Chapter: EPILOGUEShe slipped on her white dress and put the veil over her head. Adalia didn’t let her mother talk her into wearing her diamond tiara. She wanted to get married as she was, not as a state symbol but just as a girl. She waited outside the chapel doors her flowers in her hands. When the doors flew open she took one step at a time to the altar where Archer waited for her.He was in his royal attire, clean shaven, his hair cut short. He looked just like she had seen him the first time. Adalia thought about all the times that she could have lost him that this day seemed to be more like a dream than anything else. His face radiated a smile as she walked up to him. He was going to be her husband and she couldn’t be happier.Once they had taken their vows, Archer and Adalia ran to the balcony. She pulled off her veil and let her hair loose. Archer combed his fingers through her thick raven hair as it flew in the wind.“You want to fly with me?” he took off his jacket and tossed it on
Last Updated: 2021-05-09
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTEENXander felt like he had lost everything with Archer’s return. He went out to the palace gates and asked the rebels to fall back. He had a new plan. But this time he didn’t expect to come back after it was executed. He sent word to Archer and Adalia to meet him at the South gates. His need for power disappeared the second he walked into the chapel to find Archer and Adalia joined. Now all he wanted was revenge. Archer had robbed him of everything he wanted, while Adalia had watched and laughed in his face. Xander took several breaths to calm his unraveling nerves. He vowed to come out on top. They were going to regret ever mocking him.***“Are you sure about this?” Adalia knew Archer was more comfortable with leaving Adalia back safely at home while he faced Xander by himself. She knew something was up when the rebels suddenly pulled back. She had no doubt it was they did so under Xander’s instructions. “I don’t want you put in any
Last Updated: 2021-05-08
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTEEN (B)This wasn’t the wedding she wanted. It felt forced, unreal. But she couldn’t say no either. The rebels at the palace walls told her so. For the sake of her people she needed to commit to this shoddy matrimony. Maybe later she and Archer could have a real bonding ceremony.“I do,” the words left her lips without a thought. And in a second she was out of Conan’s arms and into Archer’s. She stared into his eyes as he looked down at her. His touch fired the senses, his voice as though drifting on a magical breeze as he said. “I love you.”“I love you too,” she didn’t sound as melodic as he did. Her voice came out as a bare whisper, hoarse and scratchy to the throat. But Archer didn’t seem to mind. The gentle pressure of his lips against hers rendered her mind senseless. There was no more thinking, all she was capable of was feeling and she loved each and every moment of it. When he pulled away, a tentative
Last Updated: 2021-05-07
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTEEN“Father,” Adalia smiled at him. She sat next to him on the bed and held onto his hand. “I don’t blame you. But I think that it would be best if I chose m own husband from now on.”“You are my little diamond, you know that right?” His palm cupped her face and Adalia leaned into it. “I would never make a decision that would harm you.”“I know daddy.”“Your highness,” Adalia turned just in time to see Conan send a way a guard that she never knew had joined them. Conan’s brow drew together in a formidable frown, as his fingers curled around the hilt of his sword. “The rebels have formed a front line, just outside the palace walls.”“And where is Xander? Adalia rose from the bed, and with three large strides she was at Conan’s side.“He is with the palace guards. Apparently he is forming a defensive line,” Adalia could see the doubt and disbelie
Last Updated: 2021-05-06
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTEEN (E)Adalia drew in a long breath when Xander stopped in front of her. Her fingers curled around the hilt of the sword, ready to pull it out on command and relieve Xander of his head. Archer put his hand over hers reminding her of the plan. Her heart still frozen in her chest she bit into her lower lip and let out a long breath.“I need to speak to you,” Xander shot darts of hatred at Archer, every look in his eyes telling him to leave them.Archer wasn’t sure that Adalia would be able to keep her cool. He wasn’t sure she would be able to refrain herself from killing Xander right in the very spot he stood in. But he had to trust her. He excused them but didn’t go very far. He stood in a corner next to Samson.“What’s going on?” he asked when he saw the intense hatred Adalia was staring Xander down with.“I told her that it was Xander who tried to kill me, who wants to kill her father,” his eyes didn&rsq
Last Updated: 2021-05-05
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTEEN (D)Xander was at the palace walls. He had one more contact in the palace he was sure wouldn’t let him down. He had to send word to the rebels outside the palace. He had to postpone his plan to attack because right now everyone was waiting for them. They needed to catch them by surprise, especially now that Archer had arrived with an army of his own.He was cursing Archer’s return, wishing that he had driven his blade a little further into his body, and then maybe he would have died. But he needed to get back to Adalia’s side, play the concerned fiancé and hopefully push their marriage through.***“Adalia are you sure you are up to this,” Lionell could see the exhausted look on her face and so could everyone else.“You need to get some sleep sister,” Randi held her up by her arm.“I’m fine,” she mumbled.“When was the last time you slept?” Archer spotted the dark rings under her
Last Updated: 2021-05-04