her hood down further. She reached Jon’s chamber and entered without knocking. She found his bedroom empty but heard movement in his bathing chamber. Taking in a big breath, she opened the doors and walked in.
Jon laid in a bath of water with his head tilted back onto the edge of the bath. He opened his eyes to slits, peeking in Akira’s direction with a bemused smile.
“I wondered whether you would send a servant to summon me at this hour, but I must admit, I didn’t expect you to come yourself,” he murmured at her and closed his eyes again. He slid lower into the water, his face in pure bliss.
“Where is it, Jon?” she insisted.
“Missing some of your belongings?”
“You know exactly what I am missing.”
“Hmmm, yes, I do.”
“Give it back, Jon.”
He kept quiet, his eyes still closed. He rolled his head slowly on the rim of the bath, savoring the warm water on his skin.
“Answer me,” she said, her eyes travelling down his naked chest.
“I threw the Ember away,” Jon finally said and opened his eyes to look at her.
Her eyes shot back to his face, instantly angry with him for taking her Ember. She balled her hands into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.
“Why, Jon?” she demanded.
To her dread, Jon’s hands found the edges of the bath and lifted himself out of the water. She yelped in shock and flung herself around. She didn’t have the courage to see him stark-naked.
“Why did you throw it away?” she asked over her shoulder. “Are you trying to punish me?”
She heard him move behind her, hoping that he would put a towel around his body. But her heart jumped into her throat once he spoke directly behind her.
“I want to ask you something, Princess,” he breathed. He was unnervingly close, his words touching her hair.
“Ask me something?” she enquired. “What do you have on your heart, Jon?”
She gasped when Jon’s hand came around her, pressed against her stomach and pulled her back against his wet body. Her heart pounded in her ears and her cheeks burned as Jon moved his mouth into her neck. He breathed her in, his lips touching her earlobe.
“Can a Duke make you feel like this?” he breathed into her ear.
His Warrior body was a wall of warm stone behind her, his breathing hot in her neck. An involuntary moan escaped her lips, her breathing uncontrolled.
“I thought it would be easy to see you being courted by a Duke,” Jon murmured into her neck. “But I am more selfish than I had known.”
Akira loosened an uneven breath, melting back against him.
“Hmmm,” Jon mused into her ear, his chest vibrating against her back. “You must be tired after the night you’ve had.”
Akira leaned her head back against his shoulder, opening her neck to him. “I am not tired at all.”
“Good,” he murmured into her hair.
Her eyes widened when Jon removed her cloak and started with the threads of her dress at her back. He untied her dress, the fabric loosening around her body. Chills ran up her back every time she felt Jon’s fingers against her skin. When her dress was loose at the back, Jon pulled her to him again and brought his lips down on her shoulder. She hissed out a breath, savoring the warmth of his mouth on her skin.
His hands travelled into the layers of her dress, pulling it to the floor. He took it all off, his mouth trailing over her shoulders and neck as he went. When she was evidently naked in front of him, both his arms came around her and hugged her body to his. Her back pressed against his chest. She moaned his name, tilting her head back to look up at him over her shoulder. His eyes were hungry and his hands firm as he gripped her frame. Jon’s gaze roamed her face before touching his lips to hers. His mouth moaned in appreciation against her own. His kisses were different than before, his desire for her clear in the way he was holding onto her. She broke the kiss to gasp once his hand travelled up to her breasts.
He dipped his head back into her neck and breathed in her yearning for him. She breathed out loud, his touch setting her skin on fire.
No, she thought, some Duke would never be able to make her feel like this.
She turned around in his arms. Once she faced him, he took hold of her naked bottom and brought her body back against his again. His lips came down on her mouth with a craze she had never tasted before. She eagerly took in the taste of him, her hands trailing onto his Warrior back. He tilted her body back and she complied, allowing him to bring his lips down between her breasts. Her lips parted in a moan of desire, panting underneath his touch.
Jon took hold of her, lifting her off her feet and carrying her out of the bathing room. He took her onto his bed with him, her body pinned beneath his. She pressed her hands into his wet hair, clutching it and bringing his mouth back to her own.
Her body was burning with a force she had never felt before and she hoped it would never stop. Feeling Jon’s lips on her skin and his body against her own captured her into a desire she did not have a name for, a desire she didn’t ever want to end. Moaning his name against his lips, she gave herself over to the Aemazon Warrior completely.

When the ball came to an end, Aiden walked Leilani to her chamber. She had possessed his attention for the entire night, it was a wonder that he had been able to slip away and see Nayeli. Leilani had quite a few questions for him when he came back, fishing out where he had been. He did not tell her that he had been with Nayeli, but surely she was smart enough to realize the truth.
“I had a great time tonight,” Leilani said as they walked.
“The ball was spectacular and I know you are to thank. I can’t express my gratitude to you, Duchess. My sister was smiling the entire night.”
“It was quite flattering to have a King by my side,” she mused, walking closer to him.
Aiden smiled. “It was an honor to accompany you.”
They continued down the hall, coming up to her chamber. Aiden noticed that Leilani was walking slower and slower the closer they got to her chamber. He tried to keep the pace going, not wanting to slow down and stroll along with the Duchess. He had been here before and every time she tried her luck.
They stopped in front of her chamber.
“Would you come in?” she asked.
Aiden shook his head. “I am afraid I will have to decline.”
Leilani smiled mischievous. “Don’t be such a gentleman, Aiden. I want you to come inside,” she said and reached for his hand.
He stared at her hand in his. She was one woman he could not touch, he reminded himself. But Leilani was fluttering her lashes at him like he was already in her room.
Giving her hand a squeeze, he kindly shook his head. “I think I should retire to my room. It’s late.”
Leilani let out a quick sigh and stepped towards him. “Oh, Aiden, always the gentleman,” she purred at him. Before he could step away from her, the Duchess wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Duchess Leilani-”
“You don’t have to be so formal with me.”
“Leilani,” he tried. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”
Her gaze lowered to his mouth and to his horror the beautiful menace pulled their lips together. She held his head to hers, kissing him fiercely. He took hold of her waist, gently pulling her away from him. She broke the kiss but kept her arms around his neck.
“I am a worthy choice for a wife,” she said and his heart lurched.
“I am not looking for a wife at this moment-”
“Oh, alright then,” she mused with a dazzling smile. “I’ll be interested in whatever you suggest.”
Aiden reached for her arms around his neck. “Leilani, I would never do that to you.”
“You don’t think I’m beautiful?” she asked innocently.
Freeing her arms around his neck, he took hold of her hands and met her eyes. “I do think you are beautiful. But I am not ready to court someone new.”
“But you’ve been in the same dull betrothal for ten years. It’s time you court a woman that can tend to all you needs. From what I heard you have quite the peculiar taste-”
He let go of her hands and stepped away from her. “No, Leilani,” he said sharply. “I am not going to court you.”
Her face turned into a scowl. “Not now? Or not ever?”
Aiden took in a breath, closing his eyes for a second before answering. “No, Leilani,” he said, his voice soft. “I’m not ever going to court you.”
“But you’ve led me on so many times!” she blurted.
“Led you on?” he asked in wonder. “I’ve never-”
“We’ve spent hours in each other’s company. Did it mean nothing to you?”
“It was time spent in building a relationship with the Duchess of Keldarilly, not impressing her to court her.”
Leilani touched her chest in shock, staring at him with wide eyes. “I can’t believe this.”
“I apologize if I’ve hurt your feelings, Leilani, but I am being honest with you.”
“This is about The Princess, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice sharp. “Even with the betrothal ended, you’re still bedding her. I should have known she would let a man do that to her.”
Aiden frowned at her. “Princess Nayeli is-”
“Not as innocent as I thought,” Leilani snapped. “Don’t you see what she is doing to you? She’s playing with your good heart in order to keep you fascinated with her. It’s revolting to think women would use their bodies to entrap Kings and it is distasteful of you to fall for it.”
Aiden did not take kindly to her words or accusations. Nayeli might infuriate him, but it was a twist of his heart to hear someone speak of her unkindly. She was nothing like the woman Leilani was describing.
“Good night, Duchess Leilani,” Aiden muttered and turned away from her.
“You’re going to regret your decision, King Aiden,” she warned behind him.
But he was beyond listening to her. He couldn’t get away fast enough from the woman. He vowed to never accept an invitation to a ball with her ever again as he made his way to his chamber. He wiped his mouth, hating that her lips had ever touched his.

Duke Daniel Parnell smiled at Akira in a way that made her stomach flutter and her heart race. As if that was not enough, Hael was looking at her with a desire she did not know what to make of. The two men were surrounding her the entire night. At first Akira thought that Daniel might be unpleased by her shared attention, but to her surprise the man rose to the challenge Hael was offering him.
Oh, it was flattering to have men fight for her attention.
She could feel Jon’s eyes on her the entire night, but she tried her best not to look at him. She found herself glancing in his direction every now and again, but she quickly looked away before he could notice. The silence between them felt much longer than a few days. Oh and the way she had dismissed him in front of the Whittaker. Jon would probably not forgive her for it.
But she was mad at him. No, she was hurt by him.
Looking at Jon tonight only made her heart ache. So instead she turned her eyes back to Duke Daniel Parnell and smiled at him. He was a charming young man with a good heart. He was gentle with her in ways only a noble knew how to be. But Hael was the exciting one. He looked handsome tonight. She wished she could see him this immaculately dressed every day. He surely had grabbed more than just her attention tonight. Quite a few of the ladies around the room kept staring at him, some even gaping at his beautiful native features.
Akira glanced at the table where Nayeli had been sitting for most of the night. Her chair was empty now and Akira searched around the room for her. Akira noticed Aiden slipping back into the hall and a few seconds later Nayeli came back as well. Akira couldn’t help but wonder if she was the only one that had noticed. Her eyes rested on Nayeli. Had she been crying?
“Excuse me,” Akira mumbled to Duke Daniel and made her way towards Nayeli.
Nayeli felt her coming, turning around to face her once she was close enough.
“Princess Akira,” she said in greeting and bowed her head.
“Princess Nayeli,” she said and bowed her head in return. “We haven’t had the chance to talk much since you’ve gotten back at the castle. I wanted to come over and ask if you are well?”
Nayeli gave Akira a small smile. “I am feeling a bit under the weather this evening, Princess. It must be from all the travelling.”
Akira nodded. “It must be.”
“I think I will head to my rooms early tonight. I have a headache coming.”
Their conversation felt wrong and forced. She could feel the eyes of the room on them, but she ignored it completely.
“Princess Nayeli,” she started, her voice lowered between the two of them. “Would you stay a few days at the castle before returning to your Isles?”
Nayeli looked at her in wonder. “Would you like me to stay, Princess?”
“Yes,” she found herself saying. “If you are willing, we can spend time together before you leave.”
“You would like to spend time with me, Princess?” she asked unbelievingly.
“Oh, come now, Nayeli. I’ve slept in your bed for a night while intoxicated by Ember. Surely it is time for us to become friends.”
Nayeli smiled at that. “Have I told you how extremely pleased I am that you’ve been appointed to Eldenwood?”
It made Akira smile. Nayeli had no idea how important her approval to Akira was. “Will you come visit me, Nayeli?”
Nayeli smirked at her wickedly. “Don’t know if the King would like it, but yes, I will most definitely be visiting you.”
“It’s settled then,” Akira announced and found Hael coming up to them.
“Surely the two of you are up to mischief,” he murmured to them. “I hope you’ve included me in whatever plans you’ve set into motion.”
Akira laughed at him. “The Princess Nayeli promised to visit me in Eldenwood. It would please me to see you come with her.”
Hael smiled and nodded. Then his eyes trailed to Nayeli again. Was there concern in his glance? Akira looked at the Princess. She looked beautiful tonight in her blue dress, her eyes coming to light in a completely new way. Akira wanted to reach out and play with the few feathers in her hair but refrained from doing so. Akira wished she had the courage to paint her face and wear feathers like the natives. She had enjoyed the night when Hael had painted her. She longed for the friendship that Hael and Nayeli shared. Would she ever share it with someone? Her closest friend was Jon, but they fought more than was normal. They constantly fought over kisses and Ember, she realized. She did not want to fight with him and looking at the Lunars in front of her, Akira found herself longing to dance with Jon.

Hael came to sit down next to Nayeli, his eyes widening at her.
“Is that my food you’re eating?” he asked, his voice lowered between the two of them. Nayeli rolled her eyes at him.
“I’m so hungry,” she said with a full mouth.
“But you already had your entire plate of food. I will bring you more to your chamber, but you’re making people stare by having my plate in front of you as well.”
“I don’t care,” she said. “I’m extremely hungry, Hael.”
“You ate when we arrived-”
“I’m fucking hungry,” she cut him off and scratched her ribs.
“At least wait till the ball is over. I’ll bring you food from the kitchens to your chamber.”
“I can’t wait that long.”
She ate more of his food, not being able to control her hunger. She barely chewed most of it, easily swallowing large amounts. She was too hungry to care what people would think. She scratched her ribs again, and then her head.
“Is the dress making you itch?” Hael asked her.
“Itch?” she asked and scratched her left wrist.
Hael caught her hand to keep her from scratching. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she snapped and pulled her hand out of his grip. Why was he making such a fuss? Yes, she was itchy, but she would feel better once she ate more. She dropped her fork to scratch her neck.
“Something is wrong,” Hael insisted into her ear.
She looked up at him and once their eyes met, she knew he was right. She placed both of her hands on the table, stopping them from scratching. What was this? This has never happened before. She took in a breath, feeling Hael’s concerned eyes on her. She calmed herself, pushing the food away from her. Taking in even breaths, she found control over her Therian body. Her hysteria stilled, the room rushing back to her in waves.
As if she had not been in the Great Hall for the evening, she stared around the hall. Where had she gone? she wondered. Something had caused her to relax her hold on her Tiger. That usually only happened when something had upset her. The ball and its people came back into focus, her awareness of them returning.
One particular presence stood out.
Aiden had not even spared one glance in her direction for the entire night, but his compelling existence had her gripped in his hand right now. Even if she closed her eyes, she could still feel him as he moved across the room. She was suddenly very much aware of him in the most captivating way. She took in the red marks that lined her wrists. How long had she been scratching herself? What is happening to her?
“Nayeli?” Hael asked in concern, trying not to sound alarmed.
She cleared her throat. “How long have I been at the ball?” she asked.
Hael watched her in dread and reached for her hand. “You need fresh air.”
Standing up from her chair for the first time tonight, she followed Hael outside. Outside the great hall she felt much better, breathing in the fresh air in the Castle Gardens. Hael crossed his arms, watching her suck in the fresh air.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“I might have lost the room for a while,” she admitted.
“You mean to say that the people of Adarmar were dining with a Tiger tonight?” he snapped and cursed.
“I don’t know what happened,” she explained and pressed her palms to her temples. Her Tiger senses were still peaked, the creature was demanding her to Change. She closed her eyes and forced the animal away from her.
Someone came their way and she found herself softly growling through her teeth.
“Nayeli,” Hael warned her in alarm.
“What is wrong?” Eiric’s voice sounded behind her. She ignored him, holding her back to him. She definitely did not need this now, not with Eiric Whittaker behind her.
“She only needs fresh air,” Hael explained.
“Are you struggling to breathe?” Eiric asked in Nayeli’s direction. “You know that is how the flower works-”
“Shut up,” she snarled at him.
“I would advise you to leave her alone,” Hael said to Eiric but she felt him come closer anyway. He stopped next to her and the moment he reached for her, she slapped his hand away cruelly.
She moved forward, needing to get away from them all. “Don’t follow me,” she ordered through clenched teeth and started forward into the Castle Gardens. To her relief, neither of them came after her. She was glad that for once Hael had listened to her. The gardens grew dark but her Tiger eyes sought the way out easily. She found the greenhouse and quickly moved into it. She longed for the snow that had cooled the place mere months ago. Falling to her knees, she yearned for snow to fall on her burning veins.
Struggling to keep her control on her Therian Blood, she wondered what was pressing her into losing control. Why was her Tiger demanding her to release it?
The door to the greenhouse opened and slammed shut behind her. She flung around, bewildered by the presence that pressed into the small space with her. They were wrapped in the darkness of the night, but she could immediately tell who was standing in front of her.
“You’re not in control of your Therian form at all, are you?” Aiden demanded.
Still on her knees, she pulled air into her lungs. “I’m trying,” she said, sounding out of breath. “I’m trying!”
His presence was smothering her, she realized. She found herself struggling for control, struggling for air as each moment of silence passed between them. What was happening to her? Her Tiger was reacting to Aiden, trying to fight its way out of her.
“Do you know why you are losing control?” he asked her.
“I’m tense,” she explained.
Aiden snorted, giving a step towards her. Her body trembled at his closeness and she found herself wanting to back away from him. He looked down at her and her Tiger’s demand to jump at Aiden burned through her veins.
“You have no fucking idea what I am, do you?”
She frowned up at him, her head pounding.
“You might not know,” he continued. “But your Tiger knows quite well.”
Taking in a gulp of air, she got to her feet. “In the woods,” she breathed out. “You demanded me to be still. And I complied. How did you do that?”
He smirked at her. “Your Therian Tiger knows the answer to that.”
“I can’t really ask it.”
“Because you can’t control it,” he accused.
Nayeli’s nails trailed over her wrist, the itching starting to return.
“Are you doing this to me?” she found herself asking.
Aiden smiled at her. “Yes, I am.”
She stopped scratching. “Why would you do this?” she asked. “Why would you play with me on front of all those people?”
“Just breathe, Nayeli,” he murmured at her. “Calm yourself and breathe.”
Nayeli was shocked to find that she was calming at his words. As Aiden visibly calmed himself and loosened a long breath, his smothering presence become lighter and started to lift away from her, not demanding her so completely. It felt like mountains were being lifted from her shoulders. And from her heart. As Aiden camled himself, she found herself taking in her first steady breath. She gazed up at Aiden. He was waiting patiently for her to gain control over herself.
“Better?” he asked after a while.
In full control by now, Nayeli gave a step away from him. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” she warned him.
“Months ago we stood in this same spot when you lied to me about your burning fever,” he began. “I asked you what you were and you told me some other story.”
Nayeli kept quiet, holding his eyes in the dim lighting.
“How about we go back in time?” he asked her, his voice growing softer. “Let’s go back to the night you chose to leave me instead of telling me the truth.”
Nayeli stood in silence, her heart breaking at his words.
“Come now, Nayeli,” he said. “Tell me about it. Tell me the truth.”
Nayeli’s throat thickened with tears. “I am a Therian,” she said softly.
Aiden stepped closer to her. “And do you know what I would have said in return?”
Nayeli swallowed the lump in her throat. “I didn’t know you would understand.”
Aiden shook his head at her and to her surprise, he cupped her head in his hand. He brought her brow to his, closing his eyes. She closed her eyes as well, savoring the feeling of Aiden’s touch on her. With their heads touching, she breathed him in.
“I would have told you that we are the same,” he whispered to her.
Nayeli’s eyes opened, her head pulling back from his. “What do you mean?” she asked up at him.
He remained silent.
Nayeli shook her head at him. “We are not the same,” she insisted.
“Well, no,” he said, lowering his hand away from her. “I’m not a vicious Tiger like you.”
Nayeli gave a step away from him in surprise, hilarity leaving her lips in shock.
“Stop it, Aiden,” she snapped at him. “You are nothing like me.”
He lowered his eyes, not saying anything.
“Do you enjoy entertaining yourself with me?” she asked him, hurt. “Do you laugh at me for what I am?”
Aiden looked at her, snorting. “The only ones laughing are our fathers,” he said and before she could speak, he continued. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have guests to tend to.”
But she reached for him, her hand resting on his chest. It stopped him from turning away from her and she was glad that he was at least looking at her. He gazed back at her, their eyes meeting. They stood in silence for a few seconds and breathed together. Was Aiden a Therian? Hesitantly, Nayeli found the Tiger in her heart and slowly released a wave of control. The creature of her heart made chills spread over every inch of her body, flushed by Wildness. Aiden felt it immediately, his eyes widening as he caught her hand and removed it from his chest. He stepped away from her, backing away from the animal in her veins.
And then she knew.
They truly were the same, she realized. Startled by how she had tested him, Aiden frowned and stared at her in surprise. Her Therian Tiger could feel the Wildness in him. His Blood was every bit as Wild as her own. Memories of the Seneca Woods came back to her. Her Tiger had wailed in response to him. The creature that shared her soul wanted her to control him, to demand his loyalty, but Nayeli quickly realized that she did not share the creature’s notions. She had no desire in controlling Aiden Estrella.
The silence stretched between the two of them, taking each other in. Their Wildness filled the room and the animals of their Blood reached for one another. Nayeli resisted the urge to start scratching her body all over as her Tiger opened itself to Aiden’s presence. The compelling and smothering existence of Aiden slowly surfaced again as he found the animal of his heart as well. Giving their Therian Blood free reign in such a small room made her heart burn in distress, but the pull of his presence was suddenly so magnificent, she embraced it openly.
Nayeli’s heart almost left her chest when Aiden suddenly stepped forward to pull her mouth to his. Tears left her eyes as their lips linked. His passion burned on her lips, taking all of her in. Ignoring her tears, his creature took from her what he needed. His kisses became hungry, his hands tightening on her back. Her Tiger heart was pounding in her ears.
But then Aiden broke their kiss and released her.
“No,” he demanded and stepped away from her.
She touched her lips in shock, staring wide-eyed at the Therian in front of her.
“I apologize,” he muttered and turned away from her. “I can’t, Nayeli. I can’t.”
And then he was gone, leaving her to stand alone in the greenhouse.

Chapter 19 - Standing On The Ball of Control

Jon needed to watch the Whittaker in the room but instead his eyes kept travelling to Akira. There was Domain filth in Aiden’s Castle and it should be of most importance to him, but he could not stop looking at the way Akira was smiling at Duke Daniel Parnell. Everyone wanted to dance with her, but between Daniel Parnell and Hael Young, she was kept quite busy. He glared in Hael’s direction. The man was probably the best dressed since Jon had met him. He played the part by Akira’s side quite well, being respectable to Adarmar’s customs about how to dance with a Princess.
Akira had been enticed with the man ever since they had met. What was it that she had said about his eyes? Jon groaned, looking away from Hael. He rested his eyes on the Whittaker. Nobody ever talked to him, nobody ever approached him. In fact, the people walked circles around him. The Whittaker picked at the food that had been served to him, but he barely ate. Did he distrust the Castle’s food? Jon wondered.
He could also not stop wondering why the Whittaker’s eyes kept peeking in the Princess Nayeli’s direction. Nayeli was dressed in an exquisite dress, Jon admitted. Perhaps the Whittaker found her attractive? Jon shook off the dreading thought.
Aiden was standing next to the Duchess Leilani. She never left his side for the entire night and if he even thought about dancing with someone else, she interjected herself. Aiden had danced quite a few dances with the Duchess. Was he growing fond of her? The thought had to cross his mind since Aiden have not even looked at Nayeli once. He knew they were quarrelling, but he never thought to this extend. Was there more to their fight than what Jon was aware of? Even if Aiden was angry with her, she was still a Princess of Adarmar and it was rude not to even greet her.
Jon was sure he was not the only one that noticed Aiden’s lack of actions.
Jon stole another look at the Native Princess. She barely ever looked up from her seat. The people of Adarmar were used to have her as the highlight of the night, but tonight she was quiet. Was she too quiet? She seemed to be a bit flustered, Jon found himself asking. Nayeli was never the type to show discomfort.
Puzzled, Jon returned his eyes to Akira. He startled in horror once he realized who was suddenly standing in front of her. Jon had to refrain from running to her, but he kept his pace as he walked towards her.
Akira was staring up at the Whittaker. The tall figure turned to meet her gaze, looking down at her delicate form. She looked like a child against his length. Jon rushed up to them, stopping behind her.
“My name is Akira Estrella,” she said to him.
“I know who you are,” he murmured down at her.
She took in a breath. “I wanted to come over and formally introduce myself. As you know, I’ve renewed the Domain’s agreement as the Princess of Eldenwood.”
Eiric smiled wickedly, his eyes slowly lifting to look at Jon behind her. His skin crawled at the way the Whittaker looked at him before lowering his eyes back to Akira.
“My name is Eiric Whittaker,” he began. “I am here tonight as a representative of the Domain Kingdom. My King is pleased that you’ve renewed the agreement.”
“You’re his brother.”
“Bastard brother,” he corrected her.
“And are you anything like him?”
“Akira,” Jon warned before he could stop himself.
She turned around to look at Jon, her eyes narrowing. “Looks like I’ve picked up a second shadow,” Akira said to his horror. “Now if you’ll excuse us, Aemazon Warrior, I have matters to discuss with Eiric Whittaker.”
Jon stared at Akira in betrayal. Had she just dismissed him in front of the Domain filth? His eyes lifted towards the Domain Warrior, finding a face that smiled back at him. Jon had to force his feet into moving, holding his glare on the man.
“I’m worse than Jairo,” Eiric answered to Akira’s previous question and Jon’s hair rose. He walked away from them, his eyes moving in Aiden’s direction. To his relief, the King already had his eye on the Whittaker.

“I look ridiculous,” Hael muttered, looking down at what he was wearing. Nayeli eyed the way her Royal Colors complimented his attire.
Nayeli smiled at him. “You look like a Prince.”
He groaned. “I don’t need to dress like a Prince in order to catch Akira’s attention. We are already fond of each other.”
“The entire ball is going to demand her attention, Hael. If you want a woman like that to notice you at all, you will dress like this. You need to be at her side every chance you get, alright?”
“You really think she might be in trouble?”
“I don’t want to take any chances,” Nayeli pressed. “Please take care to watch what she eats and drinks. And watch Jon’s drink too, she tends to drink his wine.”
Hael let out a long sigh. “And what happens when a Princess of Adarmar falls to the floor due to a native plant from our homeland?”
Nayeli closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know. But you have to anti-poison, right?”
“Like I’ve said before. I’m not sure if it will work.”
“We have to try. For Akira.”
“Or perhaps someone else,” Hael muttered with concern.
Nayeli shook the thought away, clearing her head. “I should get dressed.”
“I’ll leave you then,” he said reluctantly. “I’ll go find out who is attending the ball with Akira.”
“If she’s with Jon, she ought to be safe. But for the rest of the time, try your best to be at her side.
Hael nodded his head and winked at her before leaving her room.
Once Hael left, she turned to the dress she has chosen for the night. The dark blue dress was not something Nayeli had ever worn before. She had worn Adarmar clothing and had dressed like a Duchess or Lady, but this dress had been made for a Queen.
Nayeli braided only a few red and white feathers into her hair, not too much. She wanted to be herself, to acknowledge that she was different, but her dress would prove that she can be a part of Adarmar’s Kingdom. There had been too many cries for war to be comfortable with. If there was going to be any warfare on the horizon, Nayeli would stand by the Kingdom that had become a part of whom she was today. The Maya Isles are a part of Adarmar and she would accept that fact tonight. She will show Adarmar’s people that she was content with her lot as Aiden Estrella as her King.
The thought of Aiden made her chest tighten. She was not sure whether she was ready to see him. She had hoped that he might come and see her before the ball, but so far he had not been anywhere near her. He would still be mad but hopefully not as furious as he had been in the Seneca Woods. His fury was not something she wanted to face again tonight.
Once Nayeli was dressed, she found herself standing in the silence of her room. Where was Aiden? She did not expect him to accompany her to the ball, but somehow she had hoped to see him before leaving her room. She blinked her eyes, anxiety clutching her throat. She gazed at the mirror, taking in the spirit in blue. Her eyes were illuminated by her dress in their magnificence. Staring at the stranger in front of her, her lips parted to let in a breath.
Did Aiden Estrella have any idea how captivating he really was to her?
Walking away from the person in the mirror, she left her chamber. She walked down the halls of Adarmar Castle alone. Nearing the Great Hall, she could hear the chatter of the people coming to the ball. Her breathing still uneven, she turned a corner.
Her heart kicked into her throat once she stared at a pair of coffee eyes and shocking white hair. She halted and stared.
“Not pleased to see me?” the Whittaker asked, his smile creeping onto his face. He was dressed in the Domain’s Royal Grey, wearing his Kingdom’s color proudly. To her horror, he was holding a drogonflower.
She took in a sharp breath. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Be calm,” he ordered with a smile. “And smell this.”
Anger rose in her blood. “I see you have a fresh supply of Drogonflowers.”
He cocked his head to the side, his eyes rolling over her dress. “I was handed a fresh supply at The Crossing between the Maya Isles and Adarmar, along with orders to come to Adarmar Castle immediately.”
“And what would your orders be here?” she demanded.
“I don’t know yet.”
Nayeli cursed, her chest taken with panic. “If you hurt anybody here… I will hurt you back, Eiric. I promise you that.”
Her words amused him. “And what if my orders are to hurt you, Nayeli Faye? You’ve declined Jairo’s proposal. Don’t you realize you are the one he wants to hurt? You were fond of Duke Faure as well, weren’t you? Perhaps that is why he is dead.”
She kept quiet, glaring up at the mountain.
“I warned you about this, Nayeli. He would hurt the people you care for to get to you-”
“So you would murder me if he asked you to?” she blurted.
“Smell this,” he ordered, stepping closer to her.
“No!” she exclaimed and recoiled away from him.
“You’re so fucking stubborn, Nayeli!” he claimed and grabbed her arm to pull her closer to him. She yelped in surprise, looking up at the man that towered over her. Holding her in his grip, he brought the flower to her face and glared down at her. “Have you ever stopped to think that maybe someone else could be appointed to doing his filthy work?” Eiric snapped. “I’m not the only snake he owns. There are hundreds of us. One of them might just be hurting someone you love right now. Now smell the fucking flower.”
Nayeli clenched her teeth, holding his eyes as she pulled in the flower’s sweet sent through her nose. Eiric’s features softened, his grip on her arms softening.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he added to her surprise and let go of her.
She quickly stepped away from him, touching the spot he had touched her.
His eyes travelled to her arm. “Did I hurt you? Do you want me to apologize?”
She dropped her hand away from her arm. “No,” she said sharply. “But there is something else I want.”
His smiled returned. “The Queen is coming out to play,” he observed.
“Find out what kind of orders Jairo are sending this way,” she said, holding his eyes.
“And do what?” he played.
“Come to me with them.”
“But Jairo is my King,” he dared. “I follow him. He’s my fucking brother. Why would I betray him to you?”
“Because you and I are going to exchange some favors. It’s what you wanted all along, right?”
His interest peaked. “Do you have any idea what type of favor I want to ask you?”
She nodded her head. “I’m not blind to what you want, Eiric.”
“I’m listening-”
“You want me to hurt Jairo.”
“To hurt Jairo?” he mused.
“If you help me…” she trailed off before she continued. “I’ll murder him myself and make sure every slave in the Domain knows it.”
He cocked his head to the side, watching her as the seconds ticked by. He was waiting for her to hesitate, but she held his eyes even though her stomach knotted with anguish.
“I can’t be sure that I will learn of his plans before he implements them.”
“If you want me to help you, you will find out.”
Eiric straightened his back and then nodded his head. “Alright then, young Queen.”
“I’m not a-”
“Oh, come now,” he cut her off. “Dressed like this, you definitely are not a chamber maid.”
Ignoring him, she stepped around him.
“You want me to accompany you to the ball?” he asked behind her. She refrained from screaming, making her way away from him. “Don’t you think Aiden Estrella would just rejoice in happiness if I attend his sister’s ball with you on my arm?”
Nayeli cursed out loud, finding the need to clasp her hands over her ears to shut out Eiric Whittaker’s laughter behind her.

Aiden was dressed in his Royal Navy, ready for the ball in his sister’s honor, when someone knocked on his door. His heart gave the quickest step and truly hoped not to find Nayeli at the other side of the door. Although he had found himself longing to see her, he was not ready to face her yet. The last time they had spoken had been in the Seneca Woods. He was not fond of thinking back at the Tiger and its blue eyes, in fact, the thought haunted him. If Nayeli was to make it to the ball, he would not be able to meet her eyes. He had too much to say to her, too much to scream at her.
How was he supposed to ever look at her again after all the terrible things they have said to each other? After asking her to leave Eldenwood…
But his biggest dread was facing her now that he knew what she was. He could not let her Therian Blood demand his obedience. No, he would not allow it. He was powerful and he would show her just how prevailing he was. Lifting his head, he opened his door.
“Jon?” he said in surprise and made way for him to come into his room.
“She’s here,” Jon said simply. “She would be done and ready in time for the start of the ball.”
Aiden nodded his head. “Thank you, Jon. Where did you find her?”
“At The Crossing near Glance. They’ve been travelling very slowly because Hael is hurt. I don’t know what happened to him, but sounds like he is doing better by now.”
“They travelled alone?”
“Looks like it.”
Aiden looked him over. “And why are you not dressed?”
“There is no need for me to attend this ball.”
Aiden watched Jon, crossing his arms. “I want you to attend as representative of the Aemazon Warriors.”
“This has nothing to do with the Warriors,” he said stubbornly.
“Akira would want you to attend, Jon.”
“No,” he insisted. “I can’t bear it.”
“You’re the one that suggested her for the position.”
“And it was the right choice. But I can’t think why she would want me there.”
Aiden kept his eyes on Jon, watching the man that fancied his sister. If there had ever been a man he could accept into her life, it would probably have been Jon. He knew the man well and he considered him a trusted friend. He knew Jon would never intent any harm towards Akira. She called him her protector. But it did not change the truth. He was an Aemazon Warrior and she was a Princess. Their worlds were very far apart. If they were to pursue one another, it could never end well.
“Aiden,” Jon started after a long silence. “There is something I need to tell you. After our last conversation I am starting to suspect that you might already know, but either way, I need to tell you.”
“Yes,” Aiden found himself saying. “I already know and truly hope that we are referring to the same matter here.”
Jon closed his eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. “You know that Akira struggles with her dreams and fits. I’ve been trying to help her with it.”
Aiden touched his brow in distress. These past few months it had been easy for him to overlook what Akira was busying her with. It had been easy to ignore the smell of smoke in her room, but the moment Jon would confirm it, there would be no way he could overlook it any further. He hoped there would be a different reason for her confinement to her rooms.
“What have you been supplying her with, Jon?” Aiden asked sharply.
“So, you did know?”
“I suspected Akira. It was only later that I realized you must be involved.”
“I’ve been providing her with Ember,” Jon admitted, looking away from him.
Aiden cursed unbelievingly. “Ember?” he asked in dread. “My little sister has been lighting her room up in Ember.”
“We’ve kept it to a minimum-”
“I don’t want to hear it, Jon.”
“You need to understand that-”
“You can stop explaining. This is not something I want to hear. Needless to say, you will stop doing it immediately.”
“She would find other ways to get it.”
“The Princess of Eldenwood will not be lighting the place up in Ember. I’ve worked hard to rid my Kingdom of it. I can’t allow this.”
“You think she’s going to listen to you?”
“Oh, no, Jon,” Aiden mused with a smile on his face. “You got her into the mess and therefore you are going to fix it. You will get her off the substance. She must be able to go without it by the time I send her to Eldenwood. I will help where I can, but you must be the one to convince her to stop it.”
“She will listen to you, not me.”
“I need to start educating my sister in the ways of leading lands. I can’t do that while I’m fighting with her over Ember. Great Seas, Jon, Akira trusts you with her life. I am sure you would be able to come through to her.”
Jon shifted his weight uncomfortably on his feet. “It will take some time.”
“You will start by attending the ball tonight. That is an order, Jon.”
Jon groaned, glaring at Aiden. “I guess then I’ll be the one in the scarlet dress,” Jon played.
Aiden grinned at his friend. “I’ll take you for a dance.”
“From what I hear you’re already going to be busy enough.”
Aiden let out a long sigh. “Yes, the Duchess Leilani has her claws in me. She insisted that I attend with her. I couldn’t decline since she had arranged this entire affair. She’s been running around the entire day.”
Jon grunted. “I’m glad to hear that I’ve missed it.”
“She means well. How could I possibly refuse her invitation?” Aiden asked and opened the door to his room. With Jon following him, they left Aiden’s chamber. Outside his chamber they found a servant with a message. Jon talked about the ball and about what the Duchess Leilani must have in store for them. But Aiden’s attention was quickly stolen from Jon once he read the message.
“What is it now?” Jon asked.
Aiden cursed and crumbled the message in his hands. “Go get dressed. We have a visitor attending the ball.”
“You are not serious,” Jon exclaimed knowingly.
“Yes,” Aiden confirmed. “The Whittaker is not done with us yet.”

Chapter Eighteen - Come Out to Play

Akira walked through Adarmar Castle’s gardens with a small smile on her face. It felt good to be home. It felt like she had been away for months, not weeks. The people of Adarmar City welcomed her as the Princess of Eldenwood, congratulating her everywhere she went. The people seemed to be pleased with Aiden’s decision and it delighted her immensely.
“You haven’t stopped smiling since you’ve been appointed to Eldenwood,” Duke Daniel Parnell said, smiling fondly at her.
She walked next to him and enjoyed his company as always. She looked up at him shyly, a smile on her lips. Daniel has not stopped giving her most of his attention since arriving at Adarmar Castle and she adored every moment of it.
“Will you come visit me in Eldenwood, Duke Daniel?”
“I most definitely will, Princess. I look forward to seeing you reign.”
The thought was blissful to Akira. She liked the Duke. He was a mere two years older than
“Is there a reason why you’ve invited me on this walk, Duke Daniel?”
He grinned confidently. “Why her and she related with him naturally. He was kind and ruled his lands well. Aiden was fond of him as well.yes, I wanted to ask you something.”
Her heart swelled. “Well, go ahead and ask then.”
“Well,” he started. “We always enjoy each other’s company and I find you to be quite enticing.”
“Enticing?” Akira mused, confidence touching her shoulders.
“Why yes, and I think that a Princess should have someone to attend the ball with. It is after all a ball in her honor. Don’t you think you should attend it with a young Duke?”
Akira’s smile widened, flattered by him. “Do you know of a young Duke that might be available?”
Daniel chuckled, eyeing her fondly. “Well, if you’ve gone down your list of men who you would like to attend with and they all turn you down for some bizarre reason, would you consider attending the ball with me?”
“You think I have a list of men I can choose from?” she mused.
“Most definitely.”
Akira giggled softly and heat slowly touched her ears. She came to a stop to turn and look at Daniel. He met her eyes, waiting for her to reply to his request. Jon crossed her mind, paining her heart, but she pushed the thought of him aside quickly.
“It would be a pleasure to have you by my side tonight,” Akira said with a smile. “I can think of nobody else I would rather go with.”
Daniel seemed delighted, smiling ear to ear.
“Now let’s talk about Eldenwood,” he said and they continued their walk. “I was in your shoes not too long ago. I would be honored to give you some advice.”
Akira fell into step next to him, soaking up his words. But eventually her thoughts drifted slightly. She has not spoken to Jon since they have left The Klink. Aiden had sent him to find the Princess Nayeli and deliver the news of Eldenwood to her. Akira hoped with her whole heart that she would come to the ball tonight. Somehow it seemed impossible to celebrate her new position without her. Hopefully Jon and Nayeli would make it to Adarmar Castle in time. She did not want to talk to Jon, but having him so far away from her made her restless. Pushing the thought aside, she smiled at Daniel again.

The next morning Nayeli and Hael took care to get out of town before anyone could notice. Nayeli wanted to cross the border between Adarmar and the Maya Isles before Eiric Whittaker could follow them. She did not know what to make of him, but she had decided he was too much of a risk to befriend. She truly did believe in the devotions he wanted to fight for, but currently she was caught in enough trouble for the time being. In some way Eiric was right, it did not do any good for Aiden and Nayeli to be caught in a feud. But she would resolve her problems with the King of Adarmar. How she would do it, she did not know, but she would find a way. She found herself wanting to see him, wanting to meet her eyes with his.
They travelled for about two hours and then reached the crossing. Guards in navy clothing crowded the grounds, moving about in their busy day. The crossing was crawling with people, carriages and horses that wanted to pass through. Nayeli sat back in her saddle, smiling at the thought of passing through the crossing and seeing her own Royal Colors on the other side. The guard recognized her immediately, closing in on her. They greeted her with respect, like always. By now she knew a few of the faces that worked the Crossing and greeted them kindheartedly. Henry Myers was the head of the Crossing’s guard. When word got around that she was at the Crossing, he came her way immediately. She smiled at the man she had gotten to know over the years, dismounting her horse.
He bowed his head in greeting. “Princess Nayeli. Hael Young.”
They bowed their heads in return. “Master Myers, it’s a pleasure to see you,” she said.
“Likewise, Princess.”
“We are crossing over to the Isles. Time for me to head home after Duke Faure Jevric’s Grievance Day.”
“Yes,” he agreed, his eyes moving past her. “But before you cross over, there is someone here to see you.”
Nayeli frowned, turning around to look at the person Henry was talking about. A smirk touched the sides of her mouth at the sight of Jon May making his way through the people. He was dressed in his Aemazon Black, his head held as high as ever. His fetching features were a breath of fresh air after days on the road. Selfishly she glanced past him, hoping she might see the King with him. But he stopped in front of her without Aiden and he somehow looked displeased.
“Well, if it isn’t Adarmar’s newest Warrior Woman,” Jon said and held two letters out to her.
Her smile faded. “Good day, Jon,” she said and took the letters from him. “And what is this?”
“Something that will please you. Do you always get your way, Princess?”
She lifted a brow at him. “Not always,” she said sharply.
Jon didn’t reply, watching her open the letters. They were about Eldenwood and she knew they would be. Aiden had appointed a new Duke or Duchess. Nayeli swallowed anxiously, her heart heavy. She had made a promise to Faure that she would take care of Eldenwood’s people and wildlife. It was over now. It was out of her hands and she would have to step aside and watch as everything about Eldenwood was to be changed.
Hael stepped closer to her, sensing her dread and peeking over her shoulder at the letter. Nayeli read on.
“Princess Akira?” Hael exclaimed next to her.
Nayeli looked up at Jon. “Akira will be appointed to Eldenwood?”
Jon nodded his head slowly, looking away to avoid her eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder how he felt about it. Would it mean that he and Akira will be moved apart? Had it been Aiden’s idea to take his sister away from Jon?
“All of Duke Faure’s conventions will stand, his wildlife untouched,” Jon said.
Hael smiled, looking at Nayeli. Her heart wanted to jump out of her chest in delight. She wanted to run to Akira and throw her arms around her in thankfulness. She would never be able to explain her gratitude towards the Princess. Akira had done what she had longed to do. She was going to be the perfect leader of Eldenwood. Even better than herself, Nayeli thought fondly.
A smile touched her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes. She was so very pleased with Aiden’s decision, but she couldn’t bring herself to rejoice in his choice. Eiric Whittaker crossed her mind, stomping on her spirit. He had killed Duke Faure. The man she had kissed mere hours ago had killed the Duke of Eldenwood. She still didn’t know why Faure had been killed. She still didn’t know what the King of the Domain Kingdom was planning. There were Domain people in Adarmar, watching all of them. She had been so caught up in her troubles with Aiden that she had not been listening to what the Whittaker had said.
Appointing Akira as the new leader of Eldenwood would obviously not be what the Domain King wanted. Nayeli felt her Wild blood stir in her veins, the Tiger scratching the surface.
Without saying anything, she started to open the second letter.
“It’s an invitation from Duchess Leilani Kubovy herself,” Jon explained. “She wanted me to tell you that they are willing to put the past behind them if you are. If you accept their invitation to the ball in Princess Akira’s honor, all will be forgiven. For the sake of Adarmar, I would suggest you accept the invitation.”
“We will definitely be attending,” Nayeli said, staring at the invitation from Leilani.
“Then we should get on our horses and get to Adarmar Castle. The Ball is tonight. If we leave now, we will make it in time.”
Nayeli handed the letters to Hael, turned away from them and walked towards her horse. She mounted her horse, bowing her head at Henry Myers and turning her horse around. She needed to get to Adarmar Castle, she needed to get to Akira.
“I’m relieved to see you are eager to make peace with the Kubovy family,” Jon said as a man handed him the reins of his horse. He smirked at Nayeli before mounting.
“If we are going to lead Adarmar together, we will have to get along. You never know when you might need them, even if they are very different to me.”
“Will need them?”
“We’ve been declared as one, Jon. We will fight together in whatever comes our way in the future. We protect Adarmar together.”
Jon looked puzzled, curiously looking her over. But she didn’t have time for talking, she needed to get to Adarmar Castle. She needed to get to the Princess Akira. She was in trouble without the wolf by her side. Looking away from Jon and his curious wolfish smile, she started her horse forward. Hael fell in beside her, riding away from the border of the Maya Isles.

It must have been an hour or two after midnight, the town coming to a rest. The tavern was cleared of people, leaving Eiric and Nayeli alone at a table. Nayeli sat back into her chair, her eyes on Eiric. He had a lute in his hands, playing with the strings on the instrument. His words were slurring but he kept up his beat, singing playfully along with the strings he tucked. The instrument looked small in his tall embrace.
Placing her mug on the table, she reached for the lute.
“My turn,” she ordered and took it out of his hands.
She played with the strings, her fingers moving together. Eiric clapped along with the beat, his eyes closing. They were both tired, too tired to go to bed. So she kept playing. Soon she found herself quietly singing along. Eiric’s eyes opened at the sound of her voice, looking at her in wonder.
She had found his company to be easy for most of the night. Once they had decided to leave their differences aside, she found herself enjoying him. She didn’t want to, knew she shouldn’t, but somehow he had been able to charm her into spending the evening with him. She stopped her song to take a gulp of ale.
“I have a song I want to sing,” he said and kindly reached for the lute again. Handing it back to him, she licked her lips and leaned back into her chair. Eiric hesitated a moment longer before touching the strings of the lute. He cleared his throat.
“I might pronounce some of the words wrong, so forgive me. It’s a song that the slaves sing over and over in the slave jails and pits.”
She frowned. “I’m not sure I want to hear it.”
But she nodded reluctantly as he began playing and brought her ale to her lips.
A song they sing in the slave jails and pits, she wondered. She thought it might be crude, might be about death or their struggle, but she truly was surprised when Eiric started the song. When his words joined in, chills wrapped around her heart. Placing the ale back onto the table, she crossed her arms and glared at the Whittaker. She held his glare, his fingers ultimately leaving their struggle with the lute. Lowering the lute away from him, he sang the song louder. Her native tongue filled her ears and clutched her chest. Eiric kept singing, knowing well how it was making her feel.
“It’s a song my father had taught me as a child. I use to sing it in the kitchens of our castle.”
Eiric stopped singing.
“I know,” he said, lowering his eyes away from her.
“It’s a song about hope,” she said softly.
“And a song that infuriates the King of the Domain.”
She licked her lips, taking in a breath. “Is that why he’s toying with me? Because I offer his people something he won’t?”
“He doesn’t see the slaves as part of his people. He sees them as entertainment. But it upsets him when his entertainment sings in the Native Tongue.”
“So my entire Kingdom infuriates him?”
“Just as much as your alliance with the King of Adarmar.”
She shook her head, her eyes dry and probably red. “I’m going home tomorrow.”
“Yes,” he said with clear disappointment.
She drowned the last bit of her ale and stood. “You think that by playing a song out of my childhood that you would persuade me to go with you to the Domain Kingdom?”
He stood as well, staring down at her. “I played the song because I thought you would like it.”
“No. You want to convince me to fight with you against the never-ending struggle of slavery.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you.”
She hated that he towered over her and she decided to do something about it. She pulled her chair closer and stepped onto it. Eiric was entertained by her move and kindly laughed at her once she came to stand on the chair. She faced him, looking him straight in the eye.
“Well, hello there,” he murmured at her.
She found a smile tucking at her lips as well, her feet unsteady on the chair. She tried steadying herself and positioning her feet better, but the chair was unstable and she faltered slightly. Eiric’s eyes widened when she almost slipped off the seat, catching her by her arms. He fixed her on the seat and quickly pulled his hands away from her.
“I apologize for touching you, but you’ve drunk too much for fooling around,” he said sternly.
She laughed at him and it seemed like he didn’t like being laughed at. “Why do you do that?” she found herself asking.
“Do what?” he snapped, his eyes red from all the ale.
“Apologize for touching me every time.”
He wondered about her question, looking past her. “People don’t like it when I touch them.”
“Because you’re so intimidating?” she asked, their eyes finding each other.
“You find me intimidating?”
“And handsome.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You really must be drunk beyond your mind.”
She held his eyes and smiled. “I’m going to touch you, Eiric,” she mocked and reached for his hair. She took a strand of hair between her fingers and started rolling it around her finger.
“Is the Princess of the Maya Isles twirling my hair around her finger?”
“You don’t like it?” she asked and let the strand of hair go. “What do you like then?”
He held her eyes, the room falling quiet around them. “I have curious taste.”
“And are you curious about me?” she asked and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Eiric remained quiet at first, a smile touching the side of his mouth. “And if I am?”
“If you are, you should follow me into the Maya Isles,” she said, her hand touching the side of his neck. He swallowed underneath her touch. “How old are you, Eiric?”
“Too young to have seen the things that I have. And old enough to know when I should be turning away from the Princess in front of me.”
She grinned at him. “And are you going to turn away from me?”
“I should.”
“And if I kiss you?”
“I’m not gentle enough for you, Princess,” he said with a knowing smile.
“I have the heart of a Tiger, I can handle it.”
“Well, I’ve never kissed a tiger before.”
She grinned back at him, his words meaning so much more than he could realize. Reaching both her arms around his neck, he stiffened uncomfortably. Toying with him, she played with his long hair behind his head while staring into his eyes with a wicked smile. His eyes dropped to her lips, watching her smile at him.
“Don’t you want to kiss me, Eiric?”
“I can’t kiss you.”
Her smile disappeared, staring into his eyes. “You always act so tough. But you’re not tough at all.”
“Excuse me?”
“You warn me that you are not gentle enough for me, but when it comes to it, you can’t even kiss me. If you’re not even brave enough to do this simple thing, how are you going to convince me to fight with you against your King?”
Eiric’s hands clasped down on her hips, tucking her body closer to him. She startled in surprise, her eyes widening but not leaving his.
“What I am going to do with this Wild rebellious side of you?” he asked nonchalant and brought her lips to his. His lips came down on hers without a care in the world. Her heart pounded in her ears at the way he carelessly kissed her. She held onto him, hoping that she won’t fall off the unstable chair. His kiss deepened, alarming her heart. His hands travelled down her sides, stopping on her hips again. He took hold of her body in way that warmed her cheeks. In a way the Whittaker still frightened her, but he was causing her body to react in ways she couldn’t explain to herself.
Sensing her distress, Eiric began smiling. She opened her eyes and looked up at his bemused face. She opened her mouth to say something, but Eiric gave her another quick kiss before she could do so.
“It’s very entertaining,” he mused.
“Entertaining?”
“Yes,” he began. “Your little fight with your lover is quite amusing to me.”
She removed her arms from around his neck and wiped her mouth. “He’s not my lover.”
Eiric laughed. “Surely you know how dangerous it is for Kings and Queens to fight?”
Nayeli stepped off the chair, needing to get away from him.
“I’m not a Queen,” she muttered over her shoulder, making her way for the door.
“You can walk away from me, but the truth will remain the same. You are not a Queen, you are thee Queen. To more Kingdoms than one-”
She closed the tavern door behind her before she could hear the rest of his claims.

After helping Hael with the sewing of their cloaks, Nayeli came down from her room to sit at one of the Inn’s tables. Hael had gone to bed, resting his wounds. She wanted to order a mug of ale to unwind after a long day, but feeling the eyes of the room on her, she settled for water. She didn’t need stories to travel to the King about her indiscretions. Her mug of water was placed in front of her and she subtly rolled her eyes at it. This was surely not going to lift her mood.
She took a sip of the water and placed the mug back on the table. She sighed dramatically and when she lifted her gaze she stared into a pair of auburn eyes watching her from the door. She met the Whittaker’s glance, watching him. He wasn’t traveling in the colors of the Domain. If it wasn’t for his size, he might have blended in with the rest. But his long, blond hair that fell to his shoulders was a beacon in the dark room.
He was handsome, she found herself thinking.
Especially when he was looking at her like she was this marvelous creature he had discovered. In some way it was flattering to have a man like him adore her so. She didn’t know what to make of his plans for her, but she found herself standing up front her chair. It pleased him when she started walking towards him. Before anyone could notice, he slipped out the door. She followed him out, leaving the staring eyes of the Inn behind her.
Outside the streets were lit with lanterns. It was a beautiful town, a beacon to its surroundings. Nayeli searched for Eiric and when she couldn’t find him, she stepped out and walked down the street. She knew he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. She came up to a tavern but stopped at its door when she sensed someone behind her. She turned around to look at Eiric.
He shook his head at her. “Not that one.”
“No?” she asked, playfully reaching for the door’s knob.
“There are men of the Domain in town, in that tavern specifically,” he warned.
Nayeli frowned at him, troubled by the thought of Domain folk in Adarmar. “Why are they here?”
“There can be many reasons.”
“Are they looking for you?”
“I would prefer to avoid them.”
“And would they look for me?” she asked.
He nodded his head, lowering his eyes. “They will be spies for Jairo.”
“Oh,” she said and stepped into the street, away from the tavern.
“Searching for a place to drink is very unladylike,” Eiric said and a small smile tucked at his lips.
She stepped closer to him and lifted an eyebrow at him. “I’m not as perfect as you imagine me to be.”
His smile broadened. “You think I picture you as perfect?”
“Don’t you?” she asked, stepping around him and continuing down the street. She smiled once she heard him follow her.
“Aren’t you just full of yourself,” he teased. “I give you one compliment and I have to be reminded about it every day.”
They rounded the corner and to her surprise Eiric walked up to a tavern. She came to a stop and turned into the tavern with him. Inside the place was bustling with people. She moved through the crowd with Eiric until they reached the counter and he ordered ale for them. Placing the mug in front of her, a bemused smile touched his features.
Holding his eyes, she took a sip of the ale. The taste lingered on her tongue, tasting like freedom. When tomorrow comes she would put everything that had happened in Adarmar behind her. She would forget her mistakes, she would forget Eldenwood, and hopefully she would be able to forget Aiden’s fury. His words were still pricks of hurt in what was left of her heart. But tomorrow she would be out of Adarmar and she would be free again. She drank more of her ale, drowning away her thoughts of Aiden Estrella.

Chapter Seventeen - Songs in Her Native Tongue

Nayeli sat back into her horse’s saddle, loosening a breath. The day was coming to an end and the town they had to stay at wasn’t too far away. She rubbed her eyes and rolled her neck. She was stiff from riding and the road was getting long. Maya Castle were days away and she was already tired. For a second her thoughts travel to Aiden’s travelling party. They should be nearing Adarmar City by now. They were almost home.
Hael caught onto her tension, his horse coming closer to hers. To her delight, he quietly began humming a song. She smiled at the song he chose. It was the same song they had sung to Akira that night they had painted her face. The night they had shared with Akira felt so long time ago, but the memory made her smile nonetheless.
She glanced at Hael, softly saying the words to the song in their native tongue. Hael’s humming turned to singing, a smile playing with his features. He knew so well how to distract her. She would always laugh when she heard their song. Loosening her grip on her reins, she sang along with him.
When the song came to an end, they heard chuckles behind them.
She peeked over her shoulder at the Whittaker. “Still following us?” she asked and sighed.
“What a lovely song. If I understand correct, it’s about an older woman than has an eye on a younger lad?”
Both Hael and Nayeli looked around at him.
“You understand the native tongue?” Hael asked.
He nodded. “Many of the slaves in the Domain can speak it. When you sing too fast I tend to lose you, but mostly I understood.”
“That is quite surprising,” Hael said, turning to look at Nayeli again.
Holding his eyes, they shared a glance. At first they had tried to escape the Whittaker on the road, but later on they accepted that there was no escaping him. He followed them, insisting that they needed his protection. Hael was better by now, his cuts starting to heal well. But the Whittaker insisted that they couldn’t defend themselves. Nayeli was still waiting to see against what she would need to protect herself, but she gave it up and decided to simply ignore the man that trailed behind them.
They came to a town called Glance, the sun gone from the sky by the time they entered the town. It was filled with lights and quite larger in size since it was the town closest to the border of the Maya Isles. Tomorrow they would travel to a nearby Crossing between the two Kingdoms and head into the Isles.
They had stopped at an Inn where the Innkeeper had immediately recognized Nayeli. The man almost had a heart attack at the sight of her. He had grabbed for words, explaining that he only had only one room available when she wanted two. Nayeli had assured him it will be alright, taking the one room. The man had kept insisting that he could clear more rooms for her, but she had quickly waved him away and made sure Hael had paid well for their room. She would share the night with him, he wouldn’t mind.
Hael came into the Inn after tending to their horses and the Innkeeper showed them to their chamber upstairs. She helped Hael clean his bandages once the Innkeeper had left them. Hael was quiet as she cleaned his wounds.
“You’re healing well,” Nayeli murmured to him as she fastened the last bandage around his ribs.
Hael stood up, cautiously touching his side. He made his way over to her belongings.
“There is something I want to do,” he said and picked up her white cloak. “You wear this one the most, right?”
“I liked the color even before I realized I would be claimed by my Therian gene. I never imagined my Tiger would be white too.”
Hael nodded his head. “I’ll use this one then.”
Her brow furrowed. “For what?”
Hael took a packet out of his pocket. “I’ve arranged this with the stableman of the Inn. I’ve been trying to acquire it for some time now, but it’s not easy to find.”
She moved closer to him. “What is it?”
“It’s anti-poison. It obviously doesn’t work for every poison in this world. I have no idea if it’s strong enough to help against Drogonflower, but it’s all I’ve been able to buy.”
Nayeli swallowed uneasily. “You’re smart to think about it.”
“I’ll sew the anti-poison into the hem of your cloak’s hood. It would be easily accessible for you.”
She nodded her head. “I will go down to the kitchens and ask for sewing essentials. I’ll let them send it up to you.”
“It’s for the best, Nayeli.”
She nodded her head and left the room to go to the kitchens.

Jon was standing next to his horse, leaning back against it with his eyes closed. He welcomed the sun on his face, lost in thought. Akira’s words were still fresh in his mind. He tried convincing himself it was for the best, but his heart protested nonetheless. He heard someone walking closer to him and when he opened his eyes he saw Aiden coming closer.
“Akira cried this morning when we left The Klink,” Aiden said, gently.
Jon leaned his head back against his horse, staring up at the sky. He didn’t want to think about it and he definitely didn’t want to discuss it with the King of Adarmar.
“Is it time we have that talk that we’ve been avoiding for months now?” Aiden asked, clearly uncomfortable.
“After this morning you don’t have to worry about it,” Jon said and closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of the sun on his face.
“I don’t want the two of you to fight.”
Jon shook his head, his eyes still closed. “You don’t have to trouble yourself about it.”
“Look at me, Jon.”
Jon turned his head to the side and opened his eyes to look at Aiden, still leaned back against his horse. He locked eyes with his King.
“Would you tell me what happened?” Aiden asked.
“I told her she should go to Eldenwood.”
Aiden fell silent, taking Jon in. Then he frowned. “Do you want a title in my Kingdom, Jon?”
Jon closed his eyes and snorted kindheartedly. “So I would be worthy of your sister?”
“I’m not questioning whether you are worthy. I don’t care who you are or where you come from. I’m asking whether you would like to become a lord of Adarmar. As a lord, you can court my sister freely. But I won’t let you court her as an Aemazon Warrior. If you ever choose to leave me, I won’t let her go with you, Jon.”
“She doesn’t have any plans in ever following me away from you, Aiden. She will never leave you, don’t you know that?”
“I hope that is true.”
Jon stepped away from his horse to face his King. “Akira is going to find herself a young lord to marry and forget all about me. It will happen sooner than you think. Now would you please stop being angry with me and move past this?”
He watched as Aiden’s brow furrowed, his eyes moving to meet Jon’s. Aiden crossed his arms, staring back at him with his eyebrows tied together. Aiden took in a breath, holding his stare as she spoke.
“I’m not angry with you because you fancy my sister.”
Jon snorted. “Then why the sour notions these last few months?”
“Oh, you both must think I’m so very daft,” he snapped.
“What do you mean-”
“I want you to take a message to the Native Princess. She has escaped the man I’ve sent after her. I want you to find her and tell her I’ve appointed Akira to Eldenwood.”
“I’ll go,” Jon agreed. “But what did you mean when you said we must think you are daft?”
“I’ll send you the documents to deliver to the Princess,” Aiden said and turned to walk away.
“Aiden?” Jon asked.
He stopped for a moment. “Let it go, Jon. This is a fight to have with my sister, not with you. And I will take her on about it. But not today.”
“But Aiden-”
“That’s enough, Jon,” Aiden cut him off and walked away.

Akira was asleep in his lap, the carriage moving over the rocky terrain. Aiden stared out the window, his eyes on the Adarmar River. He thought of the first time he had seen Nayeli in her Therian form. That day he didn’t know what he was looking at, of cause. He hadn’t possessed the courage to admit that the Tiger’s blue eyes were familiar to him.
It was smart of her to cross the river before Changing. It left a river between her and the town of people. She had been calm that day. She had Changed in peace, choosing to let her Tiger out. When her control on her Tiger loosened willingly, the creature would be calm once she was Changed. But if she fought it, the creature would emerge in an angry state. Like in Eldenwood. She had been furious at what the Duke had done to the Sarctic Fox and her cubs. The Tiger was even more furious, clawing its way out of Nayeli.
He closed his eyes, relieved that Hael had the sense to get her away from the people that surrounded her. He had known what she was turning into and Aiden was glad the man had the nerve to battle a Tiger.
Great Seas, a Tiger.
Of all the forms the Therians had taken in history, why did she have to be something so vicious and brutal. Nayeli was a young woman, her smile kind and her eyes always lit with compassion. Why would she be cursed with such a malicious creature? She was dealt with a fate that would rule her for the rest of her life. He truly hoped that she was eating enough to satisfy the creature that shared her heart.
Aiden’s thoughts travelled back to Hael Young. Surely the man had been dealt with a heavier hand than he could hold. He was the only one helping Nayeli with her struggle. Even though he didn’t much like the man, he was glad she had someone to share it with. But she would have to learn control, Aiden knew. She could have ripped Hael apart in the woods if he hadn’t stepped in. She would have to learn to obey once she was in her Therian form.
Guilt touched his heart. He could help her. He had the means to teach her the control she needed. But if she wanted his help, she would have to ask for it. Stubbornly he shook his head. He won’t give in to her. He had given too much of himself already. If she wanted something from him, she would have to ask him herself.
Her Tiger had tried to demand him in the Seneca Woods. She wanted to be Queen, to overpower him. But he was much stronger than the creature could have anticipated. He was powerful, his Blood Royal. He was the King of Adarmar and an animal won’t demand control over him. He was the King and his Kingdom belonged to him, not to her Tiger.
“Yer Majesty,” a guard said next to the carriage, snapping him out of his reverie. “The Duchess Leilani Kubovy seeks an audience with you.”
Aiden opened the curtain of the carriage, looking out at the guard to nod his head. Aiden groaned quietly, wondering what in the Seven Seas would the woman want from him now. Was she already conflicting his choice as Akira as the Princess of Eldenwood? He looked down at his sister in his lap, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“Akira?” he asked and she instantly sat up.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, rubbing her face. “Is it Nayeli?”
Aiden found himself smiling at his sister. When did she start caring so much about the Native Princess? He was glad to know he wasn’t the only ensnared one.
“The Duchess Leilani seeks an audience with me.”
“Oh,” she said, fiddling with her hair. “Is this about Eldenwood?”
He shrugged. “It might be.”
“Then I’m coming with you. I can defend myself, you don’t have to do it for me.”
When the carriage came to a stop, Aiden helped his sister step out of it. The entire traveling party came to a stop, everyone’s eyes on them. Word had spread about the new Princess of Eldenwood, he realized. Akira glanced at him, her eyes slightly widening in delight. It made him happy to see his sister excited in a way, nervous with anticipation of what was to come.
Akira’s eyes went past him and he followed her gaze. Behind them his nobles were making their way up to their carriage. The Duke Daniel Parnell was smiling from ear to ear, lifting his hands to clap them together. Aiden was relieved to find the Kubovy family smiling as well, joining in with the clapping of their hands. The entire party started clapping their hands in congratulations. Aiden found himself doing the same. Akira was stunned by their approval, clearly underestimating how loved she was by the people of Adarmar.
The nobles stepped forward, coming up to Akira to congratulate her. Leynar was more reserved in his congratulating, but at least he was polite. The young Duke Daniel Parnell was looking at Akira with eyes that surely should make Aiden uncomfortable, but he pushed it aside for now. If the Duke admired her, he wasn’t going to stop him.
It was Leilani that surprised him the most.
“I’ve already started planning,” she began. “There should be a ball in your honor, Princess Akira. We will rejoice together in celebrating the news. Tomorrow night,” Leilani chirped. “We should hold the ball tomorrow night in honor of our beloved Princess.”
Aiden smiled at the idea, looking at Akira for approval. She nodded her head, meeting eyes with Leilani.
“It’s settled then,” Aiden said. “I will send a rider to the castle to begin the preparations.”

Akira marched up to the door to Jon’s room. About to bang it off its hinges, but the door suddenly opened. Akira glared at Jon, lowering her hand. Jon stared at her in confusion, clearly sensing her fury. Pushing him into the room, she slammed the door shut behind them.
“You want me gone?” she demanded at him.
“Well, good morning to you,” he said.
“You want me to leave Adarmar Castle?”
He closed his eyes, taking in a breath. “Akira, no-”
“You’re looking at the new Princess of Eldenwood!” she exclaimed. “Thank you for the recommendation, Jon May! And congratulations, I’ll be gone from your daily routine and you won’t have to worry about me anymore-”
“Do you truly think I want you gone from my life?”
“Yes,” she snapped. “That is plainly what you want! I guess I can understand that you don’t want to deal with Princess with her addiction to Ember!”
“Keep your voice down,” he snapped. “And this is not about Ember and neither about what I want. This is about what the folk of Eldenwood needs, what Adarmar needs-”
Akira found herself cursing at him. His eyes widened at her in shock. Yes, Jon May, she could curse just as well as the Princess Nayeli Faye. They didn’t differ too much in their age, and if she can demand what she wanted, so can Akira. She stepped towards Jon, her hurt burning in her chest.
“You’re never going to do more than kiss me, are you? You are never going to tell me that you love me. You won’t because you think it’s wrong.”
“It is wrong, Akira,” he insisted. “We’ve been through this before. I can’t care for you, you are not mine to love.”
“Are you even capable of loving?” she found herself saying.
“Clearly not!” he exclaimed. “Because no matter what I do, I will always hurt you. No matter which way I turn, you will never be mine.”
“I don’t care about politics! I want to know if you would want me to be yours. Forget about Adarmar and answer me. Would you want me?”
“I can’t have you-”
“Answer me, Jon. Do you want to love me?”
He shook his head in frustration, clenching his teeth. “It’s not that simple and you know it.”
“Then simplify it. Please.”
“Simplify it?” he asked. “Alright then, let’s do just that. Would you throw your little crown to the ground and come with me when the Warrior’s loyalty is won by someone else?”
“Why would they want to follow someone else?”
“Answer me, Akira.”
Her face changed, her outrage clear. “You want me to leave Adamar? To leave Aiden?”
“When the day comes, would you come with me?”
“But why do I have to give up my titles and my home? Why can’t you leave the Warrior’s?”
Jon’s face twisted into a knowing smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He held her stare, shaking his head at her. “I need to give my people up in order to be with you, but you aren’t willing to do the same for me.”
“That is not what I said! I just meant that it would be easier for you to do it-”
“Easy for me to give up the people that cared for me long before I’ve ever met you? Just give up on the people that shared slave pits with me? People I’ve fought for my entire lifetime? They are my life, Akira. It’s who and what I am. The fact that you don’t understand that obviously states how little you know about me.”
“I know you, Jon-”
“Then you won’t ask me to give up my people-”
“I want to be with you.”
“If that is true, put your crown aside.”
“I can never do that to Aiden and you know that!”
“Yes,” he snapped. “And neither can I! I won’t be the one to take his sister away from him. I won’t, Akira. He’s my friend and my King. We are both loyal to him-”
“Do I have my answer then?!” she demanded.
Jon cursed in frustration. “I should never have kissed you.”
Akira wanted to scream out loud, scream her frustration at him. His words hurt more than he would ever realize. She balled her hands into fists at her sides.
“You shouldn’t even have befriended me in the first place!” she said, her nails digging into her palms. “I don’t want to be your friend.”
“Then I’ll stay out of your way-”
“I’m glad I am leaving,” she found herself saying. “I can’t wait to leave you and Adarmar Castle behind me.”
Jon fell silent, his eyes locked with hers.
“I’ll make a new life for myself in Eldenwood. Without you.”
Jon’s eyes lowered to the ground. “Yes, Princess, you will.”
Before tears could touch her eyes, she turned away from him. There was so much more she wanted to say, so much more she wanted to yell at him. But her throat was swollen with tears and she didn’t have the courage to cry in front of him. She opened the door with a shaking hand, quickly closing it behind her again. She stopped for a second, listening if Jon might be following her. But the door remained closed and deep down she knew he wouldn’t.
She walked in a daze, her heart dragging on the ground behind her. She reached her carriage, her belongings already packed and the horses ready to leave. Her rider opened the door for her to get in, but instead she stopped and turned around. Her eyes searched the grounds around her, her eyes coming to rest on Aiden. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he turned to look at her. He was standing next to his horse, ready to mount it. But as their eyes met, he held the horse’s reign out to one of his navy guards. He came closer to her, holding her eyes. Without saying anything, or asking why tears were leaving her eyes, he took her hand and climbed into the carriage with her.

Chapter Sixteen - Appointing You to Eldenwood


Akira stared at him in alarm.
“You want to do what?” she asked in shock.
“I want to make you the Princess of Eldenwood.”
Akira laughed. “You’re a very amusing man, brother.”
Aiden looked at her across the table. He gestured at the documents in front of him, picking up his quill. “Does this look like I am fooling around?”
“Stop writing!” Akira shrieked. “Don’t you dare put my name on those papers.”
Aiden lifted an eyebrow at her, the quill still in hand. They were in The Klink, their last destination before Adarmar Castle. It was early morning and most of the travelling party was already ready to depart by this time, ready to make their way towards Adarmar Castle. They were both dressed in their riding clothing, ready to move on from their current town. Holding her gaze a few moments longer, he dipped his quill in the ink and started completing the papers. Akira crossed her arms, staring at him in puzzlement.
“You can’t make me to this,” she said. “Can you?”
“Of cause I can, but it would go easier if you complied,” he said, not looking up from his paperwork.
Akira started panicking. “Does this mean I will have to attend your meets?”
He ignored her question, not feeling the need to answer it. Akira stiffened uncomfortably in her chair and as each second passed she grew more restless. The only sound in the room was his quill dancing over the paperwork.
“Aiden,” she said after a while of silence. “Are you sure about this?”
“I truly think this will be good for you and for our Kingdom. Eldenwood is a beautiful Court, it will please me immensely to see my sister lead the lands.”
“But I’ll have to move there!” Akira choked out, rising from her seat. “I don’t want to leave my home.”
“You will stay with me in Adarmar Castle until you’re eighteen years of age, only then will you move to Eldenwood.”
“But that is mere months away.”
Aiden stopped writing, looking up at his sister. “It will be hard on the both of us, Akira. But soon Eldenwood will become your home and you will be happy there. You are not far away from home, you can come to Adarmar Castle anytime you want.”
“Are you doing this to get me away from Jon?” she demanded, coming around the table and stopping next to Aiden. He looked up at her.
“This has nothing to do with Jon.”
“You want me to spend my time with nobles and not with an Aemazon Warrior. Why don’t you just admit it?”
“This choice was not made on who you spend your time with. If you don’t believe me, you can go ask Jon yourself.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
“It was Jon who suggested you as Duchess.”
She fell silent, staring past Aiden. He watched her mind run, her face saddening.
“He wants me to leave?” she asked, her eyes lowering to the floor.
“No, Akira. But we both believe that you will flourish as the Princess of Eldenwood.”
She looked back at Aiden, her face hardening. “If I sign these papers I will be the keeper of these lands?”
“Yes,” he confirmed and pushed the papers closer to her.
She didn’t say anything as she picked up the quill and dipped it in ink. Aiden watched his sister step forward and claim Eldenwood as her own. He smiled, knowing that it truly was the best decision to make. Akira signed the documents, putting the quill down again. Then she turned back to Aiden, meeting his eyes.
“So I am the Princess of Eldenwood now?” she asked.
He smiled at her. “Yes, you are. Congratulations, Princess.”
“You’re not going to discuss this with your nobles first?”
“This is my choice, not theirs. I have the final say. I will send a letter to notify them all about my decision.”
“Well, since you’re already sending out a letter. I will be sending another along.”
Aiden lifted his eyebrows at her. “What kind of letter?”
“To notify them all that Duke Faure Jevric’s principles regarding his lands and wildlife will remain unchanged.”
Aiden’s face wavered, all signs of a smile gone from his lips. “You can’t be serious, Akira. The Kubovy-”
“This is what I want,” Akira insisted. “If you expect to me lead the lands, you need to trust me. Or are you going to oppose my very first ruling as a leader?”
Aiden clenched his teeth, watching his sister. “I don’t know if this will sit well with the Kubovy Family.”
“I don’t care. As Duchess of Eldenwood and Princess of Adarmar, I will make sure the people of Eldenwood are content with me as their leader.”
Aiden watched his sister in amazement, his face softening. “Well, alright then.”
Akira’s eyes widened when he didn’t put up a fight. She continued. “And I don’t want people of the Domain Kingdom in my lands. We will keep the agreement with them if that helps us in ridding them from the Seneca Woods.”
“I agree,” Aiden said with a nod of his head.
Akira hesitated and eyed her brother carefully before stepping towards him at the table. “Please make sure the Princess Nayeli receives the news?”
Aiden held her eyes before nodding his head again. “I will make sure she is notified.”
“Do you think she will accept me as the new ruler of Eldenwood?”
Aiden frowned. “Why do you care about how Princess Nayeli feels about this?”
“I know she’s been difficult these past months, but she inspires me, Aiden. She’s so strong and confidant in everything she does. I envy the way she can demand Adarmar’s attention.”
“I’ve asked her to leave Eldenwood and not to go back.”
“I know,” she said, her eyes pleading. “Please notify her that she is welcome to visit Eldenwood and its new Princess anytime she wants.”
“Akira-”
“Please do it, Aiden,” she said before he could even get a word out.
Aiden took a breath before picking up the quill again. Akira was a difficult as ever, as defiant as he knew she would be. Her Royal Blood instantly wanted to lead and demand. He was glad to see he wasn’t the only one with strong Estrella blood.
“I’ll send the letters out,” Aiden said, not looking up and continuing to write.
“Thank you,” she said, touching his shoulder and peeking over it. “I have a lot to learn, Brother.”
Touching his sister’s hand on his shoulder, he smiled. “You will be surprised to see how ready you are for leading. It’s in your blood.”
The silence between them stretched and Aiden continued writing. She glanced over his shoulder every now and then, reading as he wrote. The Kubovy family was going to be difficult about Akira’s decisions, and although Aiden would have liked to explore Eldenwood’s opportunities, he had to respect his Princess and Duchess’ decision. At the end, it was the best choice to make and he knew it. For the sake of Eldenwood’s people and folk, this would be best for them. He admired Akira’s courage to stand for Duke Faure’s procedures and conventions.
Even the decision about the Domain Kingdom he respected. When they had left Eldenwood he had left orders for the Whittaker to remain in Eldenwood until they’ve reached a decision. He didn’t need that man walking around in his Kingdom. Not with the Native Princess off on her own. His hand tightened on his quill at the thought. She had run off because he had asked her to leave Eldenwood. But running off on her own with only an injured native as her only protection filled him with concern.
“Speaking of blood,” Akira said next to him, her voice lowered. “Do you remember what father used to say about us?”
Aiden swallowed, thinking of Nayeli’s Tiger. “Yes, I remember.”
“He had said that our Royal Blood is powerful.”
“I remember.”
“The Princess Nayeli thinks my dreams mean things,” she said, her voice soft and hesitant.
Aiden dropped the quill, turning to look up at his sister. “And do you believe her?”
Aiden watched as his sister swallowed uneasily, meeting his eyes with concern. “I hope they don’t.”
“Did something happen in your dreams?”
“There’s a lot of death,” she said, her voice strained.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
“No,” she objected. “I really don’t. But Nayeli has a way of drawing it out of me. She analyzes them like they’ve truly happened.”
Aiden’s heart sped up. So, Nayeli wasn’t blind to the properties of Royal Blood. But why didn’t she ever sense him?
“The Stag was killed by the Snake. Then the Snake and the Tiger fought over the Stag. The Snake was to blame for the Stag’s death, but the Wolf didn’t know that.”
Aiden’s eyebrows rose, staring at his sister in puzzlement. He knew her words meant something, he had always known. Of cause he knew. But he had never been able to unravel her dreams. They were all animals and he couldn’t identify them. When she was younger she had dreamt of birds and wolves. Every night she spoke of the colorful bird and its ways. He even remembered that Akira once enjoyed dreaming about it. The bird had offered a sense of hope.
“Do you remember the bird you dreamt about when you were still a child?”
Akira smiled fondly. “Nayeli said it was called an Alpoca.”
“An Alpoca?”
“A bird that lives in their homeland. It looks like a Raven, but it’s colorful. Mostly red and blue. Like her royal colors.”
He nodded his head. “Do you think Nayeli is the bird in your dreams?” he found himself asking.
“Please don’t start with me, Aiden. It will drive you insane if you try to analyze my dreams. They are too unclear to listen to,” Akira said and stepped away from him. She shrugged at him, touching her temple. “Besides, even if it sounds right, Nayeli can’t be the Alpoca because the bird is dead.”
Aiden’s throat tightened. “She’s dead?-”
“The bird is dead and Nayeli is very much alive, we both know that!” Akira insisted. “Don’t you see? These dreams are misleading and will drive you senseless!”
Aiden stood. “How did the bird die?”
“Oh, stop it, Aiden!”
“Was it the Tiger?”
Akira’s face faltered. “How did you know that?”
“Nayeli is the Tiger, Akira.”
Akira visibly shivered, her hands send into a tremble. “No,” she insisted. “No. Nayeli said we would fight the Tiger together. She promised me that we will both survive it!”
Aiden watched his sister entangle herself in the dreadful dreams that ruled her life. He remembered now why he had given up on asking her about them. It hurt her to talk about it. It caused her to tense into an interwoven ball of anxiety. He could sense her tears threatening, her eyes pleading him to stop asking about it.
“These dreams are not real, no matter what father had said.”
“Come here,” he said and opened his arms to Akira. She walked into his embrace, pushing her face into his chest. Silence fell on them, holding her in his arms. He felt her find calm in his arms, her shoulders relaxing. She loosened a breath, her grip on him tightening. She was everything to him. How in the world was he going to find the courage to let his beautiful, young sister go to Eldenwood without him?

They came down the stairs and found the busy Inn had changed. Suddenly it had gone quiet. The clientele had all retired to their rooms. The common room was cleared of people, only one man remaining at a table. And what a mountain he was in the empty room. Eiric heard them coming, rising up from his seat. A slight smile touched his mouth. Alarm gripped Nayeli’s throat, her grip on the drogonflower in her hand tightening.
“And that is how I clear a room,” he mused out loud. “By just being me.”
Nayeli looked around the cleared room, knowing well why everyone had fled the presence of the Domain Warrior. Even the Innkeeper had disappeared.
Nayeli opened her mouth to speak, but closed it once Eiric started clapping his hands at her. A delighted smile played with his face, his clapping loud in the empty room.
“What are you triumphant about?” she asked, her voice sharp.
“I’m applauding your attack on the Duke of Keldar,” he claimed, ending his clap and folding his hands in behind his back.
“It’s nothing to congratulate me on,” she snapped.
“But I’m so thoroughly impressed, you wildling,” he continued.
Nayeli and Hael shared a glance. Alarm touched his features, his shoulders squared in unease.
“This must be Hael Young ,” Eiric said to both their surprise. “I know your name well.”
“You do?” Hael asked, unbelieving.
“Of cause! The day the Princess was born, your own mother was only at the start of her seventh month of pregnancy. But for some reason you had fought your way out of her womb, emerging strong and healthy. It was so miraculous, it was declared that the only explanation could be that you were meant to be the Princess’ Lunar bond. You were the baby that had been delivered to Maya Castle to be raised along with the Princess. From the look of things, the people of the Isles must have been right, because here you are, still at her side and moving through the world with her.”
“You know what a Lunar bond is?” Nayeli asked with a frown caught between her eyes.
“Most Lunars marry each other-”
“Don’t even start with us,” she snapped, shutting him up. He still looked bemused, his eyes moving back and forth between the two of them.
“I would like to speak with you, Nayeli,” he said after a lingering silence.
“Then speak.”
He glanced at Hael. “Can I please do that without your Lunar Brother glaring at me like I might jump at you any moment now?”
Nayeli looked at Hael and found that he truly was glaring. She stepped closer to him, touching his arm. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Hael tensed, not taking kindly at her dismissal. He shot a look at the Warrior once more before he turned away from them. She watched him go and once he disappeared out the door, she turned and found the Warrior watching her in return.
“You should stop sending me flowers,” she said boldly, dropping the flower onto his table.
“Do you know why I am sending them to you?”
She rolled her eyes at him, her own bemused smile touching her mouth. “Because you secretly fancy me?”
“Oh,” he pondered playfully. “You’ve noticed.” Her eyes widened, not sure if he was playing with her or telling the truth. “But that is not why I am sending you the flowers,” he finished.
“They’re Drogonflowers.”
“And you know what they are used for?”
She merely nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. She didn’t want to grasp the fact that she was standing in a room with a man that knew very well how deadly the flower could be. Discomfort touched her spine.
He picked up the flower, holding it out to her. “I’m sending them to you because I want you to smell them.”
“They’re poisonous-”
“Their smell isn’t poisonous,” he said, urging the flower closer to her. “But the smell is quite dominating. If you learn to know its sweet scent, you would pick it up if you were to find it in your food.”
“Is that how you killed him?” she snapped, giving a step towards him.
His face faltered, touched by repentance. Taking in a breath, he leaned back against his table. He placed the flower next to him, his gaze on the floor.
“Do you understand why I had to do it?”
“You didn’t have to kill him-”
“If I didn’t, someone else would have,” he said, lifting his eyes to her face. He stared at her with v forming between his eyes. “But it had to be me, because it was only me that could conceal the Duke’s true cause of death. I made sure his death was not pinned on you.”
“I didn’t ask for you to defend me,” she declared, furious that someone had planned to use her in Faure’s death. “And I don’t understand why you would want to.”
“Because I know, Nayeli.”
“You know what?”
He cursed loudly. “I know that you’ve been accepting slaves into the Maya Isles from the Domain Kingdom.”
An involuntarily gasp escaped her lips, her spine turned to ice. Bewildered, she lowered her hands to her sides and felt the urge of wanting to jump at the Warrior, to grab the Drogonflower and force it down his throat. He shouldn’t know about this, couldn’t know! Her cheeks flushed, her heart drumming loudly in her ears. He was the King of the Domain’s brother. And he knew. He knew she was taking in slaves on her borders. Her heartbeat accelerated as she took in the consequences of what his words could mean.
“Calm yourself,” he murmured. “You’re secret is safe with me.”
“That is a lie!” she blurted. “Nothing or nobody is safe with you! I’m saving those people, Whittaker! I give them homes-”
“I know,” he snapped. “Why do you think I am here? Why do you think I am urging you to fight for people and not for Eldenwood’s animals?-”
“And have you told your King?” she asked in alarm.
“Of-fucking-course not,” he said. “If he had to find out, you would be dead before the end of day.”
She exhaled loudly. “What do you want, Eiric?” she demanded. “You want to use this information to extort me into doing something for you? Is that it?”
He laughed at her. “Extort you?” he entertained. “I want to fucking help you, Nayeli.”
She cursed out loud, boldly stepping closer to him. “Help me? He’s your brother-”
“And I loathe him!” the mountain of a man cried out. His sudden change in mood made her heart jump into her throat, looking up at the mountain. “Do you know how many thousands of men he has enslaved in his kingdom? Do you have any idea how many fathers have been taken from their families?! He wrecks lives as far as he goes!”
Like he wrecked your life? She found herself thinking, but refrained from saying so. Instead she stood her ground, holding his eyes. “What do you want me to do, Eiric? Why have you come all this way to tell me this?”
“Come with me to the Domain Kingdom,” he said.
She found her mouth to be dry, swallowing uneasily. “And do what?”
“End slavery.”
She narrowed her eyes up at him, taking in his words. She mulled over his actions of the last few weeks. He truly was the most perplexing man she had ever met. But she knew fairly well what he was proposing to her. She refused to think of what Aiden would say.
“To end slavery, you need to end King Jairo Whittaker,” she said, her murderous words leaving her mouth slowly. “And what then, Eiric? You become King?”
“Why, Princess, I’m offended,” he said. “Do you really think I am made to be a King?”
“Do you want me to answer that?-”
“Jairo Whittaker has a son,” he cut her off. “A bastard boy like me.”
Nayeli remained quiet.
“I believe the ways of being a King can be taught to him. We can help him.”
“And how do you suppose we get past Jairo Whittaker?”
“You’re a beacon of hope to the slaves of the Domain, don’t you realize that?” he began. “Word has travelled about you. Every slave that manages to escape, runs to your border. From what I hear, most of those slaves have been accepted into your armies.”
Nayeli frowned. “I’ve offered them other choices.”
“But they want to fight for you. They follow you now, you are their Queen.”
“I am not a Queen,” she uttered. “I fall under the reign of King Aiden Estrella.”
“You were made to reign over your own Kingdom, not to follow Aiden Estrella.”
She lowered her gaze away from him, slowly crossing her arms. “Eiric…” she whispered. “I serve the King of Adarmar. I will never oppose him, no matter what you say to me. If by helping you in your cause will hurt my relationship with Adarmar, I don’t want any part in it.”
“Someday you are going to feel different about what I am proposing to you now,” he said, suddenly taking her by the chin and tilting her head up at him. “I apologize for touching you, but I need you to look at me.”
His hand dropped away from her face and she held his stare.
“You haven’t been pushed far enough by Jairo yet. Not like I’ve been. But he will hurt you, Nayeli,” Eiric said slowly. “And when that day comes, you’ll regret not listening to me tonight.”
“Well, until then I will be in the Maya Isles-”
“Haven’t you been listening to me?!” he asked, his voice raised. “Like I’ve told you and your King, Jairo is planning something.”
“Then tell me what he is planning!-”
“If I knew that I would have told you. All I know is that his eyes are set on Adarmar and the Maya Isles. Whatever his plans are for either of the Kingdoms, I don’t know.”
“Surely he isn’t imprudent enough to think he can take us to war?”
“I’ve seen his confidence, Nayeli. Clearly the change he has set into motion is a perceptive one. He’s already murdered one of Adarmar’s Dukes. Or have you forgotten that?”
“And what do you want me to do about this? Talk to Aiden about it? Because I’m sorry to disappoint you but he doesn’t even want to be in the same room as me-”
“You’re little lover’s quarrel is very adorable and all, but I would suggest you take a step back and look at the bigger catastrophe at your door.”
She scowled at him, narrowing her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, a curse ready on her lips, but he spoke before she even had the chance.
“You’re in danger, Nayeli. And even if it pains me to say this, you are safer when you are around Aiden Estrella.”
“I’m going home,” she objected.
“I would advise against it-”
“I don’t care what you advise-”
“You don’t care that you are in danger?”
She snorted. “What danger?-”
“You’re being followed,” he claimed through clenched teeth, annoyed by her. “And not just by one person. I’ve located two so far.”
“It’s probably just Aiden.”
“One of them, yes. But to whom does the other man belong?”
She stared up at him. “You think someone would try and hurt me?”
He picked up the flower on the table. “Smell this.”
She didn’t need to bring the flower too close to her nose to smell all of it. Her Tiger senses heightened as she touched the flower and sensed its dominating sweet odor. It pleased Eiric when she sniffed the flower, a relief smile touching his face.
“You should go and rest,” he said, his voice calm. “I want to leave before dawn and escape your followers.”
“I am going home,” she warned him. “And going nowhere with you.”
He crossed his arms, looking down at her with a smirk. “Is that what you think?”
She squared her shoulders, holding his gaze. “I bid you good-night, Whittaker.”
Entertained, he licked his lips. “Good night, Native Princess.”

Nayeli and Hael didn’t travel as fast as she would have liked. Hael was hurt and he couldn’t move too fast. Putting their haste aside, they had decided to make the most of their travel back to the Isles. They towns and villages they passed through were places they haven’t seen before. The lands were rich in crops and produces. The fields were green in their productivity. Between towns, farms covered the lands, fat and healthy livestock everywhere to see. The Isles received many of these traded crops and livestock, it was a satisfied feeling to see where it was coming from.
For the night, they stopped at a larger town with a big and busy Inn. The Innkeeper was so busy running around to please all his customers, he didn’t ask a lot of questions when Hael came in to book two rooms. Once the rooms were booked, Nayeli was pleased to find that the busy Innkeeper didn’t even notice who she was. It happened often in Adarmar. For some reason people didn’t expect a Princess to keep a low profile, which meant mostly she was regarded as just another Lady, or sometimes even as just a native girl passing through. Secretly, she liked being able to hide from her title every now and again.
Hael showed her to her room but she made sure she went to his instead. Hael regarded her with a smirk and raised an eyebrow. “You want to see, don’t you?” he asked.
She shrugged at him, sitting down at the table. They rooms were very basic, yet elegant in their simplicity. There was a big bed in the center of the room, a few furnishing chairs with reading lanterns, and a small eating table with two chairs. Lifting her hand, she patted on the table. “Please let me help you clean your cuts.”
Hael remained in his spot, crossing his arms. “I know what it does to you to see them.”
“Don’t I deserve it?” she murmured, her voice soft and eyes lowered to the table.
“No,” he said, stepping closer to her. “You will only end up moping and avoiding my eyes.”
“If I promise that I won’t, will you let me help you with cleaning your bandages?”
Hael sighed defeated, starting to take his riding shirt off. Nayeli casted her eyes downward, not watching him get undress. Once he was only standing in his brown riding pants, he came to lean back against the table in front of her. She lifted her gaze to his and to her surprise, he reached out to take her chin into his hand.
“You won’t whine in my ears about this?”
She shook her head up at him. “Sit down,” she said, patting the table in front of her.
She took off Hael’s bandages, relieved to see his cuts were not as deep as she had thought. It was still a sight that gave her chills, claw marks lining his rips and side. She didn’t trust her voice to speak, instead she unwrapped the last of the bandages and placed them aside. He reached for his pack of healing supplies, putting it on the table for Nayeli. Without speaking, she started cleaning the wounds. Hael’s gaze went past her, not looking at the cuts on his side.
When she was done cleaning the cuts, she stood to wrap his middle with the bandages. She was busy tying the last strand when a knock on the door made both of them jump. She gestured for him to stay put, stepping away and going to the door. It was late, too late for someone of the Inn to bother them. She opened the door and found a servant standing at the door.
The servant looked annoyed and didn’t say much when he handed the serving tray to Nayeli. She took the tray, her heart dropping at its contents. Closing the door behind her, she brought the tray to Hael. She plucked it down on the table with a loud crash, a curse leaving her lips.
Hael turned to look at the Drogonflower on the tray. “The Whittaker?” he asked, shocked. “And no note this time?”
“He’s here,” she said, pacing back and forth in front of him. “I should face him and get it over with.”
“I’m coming with you,” Hael objected, reaching for his shirt.
“You should stay up here-”
“Forget it, Nayeli,” he snapped, pulling on his shirt.

Chapter Fifteen - I Apologize For Touching You


The travelling party had left Eldenwood at early dawn. The Kubovy family and the Duke Daniel Parnell had hastened in gathering their things in order to travel with them down river. Even with the travelling party doubled in size, everyone immediately noticed that the tail of the party was reduced to only one man. The Princess Nayeli and Hael Young had already left, their horses gone from the stable. Nobody had said anything about it, not even the Duke Leynar Kubovy. In fact, Jon found him to be quite silent after his fall-out with the Princess. Jon smiled by himself, making sure nobody was watching him as he rejoiced in the thought of a girl being able to pin that obnoxious Duke to the ground.
Jon was going to miss his fighting sessions with Nayeli. She was a strong fighter and as light on her feet as only a woman can be. His smile faded slightly at the thought, wondering where Nayeli had gone to. He wasn’t aware of what had happened after the fight. The word around the castle was that the King had chased the Native Princess and her Native friend into the woods. Jon frowned. Why would he chase them into the woods?
“Royals,” he snorted by himself, shaking his head at their politics.
When he had heard the travelling party was leaving, Jon had gone to the stables to ready their horses, only to find that his party had left without him. No, he wasn’t impressed that his travelling companions left without him. In fact, he was pretty fucking furious. Now he had to trail behind in the Kubovy family’s dust all by himself.
They were in their second day of travel now, the end of day lingering. They were nearing the next town where they will stay for the night. Jon sat back in his horse, slowing into a walk with his eyes on the setting sun’s colors on the Adarmar River. They were two days away from Eldenwood, where would Nayeli and Hael be now?
Jon stiffened in his seat once he heard someone running down the traveling party. He kept his stance, watching as Aiden came down the party on his horse. His gaze found Jon’s, his horse coming up to him.
“Jon, this is madness. I told you that you can come ride up front with us,” Aiden said, his horse falling in next to his.
Jon regarded Aiden, watching him curiously. “Are your brooding mood over yet?”
Aiden loosened a breath of hopelessness. “I don’t think I will be in a good mood ever again.”
Jon smiled by himself, bemused. “The word around the party is that everyone is too scared to even approach you. They fear for their heads.”
“They should fear it,” Aiden snapped. “I’m tired of people fucking me around.”
Jon didn’t reply to that, their horses moving forward in silence.
After a while Aiden exhaled another long breath, his eyes on the river.
“You can always hide away back here for a while,” Jon said casually, not meeting Aiden’s eyes. The King took in his words and Jon could feel him calm in his saddle. His tense shoulders relaxed, his grip on his reins loosening. It pleased him to see his friend find a moment’s calm in his company. They’ve been back and forth with each other for last few weeks, not finding their usual center in their friendship.
“Sorry for handing your ass to you in front of all the people of Eldenwood,” Jon said playfully.
Aiden thinned his lips, his mood as sour as ever. “I thought I had you. I could taste my victory, but you had to come back in full force to catch me off guard. Was it because of the Whittaker in Eldenwood or because Akira was watching?”
Jon turned to look at Aiden, his smile gone. “Are you going to have a go at me now too?” Jon asked.
Aiden groaned, shaking his head at himself. “I’m sorry, Jon,” he muttered. “I’m just not myself these last few days.”
“We both know why,” Jon declared, looking away from him and shaking his head.
“Oh, please don’t even mention it.”
“All I’m saying is that your mood is affecting everyone around you, the entire party is walking on eggshells because the King is out for blood.”
“I am out for blood!” he snapped. “What happened between my Duke and the Princess of the Maya Isles was unforgiving.”
“Alright, alright,” Jon said, trying to calm the King. “Don’t snap at me.”
“You don’t understand,” Aiden began. “I was planning on giving the Eldenwood Court to Leynar Kubovy.”
Jon snorted lightheartedly. “That would’ve been a mistake.”
Aiden turned his gaze towards him, frowning. “Why?” he asked simply. “They’ve been loyal to the Estrellas for five generations-”
“Yes, yes, I know. You don’t have to remind me.”
Aiden grimaced, still watching him. “Then why?”
Jon loosened a breath. “I don’t like your politics. I don’t want to get involved.”
“Answer me, Jon. Tell me what you are thinking.”
Jon shrugged. “They’re powerful.”
“That I know. Even more reason to keep them content.”
“No,” Jon insisted. “Currently you consist of five Courts and the Maya Isles. Six Courts in total. The Kubovy family already leads two of your Courts, which is a third of your Kingdom. If you give them Eldenwood, they will lead half of your Kingdom. No Duke should be able to match the King’s power.”
“Even with Eldenwood at their side, they won’t be a match for the rest of Adarmar. With the Maya Isles at our backs, they won’t even consider it,” Aiden said, his face changing once he took his words in.
Jon took a moment before answering. “As I see it, our relationship with the Maya Isles is quite fragile right now. Without them, Adarmar will be weak.”
Aiden grunted. “You mean to say that my relationship with the Princess of the Maya Isles is fragile.”
“I mean to say that you should strengthen that bond. All you see is pretty bright eyes and provocative tanned figure, but she’s much more powerful than she leads on. She’s a shrewd woman with the mind of a Royal. She has given into your demands for years now, not fighting you on them, but what happens the day when she says no to you?”
“In what world has Nayeli ever listened to me?” Aiden demanded.
“You’re making it too personal,” Jon said. “She’s given her Kingdom to you. Take that into account before bringing your personal quarrels into play.”
“Personal quarrels?!-”
“Oh, come on, Aiden, I know you’ve been bedding that woman. Do you think I am such a fool?”
Aiden groaned. “A fool is anyone who thinks she ever listens to me! Look what had happened in Eldenwood-”
“Just because she had fought for what she believes in, doesn’t mean she wanted to defy you. Everything she does is not about you!”
“Why are you defending her? She attacked a Duke of my Kingdom-”
“He deserved it,” Jon barked, his horse coming to a halt.
“I can’t believe you of all people are defending her,” Aiden declared, his horse stopping a few feet away from Jon’s.
“I’m not defending her! I don’t even like her! But you are enraging a very powerful woman, Aiden. You’ve pushed her aside and it’s going to be your biggest mistake.”
“You think I need her and her Kingdom-”
“If you don’t think so you are blinder than I ever could have imagined.”
“Enough!” Aiden cried out at him. “I’ve heard enough.”
“You asked for my opinion and there you have it.”
“Good thing you are not on my counsel,” Aiden said, his voice softening.
Jon crossed his arms, not looking at him. “I have one more thing to say.”
“Oh, dear seas, help me-”
“I believe you are overlooking the best candidate for the Eldenwood Court.”
“Oh, really?” Aiden mused.
“Yes,” he said, his heartbeat slowing. “Your sister.”
Aiden turned to Jon in surprise, his features soften. Jon’s words had instantly silenced him, his mind set into a run. Jon watched as Aiden thought the choice over.
“Akira?” Aiden asked finally. “You think she is ready for something like this?”
“I think with Eldenwood under your wing, you would be powerful and would put the Kubovy family in their place.”
Aiden held his gaze. “You know this will mean that Akira won’t be in the Castle anymore, she will go live in Eldenwood.”
“That is your biggest concern, King? That an Aemazon Warrior would miss her?”
“Of cause not,” Aiden retreated.
“Then why would you hesitate on this choice? Maybe you are the one that doesn’t want her to leave.”
“Oh, stop baiting me, Jon.”
A smile found Jon’s lips, watching his friend. It was clear on Aiden’s face that he liked Jon’s idea and that he was considering it. A smile even touched the corners of Aiden’s lips. For a moment, Jon had wondered if he would ever see his friend smile again. His mood surely did seem better now.

Chapter Fourteen - The Flike 'n Flannel

She leaned back into her chair, staring up at the ceiling of the tavern with a mug of ale in her hand. Nayeli found herself sitting in the Flike ‘n Fannel, a tavern in Londer Town. She was a night’s ride south of Eldenwood and a night’s ride away from the King of Adarmar. Dawn would meet her soon and Eldenwood would realize she had left.
They would think she had fled in the night.
Maybe she had.
Hael wanted to leave immediately, she reminded herself. She wouldn’t have been able to stay in anyway. Why would she? She’s been asked to leave the place and to never go back. She lifted her mug to her mouth, drowning it and ordering another.
She couldn’t think about Eldenwood, didn’t want to think about what she had done. From the moment she had reached Eldenwood, she had reaped havoc. Her scene on the grievance day clawed at her mind, her promise to Eldenwood’s people burning a hole in her chest. Each day she travelled away from them would hurt her more. But she deserved the hurt. She deserved worse. Their Duke had been murdered and they would never know the truth about his death because she couldn’t speak up. Not that it mattered now, since her voice was dead and her actions of attacking a Duke much louder than her voice could ever be. She had lost control with the Duke. She had given herself to the Wild, not strong enough to face the anguish of the Duke’s treachery. It had been wrong. It had been her foulest mistake.
Her thoughts travelled to Hael and her already brooding mood turned even darker. He had been brave during the night, stating that his cuts were nothing to worry about. But she wasn’t blind and she could see the blood that slowly seeped through his bandages as they rode. Great seas, she could even smell it. Hael had thrown himself into his bed once they had reached their Inn in Londer Town, passing out in exhaustion without even tending to his cuts again.
The only thought that gave her hope was knowing that she was talking him home. They had decided not to travel down the Adarmar River like the traveling party would, they were going south-west and straight to the Maya Isles. There was no need for her to go to Adarmar Castle, no need for her to travel with the King’s party.
She had left Jon behind. The thought made her swallow uneasily. He was going to be pissed, she knew. He was part of her traveling party and now he would have to join the King’s party.
He would be fine, she hoped.
“Keep the wolf close,” she mumbled to herself. At least Akira would be safe with her protector by her side. “That black wolf.”
She drowned the last bit of ale in her mug, pleased to find another was already being served to her. She smiled politely at the barkeeper, drinking more of the ale. At least it was of good quality. After the day she had been through, poor quality ale would not have quenched her hurt. Her eye caught her hand, realizing there was still blood underneath her nails. She cursed to herself, swallowing down the lump in her throat with more ale.
She didn’t want to reflect back on Eldenwood, but the memory of the King in her bed quickly found her, overwhelming her throbbing heart. If she closed her eyes long enough she could almost feel his touch on her again, could almost smell him. It stung to think about it. It hurt to remember him being carefree and lighthearted with her. She opened her eyes and found them blurry. She blinked to clear her vision and to see her mug of ale in front of her.
She lifted the mug to her lips but plucked it down on the table once a tremble touched her spine. The core of her chest faltered at the thought of the King she had met in the Seneca Woods. She could remember it clearly, still see his hand lifted towards her to calm her. Her Tiger had obeyed him when he had spoken, when he had commanded her to be still. She had never felt that kind of tranquility as a Therian before. The King had spoken out a demand and she had fallen at his feet in compliance. In that moment he had taken control over her Wildness. It had felt extremely exhilarating to her, being able to share the Woods with another compelling presence.
She had to take a big gulp of ale before thinking about the King’s father. My father told Aiden that you would keep all of his secrets and that he would keep all of yours. Akira’s words rang through her heart. Akira’s words were so loud in her head that she had to refrain from screaming at everyone around her. Akira had said that they were meant to keep each other’s secrets and the King had mentioned it in the Woods as well.
Her Tiger was her biggest secret, one she would have kept for the rest of her life. Nobody knew, only her Lunar. She couldn’t possibly flaunt it at the world, couldn’t even wrap her head around people knowing about her. She pushed her ale aside, her head lowered into her hands. She was so certain that Aiden wouldn’t understand her, wouldn’t accept her Tiger. But she was so utterly wrong she could only hang her head in disgrace. His father had taught him all about her and her kind.
“What does it mean?” she found herself mumbling in wonder at her mug.
Was it possible that the King’s father had known what she would become? It is the only reason why he would teach the ways of the Therian to his son, to educate him for what is to come into his life. But if the King’s father had known about her, did that mean her own father had told him?
She shook the thought aside, not wanting to admit that her father might have betrayed her secret to someone else. Her father couldn’t have known her Tiger would take her once she turned eighteen years of age. There was always the chance that the gene won’t take and she would be safe. Her father could not have known she would fall into the Wild mind of a Tiger.