THREE DAYS LATER. ADESSA.The last few days have been calm. We arrived at the North without any more trouble. Since this place was cold, we could go around without any worries. I could wear a winter hat, scarf, and thicker coat. The same was true for Kael. So it was not easy to spot us. The last days were the best I ever had if I didn’t include the times we talked about what needed to be done in case our mission failed. It made me nervous, but all of this showed me how much Kael was putting everything in his life on the line for me. I kept falling in love with him more and more. And the sex. Oh, Goddess! They were explosive. With us not restraining ourselves on how we felt, Kael had been adventurous and would always leave me wanting more. But despite us being disappointed I was not pregnant, we were not trying to have a baby. We were actually using contraceptives. We decided to wait until we could fix this trouble I was in. And I was okay with that. Maybe not getting pregnant wa
ADESSA. “Open your eyes, butterfly. I want to see you. All of you, until you come.” Kael’s voice was heady, and it made me feel wanted. My eyes were rolling as the heat in my body continued. I badly wanted to shut my eyes, but like a good girl, I kept them open, staring at the man who was the only light in my badly beaten life.My mouth parted, and my lashes fluttered as my orgasm built up. Kael picked up his pace, his hand on my waist, gripping it tightly as he kept pounding into me. It didn’t take long before I shuddered as my orgasm rippled through my whole body. Kael didn’t stop fucking me. All the while, we kept staring at each other, both panting and inhaling each other’s air. A few more hard thrusts and a guttural growl ripped from his throat as he let out his release.Inside me. “Fuck! Fuck!” He groaned after a while when the realization hit him. He leaned his forehead against mine, and we both closed our eyes. “I’m sorry, baby. If I pull out, it can spill on your dress….”
KAEL.Even if I was playing poker, I made sure my eyes would roam around this vast hall, so it caught me by surprise when I found myself staring at Draco as he headed for our table. I didn’t see him or his Beta before this.And it was too late to leave. I eased back on my seat, wanting to be able to grab Adessa if worse came to worse. But the good thing was, I was sure Draco could not bring any of his men inside this palace except for his Beta. The main entrance to this whole I just needed to be wary of his actions so that he could not alert anyone of Adessa being here. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Alpha Kael.” He began as I claimed the chips that I had won just before he sat down. “Same here,” I answered curtly.“It seems you’re eager to replace your ex-wife.” I scoffed and did not say anything. I was sure I looked composed compared to how tangled my mind was. What the fuck was he playing? Did he not recognize Adessa? Adessa and Landon confirmed Draco personally met Adessa
ADESSA.“Alpha King Essak,” Kael spoke in a voice full of confidence, and the hair on my skin rose. Did the Alpha King arrive? I was torn between turning around and keeping my eyes on Alpha Draco. I didn’t trust him, not a bit. And with Kael looking in a different direction from him, someone needed to keep an eye on him.But not turning around means disrespecting the Alpha King.So I did, slowly, so as not to make a scene. The Alpha King had his back slightly to me. “Alpha Kael, is that you?” King Essak’s deep and loud voice came, and the music lowered until I could barely hear it anymore.“I feel honored that you still remember me.” Kael bowed his head in respect. “A pleasure to see you tonight, Alpha King. If I may, I would like to address this matter directly. I want to request an audience with…”Kael was not able to finish his word when another man, who must be one of the King’s Guards, spoke and interrupted him. “Excuse me, Alpha. All requests for the King’s time should go to h
ADESSA."Do you have a red mark on your back?" King Essak asked the moment he stopped in front of me. He asked in a low voice as if he didn't want anyone to hear.I saw many guards approaching and dispersing the crowd around us until it was just Kael and me with the Alpha King. I didn't see Alpha Draco anymore. "Do you have a red mark on your back?" The King repeated his question, snapping me back to the present. Then, a surge of strong current rippled through my body, and I knew he had used his King's command. I made the mistake of looking back into his eyes. I thought he would never use it on me. Only the Alpha King had this power, and from what I heard, he had never even used this to get any criminals to admit their crimes. He would leave judgment to his Court. But I had no idea why he was using this on such a trivial matter. Why was he asking me too many questions?"I do…" I answered in almost a whisper as I dropped my gaze to the floor.I had no choice; lying could cause me to
ADESSA.“Will you tell the truth for all my questions, or do I have to use my command on you again?” He began.“I will not lie, my King,” I responded. “Good.” He then motioned with his hand, directing me to the couches. “Take your seat. Is it Savannah or Adessa?”With my head down, I headed for the nearby single couch and sat there. I tilted my head and found him looking at me, still standing where he was earlier. “Adessa. My name is Adessa Quijeros.” I replied, doing my best for my voice not to crack. “I killed two people from the Knight’s Stone Pack, but if you would let me explain…”He raised his hand, and it made me stop talking.“Enough.” That was all he said, and cold sweat formed everywhere on my body. He turned around and walked toward the table where a vintage telephone sat. Is he going to call someone to arrest me?I stood up abruptly. “My King!” This time, I couldn’t stop my voice from trembling. He placed a finger on his lips after he pressed a number, and I held my bre
ADESSA.“I’ve been looking for you for twenty years,” the King said, and it kept resonating in my ears.I looked at him, and slowly, the words came out of my lips. “Looking for me? For twenty years? I’m not sure I understand.”“Your mother’s name is Adelaine.”It was the woman’s name he mentioned earlier when he first saw me. “She was taller, but you look just like her. And even with that mask on, I could tell.”“My King, you must be mistaken.” I forced a smile despite the loud beating of my heart and the sweat on my palms. “This is not my real hair. And they put too thick makeup on me. What you see…”“I know what I felt.”I swallowed hard as my stomach churned. King Essak turned away and headed for the window. He looked outside while I remained silent, waiting for him to continue.“A King’s senses are heightened. My sense of hearing, reflexes, taste, everything. And I could feel a bond. I felt it for every one of my children that came into this world. I knew someone was born twenty y
KAEL. It had been hours since she was taken, and I had no idea where she was. King Essak returned to the ballroom and stayed for ten minutes, but I was not able to get to him. Unlike earlier, he was fully guarded this time. No matter how I tried to ask politely and professionally, I was not allowed to talk to him. And regardless of whether I positioned myself within his peripherals, the King would always avert his gaze away from me. Something was off. It was taking too much of me not to snap and create chaos. I was worried, but I knew that if I let out an outburst, I would be in a bad position. The last thing I wanted was to give them a reason to throw me out of the perimeter of the Absalom Palace. After the event, there was an after-party. I also went there, hoping to find Kevin or meet someone who could tell me anything about Adessa, but I was not successful. I then proceeded to Mindorf Manor, which served as the hotel for guests. Everyone invited to the Moonlight Ball had auto
ADESSA.“There she is.” I heard a voice, and my head snapped to look where the sound came from. I found myself face-to-face with four men around a conference table. Even though they were sitting, they all looked tall. They must be taller than Esriel, who was already six feet and two inches in height. “One would have thought she was tall. Did we have a sister for a midget?”My eyes widened. Midget? I was around five feet and four inches. I wasn’t short. They were just giants. I thought they were seriously judging me when I realized they were all smiling. “I would rather have a midget than a giant for a sister,” Esriel said as he stood beside me. They all chuckled, and if these four men, who must be aging from their late twenties to late thirties, were the princes, they didn’t look like one except for the formal vests they were wearing. The way they were snickering reminded me of the boys of the little rascals. “Hi…” That was all I could say as my eyes shifted between them.They imm
ADESSA. “Do you think I will just get my details from another’s mouth without any proof? Don’t you think I’m not capable of getting credible information?” The King asked, and his voice was back to being cold again. “I’m not challenging your resources, Father, but I know my husband. I know what we went through and why we ended up here.”“Do you really know your ex-husband, Adessa?”I was confident when I started talking about Kael, but the way he was delivering his words made me question whether I really knew Kael. Was one year enough to know him? But even if there was doubt in me, I did my best not to let it show. “Nothing anyone can say can make me see him in a different light.”“You are blinded by what you feel about him.”I swallowed hard, but I kept my gaze on him. I was torn between challenging him more and allowing him to speak his mind. “Let’s move to my office. Your other brothers are waiting for us there.” He stood up from his chair, and I immediately moved to block his w
ADESSA.Danielle helped take my clothes off, but I told her I wanted to shower alone. I wished I didn’t. I wished I had let her help me with my bath because she was gone the moment I stepped out of my bathroom. Another handmaid was waiting for me. Aileen informed me that she would be assisting me moving forward. I knew right then and there that Danielle was in trouble. I might get away from the King’s anger, but not her, and it was all my fault. I maintained my composure while Aileen assisted me in putting on a new gown, even if I was worried. She offered to braid my hair, but I refused and let it down. And even if she wasn’t in agreement, I left the run in a hurry. I wanted to find Danielle to make sure she was okay. My feet led me to one of the Palace Salons, where I was told the King was. Either he left the banquet early, or the breakfast had been concluded. But it didn’t matter anymore, as Kael was no longer there, and I had to make sure Danielle would not be punished.Aile
ADESSA.“We need to go, my lady,” Danielle said the moment she was done rubbing off the oil on me.“Okay,” I replied, but my eyes were on Kael, who was biting his bottom lip but not saying anything. “I will just turn around if you want to say goodbye to each other.” Like she said, Danielle moved toward the door and turned to face it. Kael went to me and cupped my face, kissing me briefly before talking. “I won’t come back to the breakfast hall.” My eyes watered as I nodded my head.“In case the King noticed we were both gone. I also have to leave the palace vicinity soon.” He added as his knuckles brushed my cheeks. “Be careful.” I was struggling not to cry, but I wasn’t successful. Just the thought of him being away from me was crushing my heart.“I will. Please don’t cry. You have to be strong without me. And use your heat to protect yourself.” He whispered the last part in my ear before he kissed my cheek. “I will come back for you.”“Sir…” Danielle spoke, and our heads turned
ADESSA.As much as I wanted to stay in Kael’s arms longer, we didn’t have the luxury of time. I wanted to run away with him, but what kind of life would we have after that? Although the stupid Royal Game is in the way of us being together, being a royal was also my only chance of being free from the crime I committed. I was holding on to the hope that somehow I could convince the King to change his mind and let me choose who I wanted to be with. Maybe if I told him Kael and I had no plans of being the King and Queen of Absalom, he would just let the idea go. Besides, with five princes, what are the chances of us being crowned as ruler of Absalom? So, this Royal Game was obviously a waste of resources and time. I looked at Kael, wiping the wetness between my legs and making sure none of his cum was running down my thighs while I continued to hold the hem of my gown’s skirt. “I don’t think I can remove my smell on you.” He stood up and threw the toilet paper in the nearby bin befor
KAEL.Keeping a low profile was never a problem for me. I could keep myself quiet for a long time, but I couldn’t tear my eyes off Adessa from the moment she appeared at the banquet.Even before, she was already beautiful. But seeing her in a beautiful gown and all this luxury around her made her shine even more. She was really fit to be a princess. To be honest, I felt little—too little compared to her. I was starting to think I didn’t deserve her, especially after everything I did to her. But the moment our eyes locked and she returned the smile I gave her, hope rose in my chest. Maybe she still wanted me. And with each minute that passed by, my hopes kept getting higher. I didn’t take my eyes off her, so I caught her every time she looked at me while seated at the head table and eating breakfast. She was more than ten meters away from me, but I could see her lips twitching into a smile whenever we locked eyes, even if she placed something in her mouth. I counted the times she lo
ADESSA.I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me. Everything the King told me led to one thing: I had no freedom to choose who I would end up with. He was implying I should give up Kael and accept whoever ended up as my future husband. I had told him I had been married and that I was no longer pure. He said it didn’t matter anymore. He was sure everyone wanted to have the possibility of ruling Absalom. I felt like I was just a tool for Absalom. I wanted to tell him I didn’t care about his kingdom. I only wanted my husband.But how ironic my life had turned out. What was happening was exactly how my life started with Kael. I was also just a tool to save him—his ego and his heart—from being broken by Desiree. Only this time, I had no idea who I would be marrying. And at least with Kael, he asked me if I wanted to. I was not forced into marriage with him. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as we walked down toward the hall where the breakfast banquet was. I co
ADESSA.“This is your room from now on, Adessa.” The King’s voice came from behind me.I slowly turned around to curtsy before him. “Good morning, Father.” I almost said, “My King,” and I was glad I was able to catch myself as I wanted to make a good impression.He nodded but remained in his spot while I continued to smile warmly at him. “This room is for me?” I asked.“Yes.” He replied before he motioned with one hand. “Come here.”One man approached him and handed him a beautiful crown encrusted with clusters of small gemstones. It was sparkling, and just looking at it made my heart thud loudly.“This is a ceremony that should be witnessed by our people, but allow me to be selfish and have this moment alone with you. I will give you a grand coronation the moment you settle with a mate.” I bit my bottom lip. I almost got teary-eyed with his words, but the last part made me worry again.“Kneel down, Princess Adessa. Remember that the only time you will kneel before me is whenever I
ADESSA.I was not able to sleep at all last night. After Father left my room, I asked Danielle about the Royal Games. She confessed to me she didn’t know the full extent of the event and that what she knew was just hearsay or stories passed on. The Royal Games were not practiced for many decades because no princess had been born in the Royal Family for a long time.And it seemed the King was reviving the tradition because of my existence. Danielle told me what she knew about the game—it was open only for unmated Alphas, regardless of age. Unmated Alphas were those who were never married, as well as widowed or divorced. They were not only open for Alphas of this continent but also extended to other continents. All the while she was talking, I did my best to keep up a brave front, listening and trying to get all the details as possible, even if everything she said kept breaking my heart. I knew Kael loved me, and I was confident he would make an effort, but what if they didn’t le