Operation Matchmaker was in full effect.
Penn and I didn’t tell anyone about our plan, because frankly we didn’t think they could handle such a plan. We were going to get Prince Mako and Princess Ria alone and talk the other up. Their egos were so damn big, we knew for sure that would work with them. Who doesn't like to hear how attractive and smart they are?
Mention how attractive they are and maybe sprinkle in a lie or two about how the other mentioned something nice about them. Manipulation and lying were not good, but if it meant we would get to continue our journey, I would say we shouldn’t rule it out.
Princess Ria would be our first target. I felt she and I kind of had a connection. We were both women in positions of power. We were practically best friends.
“I have to say, I’m surprised that you wanted to speak to me Empress,” Princess Ria admitted. “I wasn’t sure you liked me very much.”<
I was preparing for the double date when there was a knock on the door. I was desperately hoping it was Penn, but I was disappointed to see Cedric walk through the door. Any and all feelings that I previously thought I had for him were gone completely. Erased by my bond with Penn. It was so relieving. Of course I was still worried about if he won the trials and having to be his wife. Having his children and watching him destroy Uquix. That was not a life I looked forward to at all. “Can we talk?” He questioned. “Make it quick.” I stated. “I have to get ready for my date.” “Why did you let him mark you?” “Because I love him. The only reason I didn’t let him do it sooner was because of you.” “Because you still love me?” I laughed. “No, because you scarred me. When you bit me, you changed the course of my entire life. I was afraid of what Penn’s bite would do. But last night when we were making love
We had to help Prince Mako back to the water. It was harder than we thought and he ranted the entire time.“I should have known it would never have worked out with that wench! Rude, ungrateful temptress! She knew wearing that bra would draw me in! She planned this the entire time!”“I don’t think that’s true.” Penn stated. “She really did like you. But then you called her family deceptive and untrustworthy. Women don’t like that.”“She called my family petty and horrible.” Prince Mako shot back.“And was she wrong?” I asked.“Well...I suppose not, but my family didn’t start the feud.”“Maybe they did.”“No way!” His tail flailed in anger.“Stop moving or we’re going to drop you.” Penn said.“Can you move faster? I would like to give that diabolical woman a
Those fuckers!Those manipulating scheming fuckers!Oh they were surely going to pay for this. I would not be manipulated into breaking up with Penn. I was going to get them back.“I can’t believe they’re working together just to take me down.” Penn shook his head. “I’m so powerful.”“Yeah you are baby.” I whispered.I watched as they went back to their rooms before we made our way to ours.“So what are we going to do about them?” Penn questioned.“We’re going to give them exactly what they want.”“We’re going to break up?”“No, darling, but you will find me in a compromising with Hunter and attack him. Just don't’ really hurt him. He’ll regret teaming up with Cedric after that.” I laughed.“How doesn’t Hunter realize that this works in Cedric’s fav
There was silence in the room.Sitting at the table was me, Penn, Prince Mako, Princess Ria and Count Orman.“Um, Princess Ria, why don’t you speak first. What was your family told about the Laikens?” I asked.She took a deep breath. “Well, I was told that the Laikens betrayed us decades ago. We had this pearl. Pearl of Ura. It was a family heirloom bestowed upon us by the Goddess herself. One day it disappeared. The Laikens were seen stealing it from our castle in the night. Still they refuse to admit to their crimes. And thus our alliance was broken.”“Okay...Prince Mako what did you hear?”“That exact story, except it was our Gem of Xaxtar. Just as Princess Ria said, the gem was bestowed to our family. Our gem disappeared in the night, never to be seen again. And of course someone saw the Zales commit the crime! That’s the real reason there is no alliance.” Prince Mako
“Now, wait a minute!” I laughed. “No. I-I didn’t tell you to do all of that!” I exclaimed.“Well, we know you didn’t tell us to, but you sure did inspire us to.” Prince Mako smiled. “You said we could have a great love story.”“Yes, I suppose I did, but I thought you would be ruling together against all odds.”“We’ve been forced into ruling by our families. We never had a choice. I mean the only reason I ever really wanted to rule was because I didn’t want Prince Mako to. Because my parents told me I had to beat him. But I never wanted any of this. I want to see the world. Know what’s beyond the horizon.” Princess Ria whispered.I sighed. “I understand that, Princess Ria, I do. I guess I’m just shocked. I mean I was supposed to help The Slumbering Reef get a ruler. What now?”“It has its ruler in Count Orman.&rdq
The walk so far had been quite nice.Maybe because I was deliriously in love and feeling Penn’s hand in mine was giving me a rush of emotions. I finally felt content. Maybe Moxdea was actually right and this would be the easiest part of the journey.Maybe I was the only person who felt that way. The others seemed to be arguing behind us. I heard hushed whispers and angry tones. What was even going on?I didn’t bother turning around to look. I was determined to have a nice time!“Zeke you said I could be with who I wanted to be with!” Posy exclaimed.“He’s an Aleni!” Zeke declared.“So is your fiance!”“That’s-that’s different! He wasn’t Aleni when I fell in love with him!”“That doesn’t stop you from having sex with him all the time! You’re even considering marrying him after all he’s done! He betr
The bed was shaking furiously as I came out of my sleep.“Zelda! Zelda, wake up you won’t believe it!” Penn had never sounded more excited.“What?” I mumbled.“Babe, it’s snowing! Like literal snow is falling from the sky! I’ve never seen snow before, it’s so amazing!”“Snow?” I shot up excitedly.Like Penn, I had never seen snow up close before.We got dressed quickly and ran outside.What the fuck?!Snow was cold as shit! No one ever told me that! They said it was fun and soft and you could make three balled men out of them. But never did they mention it was freezing and unpleasant on the skin.I was not at all prepared for this.“Oh that’s cold!” Penn cried out. “But it might not be if…”I watched him shift into wolf form. Penn’s wolf seemed to enjoy the s
“No.” Posy shook her head. “There has to be a way. That’s not an option.”“How is she crystallizing?” Penn asked. “She’s burning up! Look at her sweating!”“It’s one of the symptoms. Fever, chills, intense pain, blurry vision, nausea. It’s...well it’s a slow and painful death.” Oz said darkly.“Why are they the only ones who have it?” Hunter asked. “We were all out in the snow!”“It must have been where Empress Zelda fell in the snow. They were the only two to come into contact with that part of the snow.”Cedric collapsed on the floor, shaking violently. “I think I’m dying.”“Usually I would welcome that, but that’s not good!” Zeke stated, helping him to the couch next to mine.“We have to figure out what to do!” Penn paced around nervously. “We can't