CHAPTER 3328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sNpCCzjbQ
''Halsey ... lady Halsey'' she said as she stretched her hand out to Damianos. Vasilis had given them both the whole night to know each other better. Damianos looked at her stretched arm contemplating if he should shake it but eventually did.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g2I1LZZon
''I guess you don't need any introduction, everyone knows you'' she continued when she realized he was not going to go further with their conversation.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunYo5LvCrv
''Do you want to get married?'' Damianos muttered out without thinking.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHk7wniQzq
''That is not supposed to be a question but, yes, I want Zuk to belong to the lions and if that means giving birth to your child then, I will marry you Damianos.''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27hCOdjd85
Damianos looked at her for some time and began to compare her to Zoe. She was a very beautiful and captivating young woman but comparing her to Zoe brought in a wide gap.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThqH2pddiX
''Well, I don't intend to spend the entire night knowing you. I will call the guards to bring a royal chariot.'' Damianos said in a rush. Halsey beamed at Damianos's nervousness and moved a step closer to him.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaTm2pExp3
''I live in the palace now.'' Damianos grimaced at her as if he did not like want she said. He looked anywhere but at her for some time and brought out a long sigh thinking of what to say to get rid of her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr72lceYyKa
''Then go to sleep.'' Damianos uttered out bitterly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtV7IC9hJB
''Damianos, you are aware that with or without sleep we can survive as lions and lionesses. It is one of our many powers. You can't force me to sleep. Let me ask you this question, do you remember the last time you slept? Halsey asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbYVm7wOn
''No, I don't, but that does not matter.'' Damianos replied quickly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeonbpeihu
''Okay, just four days and I will belong to you. Goodnight Damianos.'' Halsey said with a trace of disappointment in her voice and vanished into thin air. Damianos pondered for some time on what to do and decided not to tell Zoe about his nuptials. He was going to think of what to do before things got out of hand328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCVtKyRvNo
''You are the worrier's son?'' Zoe asked 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAjawAxmNs
''Of course.'' Achilleas answered.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN6ZBiqrzY
''I heard you are good with the sword, am I correct?'' Zoe asked once again.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6US9p9jss
" You can try me. Words mean nothing however, actions are everything"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ86l5xtYMj
" Are you sure?" Zoe asked as if warning him.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo1OzQyYQv
" Bring it on." Achilleas challenged.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQU62Nw1VF
Zoe stretched forth her hand to the right with her eyes fixed on Achilleas and a sword appeared in it.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kk5YWHvDC
" My beloved princess, are you sure you want to do this?" Achilleas asked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFibw7zY4ag
"Of course." she replied. they stood on a large field amidst the dark sky and the half displayed moon.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLC6TCHIkw
" Ouch! " Zoe exclaimed as she stumbled upon something and Achilleas moved to her side to help her out." My feet, they hurt so bad." Zoe said as a pang of pain moved through her leg. Achilleas squatted to get a close look at her leg then, Zoe raised her sword immediately without hesitation to attempt to strike Achilleas but before the edge of the sword could connect to his back, he without warning turned into dust. Zoe saw his absence as an opportunity to leave but he got back. she quickly gathered the end of her garment and stood up to leave but before she could make her way out of the fields, she felt a sword around her throat and halted. she could feel his presence behind her and soon, Achilleas made himself visible to Zoe. He stood right behind her with the sword pressed against her neck sensing her heavy breath-her closeness.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6toNyi8wJD
"I must say you are a smart one princess, you try to outsmart me with a fake act." Achilleas confessed328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1TtMVXH14
" I also heard you take delight in outsmarting your opponents so, I wanted to test that too." Zoe said feeling the pressure begin them slowly diminish.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLILpJRcKV3
" There are more you can also do than I give you credit for princess. Did I, convince. You." he whispered the words in her ears with pride in his voice.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDlfq1mHQq
" Do not count your chickens before they hatch Achilleas. You do have some narcissism. "328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh9GGAFLHQ
" You know, you can permeate it after we get married" Achilleas said into her ears. Using her elbow, she hit his stomach making him release her. Zoe stretched her left arm and a sword appeared in it too. she turned thrice using her super reflex and soon, she had the upper hand with her two swords pointing straight at Achilleas. Achilleas took out his sword and they both engaged each other in a fierce battle. Even though Achilleas had trained all his life for battle he knew Zoe was more than good since she stood up to him for a very long time. They both fought intensively with their swords however, Achilleas was able to use his sword to prevent Zoe from hurt him. Zoe almost got Achilleas when he lost his balance after battling backward but he was able to swerve away from her and with swift movement distracted Zoe and disarmed her left hand. The sword on her right arm fell far away from her reach. "You asked for it Achilleas." she said trying not to accept subjugation. She made her hand in a halfway fist and raised them into the air. Her action took Achilleas off the ground making him Levitate. Now suspended in the air and at the mercy of the princess, he let go of the swords and Zoe slowly let him to the ground.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4T891YwUp
" You are more than good Princess"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVKcPCTImK
" You think I'm good?" Zoe asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuudbJzbvzW
" Yes"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1DbRpinCM
" How come you can use the sword so well. You are no amateur"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8XMoa8Axp
" My dad, to me, is the greatest warrior to have ever lived. He knew perfectly well the Lions would defeat us when it came to using swords. We hyenas are good with our hands. He always told me to study the ways of the enemies that way I would always be one step ahead" Achilleas could see the hurt in her eyes as she spoke and tried to comfort her but she moved away.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2LeYI5L1U
" Well, back to the reason why we are here. I do not want to get married" Zoe muttered the words out before she could change her mind. Zoe lent Achilleas a helping hand and soon, he was on his feet. " Does the queen know what you are telling me?" Achilleas asked. Zoe came back to her senses when she heard her mum's name and wished she could take back her words.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dEdcb4Vgc
" I did not mean that" she said turning her back to face Achilleas.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNHMff3vrU
" I meant something else. I'm not ready." she continued.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmffsM3qkM
" You shouldn't be worried Zoe, this alliance will benefit us both and the kingdom. This is the time to be selfless..." Rita appeared behind them cutting Achilleas short.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3Hz6YGhtn
" Princes Zoe, the queen requests for you" she said as she bowed to Zoe. Achilleas stooped and took Zoe's hand to kiss it but she gently pulled away. He nodded as if he understood her distance and left. Rita then escorted Zoe to the queen.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwFKEtWOfG
* * * 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXexQe5sow
" She is here queen." Rita said bowing to the queen328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSH0fuxMlP
" Leave us alone" the queen ordered. Rita left briskly and soon, it was just Nepheli and Zoe.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdclah8jXT
" You are a lucky one Zoe" Nepheli confessed.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJvRazW9W3
" You are going to give the land its greatest gift. You are going to have the chosen one. Do you have any idea of the gravity of the state you are in ?" Nepheli asked rhetorically.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPySvgqGtq
"Yes, I am a lucky one." Zoe repeated.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZwdyqcyCQ
" It is good you know that the ritual of your nuptials will be before the full moon. Do not let me down. Do not let the clan down and most importantly, do not let your dad down." Queen Nepheli sad and disappeared.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjoM06KZjz
As Zoe laid down to rest, her mum's words kept reverberating in her head " Do not Let me down. Do not let the clan down and most importantly, do not let your dad down'' She was now torn between choosing Damianos and her clan. Choosing her clan would mean more fights to come between the lions and the hyenas and choosing Damianos would mean working hard to build peace which seemed somewhat impossible. She was not going to tell Damianos what went on today. She was going to coax him to elope with her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELxo2J8wcC
Everything felt in place the moment she woke up. Now or never, she had to leave. Zoe did not wait for her servant Rita to get her dressed. She took her bath, kept on her red gown with a robe, and disappeared into the morning mist.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBsAP61dA4
When she got to the love tree, Damianos was already there. When Damianos saw Zoe, he swiftly moved to her and hugged her as if his life depended on it.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxE2Jaryt4
''Is something wrong Dami.'' Zoe asked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsTkfn25WQ
''No Zoe, just keep hugging me'' he replied. They hugged for a very long time and Zoe felt this was the only chance she could convince Dami to elope with her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpfSypIJD5
''Let's elope Dami.'' She said before she could change her mind. Damianos released her from the long hug and gave her a questioning look.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7amvcJPn4
''No Zoe, that is not an option, if we elope, the two leagues will gain more reason to hate each other, to add up to it, they will eventually catch up with us. Don't forget we want to bring the lions and hyenas together.'' he said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOBAEipBxX
Zoe hugged him once again and asked ''Then what should we do? It's not as if there is someone who will make us be together'' Damianos's eyes popped wide with realization after Zoe spoke.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHPFHfMFPz
''There is someone.'' he said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQPl7Z0MjZ
''There is!" Zoe exclaimed with wonderment in her eyes.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo9pYFevgg
''Yes, he is the only one who is not torn between then lions and hyenas.''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvrLzlOzkK
''Gaja?'' Zoe asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGuQitlYTN
''Then there is no time to waste, let's go.'' she said as she took Damiano's hand.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFCVKAFjJt
Lady Halsey was admiring the pride lands from the balcony of her room when Vasilis joined her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FmMb85Myf
''How is my son'' he asked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1debV7OzN
''Your son...I'm a lucky one. He is everything a woman needs. And I'm also lucky I have been chosen to give life to the chosen one.''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzvTIXdlFl
''There is a problem Halsey.'' Halsey turned to look at him with her deep blue eyes after he was done.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCXLIXpGpa
''What is the problem king.'' she asked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcq1ZQs4VJ
''The hyenas are will also have their chosen one too, it's going to be us versus theirs'' putting her hand on Vasilis's shoulders she said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRGLRmPzR4
''We will train our chosen one to be the greatest one in Zuk''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7G1iFGjX4
''I trust your every word Halsey, the ancestors made the right choice. My grandchild won't just be the chosen one but also the one with the most beautiful mother in Zuk.'' 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB1r8sm6eQ
'' Don't say that king, but I will assure that I will train my child to be heartless, show no mercy, that way we will win against the hyenas.''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KiYebODb5
Damianos and Zoe were close to the mountain top when Zoe complained of being tired. Damianos carried her in his arms and she locked her arms around his neck. Minutes later, they arrived at their destination but had no trace of the person they came after.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQPSyeTGeJ
''I wonder where he is. '' Damianos said as he set Zoe to her feet. Zoe screamed when she saw a huge figure and Damianos rushed to her side ''What is wrong my love"'' he asked as he took Zoe's face in his hands. She did not look at him, all she could see was a huge figure approaching them and she tried hard to point to the figure.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1XqrNt75O
''It's there'' she said pointing. Damianos sighed in relief as he got a better look at the figure.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdJMxQ2Em3
''It's Gaja.'' He said. Gaja, an old guru who was left subjugated after the war between the lions and hyenas. The guru of love. Gaja lived between the imaginary line separating the hyena's and lion's land. He looked weak and old as he approaches them. He was being supported by a long stick in his right hand.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj92QCg1AMW
''Why are you here?'' he asked with his voice breaking.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQSJNMzISw
''Gaja, we need your help.'' Damianos said and took Zoe's hand 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboFFuMNFtH
''Why would you need my help. No one needed me after the war''328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeOsQvZtTO
''We were not born Gaja. The past is the past'' Damianos said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DBO5C3mvF
''We were once told you were isolated from both the lions and hyenas because you wanted peace to prevail'' Zoe added.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6BiUhCGoF
''Do you still want peace to prevail?'' Damianos asked328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1doBzAuP7
''My intentions now are the same as before'' Gaja spoke as he moved closer to them.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz1wpeVs3J
''I'm a lion and she is a hyena'' Damianos presented.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kaRjZLrEn
''There was no need to tell me that. I knew it the moment I saw you two. What I should be asking is what have you two come to do here Lions and hyenas don't walk hand in hand.'' he asserted 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqlgxWxhxA
''Well as you can see we are together and we need your help Gaja '' Zoe said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOrVgCRpRX
''We want to get married, we want to be forever and we want our bloodlines to accept us.'' Damianos continued.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfNBiKNqW8
''You want to be together'' Gaja said as if contemplating 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGvy9rDXOA
''Is something wrong, cant you help us, is it difficult? Zoe asked continuously328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o5TFVKYg7
''There is nothing Gaja cant do princess'' he muttered out proudly. Zoe's eyes almost popped out when she heard Gaja.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xgmdXLgk
''How did you know that'' she asked 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb4gi7gDkX
''I know everything princess, I also know what is going to happen in the future but, I can't tell anyone. I do not have the power to disrupt with future occurrence.'' he admitted 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6tS3oe9Wl
''Then get us to be together.'' Damianos shrieked 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8UvNxAb32
''You have to take a vow, it's like a ritual but it has its consequences.'' Gaja said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG5s8djmNP
''We don't care about consequences right now Gaja.'' Zoe said328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZYFOE5Ve1
''We really want this.'' Damianos added.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw37qV3MPD
''Are you sure you want to do this'' Gaja asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChYicXSDJ0
''Never in our lives have we been this sure.'' they both blazoned in union328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSEZ0KqlxG
They looked into each other's eyes as if searching for an iota of doubt. After some few minutes, Damianos broke the silence. Taking Zoe's hand they moved to the priest328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XvJtAwdRp
''I hope you both know what you are doing?'' Gaja asked tentatively 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqSXyCtIUB
''My hands are tired, it's my duty to grant you your wish.'' he continued328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiZW9fRBWU
''Then do what you have been told and stop behaving as if you have been constrained.'' Zoe muttered out328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKH8BJiw71
'' Yes, princess Zoe'' Gaja said as he directed them to a ring.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR31GmFqYLw
''Are you ready my light'' Damianos asked Zoe as he led her to the ring328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLXapkpi4b
''Yes! yes, my magnanimous prince. It's high time the two leagues stop fighting.'' she blurted out as they move in a twirl328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TEF3uEaRO
''Then let's put the past war to rest.'' Damianos shrieked. They were brought back to reality when Gaja cleared his throat328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Dq8LPTPHj
''Then let's prepare the ritual for the vow.'' Gaja shrieked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfRGiUoxuj
