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

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

ฬเll๏ฬรђเภє wrote: "OMG I LOVE IT! IT SOOO PERFECT! IF IT WAS A BOOK I WOULD BUY EVERY COPY! AMAZING! SPACTACULAR! MARVELOUS!"

Hi Willowshine!

So glad you like it ;) Please feel free to give any advise or to ask questions.

Will post more on the story - so much more to come.

Enjoy!
Mariette

Hi Guys

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions?
Please tell me if anything is unclear.

Thanks for reading ;)
Mariette

Aiden was making his way towards the stables, a panicked Akira at his side. She tried explaining to him what had happened, having seen Duke Leynar Kubovy with a dead fox out of the Seneca Woods. Aiden grimaced at what he had done, knowing well that Nayeli was going to be furious. He was so tired of fighting with her, but he knew she wouldn’t let it go. The seas only knew what she would say.
Aiden neared the stable in time to see Nayeli jump at the Duke. The Duke yelped in surprise when she bit down on his neck. He stopped in shock, watching as they rolled in the dust, taking in the way they clawed at each other. Duke Leynar was reaching for Nayeli’s neck, struggling to get his grip on her. But she held him at bay easily, her eyes filled with Wildness.
Life shook him, pushing him forward. He had to stop it, he had to save them both.
But a hand grabbed Aiden’s arm, bringing him to a stop. He turned to glare at Hael Young.
“Politically, I think it best if you don’t intervene,” he said into Aiden’s face, pushing him aside. Aiden watched as Hael rushed down on the fight, instantly grabbing Nayeli off the Duke. In one sweep, he had her in his arms, swinging her away from the fight.
She screamed a terrible animalistic sound, struggling against Hael, wanting to push past him. The Duke was instantly on his feet, cursing at Nayeli so severely that Akira turned her face away from them. Blood ran down the Duke’s neck. The anger on Nayeli’s face didn’t fade, her eyes never leaving Leynar. She was beyond reason.
Aiden cursed, feeling Akira’s head shoot up at his words. He didn’t meet her gaze, not being able to look away from Nayeli. He had been a blind fool, he shouted at himself. If he had ever wondered, he knew now. He knew what he was looking at, he could recognize it. Recognize her. This was what his father had meant all those years ago, he realized in shock. This is what his father had prepared him for.
Hael had her trapped in his arms, half of her over his shoulder. He hurried away from them, heading into the Seneca Woods. Aiden knew what was coming, knew what was happening. The Duke of Keldar was turning towards him, speaking with him, but he couldn’t listen to him now. More important things demanded his attention. He needed to know.
Aiden’s feet found life, starting forward in a run. He followed the direction in which Hael had taken Nayeli. Reaching the Woods, he ran deeper into it. His ears peaked, listening for them. He didn’t stop and made sure nobody was following him.
Finally he heard them.
Hael was shouting frantically at Nayeli, demanding her to stop, but it sounded like he was failing. He shouted at her desperately, unknowingly guiding Aiden towards them.
He pushed into a clearing of trees and stopped once he saw Hael in the talons of an ice-white Tiger, black stripes lining its body. The creature was clawing at him. His clothes were ripped and the Tiger’s white paws were stained in his blood. Hael curled himself into a ball, his eyes wide in horror and probably praying for his dear life.
“Stop!” Aiden demanded and the Tiger immediately lifted its head to look up at him. “Stop,” he ordered again, his heart in his throat.
A pair of icy blue eyes beheld him, its clawing stilled. Intrigued, it stepped away from Hael and gave a pounce towards Aiden. You can’t fear it, his father had said, his voice loud in his ears. You don’t have to fear it, Aiden.
“Be still,” he commanded and lifted his hand, holding his palm out towards her. She cocked her head to the side, calming and sitting back onto her hind. Her cold eyes pierced his heart, not moving her eyes off him.
Hael found his feet, clutching his hand to his bleeding side. “How did you do that?” he blurted, his eyes wide.
“My Blood is Royal,” Aiden declared, his palm still held out to Nayeli’s eyes.
“What?” Hael demanded. “That is all you have to say?”
He lowered his hand, his eyes tearing away from Nayeli. “I am Royalty,” he said to Hael and abruptly turned away from him. The Tiger moaned after him, his hair rising in response. Her call for him threatened to stop him, but he kept his feet moving and headed for the end of the Woods. The Tiger snarled, her scream a loud demand. His body pulsed in response. She wanted him to obey her, him to bow to her and to give into her command as Queen.
He could still hear her, could still feel her, and soon the call for him became words. The smothering presence of the Tiger faded away as she gained control over her body. Nayeli called after him and he could hear her feet touch the earth stride by stride, running after him. He felt her near him and once she was close enough, he swung around and brought her to a sudden stop. She had Hael’s cloak around her bare body, pulling it around her and staring dumbfounded at him.
“You knew?” she asked him, her eyes still glowing.
He shook his head, realizing what a shock she was to him.
“You are Therian,” he accused, anger touching his throat.
“How do you what that is?-”
“Because my father had taught it to me!” he barked at her, sudden fury closing down on him. “I thought he was educating me, but he was preparing me for you!”
“That’s impossible-”
“He was right, you know,” Aiden said, his body shaking in rage. “You would have been perfect. You are perfect,” he breathed in anguish. “But I don’t fucking trust you.”
She started to shake her head at him, stepping forward. But Aiden immediately recoiled from her, moving back.
“Aiden, please,” she said softly.
“You didn’t want to marry me, didn’t want to share your secrets with me,” he declared, every word leaving his mouth slowly. “You wanted to live your life without me.”
“I can’t,” she said, her throat thick with tears. “I can’t, Aiden.”
He shook his head at her, his heart hardening. “It’s King Aiden,” he corrected.
She stared at him in confusion, tears leaving her eyes. “Please-”
“Only people I trust can call me by my name, people I invite into my life. You are not one of them. And the Blood of my Royal Fathers hear me, Nayeli Faye, that you will remember it was you that made the decision. You have made the decision yourself the moment you decided to break an agreement that was made by Kings.”
Tears ran freely down her face, staring at him bewildered.
“You’re the most selfish person I’ve ever met,” he found himself saying. His words bled from his heart. “You wanted to be free, remember? You wanted to be selfishly free! And now you can be. But not here, not in my Kingdom. You’ve done enough here.”
“You want me to leave?” she asked, her voice overcome by her anguish.
“I don’t want you in Eldenwood!” he barked at her. “I don’t want you near this place. And I would suggest you return to your Isles until I was able to calm down the Kubovy family.”
Her eyes were widened in shock, knowing well the horror of what had happened to her moments ago. She wiped a hand across her wet face, her eyes of light filled with distress. He had to look away from her tears. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt, but he couldn’t bear being hurt by her either. She wanted to be free, but it was a thing Aiden could never be. He didn’t have the choice of freedom. He couldn’t hand someone else his Kingdom to rule. He had planned to share his trapped fate with his future wife in ruling Adarmar. But Nayeli was not that wife. No matter how his heart longed for her, he realized she would never want him and his Kingdom. She had made her choice months ago, if only he had listened.
“I thought you wouldn’t understand what I am,” she finally said.
“Well, you thought wrong,” he retorted. “It was just one more lie for you to hurt me with.” He took in an unsteady breath. “The traveling party will leave at dawn, get your things,” he added before she could say more. He didn’t trust his heart to look at her again. Tucking away her beautiful blue Tiger eyes, he closed his own and turned away from her. He was too furious to think, to hurt to reason, and his Royal Blood too responsive to the creature behind him. The Seneca Woods of Eldenwood called for him with each stride he took towards the Castle. His heart longed for it in return, but his father had taught him well.
A King belongs in a castle, not in the Wild, was his father’s words and Aiden had to live by it every day of his Royal Life.

Nayeli watched in horror, taking in the white Sarctic Fox on the ground. A Sarctic Fox was one of the most endangered species in the Seneca Woods. Her beautiful white pelt was covered in blood, her stomach cut open and a sack of cubs hanging out of her stomach. She knelt down next to it, her eyes wide. Her breathing hitched, her heart breaking at the sight of the death of the mother and her cubs.
Leynar Kubovy spoke next to her, the words of “what price she could fetch” somewhere in his words. She couldn’t listen to him, couldn’t take in one word he uttered. The more she looked at the bundle of death in front of her, the more her rage built. Her hate burned in her veins, her fever climbing. The animal of her heart was scratching the surface, pleading for release.
Nayeli didn’t fight it and she was overcome by the black and white senses of an animal. Every reasonable thought she had worked on since she had turned eighteen years of age was pushed aside. Her humanlike rationality was gone. She embraced the Wildness of the Tiger as she turned her eyes up at Leynar Kobuvy.
Her eyes were burning, knowing well that they would glow in their hate. Laynar cut himself off mid-sentence, bewildered by Nayeli’s stare. She stood, holding him pinned underneath her glare. She moved forward with the grace of her Tiger, the Wild stalking its Prey. Her shoulders wanted to move with her, wanted to force her onto four legs, but she kept her shoulders squared, her glare stalking the Duke.
Moving up to him, the silent Duke gave a step backwards. Animal instinct prickled, ready to jump if her prey were to flee. She came closer and he stepped back further, watching her bewildered. He said something to her but she could no longer understand him. Words were no longer her way of thinking.
She lifted her hand, so abnormally human to her, and clawed at his face. He didn’t take kindly to being scratched, Nayeli realized, gliding her upper body backwards to escape his coming fist. A growl ripped out of her mouth as she pushed the man away from her. He tripped and fell to the ground. He tried rolling away from her, cursing at her, but she was on him before he could escape. The Duke cried out once she bit down on his neck, cursing her and rolling with her in the dust. He was strong, hitting her with a panicked force. She didn’t care when his blows hurt, she couldn’t even feel them. Encumbered with hate, the Tiger felt for her. She didn’t need to be scared anymore, didn’t need to care for the world. She could give herself over to the Wild without ever looking back. People were shouting at her, but she was too lost to listen.

Hael had requested Akira for a walk. She had almost refused, not wanting to show her face after the night she had shared with his Princess. She wanted to curl into her bed and stay there for the rest of her life. But after thinking it over, she had decided that she would accept his invitation.
Walking with him around the back of the Eldenwood Castle, she wondered if he had asked her for a walk to discuss her dreams. But his conversation had been polite so far, a smile on his face and his eyes kind to her.
“I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you since we’ve arrived in Eldenwood,” he said. “I apologize for neglecting you.”
“A lot has happened in the last few days,” she said, enjoying the sun on her face. “I’ve been busy as well, there is no need to apologize.”
“I enjoy your company. I wish I could share it more often.”
“You can. All you have to do is ask.”
“Then I shall, Princess.”
She smiled when he called her Princess with a grin. She liked the way his navy eyes would lit up, enjoyed seeing him smile at her. Her conversations with him were easy, if only everything could have been this easy, Akira thought.
“Do you have a title?” she found herself asking.
“No,” he said with a kindhearted snort. “We are not so fond of titles in the Isles.”
“Princess Nayeli has a title.”
“Because she’s the Princess,” he said, shrugging with a grin.
“And what about your family?”
“They are rich and ignorant, I guess.”
“Rich?” she asked, bemused. “The ladies must like that.”
“I don’t care for wealth,” he defended. “And the ladies like me because I’m so charming, not for my father’s lands.”
He made Akira laugh, stepping closer and looking up at him. “I can agree to that. Don’t you think we should go dancing again?”
“I’ve already made the mistake of stealing you from your bed once. Well, I guess I can do it again.”
“Or we can go riding?” she asked hopefully, not ready for their walk to come to an end. “I know my way around a horse.”
“You don’t have other things to tend to?”
Akira made a face. “What things could be important at this time of day?”
Akira waited for him to smile back at her, but his gaze went past her to the stables. His face turned into a troubled frown, eyes narrowing. She followed his gaze, turning around to look back at the stables.
“I have to go find Nayeli,” Hael said, rushing past her.
Akira’s eyes widened, watching Duke Leynar Kubovy stand over the body of a fox. The fox’s white pelt was drenched in red.
“I’ll find Aiden!” Akira shouted after him and ran for the Castle.

Nayeli’s eyes shot open when someone touched her arm. Lurching awake, she dropped the Ember tankard to the floor. Jon stared at the tankard and burned leaves that sprawled across the surface. Jon May. It must be past early dawn. She had arranged with him for training this morning, what time was it now? Nayeli shook her head, trying to clear it and take in the dread of her night. Akira was still asleep next to her on the bed.
“Well, this is quite peculiar,” Jon said softly, his eyes leaving the Ember on the floor and resting on Akira.
“I have so many things to say at you, to scream at you,” Nayeli said and rubbed her temples.
Jon crossed his arms. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Nayeli rubbed her head, slightly fogged by the events of the nights. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“You can start with what I am looking at right now.”
Nayeli glared up at him, a soft little curse leaving her lips. Not softening her stare, she explained to Jon what had happened, about taking the Ember from Akira and what had happened after that. She left out the part of what Akira’s dreams entailed. She ended off with explaining the Ember on the floor at which Jon merely raised his brows.
“I did not realize her fits were this extreme,” Nayeli said, looking at the sleeping Akira. “Should we wake her?-”
“Are you going to tell the King?” Jon asked, not moving from his spot, his arms still crossed.
“Akira would hate me for it,” she said softly. “And you would probably too.”
“How can I blame you from stopping me to provide her with a foul substance such as Ember?”
Nayeli shook her head. “Do you make her use small amounts?”
“I only provide her with bits every few days. She handles it well, regulating it carefully.”
Nayeli rubbed her eyes, her head cloudy. “You should take her back to her room,” she said, standing up from the bed.
Jon didn’t object, coming closer to wake Akira. Nayeli could only watch as the Warrior’s heart softened the closer he came to Akira. He leaned over her, saying her name softly. She started stirring on the bed, Jon’s name a moan on her lips.
“Let’s go to your room,” Jon murmured at her.
Akira smiled at that, opening her eyes and looking up at Jon. “It’s all I want you to do,” she murmured up at him. Jon glanced uncomfortably in Nayeli’s direction.
“Let’s go,” he said, holding a hand out to Akira. She took it with a smile and Jon pulled her out of bed. When she was on her feet, she noticed Nayeli standing a few paces away.
“Oh,” she said, her eyes widening at Nayeli. “I’m in your room.”
“Yes,” she said. “You came to me in the night, don’t you remember?”
“I do,” Akira said, lowering her eyes to the floor. “I’m sorry.”
“All is well,” Jon said to her, his hand on her shoulder.
“I made a fool of myself,” she said to Jon, turning into his chest. Jon stiffened at Akira’s affection but didn’t pull away from her.
“It’s alright,” he said to her. “Now let’s leave Princess Nayeli to her day.”
Avoiding Nayeli’s eyes, Akira let Jon take her from the room. They disappeared out the door, closing it behind them.
Snakes, Akira’s voice rang through her ears. Everywhere I look, I see snakes.

During the night, Nayeli kept tossing and turning between her sheets. She could still smell Aiden in her bed, could still feel him trail his fingers over her shoulders, her neck and her face. When she closed her eyes, she could see his dark eyes looking back at her, demanding all of her. His hunger for her had her stomach in a knot, but it was his anger that troubled her. She had infuriated him so many times, she thought. How long until he would snap? How long until he decided he have had enough of her?
Half asleep, her consciousness coming and going, she heard the door to her room open. She mumbled Aiden’s name, hoping that it would be him. But when she opened her eyes, a figure stood in the darkness of her room. Nayeli jerked awake, sitting up in bed and staring at the figure. Fear claimed her, widening her eyes in the dim lighting.
“Please help me,” the figure said through tears. “Please, Nayeli.”
The moment she heard the person say her name, Nayeli realized who it was. She slid to the side of her bed, lighting a candle and looking up at Akira.
“Akira?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Snakes,” Akira said, a sob leaving her lips. “Everywhere I look, I see snakes.”
Nayeli stood. “They can’t hurt you, Akira,” she said softly. “They are only dreams.”
“The black wolf!” Akira cried out, sobbing.
“What about it?-”
“I dreamt of smothering!” Akira yelled, dropping to her knees in front of Nayeli. “Please, Nayeli, I can’t bare this! Release me from this misery-”
“No,” Nayeli said, knowing well that she was begging her for Ember.
“Please!” she screamed at Nayeli, pressing her hands to her temples. “Make it stop! Quiet down the cries for war-”
“War?!” Nayeli gasped. “What war, Akira?”
“Thousands and thousands of Alpocas will come for the Tiger,” Akira said hoarsely, her chest heaving in and out.
Nayeli started at Akira in dread. “Why would they have to come for the Tiger? Where will it be?”
“It will be alive,” Akira said, her bottom lip trembling with a sob.
Nayeli stared down at Akira on her knees. It was unbearable to watch, unbearable to hear each sob leave her lips. Nayeli kneeled in front of her. “Do you want to feel better?” she asked, each word a prick of guilt in her heart.
“Yes, yes, please,” Akira begged.
Nayeli reached for her, bringing her to her feet and guiding her towards her bed. She had only lit Ember once before in her life. She had barely had the chance to breathe in the smoke before Hael had found her and scolded her for it. She hadn’t tried it since.
She took note from Akira’s way of lighting it, using a tankard. Hoping she had done it right, she sat down on the bed. Akira was lying on her back, soft cries still leaving her lips. She hadn’t stopped crying, Nayeli wasn’t even sure if she was fully awake. Nayeli exhaled, lying back onto the bed next to Akira. They were both facing the roof.
“Just breathe,” Nayeli said softly.
“Thank you,” Akira said once she smelled the Ember.
They both closed their eyes, breathing the smoke of the Ember in and out. Nayeli could feel Akira calming next to her. Her crying had stopped and her breathing started to even. Nayeli felt the effect of the Ember find her, making her numb to the world, yet making her feel very much alive as well.
“Do you know why your secrets hurt Aiden so much?” Akira asked, her eyes closing.
“Why?” Nayeli asked, taking in a breath of Ember.
“Because my father had promised him the perfect wife.”
“What do you mean?” Nayeli asked, feeling as if her words were leaving her mouth very slowly.
“My father told Aiden that you would keep all of his secrets. And that he would keep all of yours.”
Nayeli took a moment, mulling her words over.
“What secrets of Aiden are those?”
“Royal Blood is powerful. You know that because you are Royalty, too.”
Nayeli turned her face towards Akira. “You are powerful, Akira.”
“Not as powerful as you,” she said, also turning her head towards Nayeli. With their eyes tied together, Akira found Nayeli’s hand, clutching it in her own. “You are the woman my father had promised his son. You were supposed to keep each other’s secrets.”
Akira wiggled herself closer, her eyes closing and sleep threatening. She felt her own eyes droop in exhaustion too.
“Nayeli,” Akira whispered to her. “I think the black wolf is in trouble.”
Her head heavy and clouded, Nayeli mumbled with closed eyes. “He is too stubborn for trouble.”
Akira exhaled loudly. “When my defender leaves my side, I fear we both will be in danger.”
“Keep the wolf close,” Nayeli mumbled with closed eyes. “Keep the wolf close.”
Akira curled up next to Nayeli, moaning in exhaustion. “You had lit too much,” Akira mumbled to her. “But don’t worry, we will merely fall asleep. We won’t dream, I promise. Just don’t let go of my hand.”

Chapter Thirteen - The Black Wolf


Akira crushed a few Ember leaves in an empty tankard. She needed to calm her mind, needed to soothe her beating heart. Jon May had no idea what he was doing to her, the control he had over her body. She has never responded to somebody in the way she had with Jon. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
Once the dried leaves were finely crushed, she moved over to the heath’s fire. Lighting the Ember, she watched as the smoke dwindled out of the tankard. She closed her eyes to take a deep breath, but a knock on the door made her jump, dropping the tankard to the floor.
“No, no, no,” she mumbled to the leaves on the floor. “I’m coming!” she screamed at the door, dropping to her knees and wiping the leaves together with her hands. She tried getting them back into the tankard, taking care that the flame was dead and more smoke won’t travel out of it. Hiding the Ember next to the fire in the heath, she quickly wiped her hands and made for the door. Her heart jumped in her chest as she opened the door. She had hoped it might be Jon, but to her horror the Princess Nayeli was looking at her with a polite smile.
“Good evening, Princess Akira,” Nayeli said, bowing her head.
“Good evening,” Akira mumbled, startled. “Princess Nayeli.” She bowed her head quickly, looking up at the Princess. “Is something of fault, Princess?”
“No,” Nayeli said. “I was merely wondering if I can have a moment of your time. In private, if I may.”
Akira nodded her head and gave way to let the Princess into her room. Nayeli came into the room and she closed to door behind them.
“I apologize for the intrusion,” Nayeli began. “But like always, I have peculiar questions for you.”
Akira frowned. “You want to ask me about my dreams.”
Nayeli hesitated, folding her hands into her lap. “Would you tell me what you’ve been dreaming?”
“You know I don’t like to talk about them.”
“Please. Just humor me.”
“You believe they mean things,” Akira wondered out loud. “They don’t.”
Nayeli’s eyes dropped to the floor. “Please, Princess.”
“Even if I wanted to tell you, I can’t. I haven’t dreamt much in the months that have passed. Nothing worth mentioning. Nothing of tigers.”
“Oh,” Nayeli said, frowning. “Nothing?”
“They’re gone,” Akira found herself saying. “And I am glad.”
Nayeli seemed to be uncomfortable, crossing her arms and blinking at Akira. She didn’t say anything more, merely stood in silence. Akira wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she knew that Nayeli would want to talk more about her dreams. Or maybe about her lack of dreams. She definitely wasn’t interested in discussing it.
“I should let you sleep,” Nayeli finally said, making for the door. Akira sighed in relief, feeling guilty for being glad to see the Princess leave her room. Nayeli turned at the door, giving her another look.
“I bid you good-night then, Princess,” she said.
Akira stepped closer to her. “Good-night, Princess.”
Nayeli lifted her gaze towards Akira and there she stopped. Akira waited for her to leave but she didn’t. Instead she moved her nose around, sniffing Akira. It was so strange to see somebody lifting their nose towards her, she didn’t even have a chance to pull away from Nayeli.
“Ember,” Nayeli breathed.
Ice touched Akira’s spine, heat pricking her cheeks. Abruptly, Akira folded her dirty hands in behind her back, staring at Nayeli. “Excuse me?” she asked, innocently.
“Jon May,” Nayeli breathed in horror. “The Ember was for you!”
Akira shook her head wildly. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Where is it?” Nayeli demanded, stepping around Akira.
“Princess Nayeli, please calm down-”
“No,” she snapped at Akira. “Aiden will murder me if he finds out I’ve provided you with Ember!”
“You provided the Ember?” she shrieked. “I didn’t know-”
“That is why Jon May visits the slums, isn’t it? To provide you with a substance that is illegal to your kingdom!”
“This is not Jon’s fault!”
“What would Aiden say, Akira?!” Nayeli shouted at her, anger burning in her eyes.
“You can’t tell him!” she found herself saying. “Please, Nayeli, you can’t!”
“Where is it?” Nayeli demanded.
“What?! No!” Akira screamed back at her. “You won’t take it from me.”
Nayeli ignored her, walking around her bed and ripping open the drawers to her cupboards. Akira was clutched by dread, watching as Nayeli lifted her last bit of Ember out of her drawer. She should have hided it better.
“Please, Nayeli, I beg you. Don’t take the Ember from me. I need it-”
“Your brother already hates me enough for everything I’ve done to him and lied to him about, this won’t be one more thing to add to the stack of lies-”
“You think my brother hates you?” Akira found herself asking. “You know nothing, Nayeli! You’re blind and ignorant of the man you call King. And if you think you can tell him that Jon May has been supplying me with Ember, then you are the most selfish person I’ve ever met! He will make sure I never see Jon again-”
“That sounds like a good idea right now-”
“You’re not my mother!” Akira exclaimed. “You have no say in the things I do. If I want to use Ember, I will do just that!”
Nayeli ignored Akira, sniffing again. Akira started in amazement as Nayeli located the tankard of Ember close to the fire.
“How did you?-”
Nayeli threw the tankard out of the window, sending it into the night.
“Get out of my room,” Akira found herself saying. “I don’t want to see you, I don’t want to look at you! I hope that you will be eaten by the Tiger!” Akira said through clenched teeth.
Nayeli smirked at that. Akira wanted to rip that smirk from her face.
“I’ve already fought the Tiger,” Nayeli said, lifting her chin at Akira. “Would you be able to do the same, Young Princess?”
Akira’s world felt like crumbling. “You’re scaring me,” she said to Nayeli, her throat thick with tears. “You’ve always scared me. Now please leave.”
“With pleasure,” Nayeli said, taking the Ember with her.

Jon had his horse’s reigns in his left hand, letting the horse trail behind them. Akira walked next to him, her eyes marveling at the vista around them. Jon had always been curious about the Seneca Woods and had decided to explore the mystical place. Selfishly he had invited Akira to come with him. The invitation had thrilled her, her smile never faltering.
“Oh, Jon, thank you for bringing me with you,” she marveled and reached for his hand, tucking her own into his. “Do you think it’s dangerous in here?”
Jon smiled down at her. “Of cause it is, Princess.”
She moved a little closer to him, clinging to his side as they walked. The ground was surprisingly even, allowing the horse to follow them. He won’t go deep into the woods with Akira by his side, but his curiosity was flaring and she seemed to enjoy the thrill the woods offered. The trees were not too tightly woven, allowing enough space to move in between. The heads of the trees touched, leaving them hiding from the blue sky.
They walked until they reached a clearing of trees, sunlight pushing its way through to create an opening in the woods. Akira’s face lit up, letting go of his hand and moving towards the sunlight. She lifted her face to the sky, savoring the warmth on her skin. Jon found himself staring at the picture of her facing the sun. She was so delicate and finely built, he had to take the opportunity to trail his eyes over her.
“Come and see, Jon,” she said, lowering her eyes to him. “Can we stay a bit?” Jon nodded his head, his eyes still on her. “Bring our blanket then!”
Jon tied the horse to a nearby tree before getting the blanket and taking it to her. She seized the blanket out of his hands, throwing it open for them on the grass. The sun was welcome on his shoulders, pressing the coolness of the woods aside.
“Aren’t you going to join me?” she asked up at him from the blanket. “Or are you too big-headed for me now?”
“Big-headed?” Jon asked in surprise, sitting down next to her with their legs sprawled out before them, leaning back onto their hands.
“You won a King in battle!” she mused. “Surely you are too popular now to spend your time with little old me?”
Jon smiled, remembering his victory of the morning. He had to win, he reminded himself. He couldn’t let Aiden win him when the news of his loss will fall on the ears of a Whittaker. The Domain Warrior needed to know the Aemazon Warriors were as strong as ever, maybe even better than in the past.
“I guess I could have invited someone else,” Jon played. “But you seemed the easy choice.”
“Easy choice?” she queried, stealing a glance at him.
“Yes,” he said simply, letting his words hang between them.
Akira stared up at the sky as the seconds ticked by. But eventually she turned her eyes back to him with a frown. He ignored her, lifting his face to the sun.
“What do you mean by saying I am an easy choice?”
“Don’t overthink it, Princess.”
Her frown deepened, her delicate features pulling into a scowl. “Is there someone else you would rather like to share this clearing of trees with?”
Jon gazed at her from the corner of his eye, not answering her and watching as her mind started to run.
“You fancy someone else,” she accused, her tone lowered.
Jon leaned back onto his backside. “Lie back and enjoy the sun with me.”
“But I want you to answer me first.”
“I don’t fancy anybody, Akira. Now enjoy the sun with me, won’t you?”
She looked away from him, her eyes on the woods around them. She seemed to be slightly dazed, her mind not with him.
“Stop fretting, Akira.”
She lied back next to him, both of them staring up at the sky. “I want to ask you something, but I don’t know if you will answer me truthfully.”
“Then don’t ask it,” he said, loosening a breath.
“Then I want to ask you a different question.”
Jon groaned playfully, leaned to his side and propped himself up on his elbow. He looked down at her, a slight smile touching the sides of his lips. “What is on your mind, Princess?”
“Aiden say that you are unbound,” she said shyly, turning her eyes up at him.
“I am an Aemazon Warrior, I am bound to a person, not a place.”
“But what if someone else wins your loyalty?”
He leaned his head to the side, frowning at Akira with a smile on his face. “You already know the answer to your question. Do you think I am suddenly going to give you a different one? Do you want me to say that if the hearts of the Warriors are won by someone else that I would stay with the King of Adarmar?”
A silence stretched between them.
He shook his head at her. “I will go where my people go.”
“Are we not your people?”
“Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses… It’s not my world, Akira. I want no part in the politics of Royals.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, staring up at the sky again. “You’re not very romantic, Jon.”
He frowned at her, waiting for her to continue.
“Just when I thought it was so romantic of you to steal me away from the castle, you end up telling me that you don’t even like me.”
“I never said that I don’t like you, Princess.”
“But not as much as all the other women you fornicate with.”
“Just how many women do you think go through me bed?” he asked, offended.
“I won’t know. But clearly they are more worthy of you than I am.”
It made Jon laugh, his head tilted back for his laughter to escape. Her head shot towards him, offended that he would simply laugh at her.
“Let’s not talk about who is worthy of who here,” he said, his eyes meeting her narrowed gaze. “Putting the complications of our everyday lives aside, aren’t you going to kiss me?”
Akira instantaneously sat up, turning towards him with her eyes widened. “What?” she uttered in disbelief.
“Did you think I brought you out here to talk the day away?”
The smile that touched Akira’s face made his heart leapt in delight. Excitement took hold of her eyes, her smile broadening from ear to ear. Her rosy cheeks were flushed in exhilaration.
“I really hope you are not teasing me, Jon,” she murmured to him, her voice soft.
He reached out to tuck a strand of her hair in behind her ear. Her cheeks reddened, her eager eyes becoming more reserved. She was nervous, he realized. The previous time they had kissed, she had been intoxicated in more ways than one.
“I think you are the most delicate thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said, his voice lowered between the two of them.
“I don’t break as easily as you might think,” she dared, bringing herself closer to him. Sitting on her knees in front of him, she placed both her hands on either sides of his face. Her small hands were warm against his skin, her fingers softly touching the knot of hair at the backside of his head. He kept still, waiting for her to react.
Her eyes slowly left his, stopping on his mouth. Her lips parted in anticipation, moving her face closer to his. To his wonder, she slipped her finger to his bottom lip, curiously touching it. He could only marvel as the beautiful Princess started touching most of his face. She trailed her fingers over his cheekbones and then felt her way across his jaw. She trailed two fingers over his mouth, lowering her hand to take his chin into her grip. Bringing her gaze back to his, she stared at him.
Her innocent brown eyes were so striking, he couldn’t resist in reaching for her and pulling her mouth to his. She didn’t resist, eagerly meeting his lips. He lost himself in the sensation of her mouth on his. The smell of her drove him senseless, kissing her carelessly. With her arms wrapped around his head, they held their lips together, moving with each other.
Akira momentarily lifted her lips away to take in a gasp of air, her breathing exquisitely uneven. Her body was even more responsive than Jon could have guessed it would be. Eager to taste more of her, he took hold of her light figure and pulled her onto him. A thrill of delight came from her mouth, pressing down on the blanket at either side of his head. Their lips met once more, taking all of each other in.
She moaned his name into his mouth, slowly reaching for the buttons of his shirt. She made it to the third button when Jon caught her hand. Their lips still linked, she pulled her hand out of his and undid the button. Reaching for the next one, Jon caught her hand again. She tried pulling her hand out of his grip, but he made sure she wasn’t able to escape this time. She broke the kiss, glaring down at him.
“Are you going to take off your own clothes then?” she asked.
“I’m not taking my clothes off,” he said, watching her narrow her eyes at him.
“Well, I have slightly different plans,” she said boldly, holding his gaze. Before he could even reply, she started loosening her dress. Her dress came together at her left shoulder, fastened with a bronze clip. The dress hugged her upper body, narrowing into her middle and finely built hips before falling to the ground. The clip on her shoulder came loose before he could stop her. He started forward to immediately tie that dress back together again, but she saw him coming. She jumped up from the blanket, escaping his grasp.
“What’s the matter, Aemazon Warrior? Do I make you nervous?” she asked playfully and turned back to him. Holding his unimpressed stare, she slit the dress off her shoulder. Her dress dropped to the ground and Jon’s heart kicked him in the chest. She was only clothed in her undergarments now and looking down at him with alluring eyes. She was more seductive that he had given her credit for. She elegantly stepped out of her dress and came closer to him. He had no words for the goddess that kneeled in front of him, the sun beautifully embracing her skin.
“Do you want another kiss, Warrior?” she asked, wetting her lips for him.
He couldn’t help himself. He just couldn’t resist. He didn’t want to resist. He took hold of the goddess, claiming her keen mouth. Without breaking their kiss, he moved her onto her back. Her obedient body took him onto the blanket with her. She moaned against his lips, her hands making their way into his hair. His warrior knot came loose, his hair escaping. He was shocked at the power she had over him, shocked that she was able to seduce him into holding her half-naked body in his arms.
“We should stop this, Akira,” he breathed against her lips.
“We are only kissing, Jon,” she moaned back, her eyes closed in bliss.
He found himself staring at her closed eyes, her lips parting as invitation for him to do with her whatever he wanted. His gaze travelled to the garment that covered her chest. Without her permission, he undid the clips between her breasts. A satisfied smile played with her mouth, her eyes opened to slits and watching him push the obstructions out of the way to reveal her chest.
“I want to see you,” he whispered, his mouth touching her skin. An involuntarily breath escaped her mouth, her eyes closing and her lips parting. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered for what felt like the hundredth time. It made her back arch towards him, her chest touched by uneven breathing.
With her eyes still closed, she fought to gain control over her breathing. Jon lowered his lips to her skin, slowly planting soft kisses down her stomach and reaching her navel. To his surprise, Akira grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled his head up to look at her. Her eyes were driven by craze. She brought his lips back to her own, taking possession of his mouth. He could taste her desire and he savored the feeling of her yearning for him.
“Great seas, Jon,” she said throatily. “If this feels so good, how does it feel with both of our clothes off?”
Jon couldn’t stop himself from laughing. Her innocence was her most striking quality. A quality he had no intention of ridding her of. Cupping her face in his hand, he brought his lips down over hers once more.

The set to Aiden’s shoulders and the glower on his face told Jon that his meet with his nobles had not gone well. Jon watched as Aiden poured his troubles into each blow he brought down on him. They were sparing, the music of swords crossing filled the air around the two of them. The folk of Eldenwood were gathering around them, staring at the King as he fought an Aemazon Warrior. Aiden was dressed in a navy tunic, his Royal Color deliberately chosen for the fight against the Aemazon’s black.
Many of Adarmar’s folk had made their way down to the Aemazon fighting fields at Adarmar Castle to catch a glimpse at the fighting ways of the Warriors. It was an attraction to everyone, for the folk and for the many Lords in Adarmar.
A blow from Aiden made Jon stumble to the left. He found his feet again, thrusting out his sword to block a force from Aiden. He would have to get himself together if he wanted to win against the King that glowered at him. It wasn’t fair, Jon decided with a smug smile. It wasn’t fair that Aiden was using Jon to drive out his frustrations.
Every time Aiden struck his sword forward, he had to wonder if the King was picturing Jon with the Princess Akira. Jon knew his friendship with Aiden’s sister was trouble, more trouble than Jon wanted in life. But for some or other reason, he couldn’t get himself to stay away from the trouble Akira offered him. The way Akira smiled with her delicate features was driving him insane. He couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet girl’s lips, her flawless skin and soft chestnut hair.
As if Aiden could hear his thoughts, he came down on Jon with a strength only a King could have. Jon met his sword with his own, keeping him at bay. Aiden’s shoulders were ridged with tense, every bit the challenge Jon knew he would be. Jon had to admire the way Aiden moved around his sword, his moves were flawless in their execution. His swordsmanship was immaculate. The way his wrists rolled along with the sword was the liking of an artist and his brush.
Jon played along with the artist of combat, allowing the King to spar with him across the field. The people couldn’t take their eyes off them, the crown around them thickening the longer the fight stretched. Giving the King a win crossed Jon’s mind, knowing well that Aiden needed something to lift his spirits. But Jon pushed the thought aside, stepping towards Aiden and turning the tables. Jon pressed down on Aiden, challenging him to the limit. But Aiden was strong, meeting Jon’s challenge. Jon knew quite well what the King was doing in challenging him to a spar. He knew the people of Eldenwood needed to be distracted, needed something to entertain them after the death of their Duke.
They kept at it, pushing each other. Sweat lined their brows, their breathing hoarse. They were tiring, but neither was willing to go slower. Aiden glared at him and Jon had to smirk. Surely Aiden’s sour mood was caused by a set of bright blue eyes and a mop of blue and red feathers. Well, a few blue and a few red with a single white feather these days. Jon had wondered why she had added the additional white to her Royal Colors. He would ask her, he decided, and met a blow from Aiden.

Chapter Twelve - She Is A Wild Flower


Hael pulled open the curtains to Nayeli’s room. She jolted awake on her bed. Hael turned to regard her. “Sleeping the day away,” he observed. “Well, while you were dreaming, I was out asking around in Eldenwood Town. I have news.”
She sat up to look at him with a puffy face.
“Seems like the Eiric Whittaker had been in Eldenwood for longer that we had known,” he continued but stopped once Nayeli nodded.
“I know,” she said softly.
He stiffened. “Oh. Did your meet go well?”
“It feels like I barely got a word in,” she admitted. “The Duke of Keldar spoke over everything I wanted to say. But at least the Duke of Panit stood with me.”
“And what of the Whittaker’s claims?”
She visibly shivered. “He’s the snake, Hael.”
Hael stared at her, confusion lining his brow. Had he heard her right? “The snake?”
“Yes,” she confirmed.
Hael cursed softly, using a few of Nayeli’s favorite lines. “Is there a reason you haven’t reported him yet?”
“I’m not going to report him.”
Hael’s eyebrows rose at her. “You’re not?”
“No.”
“Why not?-”
“Is it possible for a dream of portent to change, Hael?”
He shrugged, coming to sit down next to her on the bed. Concern touched his heart. “Perhaps. But to me it sounds like nothing had changed-”
“The wolf,” she said and laughed desperately. “He wouldn’t even be in Eldenwood if I didn’t make him come here. He would not have been here if I didn’t intervene.”
“You’re right, that is not how dreams of forewarning work. They come true on their own without the help of others. If the wolf was meant to be here, he would have been. It might also be that the forewarning had changed. Nothing is fixed, that much I know.”
Nayeli shook her head, unsure.
“If it had changed, Akira would know,” Hael said.
“She doesn’t like to talk about it. I won’t know how to even ask that of her.”
Hael shook his head. “We should leave this Court, Nayeli.”
“But my promise-”
“The lives of wildlife are not more valuable than your own.”
His Princess shook her head at him. “No, Hael. We will see it through to the end. Come what may, I have to at least attempt to stand for the customs of the Eldenwood people. What if it were our customs they wanted to change? Wouldn’t you want me to fight for it?”
“Of cause,” he said, his voice lowered. “Of cause I would.”
“The Duke of Panit is standing with me. I will see this through.”
“You sure you can trust him?”
Nayeli frowned, about to answer him when a knock at the door made both their heads turn towards it. Hael hesitated, meeting eyes with Nayeli before standing up and getting it. On the other side he found a servant girl with a tray in her hands.
“A message for the Princess Nayeli,” she said and awarded him with a polite curtsy.
Hael stared at the tray in her hands, his eyes widening at its contents. He took the tray form the girl, bowing his head in thanking her. He shut the door quickly, turning to Nayeli with a worried glower.
“What is it?” she asked from the bed.
Lowering the tray onto the bed, Nayeli frowned. It was a letter addressed to her and along with it a red wildflower. He knew that flower well, knew how deadly it was. Nayeli watched him, her eyes questioning his silence.
“It’s a Drogonflower, Nayeli,” he said. “A wildflower only found in the Maya Isles.”
“It’s poisonous, isn’t it?” she said, angrily.
“When taken in, it will suffocate you. It affects the lungs.”
Angrily she plucked the letter from the tray. She opened it hastily, tearing it open to read. “Nayeli. I want you to trust me. My apologies for this morning.”
“What does that mean?” Hael snapped.
“Eiric Whittaker,” Nayeli said, lowering the letter away from her. “He can be very confusing.”
“I would say,” Hael snickered, his eyes on the flower. “Polite words mean nothing when he is threatening you with poison.”
“It’s what he had used to kill Duke Faure,” she said, her voice soft. He watched her as she closed her eyes to take in a breath. She looked so much older than she was, he found himself thinking. When her eyes opened, she reached for the flower.
“What are you doing?”
To his horror, she tucked the flower in behind her ear, blossoming beside her face. “He spoke about what “they” wanted. Eiric gave away that he wasn’t alone in his indiscretions. If anyone here are involved with him, I will flaunt to them all that I know the truth.”
Hael took an unsteady breath. “If I ask you not to do that, would you refrain from it?”
“They need to know that they won’t get away with it.”
“You don’t even know who they are. Please, Nayeli, don’t threaten when you don’t even know who you are threatening.”
“You’re asking me to let it go?”
Hael stood. “I’m asking you to be careful with your life. Don’t get too caught up in this burning flame between Kings and Dukes. I know Eldenwood is important to you, but don’t forget our homeland is most important. Your life matters to them.”
Her features softened, removing the flower from her hair. “And to you?”
His lips turned up into a smile. “You’re my Lunar Sister. What do you think?”
“That I should marry you,” she said, turning a smile up at him. “That you are the only man in the world that understands me.”
Hael licked his lips, smiling down at a woman he loved dearly. A woman he would kiss a snake on the lips for. “That is very tempting, Princess. But unfortunately I would hate to be called Prince.”

Nayeli collected herself, cursing under her breath in frustration. She blew out a sigh, and then pulled life back into her lungs. Shaking the strain off her shoulders, she left the council room. She wanted to find Hael, needing to look into the eyes of a friend. But instead she turned the corner and found completely different eyes waiting for her at the end of the stairs.
“Can’t you just leave me alone?” she asked, rolling her eyes daringly at the Domain Warrior.
He fell into step next to her, following her. “I want to apologize,” he said, not looking apologetic at all. In fact, that ever-present smug smile was touching the corners of his lips. He always seemed like he would laugh at her at any moment. Maybe he was laughing at her, mocking her ways.
“I won’t even accept an apology from you,” she said sharply. “That in itself you might just report to the King.”
“Which one?” Eiric played.
“You are playing with me!” Nayeli exclaimed, coming to a halt and turning to glare up at him.
“I invited you to play the game with me. You refused, remember?”
“It’s not a game,” she snapped. “It’s my life, and quite frankly, I think it is discourteous of you to do so. If you don’t have respect for me, I would prefer you keep it to yourself.”
His brow furrowed at that, his smile knocked off his face. “We should speak alone,” he insisted. He looked around them, searching for spying eyes. “I’m going to touch you,” he warned and when his eyes turned back to Nayeli, he had hold of her. He pushed her back into a room behind them. She protested, but his hand came down on her mouth to keep her from screaming in surprise. She yelped once his hand touched her face, wanting to pull away, but once they were inside the room, he pushed her away from him again and closed the door. They were in one of the reading rooms of the castle.
She flung around and glared at him. “You have no right in pushing me around, you snake!” she blurted out, furious for being handled without her consent. “I would suggest that you-”
“Most interesting choice of words,” she heard him saying, his eyes fixed on her.
She closed her mouth, her mind echoing her words back to her. She stopped at snake.
“Snake,” she repeated, glaring at him accusingly.
Stepping away from the doors, he neared her. “Yes,” he confirmed. “I am a snake.” Her heart kicked at her chest, her eyes widening. Watching Eiric, he lifted his sleeve to reveal the inside of his upper arm. She found herself staring at a tattoo of a curled up snake that reached for its own tail. She stepped away from him, swallowing loudly and touching a hand to her chest.
“Does this mean something to you?” he asked, eyeing her carefully.
“How long have you been in Eldenwood?” she asked, her voice on the verge of shaking. Had he been here long enough to murder Faure?
“Most interesting question,” he said, his eyes not leaving her.
“Answer me,” she ordered, her hand still clutched to her chest.
“You’ve been playing your own game all along, haven’t you?” he mused.
She kept silent, her breathing loud in her ears.
“Well, if this isn’t grand,” he said, amazed. “What have you discovered so far?”
“I don’t feel comfortable in this room with you,” she said after another silence. “I am going to leave and you are going to let me.”
“Ah,” he said, his mouth turned down at the side. “I don’t think so, Youngling.”
She met his glare, his face serious and annoyed. She knew then why he always forced a smile to his face when interacting with humankind. Once his smile was gone from his face, he was a deadly façade. His brown eyes seemed a shade darker than usual, watching her carefully and ready to jump if she dared move. His mouth was still turned down at the sides. His stare turned over into a challenging dare the longer the silence between them stretched.
“Are you going to murder me as well?” she found herself asking, her voice daring and clear. Her heart rate ascended at her boldness. Eiric was surprised by her words but he tried to hide it. His glare softened.
“No,” he said simply.
“But you did kill the Duke,” she said, hoping that he would confirm it for her.
His face became troubled then, his eyes moving away from her face. Looking down at the floor, he folded his hands in behind his back. He shook his head at himself, a slight v forming between his eyes. He was young, she found herself thinking. He might be as tall as the Misstic Mountains, his heart as hard as stone, but she would guess he was about in his mid-twenties, maybe younger. He might be young, but he had seen tenfold more than any human being should have ever seen.
“I hoped that you won’t know,” he finally said.
She released a breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. “I am right, then?” she demanded, needing to know the truth.
“I need you to trust me, Nayeli.”
An involuntarily bubble of laughter escaped her lips. “Trust you?” she blurted.
“Yes,” he said, lifting his eyes to look at her. “You can’t tell your King that the Duke was murdered-”
Nayeli gasped, giving a step away from him, her breathing uneven.
“Duke Faure-”
“Don’t say his name-”
“-was killed with a native plant from your homeland,” he finished, his hands still tucked in behind his back.
She felt light-headed, her lungs clutched in a smothering grip. “Why would you do that?” she demanded, her words not her own.
“They wanted to make sure that if they were discovered, the blame would be averted at you.”
She felt bewildered, a curse leaving her lips.
“I had to make sure that no one discovered the cause of his death,” he continued.
“I can’t be in this room with you any longer,” she said, her hands shaking at her sides. “Now let me out!”
He moved out of her way, holding his hand out to the door. “Then leave, Princess. Run. But ask yourself why am I telling you all of this.”
“I don’t know what you want from me!” she yelled at him.
“What I want?” he spat back, his voice raised. “I want you to stop fighting for the lives of animals when there are human beings you can fight for!”
“I don’t know what you mean by that! But I have no interest in finding out-”
“Yes. Run! I should have known it was your way,” he retorted in scorn.
Furiously she darted past him to rip the doors open, not daring herself to look back at the accusing auburn eyes and straight blond hair. She wanted him out of the castle, she wanted him gone, and she never wanted to see him again. His warnings of war were only more horses in his game of chess. She wanted to play no part in his game. Cursing, her feet started moving faster. Soon she found herself running towards her chamber, her breathing unbearably irregular. Pushing into her chamber, she slammed the door shut behind her, dropping to the floor with her back pressed against the door. Her chest heaved in and out, her throat hoarse. She was scared, no, she was petrified.

They sat down at the long table without Duke Faure’s Council. With fewer voices in the room, they would discuss Eldenwood between them. Aiden sat at the head of the table, Duke Leynar and Duchess Leilani to his left, Nayeli and Daniel to his right.
Nayeli found the meet extremely frustrating. Every time she wanted to get a word in, Duke Leynar overruled her and took the lead. He talked so much and so loud, neither Nayeli nor Daniel was able to get a word in.
Duke Leynar were already discussing the prices they could fetch for the wildlife in Seneca Woods, already declaring lands that would produce crops. He was talking of the opportunities of trade the lands could open for Adarmar. Aiden smiled every time he heard about new trade channels that could be established with Kingdoms around the world. The Duchess Leilani nodded at everything her brother said. No matter how preposterous his words were, she stood with him.
Nayeli interjected quite a lot with his plans, demanding they be dismissed, but the Duke continued with his notions nonetheless. And it was just as she had made Aiden promise, he never defended her. He didn’t intervene and he waited for her to fight her own battle. He was granting her the wish she asked for and she found it difficult since the Duke of Keldar made it impossible to get a word out.
She was about to lunge at the Duke from across the table when the doors to the council room opened. All of them turned their heads to stare at the tall figure that filled the door. Folding his hands in behind his back, he smiled humorously.
“You started without me?” he asked, innocently.
Aiden stood. “We will speak with you once we are done here, Whittaker.”
“Or I can intervene now,” he said and gave a step towards the table. He looked around the faces at the table, settling his eyes on Nayeli. Holding her eyes, he made his way for the chair next to her. He sat down next to her, his large figure looking extremely uncomfortable in the small chair.
Aiden was still standing, glaring at the man that dared sit down next to her.
“Please have a seat, Estrella,” the Whittaker said, gesturing to Aiden’s chair.
Nayeli wanted to hide her face underneath the table, not wanting to see the disrespected look on Aiden’s face. Aiden pressed on the table, leaning towards Eiric.
“Please state your business here,” Aiden demanded, fury lining his words. Nayeli wanted to cringe away, not wanting to get caught in the crossfire.
Eiric placed papers on the table, pushing them towards Aiden. “The King Jairo Whittaker of the Domain Kingdom had been provided with wildlife by Duke Faure Jevric for years now. It’s the agreement they had made to keep the people of the Domain Kingdom out of the Seneca Woods. These were the terms. We would like to continue with the agreement and I truly think it is a fair one.”
Aiden pulled the papers closer to him. “I have no knowledge of this agreement.”
Eiric shrugged. “Not my problem-”
“Oh, this is absurd!” Duke Leynar declared. “We don’t trade with the Domain Kingdom. And we never will.”
“I would suggest that you-”
“Are you listening to this, King Aiden?”
“Like I said, the agreement serves as a way-”
“Duke Faure should never have allowed this and neither will we allow it now.”
“He agreed to what was best-”
“There is nothing good about an agreement with the Domain Kingdom.”
Abruptly, Eiric Whittaker stood, his chair toppling over behind him. The crash of the chair sent the room into silence. Aiden stiffened, ready to jump if he had to. The enormous white-haired man scared her into Duke Daniel Parnell’s side, cringing away from the mountain next to her. Eiric leaned over the table, glaring down at Duke Leynar.
“If you interrupt me one more time, I will send your little head home to your mommy in a basket,” he said through clenched teeth, and added: “Along with strawberries and cream.”
Would it be inappropriate to clap her hands? Nayeli thought, suppressing a smile. Aiden didn’t take his eyes off the tall threat, waiting for Duke Leynar to snap back. But to everyone’s surprise, the Duke was silent, his eyes boring into Eiric’s.
Eiric cursed impolitely, standing and looking at Aiden. “I would suggest you renew the agreement if you want the people of the Domain Kingdom out of your Woods. It’s safer that way, for your Kingdom and its people. Not that I care about either of them.”
“I will look into it,” Aiden said, holding his stare.
“Immaculate idea, Aiden Estrella,” he said, his eyes traveling over the members at the table. Nayeli didn’t dare meet his gaze. “There is something else I would like to discuss with you. If your power-hungry people could clear the room, we can settle the matter easily and quickly.”
“I think everything that needed to be said in this meet, was discussed,” Aiden said and Nayeli’s heart dived. She wasn’t nearly done! But at one glance from Aiden, everybody was standing to leave the room. Resisting a groan, Nayeli accepted her predicament.
One large hand came down on her shoulder, keeping her in her chair. Nayeli stiffened, fear clutching her heart once she realized it was Eiric’s hand on her shoulder. It didn’t go unnoticed to Aiden and he watched the Whittaker with clenched teeth.
“The Princess can stay,” Eiric said, his hand still on her shoulder.
All eyes darted towards Nayeli as they left the room. She longed to go with them. But once they left, the doors to the council room were closed and it left Aiden and Nayeli alone with the Whittaker.
“Let go of her,” Aiden demanded calmly.
Eiric let go of her shoulder, instantly laughing at Aiden. “If you can’t bear the thought of anybody touching her, why didn’t you marry her?”
Since everybody was standing except for her, she found her feet. “That is none of your concern, Eiric,” she snapped.
“Then tell him,” Eiric snapped back at her.
“Excuse me?” Nayeli demanded. “Is that why you are trapping me in this room with the two of you?”
“I would advise you to inform your King of your recent offer.”
Her heart went cold as Eiric talked. “You have no right,” she spat.
“You don’t want him to know?” Eiric asked. “That will be your biggest mistake.”
“Enough,” Aiden demanded, his eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. “Tell me what is going on.”
“King Jairo had proposed marriage to the Princess Nayeli,” Eiric said simply, giving a step away from the anger radiating from Nayeli’s body. She wanted him dead, she will kill him herself, she vowed.
She turned to explain herself to Aiden, but she was met with a shocked face. Aiden didn’t hide his surprise, he stared at her in horror and concern. Her brow furrowed at his anxiety, watching him start to shake his head at her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his voice soft. No longer King, but Aiden.
“I refused him,” she said. “I don’t intent to give him what he wants.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want. He will come for you. He will use you to hurt me.”
“Finally somebody understands,” Eiric said in the background.
“And why do you care?” Nayeli snapped at Eiric.
“Because I’ve seen Jairo cause wars because he merely desired something.”
“I’m not a thing-”
“You are to him,” Aiden said.
“He hates the Estrellas, Girl. And if he can hurt them by pursuing you, he will,” Eiric declared.
“Why are you really here, Eiric?” Aiden asked. “Why are you warning us? You don’t owe me anything.”
Eiric laughed. “I’m not doing this for you, fool! I’m doing this for my people in the Domain! They don’t deserve to die in a war with the Maya Isles nor with the Adarmar Kingdom.”
“Surely he isn’t stupid enough to take us on,” Aiden demanded. “He can’t possibly be that imprudent.”
“He’s one of the smartest, slyest men I’ve ever met. After hating you for so many years, why do you think he’s only acting now?”
They kept quiet, watching the Whittaker.
“Because something has changed, a horse in a game of chess had been moved,” Eiric revealed.
“What horse?” Aiden asked, standing next to Nayeli now.
“That I don’t know,” Eiric said, more to himself than to them. “I’m just the bastard brother, remember?”
The room felt silent, Eiric looking away from them.
“Thank you,” Aiden said eventually. “For the warning.”
“Don’t thank me,” he said, his voice hard. “I did it for the people of the Domain, not for either one of you.”
Eiric picked up the chair he had sent to the floor, shifting it back into place at the table. “I’ll be out of Eldenwood as soon as you made your mind up about the agreement for the trade of wildlife. I need to go back with an answer.”
Aiden nodded. “I’ve still got my eye on you, Whittaker.”
“Of cause,” he said, his smile returning. His eyes rolled over Nayeli before turning for the door.
Nayeli turned to look at Aiden. “Aiden, please-”
“Another secret,” he spat and cursed. “You should have told me the moment that filth had neared you!”
“You had enough on your plate-”
“I am the fucking King,” he barked. “I will always have loads on my plate, but you don’t keep things from me, Nayeli Faye! I’m so tired of surprises from you!”
She stared up at him, searching for words.
“You won’t tell anyone about what was said in this room,” he continued. “Crying war is not what my Kingdom needs. I will handle this accordingly.”
“I don’t want you to handle it. I want to help-”
“You have done enough,” he demanded and stepped around her. She swung around, wanting to say more, but he only glared at her as he made his way towards the door. She wanted to run after him, to explain. But there was nothing to explain, nothing she could make better with mere words.

Nayeli left her chamber, her skin alive and her heart on fire. It felt strange to be outside, already longing for her bed. The bed she had shared with Aiden Estrella, the King of Adarmar. She crossed her arms, holding her heart inside her chest. Did he have any idea how red he made her body run? After the meet she should get out of the castle for a bit. She needed to-
“Princess Nayeli,” a voice sounded behind her.
She jumped around, almost dropping her heart to the floor.
“I do apologize,” Duke Daniel Parnell said, stopping in front of her. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Duke Daniel Parnell,” she said, bowing her head at him and calming her features.
“Princess Nayeli Faye,” he acknowledged with a bow of his head. “I’ve hoped to catch you on your way to the meet. Can I walk you there?”
“It would be a pleasure,” she agreed, turning to walk with him. Her eyes travelled over his light blue Colors.
He fell in next to her, his posture stiff. He was uncomfortable in her company, she realized. Putting a polite smile on her face, she spoke kindly to the Duke.
“Are you well, Duke Daniel?” she asked.
“Why, yes, I am. Thank-you, Princess. But I wondered if I can have a word with you before entering the meet.”
“What do you have on your heart, Duke Daniel?”
He shrugged hesitantly. “The Kubovy family.”
Nayeli wanted to groan, hearing that family’s name for the second time this morning. “I’m listening,” she said, trying to sound as polite as possible.
“They dislike me,” he said, coming to a halt. “They dislike me because I don’t always agree with them.”
Nayeli turned to look up at him. She had to stop herself from jumping forward and embracing the Duke. She wanted to smile, to laugh and rejoice. If it wouldn’t have been so very inappropriate, she might just have done it.
“I have a great deal of respect for them and I think they lead their lands well. I have much to learn from them, but regarding the matter of Eldenwood, I think they are wrong.”
“You want Duke Faure’s regulations to stand?” she asked hopefully.
“At first I thought that I might let it go and agree to what the King and Duke Leynar decided. But somehow you were able to climb the tree and punch Leynar right in the face,” the Duke said, a smile at his lips.
“I have plenty of fight still left in me.”
“Don’t misunderstand me, Princess,” he said, his smile faded away. “I will stand with you in this meet, support Faure’s legacy, but I won’t stand for acts of defiance.”
Nayeli’s hope slipped slightly. He was talking about her promise at the funeral. Before she could defend herself, he continued.
“I serve the Estrellas,” he began. “Fully and completely. I won’t do anything to harm my friendship and trust with them.”
“I understand,” she found herself saying, nodding her head.
“One more thing,” he said, uncertain.
“You can speak openly with me,” she said, sensing his hesitation.
“I hope I am not the first to warn you, that you are prepared,” he said, loosening a breath. “The Kubovy family doesn’t always play fair. And I guess that is why the seats they sit on are so high.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, her spine tingling.
“They will bait you into making a mistake. They will taunt you and flaunt your mistakes at Eldenwood. And to the King.”
“You say that as if you’ve experienced it.”
He lifted his chin. “In some depraved degree I respect their adoration for Adarmar. They won’t hesitate in doing what they must in fighting for the Kingdom they worship. They don’t trust easily and they don’t take kindly to new faces. Especially if that new face is a Native.”
She nodded.
“As long as you can ignore their lure into making mistakes, I can stand with you in this regard. But, Princess, and with all the respect in the world, I won’t be seen at your side if you plunge yourself into shame by succumbing to their ways in gaining what they want.”
She swallowed uneasily. “Thank you for your honestly. But I am prepared for whatever they throw at me.”
The Duke looked unsure, doubting the Princess he barely knew. “Just be careful, Princess,” he said, his voice lowered. “And don’t bite off more than you can chew.”
With that, the Duke straightened his spine and squared his shoulders. Without exchanging more words, they took the stairs up to the council room.

Chapter 11 - A Meeting with a Snake

She leaned towards him, resting her chin on his chest. Her lovely blue eyes peeked up at him. She was still gloriously naked, a teasing smile touching the left side of her mouth. He couldn’t stop looking at her, staring at her, feeling the burn of her touch. Her body ran so hot, he wanted to plunge her into a bath of cold water, jumping in along with her.
“Are you tired?” she murmured softly. “We didn’t get much sleep.”
Aiden smiled back at Nayeli, trailing his thumb over her cheekbone and stopping to touch her earlobe. Early dawn was pushing through the open windows and fell onto the bed with them. Sunlight greeted Nayeli’s bare back, lighting up her dark hair. He marveled at the sunbeams on her body.
“Is it time for me to leave?” he asked, his voice soft.
“You should never have come,” she reminded him, her smile broadening.
“Believe it or not,” he began, twirling a piece of her hair between his fingers. “I came to your room to talk, not to kiss you.”
“Kissing is the least of the night’s problems,” she said, bemused.
He marveled at her moving lips, the light that touched her eyes. She was so beautiful with her tangled hair and sleepy eyes, he had to reach out and trail his finger over her bottom lip. He couldn’t resist touching her.
“What would you like to talk about?” she asked, kissing his fingers.
“About the Kubovy family,” he said and her smile faded altogether.
Her eyes slowly left his, looking down at his chest. “I’m listening.”
“The Kubovy family had been loyal to the Estrellas for five generations now. They are loyal to me and I am loyal to them. They have never wavered in their devotion to the throne. Currently they lead a third of Adarmar. And they do it well.”
He waited for her to jerk up and object. He waited for her to demand his loyalty to her. After all, she was naked in bed with him. But he couldn’t leave this bed without explaining it to her. To his surprise, she kept quiet, her eyes returning to his face. She was listening. Something she rarely did, he added to himself.
“They feel they have right to Eldenwood, that my family owe them at least that much. Adarmar would be divided without them. They are important to me. Can you understand that?”
“I understand entirely,” she said, holding his eyes. “But it’s not about who you choose as Duke or Duchess. It’s about shielding Faure’s legacy. He was different to the rest of Adarmar. It is what the people of Eldenwood cherish most. I want to fight for what they want.”
“I understand entirely,” he said, repeating her previous words.
They fell silent for a while, staring into each other eyes. Nayeli moved her legs, tangled with his. Her naked skin against his own made his veins run red, his heart exhausted.
“You won’t be able to protect me,” she said to him, surprising him. “In the days to come. You will have to be the King and the King can’t stand up for me when the heat becomes unbearable. I will have to fight my own battle and you will have to allow it, not interfering.”
“I know,” he murmured back. “I can’t side with you because I want to protect you-”
“Please don’t attempt to defend me in front of them,” she said, her eyes asking him pleadingly. “We will fight and you have to allow it. If you defend me – they will think I am a child. When we enter that room, when we sit down to meet, we both must forget this past night. Our heads must be clear.”
“I won’t side with you,” Aiden said and her brow pulled together slightly. “Because I don’t agree with you.”
“Excuse me?”
“Each Duke delivers all his lands have to offer for the growth of Adarmar, all except Eldenwood. It’s not fair to ask my Dukes to work their lands to the fullest and not ask the same of Eldenwood.”
Slowly, Nayeli pushed herself away from his chest, looking down at him in disbelief.
“Even the Maya Isles produce their surplus to Adarmar. Why can’t Eldenwood? Now I’m not asking for it all, but at some place in time, Eldenwood needs to deliver. I don’t believe in inequality. Everyone produces, Eldenwood must too.”
“But it’s different in Eldenwood,” she said, crossing her arms over her naked chest.
“I know,” he said, watching her carefully. “And I will keep that in mind.”
“But Aiden-”
“Don’t tell me know,” he said. “Tell me in the meet.”
She squared her shoulders, her lips in a thin line. Her gaze edged on a glare, watching him intently. For some reason he found it quite alluring.
“Come here,” he whispered to her. She kept her stance, ignoring his request. “Come here, Nayeli,” he ordered gently, tapping his fingers on his chest.
She leaned forward and he waited for her to put her chin on his chest again, to stare up at him with her alluring eyes, but instead she dipped her head forward and claimed his lips. She took his bottom lip in between her teeth and bit down with a sudden fury. He pulled his lip out between her teeth, yanking away from her.
“You infuriate me sometimes,” she said, frowning at him.
He touched his lip in shock, tasting a faint tang of blood. He was stunned by her boldness. She cocked her head to the side, frowning down at him. It nearly sent him over the edge. Was it possible that this woman could surprise him more?
She turned away from him to climb off the bed, but he wasn’t ready to let her go yet. He sat up and reached for her, catching her by the hips, her back to him. He pulled her into his arms, her backside pressing against his chest.
“I infuriate you?” he asked into her hair.
She looked at him over her shoulder, her lips close to his. “You make me want to say very un-ladylike things.”
“Hmmm,” he breathed into her ear. “What kind of things are those?”
She shivered in his arms, a slight tremble running through her body. He enjoyed every moment of it. She didn’t answer him, trying to steady her breathing.
“I’m going to go take a bath,” she said finally. “When I come back, you should be gone.”
“Is that what you want?” he breathed into her ear.
“Yes,” she said, her voice unsteady.
She moved against his chest, making her way out of bed. He leaned back into the bed, watching her bare backside as she walked for her bathing room. He stared at the bird that filled her left shoulder in ink. Her black hair was tangled and it was his doing, he thought proudly. She opened the door to the bathing room, peeked back at him on the bed and quickly closed the door behind her again. Aiden smiled to himself, untangling his limbs with the sheets on the bed and getting up. Without even hesitating, he moved towards the bathing room, opening the doors again, and making sure they are tightly shut behind him.

Mint wrote: "Mariettedr wrote: "Mint wrote: "Done! Finally got to the latest update. Phew! Hoping to read more of this story :D Too many questionable things that are yet to be found out."

Hi Mint.

Any questio..."


You ask all the right questions - I like it.

The real color of Nayeli's eyes are simply blue. But once she gets upset or excited they tend to slightly light up / glow. It's caused by the Therian Blood that runs in her veins. Her blood is Royal and her blood is Wild - what it entails will be revealed in time ;)

Hael Young is Nayeli's Lunar. They share an intense friendship and the term "Lunar" will be explained in due time.

The Alpoca bird is 100% made up. Like Akira had said the night of the Courtas Ball: The bird looks like a raven but its colorful - red and blue. The Alpoca shares Nayeli's Royal Colors - which is also red and blue.

A note of all the Colors:
Maya Isles: Red & Blue
Aiden & Akira Estrella Royal Color: Navy
Duchess Leilani Kubovy of Keldarilly: Dark Green
Duke Leynar Kubovy of Keldar (older brother to Leilani): Dark Green
Duke Daniel Parnell of Panit: Light Blue
Aemazon Warriors: Black
The Domain Kingdom: Grey

In Akira's dream she said the Stag will be bitten by the snake. Nayeli and Hael believes Duke Faure Jevric was the Stag. They believe there is more to his death than meets the eye and Nayeli is trying to "provoke the snake" to prove it.

The Tiger and the Snake will be revealed in time. The wolf as well.

The promise Nayeli made to Duke Faure Jevric was to make sure his rules and regulations regarding his wildlife of the Seneca Woods would remain unchanged by the new Duke/Duchess appointed to Eldenwood. Faure Jevric believed in protecting the wildlife and not hunting them down.

Please feel free to ask more questions!
Thanks for reading.
Mariette

The night came to an end, the gathering ending early. To keep it respectful, the people refrained from drinking the night away. It wasn’t just another day, it wasn’t just another night. They had to be respectful.
With the day heavy on her heart, Nayeli opened the door to her chamber. Entering her room, she stopped and startled once she realized she wasn’t alone.
There was a figure sitting on her bed, his back to her and staring out her window into the night.
To her relief, the features were familiar. She stepped closer to him.
“What are you doing in my room?” she asked, her voice gentle.
He stood and had to tear his eyes away from the outside night. Aiden turned to look at her. In the dim lighting of her room, they regarded one another. She waited for him to speak, and eventually, he did.
“You displeased me immensely today,” he said.
She didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know if she could trust her voice to speak. He took in her silence, shaking his head and moving closer to her. Each step he took towards her, her stomach knotted. He stopped in front of her, his eyes roaming her face.
“Don’t make me fight with you, Nayeli.”
Her mouth still sealed, she shook her head at him.
He reached to touch the single, white feather at the side of her head. He felt the feather between his fingers, tucking it into her hair again. Then his finger trailed the length of her jaw, stopping at her lips. Every so lightly, he stroked his thumb over her mouth. He touched the tip of her nose, his finger trailing up to her forehead. Trailing his hand into her hair, his eyes returned to meet her own.
“Are we going to fight in the days to come?” he asked, his voice soft.
She nodded her head slowly, guilt clutching her heart.
For some reason it made Aiden smile. “Thank you for being honest, at least.”
She lifted a hand to his chest, feeling the warmth of him. “Do you still remember that seven year old girl you had met so long ago?” she asked, her voice so soft she hoped he was able to hear it.
“I remember her very well.”
“Don’t ever forget her,” she said, her hand clutching onto the clothes that covered his chest.
Aiden leaned closer to her. “I am looking right at her.”
His voice was a mere whisper, a whisper she needed to hear. It was the whisper she needed to give her the courage to lift her mouth to his. Reaching her arms around his neck, she pulled him into her kiss. He didn’t fight her, didn’t object. He allowed her to pull from him what she needed. She wanted to have all of him.
She wanted to feel his skin against hers.
She moaned his name against his lips, her hands finding the buttons to his coat. He stared down at her, watching her unbutton his clothes. All of his clothes. Soon it was his turn and he had no problem in taking off her dress. Once they discarded their clothes to the floor, Aiden grabbed her into his embrace, his mouth claiming hers.
Desire burned in her stomach, her heart beating faster than before. Aiden cupped her head, his mouth trailing down her neck. She gasped, holding onto him. He trailed his teeth over her collarbone, the pinch of his teeth welcome on her skin. His hand closed around a fistful of her hair, his mouth coming down on hers again. He kissed her carelessly, their bodies melting together.
She would never get used to it, she decided. The feel of Aiden’s body against her own would always be the most exhilarating feeling in the world. Her heart leapt once he took hold of her and pulled her onto the bed with him. He flipped her onto her back, leaning over her to press his lips to hers. He kissed her fiercely, pinning her to the bed. She gasped once his mouth left hers to kiss her between her breasts.
There was Wildness to his kiss, his mouth warm on her lips and skin. Her veins burned brighter, her heart flooded with desire. Aiden’s kisses were careless and she could taste his craze on his lips. Her back arched towards him, her breathing wholly uneven.
“Your eyes,” he breathed out against her skin. “They are glowing.”
Trying not to panic, she pulled her eyes shut.
“No,” Aiden objected and moved his face towards hers again. “Don’t take them away from me.”
She opened her eyes to stare up at the King of Adarmar. His breathing was uneven and there was a smile on his face.
“Gods, you are beautiful,” he breathed, inhaling sharply.
Her heart pushed desire through her veins. She pulled his mouth back over her own, kissing him deservingly. He moaned into her mouth, his body burning against her own.
Being one with Aiden brought her the warmth she so dearly longed for. She couldn’t care about what would come tomorrow, couldn’t care in the least. She had her legs wrapped around the most remarkable body of a man she had ever met.
The Alpoca bird can’t possibly be dead, she found herself thinking.
“It feels like I am flying,” she murmured to Aiden’s lips.

Jon walked Akira to her room, a mischievous smile playing with her face. She thought she was so clever, making eyes at Daniel Parnell for the entire evening. Jon knew she was teasing him, making him jealous. And even with Domain Warrior to watch, it had worked. Jon hated the way Akira smiled at the Duke. He was the kind of man she would end up to marry one day, Jon knew, but knowing and understanding the obvious, didn’t necessarily make it easy.
“I’m glad this day is over,” Akira said, stepping closer to Jon.
“Yes, funerals can be tiresome,” Jon said, watching her carefully.
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
“Tiresome,” Akira repeated to break the silence. “Does that mean you are tired and would like to go to bed?”
Jon eyed her cautiously. “I would say it is time I retire to my room, yes.”
They neared Akira’s chamber and she came to halt in front of her door, turning to Jon. “Do you think you need to stay with me? Since there is a Domain Warrior in Eldenwood. You know how they feel about the Estrellas and me being an Estrella after all. With you nearby, that Whittaker won’t even think about-”
“Akira,” Jon said, cutting her off. “I should say good-night.”
“We should,” she mused, moving in on Jon.
Jon caught her chin, holding her eager lips at bay. “I will be sleeping in my own room, Princess,” he said.
She smiled up at him. “I can always come with you,” she murmured to him.
“No, you won’t,” he said, a little bemused at her notions.
“Are you never going to kiss me again?” she asked, feigning worry and playfully furrowing her brow.
“Two kisses were trouble enough.”
“One more-”
“Good-night, Princess Akira,” Jon said, letting go of her chin.
She crossed her arms. “If you won’t kiss me, I will find someone else to kiss.”
“Like your new Native friend?”
“There are so many options. I will have to see who I choose.”
“Akira,” he warned.
“Good-night, Aemazon Warrior,” she purred and reached for her door. She smiled at him over her shoulder as she pushed the door open. He felt himself wanting to follow the smile on those perfect lips. He stopped once the doors to her chamber closed in his face.

“Why, if it isn’t the lovely Princess Nayeli Faye,” someone said behind her. Nayeli felt uneasy, a sudden outbreak of sweat on her brow. She knew the voice, but it was impossible for him to stand behind her. Curious, she turned around and looked into a tower of a man.
Eiric Whittaker was towering over her, the bastard brother of the Domain Kingdom’s King. A polite smile lingered on his face. His hands were folded in behind his back, his eyes intently fixed on her. She had to stop herself from yelping in surprise, giving a step away from him.
“Don’t look so frightened,” he said to her. “The entire gathering is already staring at me like I might just snap your neck. Stop it now, calm your features.”
As if he had control over her mind and body, she relaxed. “Eiric Whittaker,” she choked out.
“Oh, you remember me,” he said with a smile. “I’m flattered.”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice uneven.
“I am here as representative on Duke Faure’s day of funeral.”
“I don’t believe you,” she found herself saying.
He ignored her comment. “I hear you’ve caused quite the uproar this morning.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, but I do. Quite the promise you are making to his people.”
She kept silent.
“I can help you with your cause, you know. In exchange for a favor.”
“No,” she insisted. “I won’t do you any favors.”
“If you don’t want to play along, then I will be the only one playing. You won’t like it, I’m sure.”
She remained quiet, glaring up at him.
“Speaking of very important matters,” he mused. “My dear brother, the King of the Domain Kingdom, is not a very patient man. You ought to remember that.”
“Oh, fuck you,” she muttered, her voice lowered between them.
“Oh, that is not very ladylike,” he said and chuckled. “Or does the King Aiden Estrella like your foul mouth when you are pinned underneath him?”
She wanted to grab onto his Warrior throat and rip out his windpipes. She would frame those windpipes, put them on display in the front hall of Maya Castle for the world to see.
“I gave you my answer to give to your King.”
“And I told you that I wouldn’t accept it. Neither would my King.”
“Is that why you are here?” she snapped. “To threaten me some more?”
“We are not people that threaten. We merely make promises. And we keep to them.”
“I don’t have to listen to this-”
“Jairo Whittaker is a very jealous man, Nayeli Faye. I feel obligated to tell you that. And I hope that you would know that I am earnest in my warning.”
She looked up at the Whittaker and she was surprised to find a touch of concern in his eyes. She wanted to assure him that she didn’t need his concern, but they were interrupted by Aiden. Her heart quickened at the thought of Aiden so close to a Whittaker.
“Princess Nayeli,” he began. “I see that you have met Eiric Whittaker.”
“Oh, we’ve met before,” Eiric said, eyes still lingering on Nayeli.
“You have?” Aiden asked in surprise.
Eiric tore his eyes away from Nayeli’s. “She didn’t tell you?” he asked. “Most interesting.”
With his faint smile unfazed, Eiric turned away from them and left. Nayeli couldn’t look at Aiden. She turned away, her heart beating in her throat. She didn’t trust her voice to speak. Aiden spoke her name, but she ignored it completely and walked away from him, finding the urge to run.

Jon cursed, glaring at Aiden.
“Me or the Whittaker will be dead before the end of the night,” Jon said, his face serious and his voice harsh.
Aiden shook his head at his friend. “You will do nothing,” he ordered.
“I won’t be in the same company as that filth!”
“He came in good faith, Jon. Until that change, you will keep your distance from him. Don’t even engage in a conversation with him. He dislikes you just as much as you dislike him.”
“You shouldn’t even allow scum like him close to you and Akira. Your nobles are going to faint at the sight of him.”
“I’ve sent word to the Duke and Duchess Kubovy, and to Duke Parnell. Everyone agreed to keep their mouths shut, allowing the man the chance to honor Duke Faure as representative of the Domain Kingdom. Come tomorrow, he would say his piece at the meeting, we will listen and then take it from there.”
“I can’t believe you are allowing this-”
“Just for the moment, Jon,” Aiden snapped. “I’ve had enough turmoil for one day. Would you please just listen to me for once in your life?”
“Oh, let’s not even go there,” Jon bit back.
“We will most definitely not,” Aiden agreed.
“Speaking of Akira,” Jon began, treading more carefully. “You will find me close to her side this evening. If you are going to allow that filth at the gathering, I am going to make sure he doesn’t approach Akira.”
“Well, I can’t argue with that,” Aiden said. “Shall we go then?”
A smirk found Jon’s face. “No companion tonight, King? You couldn’t find a lady fluttering her lashes at you here in Eldenwood?”
“No,” Aiden replied with a grin. “But I have my little Aemazon Warrior. What more do I need?”
Jon frowned at Aiden. “There is nothing little about me,” he snapped, annoyed.
The grin still on his face, Aiden opened the door to Jon’s room. He followed him outside, making their way towards the gathering.
The gathering took place outside in the Castle Gardens. People were dressed in various colors and Jon found it refreshing. The people seemed to be in a much better states of mind in comparison to this morning. This morning they mourned the Duke’s life, now they were celebrating it.
Jon looked around for any sign of the Domain Kingdom filth, but couldn’t find him yet. Jon spotted Akira, dressed in a beautiful navy gown. Her chestnut locks were up into an elegant bun, a style he was fond of.
Then Jon’s eyes drifted to the Princess Nayeli. She was dressed in a faint blue gown, a single white feather in her hair. She seemed almost ordinary tonight, Jon thought. Well, after the act she had played this morning, fading into the background would do her some good tonight. There was no sign of her Native friend, Hael. Did she come alone?
Jon found himself nearing Akira, but suddenly stopped. They haven’t had the chance to speak yet, not really, after the night they had kissed. Jon refused to think about it. It alarmed him how much he wanted to do it again. But he knew he couldn’t.
“Jon May,” Akira acknowledged him, finally noticing him a few feet away.
“Good evening, Princess Akira,” he said and bowed his head at her.
“Good evening,” she said, her eyes looking up into his. “How are you, Jon?”
“I am well, thank you. And Milady?” he asked formally.
“Yearning for more kisses,” she said carelessly.
Jon almost fainted. “Akira!” he scowled her quietly. “Don’t say that out loud-”
He was cut off by her laughter. “Stop fretting, Jon!”
Her voice was too loud, her mouth constantly amused. Jon stepped closer to her, glaring into her eyes. “Akira,” he breathed softly. “You smell like Ember.”
She giggled. “What does it matter?” she mused.
“What are you thinking?-”
“That I had a long day and I needed to relax. I was tense.”
“You know what you are risking,” he said, his voice lowered between them.
“Oh, stop it, Jon,” she said, her voice too loud. “Now if you don’t mind, I am going to go have some fun.”
“Don’t drink more.”
She waved him away, her eyes moving past him. “Duke Daniel Parnell,” she exclaimed, pushing past Jon.
Jon turned around and watched as the young Duke Daniel Parnell’s cheeks reddened when the beautiful Princess Akira threw her arms around him in greeting. Akira smiled at the Duke alluringly and a sting of jealousy pricked his heart. He watched them carefully, hearing a few words here and there. The Duke seemed happy to see the Princess. He talked fondly with her, his eyes never leaving her face.
A tall, broad-shouldered man entered his sight of vision-
Long, blond hair like a girl, Jon thought the moment her saw the Domain Warrior. Jon resisted the urge to spit on the floor. His eyes darted around the people of the gathering, only a few were noticing the threat that the man posed. Jon clenched down on his teeth, fighting the urge to lunge at the man in his Royal Grey Color.
His eyes darted to Akira where she continued her conversation with Duke Parnell. Then his eyes darted in Aiden’s direction. He thought he would find Aiden watching the filth, but to his surprise, Aiden was watching him. Their eyes met and Aiden glared a warning at Jon. Jon cursed quietly under his breath, looking away from Aiden.
Jon dared another glance in the Domain scum’s direction and his heart went quiet as he watched the man stop next to the Native Princess. His eyes shot to Aiden, but the King wasn’t looking, locked into a conversation with someone else. Jon wanted to scream at Aiden, to shout at the top of his lungs that the biggest threat in the Adarmar Kingdom was smiling at Nayeli like she was a quick snack before the feast.