The lingering softness of his lips was the first thing she felt when she woke up, not the cool touch of her silk sheets, but the taste of his lips which she could go a long way to taste again.
Elira closed her eyes allowing her memory sweep her back to yesterday’s clandestine meeting.
She could still feel the warmth of his touch, the gentle way his calloused fingers has brushed against hers as he pressed a small paper-wrapped bundle of carved wooden hairpins into her palm.
Although they were cheap.
Common things sold in the lower markets.
Yet to her, it hold much value than any royal jewelry she felt she owned.
His name was Adrian.
Elira had met him three months ago on one of her routine escapes beyond the palace walls.
Her dress had got caught on a wooden bench and had almost caused her a fall.
Adrian had been swift–his strong arms catching her by the waist and pulling her flush against his chest before she could hit the ground.
The sudden movement had knocked her veil loose revealing her delicate face.
While she had panicked—knowing that even as an illegitimate, hidden child, her royal features were a liability —the disguise of her plain linen clothes had kept her secret safe.
Adrian might not be the most attractive, but he had been to her at the moment.
He was drawn to her.
There was a raw captivating handsomeness in his features, framed by dark hair and broad shoulders that spoke of hard labor.
It made her face flush.
Plain shirt, calloused hands, and a jaw that could cut glass.
Elira remembered staring too long, utterly spellbound, until his deep voice broke the trance.
“I didn’t know a lady could stare that much” he had murmured.
A slow smirk spreading across his lips.
Elira had flushed crimson, quickly smoothing her skirt to hide her embarrassment.
“Oh!
Forgive me!!
I never meant to stare” He had chuckled softly, watching her hurriedly pull the veil back into place over her honey-brown hair.
“Thank you for catching me.” Elira said, offering a polite, practiced bow.
“Your reflexes are impressive.” “I wouldn’t consider myself a gentleman if I stood by and watch an angel fall in the dirt.
So, no need to thank me” Adrian offered her a smile which showed off his perfect set of white teeth.
Elira found herself staring again, ‘why is he so gorgeous’ “I’m Adrian!” “I’m… Helise!” “Helise.” The name tasted like ash on her tongue.
She had lied, but she thought it was better that way.
Back in the present, Elira buried her face in her pillow, a giddy giggle escaping her lips as she replayed last night’s parting moment.
He had kissed her.
It was no casual brush of lips, but a deep, lingering promise that had made her feel tethered to him entirely.
Elira was still immersed in her own world when some voices drew her attention.
Slipping out of bed, Elira padded toward the arched window and cracked the heavy wooden frame just enough to peer into the courtyard below.
Two palace gardeners were hushed together near the stone fountain, their faces pale with panic.
“The king of Nebuzza is not merciful!
He does not end the war if the kingdom he is against is not in ruins” a servant said “Am afraid we won’t stand even a chance against him.
He has thousands of soldiers and we are not even close to half of their warriors” another one said “We are doomed, I wish the king would settle this before we will be destroyed” Listening to them, Elira couldn’t help but shiver.
She doesn’t know what has been going on in their kingdom, because she was not considered a family, but she had heard from Rosa and Lillia her personal handmaids that the king of Nebuzza has been threatening war against them but she didn’t know it had gotten very worse.
Just then the door to her chamber creaked open ,Rosa and Lillia stepped in.
“What’s going on” Elira asked, walking towards them “The king of Nebuzza had slaughtered the soldiers stationed at the outskirts of Elarion” Rosa said “We don’t know when he will attack , but it might be sooner.
He has blocked every route with his soldiers” lillia added.
They looked terrified just like her.
“What is the king doing about it” Elira asked.
The king!
That is the best of him, that is what she has seen him as, not as a father.
“There is news that he left this morning.
He was going to meet him” Rosa said Elira felt dizzy listening to them, she sat on the bed, and inhaled deeply.
“If something happens, we will protect you my princess” they tried to soothe her with safety words but her mind kept telling her otherwise.
She has always wanted freedom, isn’t this the best time to get it?
If she could get away with Adrian, won’t she be free?
**** **** With war looming at his borders, king Budegha sought an audience with king of Nebuzza , one final step to stop the war that has already begun.
He rode towards the borders, letting his eyes wander around the land that might no longer answer to his crown.
There, the banner of Nebuzza stood tall and unyielding, cutting against the line with a terrifying claim made him shudder.
Their soldiers were already in position, they stood in still lines unmoving but very watchful, waiting for a single command to turn the silence into war.
The steady sound of hooves broke the tension as king Budegha of Elarion approached, his men were mounted on their horses and they rode close behind him, every step carrying the weight of a kingdom on a brink.
And then he came to a halt as a soldier from Nebuzza gestured to him to stop.
Ahead, their king waited.
Zareth Varkos!
For a moment, there was nothing, only the wind moving through banners could be heard.
Then a single horse stepped forward from the line.
There was no trumpet that announced him, no voice declared his name, yet the soldiers moved with precision, like a blade cutting through the cloth.
The ranks opened at his approach, forming a path that was wide enough to let him ride through.
And then he rode through it, unhurried, as though Elarion already belonged to him.
Zareth Varkos might not be the most attractive but… handsome… muscles… ugh.
His dark armor caught the light in sharp edges, his cloak trailing behind him like a shadow refusing to leave him.
There was no crown resting on his head, perhaps, he doesn’t need one to make his presence known.
Authority clung to him more than gold could.
Then he came to a stop, letting his presence speak louder than his face.
This was no mere ruler, this was the man who had taken their borders without warning to prove his anger against Elarion.
Zareth reined in his mount, his piercing gaze locking onto the sovereign of Elarion.
A cold, ruthless smile touched his lips, though his eyes remained entirely devoid of warmth.
“I wondered how long it would take you to crawl out of your tower, Budegha Velkrest.” king Zareth said.
His voice smooth, deep and carrying effortlessly across the open field.
“You stand in the sovereign soil of Elarion” king Budegha replied forcing his voice to hold firm, though the sight of Nebuzza’s host made his blood run cold.
Zareth’s smile widened.
Sharp and mocking.
“Well, well, I might correct you on that Velkrest.
This is Nebuzza’s property now” he let out a low dark chuckle.
“It is not!” King Budegha argued but Zareth nodded briefly.
“It will soon be” he replied sarcastically.
“Tell me, Zareth,” Budegha spat, frustration bleeding through his regal composure, “does shedding the blood of innocent men truly make you feel so mighty?” Zareth tilted his head, pretending to consider the question, before nodding slowly.
“It makes me feel remarkably young.
Stronger.
Alive.” Looking at the young king whose presence weakens even the strongest, Budegha knew he couldn’t stand a chance against him.
“Elarion has not offended you” king Budegha said and zareth nodded “Elarion has not,” Zareth agreed, wiping the faint smile from his face as his expression turned to sheer ice.
“But you have.
You opened your northern gates to the vanguard of Eldarsh against me.
Tell me, King Budegha–have you been quietly plotting my downfall, that you would harbor my enemies within your walls?” King Budegha was stunned.
So this was about Eldarsh.
That cursed kingdom.
He remembered clearly how they had forced their way in and he felt a surge of anger within him.
Now his kingdom is paying for it.
“Eldarsh and Elarion’s relationship has not been good, but war is not what I want.
Eldarsh forced their way through our border post.” king Budegha said camly.
“If we had tried to block their path, we would have been annihilated!
We were hopelessly outnumbered.” Zareth laughed.
“I am not a fool Budegha Velkrest.
You could have signaled my forward scouts.
You chose silence instead.
How could I ignore such pathetic betrayal?” King Budegha was at loss of words.
He knew Zareth was a man who doesn’t let any act of betrayal go unpunished and he felt his composure slipping completely.
Zareth always got what he wanted.
He wanted war against the people of Elarion but the councils of Nebuzza declined saying war wasn’t necessary, but he being the heartless king he was doesn’t want to let go that easily.
He wanted war.
And seeing the king of Elarion being submissive gave him the best feeling.
“I do not want war king Zareth, I do not want bloodshed.
I want peace!” King Budegha said almost pleading and Zareth raised his brow.
“Peace is not an option” he replied and Budegha sighed deeply.
“But we can make it an option!” “Tell me king Budegha… do I look like someone who would negotiate peace with you when all I wanted is to have your head dangling on my feet after a betrayal from you?” King Zareth asked, now he’s furious.
It was not my fault!
I was trying to protect my people.
I could not risk their lives.
I…” “I am not interested in your pathetic excuses,” Zareth growled, his dark eyes flashing with lethal fury.
“How do you think your pleas could make up for your betrayal?” “I was foolish and I admit.” Budegha closed his eyes letting the humiliation burn him.
For his kingdom, he was willing to trade his dignity for them.
“I failed you and I will take every responsibility for it.
But I do not want war against my kingdom.
And that was why I have come to offer peace!” King Budegha letting his dignity fall to protect his kingdom was an insult, but he couldn’t let his kingdom perish.
Zareth chuckled.
But he felt something breaking in his ego.
He wanted to argue further but watching King Budegha plead in that manner made his cold heart soften a bit for the innocent people.
A man rode towards king Zareth and whispered to his ears.
Zareth was silent for a while.
Then he raised his head and stared right at king Budegha.
He still want his head.
“How precisely do you want to buy this peace?” Zareth asked.
His tone dripping with disdain.
“I have a daughter,” Budegha declared, his voice carrying across the quiet plain.
“A princess of royal blood.
She shall be given to you as a political bride–a living seal of peace between Elarion and Nebuzza.” Zareth stared at him for a beat, and then a booming, dark laugh echoed across the valley.
“Do you take me for a fool, Budegha?” Zareth sneered, his laughter vanishing as quickly as it had come, replaced by a cold, deadly glint in his eyes.
“Do you think a woman is a trophy that can wipe away a debt of blood?” “She is not a mere trophy,” Budegha insisted, gripping his reins tightly.
“She is the blood of my house.
A permanent bond to ensure our kingdoms never raise steel against one another again.”