20ADRIANThe air in the grand courtroom hung heavy with tension, thick enough to choke on. Annalise, my heart, sat rigidly in the defendant’s chair, her back ramrod straight despite the fear flickering in her eyes. We were facing the Duke, her imposing father, his face a mask of thunderous fury. Anne, that conniving viper, sat beside him, a smug smirk plastered on her face.The Duke slammed his fist on the ornately carved table, sending a tremor through the room. “Trial by ordeal!” he roared, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall. “Annalise shall prove her innocence by walking through the flames!”My stomach lurched. Trial by ordeal? This was barbaric! I stole a glance at Annalise, her face pale but resolute. She wouldn’t back down without a fight. But walking through flames? It was a death sentence disguised as justice.“Your Grace, with all due respect,” I began, my voice surprisingly steady despite the pounding in my chest. “Trial by ordeal is a rather… antiquated practice.”The
21ANNALISEI couldn’t believe it, Adrian had finally confessed his love for me. We were lying in bed, our bodies entwined, as we shared our deepest feelings for each other. I had always known that there was something special between us, but I never thought that it would develop into something so profound.As we talked, our hands began to explore each other’s bodies. We had always had a strong physical connection, but now that we had acknowledged our love, everything felt even more intense. I ran my fingers through Adrian’s hair as he kissed my neck, sending shivers down my spine.“I want you, Annalise,” he whispered in my ear. “I want to make love to you.”I didn’t need any more convincing. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer to me. We kissed deeply, our tongues intertwined, as we let ourselves get lost in the moment.As we made love, I couldn’t help but let out a few moans of pleasure. “Yes, Adrian, just like that,” I gasped, as he hit all the right spots.After we had
22AdrianI walked into the kitchen, ready to grab a quick snack before heading out for the night. But there she was, my beautiful Annalise, bent over the counter, her perfect ass on display. She was cooking, humming to herself, completely oblivious to the effect she was having on me.“Hey there, gorgeous,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. She looked up, a smile lighting up her face.“Hey, Adrian. I was just making us some dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”I stepped closer, running my hand over her ass. She jumped, letting out a little gasp.“I’m starving,” I growled, nibbling on her earlobe. She shivered, pushing back against me.“Adrian, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“I’m going to have you right here, on this counter,” I replied, my hands roaming over her body. She moaned, her head falling back against my shoulder.“But what if someone sees us?” she asked, even as she spread her legs wider, inviting me in.“Let them watch,” I said, slipping my
23ANNALISEThe tremor in Caleb’s voice echoed in my mind long after he finished. Spencer? My Spencer? Working with the very officials who were trying to silence Adrian? It felt like the world had been spun on a potter’s wheel, leaving me disoriented and off-center. The man who held my hand at moonlight picnics, who swore his undying love under a sky dusted with stars – a collaborator with corrupt officials? The cognitive dissonance made my head spin.“Annalise?” Janet, my ever-reliable confidante, squeezed my hand reassuringly. Her concerned gaze held a glimmer of understanding that sent a wave of gratitude washing over me. In the whirlwind of emotions, her steady presence was a lighthouse in a storm.“I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. “Spencer? Working with those corrupt officials? It doesn’t make sense.”Janet, ever the pragmatist, didn’t indulge in idle speculation. “We need a plan, Annalise. Sitting here wondering won’t solve anything.”She was right
24ANNALISEThe Wales sunset cast a golden glow over the bustling marketplace as Adrian and I weaved through the throngs of people. The chaos, usually overwhelming, seemed almost festive tonight. Relief from the recent ordeal settled over me like a comforting blanket. Spencer was exposed, his treachery laid bare. The Duke, although not entirely forgiving of Adrian’s heritage, was forced to acknowledge the corruption within his own ranks. As for Adrian and me, well, our bond had grown stronger through the trials we faced.Tonight, we were celebrating a quiet victory, a stolen moment of peace amidst the city’s vibrant energy. We grabbed a steaming cup of spiced tea from a cheerful vendor, the aroma of cinnamon and cardamom filling the air.“This is amazing,” I exclaimed, taking a sip of the sweet, spicy concoction. “Warms you right up on a cool evening.”Adrian chuckled, a warm sound that sent a pleasant flutter in my stomach. It wasn’t just the sound; it was the crinkling at the corners
25ANNALISEI jolted upright, the remnants of a dream clinging to me like cobwebs. A dream filled with whispered promises and stolen kisses under a canopy of stars – a dream featuring a certain infuriatingly handsome knight named Adrian.A giddy smile stretched across my face. Today was the day! The day I, Annalisa du Wales, would finally present my business proposition to the Queen herself, right there in the glorious Royal Palace. My heart did a little victory lap in my chest. This wasn’t just any business proposition, mind you. This was my brainchild, a revolutionary new loom design that would change the textile industry – faster, more efficient, and guaranteed to produce the most exquisite fabrics the kingdom had ever seen.But amidst the excitement, a tiny, unwelcome voice piped up in my head. It was the voice of reason, or maybe just the voice of perpetual worry that seemed to have taken up permanent residence in my skull. This “business trip,” as my father, the ever-so-serious
26SPENCERHer long brunette hair and piercing green eyes were impossible to ignore. We worked together at a stuffy law firm, but tonight we were both attending a work party at my boss’s mansion. I saw her standing alone in the garden, taking in the fresh air, and I knew this was my chance.“Hey, Anne,” I said, approaching her slowly. “Mind if I join you?”She turned to me with a small smile. “Sure, Spencer. It’s a beautiful night.”We stood in silence for a moment, taking in the sounds of the crickets and the rustling of the leaves. I couldn’t take it any longer, I had to make my move.“Anne, I have to be honest with you. I’ve had a crush on you for a while now.”Her smile grew wider. “Really? I had no idea.”“I just had to tell you. You’re so beautiful and smart, I can’t help but be drawn to you.”She bit her lip, looking up at me through her lashes. “I think you’re pretty great too, Spencer.”Before I knew it, our lips were pressed together, our tongues dancing as we kissed under t
27ADRAINThe Duke’s mansion loomed before us, an imposing structure that seemed to frown down upon us with its gargoyle-laden facade. Annalisa, ever the optimist, skipped ahead, a cheerful bounce in her step. Me? I couldn’t help but feel a sliver of apprehension gnaw at my insides.Her father, the Duke du Wales, was a man of formidable reputation. A decorated war hero, a stern leader, and, according to Annalisa’s whispered warnings, not exactly known for his warm and fuzzy personality. The thought of facing him, seeking his approval (or at least, tolerance) made my palms slick with sweat.We entered the grand hall, a cavernous space adorned with gleaming suits of armor and battle standards. A faint scent of leather and polish hung in the air. Annalisa, bless her heart, squeezed my hand reassuringly.“Don’t worry, Adrian,” she murmured, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Just remember, you’re a war hero too. You practically have ‘imposing’ written all over you.”I couldn’t help but snor