Chapter 7 Taking a bite of the fruit platter Ellisia brought in for me, I continue pulling up the files of the Maids that were confirmed to have slept with Demitrias. It been two days since announcing my intention to the Guards and only a handful of men who sided with Juden Trilavantas have pledged their loyalty to me. Without needing to be told, Sky had assigned men to keep an eye on this small group, knowing that until we are one hundred percent certain of their loyalty, we will have to be careful around them. “Have the three ladies who are confirmed to be pregnant agreed to a DNA test?” I ask Sky as he walks over and steals a strawberry from my plate. “Yes they have. We already obtained a sample of Demitrias’ saliva and if the test confirms he is the father, we will be firing those ladies and giving them enough compensation from the Trilavantas estate to tide them over until the children are in school. The others suspected of sleeping with both Demitrias and Juden have been fire
Chapter 8 "Turn left right here. Its the last shack on the street" The hummer turns at the next street, Sky effortlessly navigating the rough slums with my help. The trip was short, about an hour from the Palace with the slums being on the south side of the Capitol, and this opportunity gave me a chance to see just how my city is divided. After a minute of driving onto the road, the vehicle begins to slow as Sky navigates the many large pot holes in the road. “Tough street.” He sighs out, his knuckles on the steering wheel turning white as he holds it in a deathlike grip. “Its worse after a storm. One wrong step and you end up knee deep in a hole.” Chuckling, I begin pointing out where the worst ones are until finally Sky pulls up beside the shack and shuts of the engine. “No offense, but this place looks unsafe.” He muses as we climb out of the Hummer. I shiver from the cold winter air and hurriedly make my way towards the back with Sky following behind me. "It looks better insi
Chapter 9 Standing in front of the familiar wooden door with the paint chipping and pealing away, my hand is raised to knock, to let Liz and Ron know I am home, but the nerves inside me causes me to hesitate. "You going to knock?" Sky asks, concern lacing his voice. "Eventually" He sighs at my answer and steps beside me, knocking on the door. Instinct tells me to run and hide, but a strong grip on my wrist keeps me in place as Sky gives me a helpless sigh. I know he is doing this for my own good, but I don’t think I am ready to face Ron and Liz. A muffled shuffle coming from the other side of the door tells me it is to late to back down now and in seconds the door is pulled open, Liz’s smiling face morphing into one of shock. "Allison?" Her voice cracks as tears slowly make their way down her wrinkled face before her surprisingly strong arms pull me into her for a hug. She smells like cinnamon and in moments my own tears fall from my eyes and I return her hug. "Ron, come here" Sh
Chapter 10 The ride back to the Palace is quiet, Sky focused on getting back safe and sound while I reply the nice night I had seeing Ron and Liz again. I wished they had agreed to move into the Palace but knowing that still treat me the same is the best outcome for me. One of the things I know I will need to get done as soon as winter ends is fix the roads leading to the Slums. With this, many of the residents there can easily leave to find better jobs and return safely without having to worry about the cracks and pot holes in the road. “So what do you think of my honorary grandparents?" I finally ask Sky as he turns onto the farm that will take us to the garage. "They are nice people." I laugh at Sky's answer as he presses a button and the barn doors open. He drives slowly into the underground parking until the hummer is returned to it’s rightful spot. "Either way, you're going to come with me when I visit them right?" I ask while climbing out of the Hummer and grabbing my bag f
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
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