-Ariel-I opened the door to find Dante putting on his clothes and he turned to look at me with a frown on his face.“Hey darling,” I greeted him cheerfully.“Don’t you knock before entering someone’s room?” he asked, looking away and I rolled my eyes.“Who’s room please? And what are you trying to hide from me?” I asked him, walking into the room.“Why are you here this early morning?” he asked me and I scowled at him.“Good morning to you Dante.”He did not say a word further and went to sit on his bed, watching him while he dressed up.“While other ladies are up early preparing breakfast for their men, mine is asking me what I am doing in his room,” I said, intentionally starting up a conversation and driving it to where I wanted.“Which ladies?” Dante asked me casually, looking at his reflection in the mirror while he brushed his hair.“Well, on my way here I met Jasmine with a tray of food going to serve Adonai,” I told him and waited for his reaction. He paused and I could see a
-Dante-Jasmine taking food to Adonai was a piece of news I did not know how to react to. While I was glad that there might be room for Adonai to consider favoring her, I was worried about the reason why she had done that. If Adonai does take her as his wife, it would only be of benefit to me if she loved me.But if the reason why Jasmine was putting up that act was something other than that then all my plans would be down the drain. And even though I did not want to think what I was suspecting, it was obvious Jasmine was acting weird towards me.Could it be that she no longer loved me and now she wanted Adonai? But feelings do not change overnight, do they?Now I was more worried because I was not certain Jasmine’s heart still belonged to me. I need to make sure of that, to make my plans remain on track else I have no use for.Talking about the devil, I took a corner and saw Jasmine and Prisca ahead of me. I called out to her and they both turned to look at me. They stopped walking a
-Prisca-No matter how hard I tried to act as if all was fine, deep down I knew it was not and it only left me agitated because I could not place my hand on the exact problem.Jasmine was acting off and I could tell something was off with her. Even though I could not tell what the problem was, I knew that it was affecting our relationship and could not let that happen. I have to figure out what the problem is and handle it before it gets out of hand.What was more, she was not talking to me and kept saying she was fine.While standing a few paces away from her and Dante, he kept looking at me. I don’t know what he is up to but I have decided he will be avoided at all costs. He seemed like a potential danger to me. What he planned to achieve with Jasmine, I do not know what it is. Dangling between two sisters, he was the reason for the enmity between them.I knew the distanced relationship between Jasmine and Ariel went way back to when they were much younger. But it was more pronounce
-Aria-Prisca had left earlier than usual and I felt at ease with her absence. It gave me room to breathe, be myself, and of late, to think.I was no longer worried about staying alone and being bored. It was better than being surrounded by people who might not want you around and even want you dead. Trust was expensive, I should have known that.However, I did not trust Prisca entirely because even though she was Jasmine’s friend, I barely knew her. I need to find out who the bad one is here so I can know where to fix myself while working towards my plans.I have the two to balance. My security and ambitions. I knew one must not suffer. If I focused more on trying to stay safe I would not have the time to fulfill my plans and if I am not able to fulfill my plans on time I would not be safe either.I do not have the time to keep trying to figure out things but I would have to be careful.My thoughts drifted to Adonai and I caught a small smile on my face when I remembered the kiss. O
-Ariel-I had taken my bath and was waiting for Dante in his room, on his bed. I did not know where he had gone and he had not told me either.I have been thinking of getting pregnant for Dante so he would have no choice but to go ahead with the marriage plans. I am tired of being a fiancée for a long while it seems he has eyes for another woman who just happens to be my sister.If he is not going to make a move I would, maybe that would move him to action and take up his responsibilities.I realized I had been waiting for several minutes and he was nowhere to be found. Where had he gone this late in the night? I stood up from the bed and was about to go out to look for him when I realized I was not well covered. I went back to the dresser and found a long robe. I wore it and made for the door.I did not even know where to begin looking for him but I began to head towards the courtroom. Perhaps he was still having some meetings or with his brother, the alpha. If I did not see him I mi
-Adonai-Sweat dripped down my forehead and the shirt on my body was damp and stuck against my sweaty back. I was training on the field alone as always with the sword, practicing to be perfect with it. Since I was much younger, I loved to have skills with all those weapons, the sword, the bow and arrow, the spear, and many other weapons.I was so busy training that I did not know when someone called in until I felt a presence and stopped to see who it was.Jasmine was standing and watching me at a reasonable distance.“What are you doing here?” I found myself asking. She smiled and walked graciously around the field. She did not care that I had addressed her icily. Not like I had wanted to anyway. It just came out naturally.“You train with so much passion,” she said with admiration while she looked at the weapons arranged.“You should not be here,” I said, my voice sounding softer this time around.“And why not?” she asked moving to a sharp knife.“Don’t!” I warned.“Why should I not
-Dante-I kept trying to explain to Ariel but she was not listening to me as she walked back to my room briskly and took off my robe which she was wearing and angrily returned it to the dresser.“Ariel…” I reached out to touch her but she snapped at me, making me back off immediately.“Don’t!” she raised a finger to my face. “Don’t you dare touch me, Dante.”“It’s not what you think Ariel,” I tried to say and she scoffed.“Of course not. And I must be blind and dumb as well for you to think you can tell me that,” she shook her head as she made for the bed to pick up her coat. She was wearing sexy garments underneath my robe and they complimented her body so well when she took them off. But this was not the time to admire her the body of an enraged woman.“You promised me we were going to have some time to ourselves this night. Only for me to come here and you were nowhere to be found and I find you in the room of my sister?” she glared at me with resentment in her eyes.Gosh, how had
-Aria-It was yet another beautiful morning in a beautiful strange land which I was gradually getting used to as if it was my home and I had been here all my life.I stretched on the comfy bed with a smile on my face which I had woken up with. The few minutes I had spent with Adonai yesterday remained in my memory, making my cheeks red from blushing too much as I kept thinking about it.His sweaty body was so attractive and I had an immoral desire to touch him. That conversation gave me some hope that I was getting somewhere with him. It might not mean anything much but at least, I could say it was better than before.While I was on that, I had better not forget to be on guard about my security because there was no day I would go without the thought of Jasmine’s killer being closer than I could think of.The knock on the door interrupted my thought and I looked at the door suspiciously. Prisca had been staying away more frequently than before and now I wondered if it was because she w
- Zafa -It was such a dramatic evening. I couldn't help admiring Adonai for how well he solved everything. Ken walked away shamefully with the family he almost lost from the fire he created. Those innocent kids would have died because of his foolishness. I hope this teaches him the lesson he has refused to learn all these years.Everyone began to disperse, and I lost track of Loveth in the crowd. My eyes had been on her until she suddenly disappeared. I had wanted to have a word with her after everything had quieted down, but she was just out of my sight the moment I blinked my eyes.Was she avoiding me? Not after the hot night we had, right? Perhaps, she was just shy, or was it the moral guilt? I could not tell which it was. You can never tell with women.I might have to wait till she was done with the running and hiding games. One thing was certain, she wouldn't run forever.- Dianne -I dismissed the rest of the maids after dinner and finished the rest of the clean-up, humming a s
- Zafa -I woke up with a hangover and rolled off the bed. I walked straight to the bathroom to have a bath and felt much better afterward.I returned to find only a heap on the bed. Loveth was nowhere to be found. Now I couldn't remember if she was here when I had gotten off the bed or if she had left earlier.The memories from the previous night came rushing in and I felt a wave of excitement run through my veins. She had come to me.I knew she wouldn't be able to stay away for so long. That's my girl. Which makes things easier for me. I had thought it would take more to get her back but apparently, she was not as hard as she imagined herself to be. Leaving the army to stress me when all she wanted was a good fuck.I would have to let her know though, that doing what we did doesn't mean I had feelings for her. Sex wasn't love. After all, she was the one who came to me. Secondly, I was drunk so it wasn't me taking advantage of her.I knew how women can get when it comes to having sex
- Zafa -What the hell is wrong with me? Why have I allowed my emotions to get to me and make me treat Loveth the way I did?I did not mean to hurt her, even though I was upset with the way she was always with Dante. Now she has withdrawn from the army, and not only do I need her there, but that would mean she would be away from me.I can't have Loveth out. She is one of the best warriors I have."You can't resign...please," I instinctively added the last part. This is not the time to let my ego control my decisions, so I dropped it off and pleaded. But not even that could persuade her. She was rigid, so I decided to meet Aria instead. Perhaps she would listen to me.Aria had a blank look on her face when I spoke to her."Well, what do you want me to do?" She finally said when I was done."You could help me talk to her," I told her."I'm sorry but I can't. Loveth has made her choice and I respect her decision," she said."Luna please," I pleaded. "You know Loveth is one of the best w
- Loveth -"Hey," I heard someone call and turned round slowly, recognising the voice. Not again..."How are you doing today? Loser?""What do you want this time?" I asked Sheila with a sigh. She was facing my existence with those two puppets of hers."Funny of you to think I would want anything from you," she said and they giggled. Talk of sound effects."Well, you keep budging me, leaving me with no choice but to think you want something," I told her, and she frowned."Well maybe I do," she moved closer and pulled my hair to its roots. "Maybe I want you to shut your crab up when I am talking to you.""Let go of me," I sucked in the pain. I would not give her the pleasure. But she still held on, pulling it harder."Or what, you're gonna fight me like you did last time? You never learn, do you? You think you are something because Zafa let you off the hook the last time."I knew she was trying to provoke me to react so she would leverage on it but at the same time, I would not have he
- Loveth -I did not know how I lost hold of my emotions and fell into Dante's ready arms. Love for Zafa was causing me so much pain, and he was doing it intentionally, yet I could not help it."What is the matter, Loveth?" Dante asked softly into my ears and I was tempted to tell him. I moved away and wiped my tears."I'll be fine," I said with a smile."Are you sure?" He asked with a look of concern on his face. "You can tell me anything.""I know and I appreciate you for your concern.""Hmm," he breathed out, observing me. "You promise?""Yeah." But even as I said that more tears gathered in my eyes, and I had to leave quickly.Immediately, I made a turn, and someone grabbed me roughly by the arm."What the hell," I gasped in pain and turned round to meet the angry eyes of Zafa piercing into mine."What is wrong with you?" He said between gritted teeth."You're hurting me," I struggled to get out of his grip while wondering what the hell he was talking about."Are you so cheap that
- Sheila -I brushed my hair gently, making sure it was well-straightened. I loved my expression in the mirror—so pretty. I took my time. I am attending a council meeting as the assistant general of the army with Zafa for the very first time, and I have to look my best."You're still here?" Miley said when she walked into the room. "Zafa said to make sure you're there early.""Why worry about that? I'm just trying to look good," I said and she shook her head. I don't think that is a good idea, Sheila. You should have done all that before now.""Pssst," I waved her off as I adjusted the lip gloss, which needed no adjustment. When I was finally satisfied with my looks, I blew her a kiss and walked out the door with her staring after me. There was nothing to be worked up about, I rolled my eyes. It was just a meeting, and I'm sure everyone goes late for events as well.When I arrived at the meeting, the confidence I had gained seemed to have abandoned me at the entrance. All eyes turned
- Dante -"There is something I have been meaning to ask you, brother," I said to Adonia and he looked at me expectantly. "The new cook..." I trailed off."Okay?" He pushed when I suddenly went quiet."Who is she?" I asked and he pursed his lips thoughtfully."She's just a young lady who looked for the position in the palace and got it because of her skills," he replied."Right. But the chief cook has always been someone we know. At least, someone like Maria who has been with us for years. We trust her with our meals. I would have to say this lady is young and inexperienced but she has good skills.""Well, Aria thinks Dianne is doing well and if she thinks so, I trust her judgment."I wanted to ask him if he observed something strange about her, or familiar with her cooking but I was not certain how that would sound so I let it slide."Is there anything the matter?" He wanted to know. "Did you notice something?""Oh, I was just wondering," I covered up.Later that day, she found me as
- Loveth -I tried everything possible to ignore Shelia but she was bent on getting into my skin until she mentioned my parents and I lost it.I lost my parents at a very tender age when they both had to go to war. They did it for the pack and not just for me but many rumoured I was a forbidden child and that was why my parents did not mind leaving me behind.But I knew my parents loved me. Yet, as the rumors thickened, I could not help but worry about it."Get off me!" Sheila screamed but I did not listen to her. Her puppets, Ashley and Miley came to fight her off me and I beat them all."Hey!" I heard a masculine voice and I was already ready to pounce on whoever it was as well. I turned round but the familiar scent made me stop in my tracks."What the hell is wrong with?" Zafa asked, dragging me by the arm."Don't ask me, ask her," I retorted, pulling away."What happened?" Zafa turned to Sheila who was struggling to catch her breath."She was not doing her job well and I corrected
-Prisca- Yes! My plan has finally worked. I am going to exchange marital vows with Adonai and legally be his wife.It does not count that I am impersonating Aria. He is not going to be tied to Aria in reality but to me.I sat beside him, before the crowd with my face veiled and a sly smile across my face which no one could see.A few people had suggested I take off the veil so they could behold my face but Adonai politely declined. No one pushed it, and I successfully got tied to Adonai.I had feared that Dante would have wanted to expose me because he didn't seem pleased with the plan, but he didn't.I was led to Adonai's room while the party continued in the hall. There I took off my veil and sat comfortably on his bed.He was not here yet, for he was still having some drinks with his visitors. I chuckled happily. Alas, my dream has come to pass.The door opened and I quickly adjusted. I hissed when I saw it was Ariel."What are you doing here?" I asked sharply. She did no