Chapter 11 "See that girl?" A calming voice with a slight southern accent calls out as he helps his son to weed the garden. "The one singing to the roses?" The boy asks, his green eyes watching the little girl as she sings a lullaby to the flowers. "Yes my boy." "What about her father?" The young boy looks to his father wondering what this lesson is about. The girl is only three and he is eight. Why would he be interested in a girl wearing a frilly dress. "That is our future Queen, Princess Allisara. If you plan on being in the Royal Guards, you must learn to protect the people and things that she loves. Do you understand?" "Yes father..." ♔ Jerking awake from my dream, I look around the unfamiliar dark room wondering just where I am. It takes a moment for me to realize that I spent the night reading in the Library while Allisara researched into law making and abolishing. A soft sound made me reach for my gun ready to take down any threat but I soon realize that the sound is A
Chapter 12 "Some one help me!" Pressing myself against the sturdy tree, I find the nearest branch and use it to swing at the wild dogs. Their barking and howling fill the air and their sharp teeth snap towards me, dripping with saliva. If help doesn’t come soon, I will be their dinner. "I'm coming!" A boyish voice calls out, over the sound of the dogs. I do my best to fend off the dogs until someone fights his way through the horde, slicing away until he reaches my side. He shields my small body from the wild dogs, his sword swinging and slicing as they lunge at us. I try to see who it is that saved me but his face if blurred, as if my mind isn’t ready to let me see my savior. "Are you okay, Princess Allisara?" I nod yes when he looks at me, doing my best to keep my tears from falling. I don’t want this boy seeing me cry. “Take my hand then. When I give the signal, we run.” He instructs me, his right hand stretching out behind him as he stabs at a lunging wild dog, killing it befo
Chapter 13 Staring down at all the men standing in front of the stage, I notice the divide between the Guards that have sworn their loyalty to me versus those that are still loyal to Juden. Inwardly sighing, I look to Sky and Arian who stand in front of the stage facing the men before I look down to the list of names in my hand that Arian gave to me before we entered the Dining Hall. “You all probably know why you are here.” I begin, looking each and every man in the eyes. “As stated, it has been three days since I announced that I expect loyalty from my men. Many of you have bent the knee - including all of the Squires - but there is a small group who still refused to do so.” My eyes move to those loyal to the Trilavantas, many looking at me with distain while others look uninterested. Unfortunately for them, many will be imprisoned for their crimes that Arian and his men have uncovered. “When your name is called, step forward.” I order, lifting the list to chest level for the me
Chapter 14 “You sure you want to do this today Alli?” Staring at the door that will lead to the dungeon, I debate on if I am ready or not for this. The last time I saw Juden was six days ago when I barged into the Throne Room to take back what’s rightfully mine. “No, but I need to. He has all the answers I need.” Sky hums at my answer, his steady presence calming me. With a deep breath, I motion for the Guards to open the doors and begin to descend the stairs. Five minutes and I find myself on the first floor of the dungeons, expecting to see a damp dingy hallway and not a place brightly lit with secured doors spaced evenly on either side. “Which one is his?” I ask, looking towards Sky who takes the lead. “Last one on the left.” We walk in silence until we come to the cell, anxiety growing inside me. Something deep inside me tells me he is the reason why I grew up in the slums. “Has he said anything since being imprisoned?” I ask the Guard Max who was tasked to guard Juden. “Oth
Chapter 15 Standing in my Study, I watch out the window as my men reach the Palace walls. It seems that planning this day on the Princess’ sixth birthday was a smart move and soon this Kingdom will belong to me. I had planned everything correctly, found men that would side with me and help take control from King Alex and his wife Queen Evelyn. My son was safe at our Estate. The Guard he Squired to had whisked him away by my command when signs of my Rebellion began as promised. Suddenly the door to my Study bursts open and my personal Elite Guard Ronan barges in, a look of panic on his face. This isn’t good. "Lord Trilavantas, Princess Allisara and her Maid are missing!" He gasps for breath, his panic evident. Anger courses through my as I turn to face the window again, my fingers clenched into fists. "She was supposed to be in her room!” The plan was fool proof. My men would sneak into the Palace with many disguised as Guards. So how did they loose a little brat and her Maid. “We
Chapter 16 My body shaking with rage, I feel Sky place a hand on my shoulder to steady me. Hearing about the night of the rebellion brought memories to my mind of that day, of my birthday. It was a simple party with my friends in attendance. My parents announcing that when I turned twenty I will be married to Demitrias. "You killed my parents.” Glaring at the man that betrayed my family, I watch as his eyes shine with amusement as he looks at me. A loud slap sounds around the room and I find myself being pulled away from Juden who now sports a red hand print on the left side of his face, my right hand stinging. Sky whispers into my ear, but the rage I feel burning inside me makes his voice sound muffled. I want to kill the bastard sitting so smugly chained to that chair. “Can’t say I blame you for that slap. You are a lot stronger than you look Allisara.” Juden taunts, his gaze meeting mine. It takes everything in me not to fight my way out of Sky’s grasps when all I want to do is
Chapter 17 "We found her my lord!" Running into my Study, Ronan announces this news with a smile on his face, his brown eyes filled with excitement. “By her, do you mean Allisara?” Placing my paperwork on the desk, I stare at my Guard with hopeful eyes. It has been three months since the rebellion and in that time I had healed from my wounds and taken over the Kingdom. I thought everything was going smoothly and soon I would be crowned King, but news of that insufferable Princess still lives spread like a wildfire. All the Nobles demanded that I find her and bring her back as the rightful Heir to the throne and so began the search for her. If I can get to her first, then I can rid the Kingdom of the Nimair line and take control of Nimairene for good. “Yes! I just received the report. We only have an hour to get to her before the others do.” "Where is she." I demand, standing from my desk and making my way out the door. Five of my men are waiting in the hallway, their eyes flashing
Chapter 18 Listening to Juden explain how he found me, I close my eyes and try to envision the apple farm. I vaguely remember the tire swing he mentioned. But then again there was one in Ron and Liz’s back yard that I always used. It seems that is something my body remembered even after losing my memories. Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and take in Juden looking at me with curiosity, as if trying to see into my mind. “You don’t remember them, do you?” He inquires unable to hide the surprise tone in his voice. “I don’t.” Deciding to be honest, I inwardly sigh and wonder if – in time – I will remember the farmers that betrayed me. "If your goal was the throne, why didn’t you just leave me with the couple instead. You say they owed you, so you could have had them keep me without anyone be the wiser.” Feeling like I am stating the obvious, Juden lets out a deep chuckle, his laughter echoing in the room. “It’s not that simple Allisara. There are laws in place. Laws the prevents
EpiloguePacing her room, the Princess wonders if now is the right time. Plans were made to hold her Coronation next Saturday as this Sunday she will turn twenty-one. She knows with the small fights and skirmishes caused by that Traitor and his rebels that her people need a distraction, but deep down this nagging feeling tells her something bad is going to happen.The door to her room opens causing the Princess to jump in fright. Her boyfriend, realizing he startled her, takes quick strides and pulls her into his arms.“Are you okay Allisara?” He asks, pressing a soft kiss on her cheek.“I am worried about next week. The Princess admits, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her body as close to his as possible.“Next week you will be crowned Queen-”“And the Rebellion could be in full swing by then.” She cuts in, worry etched into her voice. The man sighs, pulling away from her slightly to look into those violet eyes that melts his heart, giving her a reassuring smile.“Nothing w
Chapter 56Sitting in the waiting room of the hospital wing, my left leg bounces as anxiety and worry courses through me. Kian is pacing the floor, his eyes full of anger while Lia and Mia mumble prayers. Alice is sitting beside me, staring at the doors as we all way for a nurse to confirm whether or not we can visit our friend. Sky had gone for a coffee run with Arian and Adam; the two guards having rushed here as soon as they got the news.“Princess.” A small voice calls out causing me to jump to my feet and march towards the Nurse that came through the heavy doors.“How is he?” I ask right away, taking the Nurse’s hands in mine.“He is resting now. The surgery was a success.” A collective sigh goes through all of us, the tension and worry in the room breaking as we all visibly relax. Max had been in surgery the moment he was sent back to the Palace. As soon as we all managed to return home, we had made our way to the hospital wing. The nurse typing on the laptop in the corner was t
Chapter 55Exiting my carriage with the help of Sky, I wince slightly from the discomfort caused by waking up in Sky’s arms this morning. Last night he and I had fully committed to one another and this morning when we woke up, he made sure to show me how much he loves me.“Did I over do it?” Sky asks as I link my arm through his.“Yes.” I pout as he leads me towards the stage where I will sit during the execution. I can already hear the crowd demanding bloodshed for all the heinous acts Juden and his men have committed and I will gladly give it to them. My Grandparents, Kolten and Arian are already seated on stage, each one wearing a black suit. Taylor and her own unit are spread out in the crowd, listening in for information in case any of Juden’s men are mixed with the crowd waiting to free their leader.Sky helps me climb the stairs to the stage, escorting me to the microphone that sits to the right corner of the stage we will be sitting on. Below me is another platform, one that h
Chapter 54Gasping awake from my dream, I look around the room and realize that I am safe and sound in my own bed. A fire roars in my fireplace, dimly lighting the room and keeping it warm and my body feels so sore and weak."Allisara?” I shiver at the sound of his deep voice, my head turning towards my bedroom door. There Sky stands, his emerald eyes locked onto my violet ones.“Hi.” I croak out, tears falling down my face. He rushes to my side, pulling me into his arms as soon as he sits on the edge of the bed and I begin to sob. How did I forget him, my Sky?"What’s wrong? are you hurting?" He asks, rubbing my back and doing his best to soothe me."I’m sorry I forgot about you." I sob out, my arms snaking around his neck. He pulls away in shock, his eyes wide as his hands move to cup my face.“You…you remember me?” He whispers, his own tears falling down his face.“Yes!” I manage to say before his lips slam against mine, claiming them in a heated kiss. I melt into his embrace, part
Chapter 53Pouting beside my cake, I watch as Demitrias talks to all those girls that surround him, my cousin being one of them. My mother just announced that I am to marry him before my fifth birthday party began and I am not happy. Not once has he wished me a happy birthday or come my way.The girls are called away and finally he is alone. I do my best to march towards him, wanting to talk to my friend and see why he is being so mean to me.“Allisara get out of my way.” He sighs out, annoyed by me."No." I cross my arms over my chest and stomp my foot. He is my fiancé now; he needs to talk to me."Move or I will make you." He grounds out, glaring at me."Why are you being so mean to me?" I nearly shout, tears filling my eyes."Because I don't like you. You're just a dumb girl I have to marry." With that he pushes me to the side, nearly knocking me onto the ground. A pair of arms catch me and the scent of pine fills my nose. Before I can say anything to the person, he gently pulls me
Chapter 52"Sky.” Lia appears from the shadows, a smile on her face as she appears beside Noir."Mia is watching the shack but she is there. Alli is there.” Relief fills me as I slump in Noir’s saddle. We are so close to saving her now.“How many people?” I ask, climbing from Noir. I let his reigns fall to the ground.“Four men. The shack only has one main room and one bath room. Hunters use it to camp out during hunting season.” She takes out a dagger from her boot and motions for Kian to come join us. We all agreed Alec will stay with our horses so that we have an easy getaway.“Alli is close to bathroom door. She is passed out on a mattress. It seems only one man is guarding the door, like he is waiting for someone.” She draws the shack as best as possible in the ground, using a circle to show Allisara and triangles for the kidnappers.“Three are inside playing a card game and drinking. I have a feeling they are drunk. It’s the guy guarding the door we need to worry about.” Lia con
Chapter 51“Allisara!” I call out into the dark. It had been a while since I heard her call out my name and I am beginning to grow frantic. The lights flickered on suddenly, the Ballroom filled with cowering Nobles clinging to one another. I look everywhere for her, spying the man she danced with on the floor with a bloodied nose. Rushing over to the man, I kneel beside him and look over his injuries.“Where is she?” I demand after making sure that his nose isn’t broken.“I don’t know where she is. I went to grab her to keep her safe and the next thing I know I have a fist flying into me and a bloodied nose.” The man answers. Standing to my feet, I look around the Ballroom once more. Three songs. Three dances. She promised me that and then the rest of the night she would be mine. Now she was gone.“Sky!” Turning to the sound of my name, I catch Alice and Kian rush towards me through the crowd.“Alice. She’s gone.” I mutter out, panicking.“Sky, it was Juden’s men. They knocked the pow
Chapter 50Looking at my reflection in the full length mirror, I do my best to make sure the hickey Sky had given me yesterday is hidden. Today is the day of my first Ball in the Palace and I do not need tongues wagging within the Nobles gossip circles. Lidia had done a good job choosing the gown I would wear today, a dusty rose coloured gown made from organza and lace with a slit up the left side of the gown. The sleeves were full length that started flaring out at my elbow and thankfully the material hid the mark on my shoulder. My hair was kept in loose curls with a decorative clip keeping the strands out of my face while my bangs were styled with a small flat iron.Millia and Clarice wanted me to wear stilettos but I opted for a pair of rose gold peep-toed kitten heels. It will be a long night tonight and I want comfortable shoes that I can dance the night away in or fight if something happens.Since the broadcasting three days ago I have been feeling uneasy. Max and his men promi
Chapter 49"You did great, Allisara." Entering the Palace hallways, Sky pulls me to his side and kisses the top of my head. I blush, still liking the way my name sounds on his lips."Thank you." I whisper quietly, reaching up and pulling the tiara from my head. Sky chuckles, taking the dainty jewelry from my hand and passing it to Clarice as she comes beside me, asking her to take it to my room. She complies and then is gone in a flash. Sky and I walk quietly down the halls, aimlessly wandering for a moment until we find ourselves in the kitchen."Where are you taking me for our date?" Sky asks as he watches me from where he stands leaning against the counter, an amused smirk on his face watching me run around the kitchen and trying to not get in the way of the staff. An idea came to mind as and soon I found myself getting a picnic basket together as I know it will be perfect for our date."You'll see." I shrug, giving Sky a wink as I place the last items into the basket. He rolls his