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Baski urged the tired Queen Danika out for a walk to exercise herself. The Queen was grumpy and reluctant to go.
After being in court for half of the day, she just wants to lie down on the bed and sleep the whole night away...if the sleep will come. But, Baski dragged her out of the palace.
When the night's air hit Danika, most of her grumpiness disappeared and as their walk progressed, she admitted that an evening walk isn't a bad idea.
"You have a lot on your mind, My Queen," Baski observed as they walked towards the palace garden.
"I do have a lot on my mind. I tell myself to stop worrying always, like you always tell me, but sometimes I can't help myself, Baski."
"Is it because of the impending marriage?"
"Yes. It has become foremost in my mind since those nagging ministers manicu
966 word(s)Published260Kamara woke to the news of King Lucien's letter, her happiness has been unsurmountable.It skyrocketed the more when Henna rushed to her bedroom to tell her that the Royal Messenger from Salem has arrived and he's with King Valendy.Kamara has been dancing all to herself since then, wearing a heart-warming smile on her face as she attended to her princess duties.She'd made out time, as usual, to take food to Callan's dungeon. They don't let her get past the boundary, because her father made sure of it, but she already has a few guards working for her to ensure that Callan gets food.The food she brought today, she handed it over to one of the guards as usual before she walked back to the Royal Quarters.From afar, she saw Donna's eyes pinned on her, the mistress was frowning in thought. Obviously, she won
949 word(s) Published 261 Two days later... Sonma is in his late seventies, his gray hair held in a small bond behind his head. But, unlike his agemates, he is strong and capable for his age. He did his best to ignore his visitor while he concentrates on the spells he's trying to wove together but it is proofing to be an impossible feat. Who can ignore a man like this one? His visitor dominated his sitting room. Dressed in the most expensive leather he has ever seen in a long time, everything about him screamed 'power' even without a crown on his head. A long scar slashed his left cheek, giving him a savage look he would have done without—the man will look scary either way. Leaned back against the wall behind him, his visitor has his arms crossed together, looking too relaxed and tensed at the same time. Has he mentioned that his visitor i
1230 word(s)Published262King Lucien's hand fisted tighter. He fixed the old man with his eyes, "Are we done here, Sonma. I need to be somewhere else.""Oh, w-we're almost done, Your Highness."The King glared at him.Sonma swallowed tightly, "Gotta cast spells now, Your Highness. Need silence n' focus." He closed his eyes and tried his best to clear out his mind.He got his silence as everywhere was suddenly as quiet as a tomb.Long minutes passed.Sonma opened his eyes, his brows knitted in a frown. Finally, he glanced at his visitor. He barely resisted the urge to cling.The King looked...harder. His face was like it was carved out of stone, his eyes unreadable. His shoulders knotted with a strong emotion that can almost be interpreted as rage. So cold."Is anythin
1311 word(s)Published263He smiled widely. "That will be very compassionate of you, Your Majesty, and I will appreciate it if you can do that for me."The Queen's legs are killing her, she can no longer dance anymore. So, she stopped. "It is alright."The nobleman took her fingers again and kissed it tenderly. "The dance was perfect and I had a wonderful evening, all thanks to you, Your Highness."She forced a smile while all she wanted is to flung herself to the nearest chair. "The pleasure is all mine, Lord Riverdale."Pulling her finger away, she called the nearest guard and gave the command for a room to be prepared for the Lord of Riverdale.As Scott Riverdale walked away from the Queen, he was smiling like a man that won the toughest gambling game ever placed in Serna's tavern downtown. Maybe, he did win this tough game.
933 word(s)Published264King Lucien stood at the door of her bedroom.The Queen went into shock, her eyes glued at the dark silhouette of the man standing at her door."How dare you speak to me like—" Lord Riverdale whirled around angrily to face the voice that has the guts to threaten him, only for him to come face-to-face with a man he has only heard about but has never seen. He cut off suddenly.He has never seen this man before, but the instant he set his eyes on him, Lord Riverdale knows it's him.King Lucien, the powerful King of Salem.He was bathed in darkness where he stood, no one can make out his features really well except for the blue eyes that shone in the dark.So, how did he know it's the King he has never seen but have only heard about through reverent whispe
1060 word(s) Published 265 At the front of the window, he gently lowered her to her feet, breaking the kiss. She clung to him, hugging him so tightly, he was forced to pushed his body backwards to accommodate his child pressing against his lower belly. "I missed you terribly! I missed you so much! Please, don't let me go...! Hold me...!" Her heart has taken over her lips completely, she was crying with happiness as she laid herself bare to him. "I'm here, Dani, I missed you just as much, heavens, I missed you so much." His words were calmer, but his head has gone to rest like hers did. They were kissing again. His lips plummeted hers, he poured all the words he is not able to say into that heart-consuming kiss that grew and blazed like wildfire....and only burned brighter. Eventually, Danika had to come up for air, she tore her lips from h
1015 word(s)Published266"The throne is empty now, Master. Why don't we attack it?" Talia asked her master suggestively.His cave seems cold tonight. Don't he get tired of hiding in here?Coza turned and glanced at her. She isn't saying what he has not considered already. "That will be a bad idea. I sent one of my men to go and spy already. He reported that the throne is heavily guarded by his most trusted men even in his absence.""But, we can fight them—""Dargak, Zariel and Chad. These three men are the most formidable warriors, we don't just wake up and go against them without much preparations. Lucien was able to conquer Mombana and kill King Cone because he has them in his army."he paused, "Lucien is an unbeatable, formidable warrior, but he wouldn't have been able to do it on his own.""So, what are we going to do? M
1046 word(s)Published267As much as this night will hurt on the morrow, Queen Danika beamed at him again, her smile so wide, it made her beautiful face radiant. "Okay."Her smile is so contagious, the King wasn't aware that his face is doing something it hasn't done in the past fifteen years of his life.His lips stretched—not as wide as hers—but enough for the onlooker to recognize it for the smile it is."Okay." Then, he carried her towards the bathroom.Heavens, he smiled. It isn't much of a smile but it is something beautiful, Danika thought, her heartwarming up like the hills under the sun.He urged her to strip, he stripped out his wet clothes too. Together, they got under the waterfall of the bathroom made out of the best woods and oak. The water beat down their body as they washed.Her eye
1499 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3b. Final Excerpt.Hours later, the sun is down. The moon rose high in the sky, glowing beautifully with the stars surrounding it. Anarieveta got down from the carriage, paid the carriage-rider some coins, and watched him drive away.Then, she entered the huge property of the Raskins. Staring at the elegantly decorated big home, she contemplated knocking on that huge door several feet away from her.There's no turning back now. Her baby, Merrily, needs her.With that in mind, she covered the distance and knocked on the door, her heart in her throat. The door swung open.Gedony Raskin stood tall behind the door. The sleepy look fled from his eyes as he saw Anarieveta standing uneasily behind his door.When he sent out that crazy message about Merrily being sick and needing her, he never expected that s
1035 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 3a.She didn't let him.In fact, Anarieveta began avoiding him again. This time, harder than the first time.Two months after their night together, Gedony Raskin has had it with her. He has done everything within his power to see Anarieveta again, but she always evaded him.He's in the school? She's suddenly out of the premises according to her assistant.He's in her office? She's not around.He goes to her home? Everywhere is locked.The next thing he heard is, she has gone to the palace to spend some time with her godson, the little Prince.Their night together lives in his head always, he hasn't been able to forget it. And frankly, it hurt him that she moved on without him. How can she just forget that beautiful intimate moment like it never happened?"Papa, papa,
1433 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2b.Several hours later, Anarieveta admitted to herself that she's happy again for the first time in a long time. Genuinely, womanly happy.He was right there in the kitchen with her when she was making omelets and he found every reason to make her laugh. At first, it was difficult—she doesn't really have a lot to smile about.But he was always making jokes. And when jokes weren't working much, he told her stories about his children in the past. The stories were so funny, they made her smile. Smile so hard. Laugh.It didn't take long before she was laughing out loud as he told her tales elaborately.They ate together. Went out on a walk together. When they got back, they sat in the wooden chairs in the backyard, talking with each other.It was beautiful. It made Anarieveta so happy
1403 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 2a."You're right. So, let's talk about the present." His arms wrapped around her back, successfully caging her in his arms so she wouldn't escape, "Why have you been avoiding me?""I'm been too busy. I wasn't avoiding you.""If you're going to lie, at least look me in the eyes while doing that, will you?" He sounded amused."Alright. There was nothing to talk about. Mr. Odin makes sure any problem concerning the kids are solved." Shifting uncomfortably in his arms, her eyes darted to the door behind him longingly."What about the problem between us?""Mr. Raskin—"He kissed her. Gently. Passionately. Intensely. His lips molded with her perfectly, licking and tasting hers so thoroughly that a moan tore through Anarieveta's throat.Her body
857 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1b.Note: There are only three excerpts...********In the early evening, Gedoni Raskin stood inside her living room with his daughter plastered to his body, his broad shoulder cushioning her head, her small arms wrapped around him."Why are you sick, Pumpkin? Don't be sick, you know Papa doesn't like that." He said, tenderly."I know, Papa. You get sad when we get sick." Merrily mumbled against his shoulder, her eyes closed."Yeah. Papa loves you two so much, he gets sad when you're not happy.""I am happy, Papa. Miss Ana gave me food and bitter herbs and sang to me. I don't feel so bad anymore.""Oh, guess we have Miss Ana to thank for that," his eyes found her across the living room and held."Yes, Papa. Miss Ana likes me, and I like M
981 word(s)PublishedExcerpt 1a.FIVE YEARS AFTER MOMBANA'S WAR.Anarieveta entered her Bed Chambers, her eyes darted to the fire pit which produced heated light into the bedroom, and felt satisfied that the fire hadn't burned out in her absence.A small figure occupied her king-size bed, the figure moving her body to glance at the door when she entered. Anarieveta smiled at the little girl, walking towards the bed, she lowered herself on it."I've seen Aiden off. Your father will be here very soon to take you home, okay?" She reassured the little girl.The sad lines on Merrily Raskin's small oval face disappeared immediately after her teacher appeared at her doorway. She isn't feeling so good, but her good teacher tells her that everything will be alright. So, everything will be alright."Alright, Miss Ana." She whispered, her br
1037 word(s)PublishedEpilogue...EPILOGUE.Five years later....It is a happy day in the Palace of Kingdom Avalon, as Kamara and Declan celebrate the birth of their second child, Princess Ainaa.A huge feast is held in the Court, a lot of people attended too. Sally and her family sat at one side of the round table, a huge smile on her face as she tries to feed solid food to her own second whose her youngest.Baski, Remeta, and her best friend Corna sat at one side, laughing and talking. Beside them; Haydara, Corna's mother, and her husband Gunther are trying to wipe the oil Raira, Corna's little sister, poured on her clothes.King Lucien has tried to hold Prince Nikolai repeatedly so he'll stay in his seat on the round table, but the Prince isn't having any of that. Instead, he has snuck out again with Princess Auroria, h
1392 word(s)Published296: Final Chapter 2.Name: KING LUCIEN AND QUEEN DANIKA'S FOREVER.....In the next three months, a lot happened.After the war and the birth of the Prince, the people of Mombana practically begged King Lucien to marry their Queen and keep ruling them. The Ministers were most in support of it after they saw the way the King protected their Kingdom, saw the intense love the King and their Queen has for each other, and heard the rumors of the heavy rain in Salem at the birth of the Prince.They wanted the King and the Prince in any way they can get them. In fact, they practically begged the King to merge their Kingdoms back together again and marry their Queen, if it means that he will keep ruling Mombana.Of course, the King agreed to it. The Queen was in support of it wholeheartedly.
1338 word(s) Published 295: Final Chapter 1. As Prince Nikolai nursed, that was when the King gave the Queen the good news of Vetta's survival. Danika was so happy. Tears of joy returned to her eyes again. So much joy, it was contagious. She kept thanking the heavens over and over again and immediately she was done breastfeeding, she insisted on going to see Vetta. No matter how Baski and the others tried to discourage her because of her vulnerable state, she refused adamantly. In the end, the King instructed Chad to carry her to Vetta's bedroom while he stayed with their sleeping baby. Vetta teared up at the sight of Danika. They were hugging immediately Danika's body touched the bed. They were crying together too. Vetta was thanking her for saving her life while the Queen is thanking her for being alive. Today has