"Pleased to hear. The journey must have tired you out. Let me show you to your chamber," I diverted the topic. He gave a nod in agreement. I turned and led him inside. After showing him to his chamber, I started towards my courtroom. On the way, I heard the clank of steel and halted when I saw him. He was in the garden, training. His raven hair hung loosely on his shoulder and was wet with water or perhaps sweat. His vast muscular chest was open to gawk for the bypassers. My traitorous eyes flitted to his tanned rugged biceps that flexed proudly every time he swung his sword. Not a single inch of his body was soft. I looked up to see his face. He was bathed in sweat and still looked pleasing to the eyes. He looked too handsome for a barbarian. He was in deep concentration to catch my inspection of his person. My gaze flew to his rival. It didn't take me long to figure out who was she. His fiancee. They were training together. I couldn't hold back from scrutinizing her person. S
"I beg your pardon?" the King regarded the barbarian with confusion. " Umm...King William, he is the Hadar of Barbarians, Ryker," I hastily pulled my hand from his gentle grip and turned slightly towards Ryker who still had a muscle in his jaw ticking. Surprise crossed William's features. "A barbarian?" he sized Ryker up with a look of disdain. It was clear he disapproved of his presence like every single person here. " A barbarian," Ryker stepped towards him, dwarfing him more, and repeated with a hint of danger in his tone. "We will have a discussion over it, King William," I assured the King. The king gave me a half-hearted nod and moved to take his seat. I barely contained myself from burning Ryker with my vehement glare as I returned to sit on my chair. His eyes were still on King William, studying him with a hint of disdain. It was apparent they both detested each other. The celebration started soon. "Why is he sitting with us?" King William turned to me and asked, a
I willed myself to get out of the trance and looked away. It took everything in me to tear myself from this delicious sensation. But I had to. I pulled away and he too didn't resist, following me from our trance. Without saying a word, he led me towards the floor, like a task. I did everything in my power to not feel those tingles, the traitorous emotions his touch was evoking in me. We both were trying to avoid eye contact as he threaded his fingers through mine. My hands looked so tiny against his. I felt several hard calluses scattered over his palm when he pressed his rough hand against my soft and smooth ones. He was a man of labor, something I had always admired in him. He held me in place by putting one hand on my waist. I heard him releasing a shaky breath before his hold on my waist tightened a little. I had danced in this position before but with him, it felt so intimate.My eyes were wandering everywhere but at him. We started dancing to the rhythm of the music. Needless to
"King William has asked for my hand in union and I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted his offer. I am certain that this union will bring immense prosperity to our nation," my heart ripped into countless fragments as I declared in a steady voice. It hurt like hell but I didn't let the pain in my heart show through my eyes. I kept my smile serene and my demeanor composed. My wolf who was just as blindsided as others by the news was completely stunned. King William appeared as bewildered as the guests in the room as I hadn't discussed anything with him. However, he quickly overcame his surprise and sent an ecstatic smile my way. "I am certain we will make great mates, my lady," King William gushed, sporting a wide grin. "I think that too," I replied. I didn't know about us being great mates but this union would be favorable for our nations. Unsurprisingly, a wave of puzzlement had swept through the room after I broke the news. Mating with someone who is not your mate was a
A few years ago"What if he rejected me, Daisy? What would I do then?" the 17-year-old girl turned her head to look at the old woman who was busy braiding her hair and explaining about mate bond. The younger princess has a dent of worry between her soft brows as she generously pondered over the possibilities. Her soft angelic voice deepened with a hint of trepidation. "No lad in his right mind would reject you, my lady. You are beautiful and obedient. Your mate is going to love you and now turn your head so that I braid your hair properly," the old maid reassured her with a fond smile. The younger woman thought over her words but failed to draw any confidence. She straightened her head and scowled into the mirror facing her. "But certainly not beautiful enough to catch Prince William's eyes," her shoulders slumped as she murmured to herself, despondently.She was heartbroken to learn that Prince William of Attiha had found his mate. The prince had caught her fancy when she had seen
Dread twisted in Rosalie's gut when she heard that. Barbarians. Only their name was enough to strike fear into anyone's heart. Her heart leaped up to her throat as she prayed to the Moon Goddess to keep them safe. However, her prayer went unanswered as not a moment later, the coachman was yanked out by a blood dripping paw. Rosalie's eyes bulged out and she shrunk back in terror. The other maids were equally terrified. "Your highness, you have to get out of here now," one of the maids told Rosalie. The princess' eyes widened in surprise. "No. I can't leave you all in such a ..""We don't have time, princess. We can't let anything happen to you. You have to escape," the maid asserted while trying her best to not tumble down the carriage."Yes, she is right. You have to escape, Your highness. We will be fine. Barbarians don't kill women," the other maid joined. Rosalie was unsure. "I don't think Thi..""They will take you prisoner, princess. They are here for you. So please run fo
PRESENTThird POVOver the years, Rosalie has gotten better with pretense. The smile on her face had successfully fooled everyone into thinking she was happy. However, beneath the surface, a storm of misery was mercilessly ravaging her and the void in her heart had stretched wider since the announcement. She was experiencing a challenge in keeping her eyes dry. She wanted someone to deliver her from this suffocating pain. The tears were eager to break free and strip her of this deception. If only she had someone to share her pain with. All she yearned to do was sit in a dark corner of her room and cry her heart out. But instead, she was here attending the dinner with King William and her ministers. The King and her ministers were busy discussing the various aspects of war as she silently played with her food.If only someone cared to see through her facade, they would see a devastated, broken, and a defeated woman. She was just that and everything else was just a play. After dinner,
"Fight me," she challenged him. Ryker upped a brow in response before an amused smirk played over his lips. "You want to fight me for that wimp?" he queried, a little amused. Rosalie clearly didn't share his amusement. Ignoring his question, she lunged at him with her sword. He had already seen her wolf's impressive battle skills and he couldn't wait to find out more about her. Responding to her challenge, he countered her move with his own sword, the clash of metals thundered loudly in the room. The fight had just started and the woman had already put him in defense, he realized that a little later. Yet, rather than resisting, he found himself enjoying her aggressive approach. Rosalie was fierce and bursting with rage. Ryker was having a hard time defending himself against this minx who seemed determined to punish him. He let out a hiss when the tip of her sword grazed his chest, drawing out blood. She had inflicted the wound right where his heart was.In response, she smirked trium