CHAPTER 3329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBHYPzFSGR
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63UildS95y
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod4t4gDIQz
''Do you want to get married?'' Damianos muttered out without thinking.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhqqzQYdn9
''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.''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDO1q5upeO
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB82PVtAGIp
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBVxS7nqGn
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnac3W7Qmj
''Then go to sleep.'' Damianos uttered out bitterly.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1imLgtdkM
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdgCm28Q2q
''No, I don't, but that does not matter.'' Damianos replied quickly.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgA6wz5F0T
''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 hand329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoSJDbSsuR
''You are the worrier's son?'' Zoe asked 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOYXqlFQbQ
''Of course.'' Achilleas answered.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqw8irVBvC
''I heard you are good with the sword, am I correct?'' Zoe asked once again.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGTeDAnsjv
" You can try me. Words mean nothing however, actions are everything"329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinlnaJccO8
" Are you sure?" Zoe asked as if warning him.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6hdsofAi2
" Bring it on." Achilleas challenged.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqNtnnx5jR
Zoe stretched forth her hand to the right with her eyes fixed on Achilleas and a sword appeared in it.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusl5Oht88C
" My beloved princess, are you sure you want to do this?" Achilleas asked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsAcvZdrPg
"Of course." she replied. they stood on a large field amidst the dark sky and the half displayed moon.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0EDewmeSy
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6awNpMb5U
"I must say you are a smart one princess, you try to outsmart me with a fake act." Achilleas confessed329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIop5Tllad1
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK90qzebFi
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfrMQcPhMR
" Do not count your chickens before they hatch Achilleas. You do have some narcissism. "329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KBLaqlZNe
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2ghWGGlXL
" You are more than good Princess"329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOWot3qf76
" You think I'm good?" Zoe asked.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlX0RhA51n
" Yes"329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcJ2pgExeV
" How come you can use the sword so well. You are no amateur"329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVxvjUkQTt
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T3flnX005
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotgWvrMmLO
" I did not mean that" she said turning her back to face Achilleas.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPZiAIwBcw
" I meant something else. I'm not ready." she continued.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPvic7Z98R
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvseuJI2Sy
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r70ryuYpT
* * * 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3NyM8vEKq
" She is here queen." Rita said bowing to the queen329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5SrJK7KUl
" Leave us alone" the queen ordered. Rita left briskly and soon, it was just Nepheli and Zoe.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlc1OsBXBc
" You are a lucky one Zoe" Nepheli confessed.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCPfGjZ15x
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgotinMk6A
"Yes, I am a lucky one." Zoe repeated.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jJNfvPkLT
" 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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztI1NlSXmH
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSxIn2Foxw
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8pyDJOKuh
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVAbVNxWNX
''Is something wrong Dami.'' Zoe asked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuWxAC0Uf9
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolV9lXUzj6
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClwi1etQKQ
''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 said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67zdUasecW
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H0JSHb1cH
''There is someone.'' he said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr4g1p5J5H
''There is!" Zoe exclaimed with wonderment in her eyes.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2X3qHmsCc
''Yes, he is the only one who is not torn between then lions and hyenas.''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjof3QvUwl
''Gaja?'' Zoe asked.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74Xv7hAkWB
''Then there is no time to waste, let's go.'' she said as she took Damiano's hand.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQsVwu1pMn
Lady Halsey was admiring the pride lands from the balcony of her room when Vasilis joined her.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdgnP1FHzC
''How is my son'' he asked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbawz2BESF3
''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.''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeen7CP9DQ
''There is a problem Halsey.'' Halsey turned to look at him with her deep blue eyes after he was done.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscydyHZJVB
''What is the problem king.'' she asked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9XRXaIHpT
''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 said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oReA7MKWo
''We will train our chosen one to be the greatest one in Zuk''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5KPNDuy0a
''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.'' 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUpxGOW5H0
'' 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.''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilfmuuYypv
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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilqINRyiqj
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCITCvXaa1V
''It's there'' she said pointing. Damianos sighed in relief as he got a better look at the figure.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVwmwKykG
''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.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22iDNpNQp7
''Why are you here?'' he asked with his voice breaking.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tyl7tr4HN
''Gaja, we need your help.'' Damianos said and took Zoe's hand 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VjUm6gVhs
''Why would you need my help. No one needed me after the war''329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9dygDGTX1
''We were not born Gaja. The past is the past'' Damianos said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm8r366Kyn
''We were once told you were isolated from both the lions and hyenas because you wanted peace to prevail'' Zoe added.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjACQY7PRV
''Do you still want peace to prevail?'' Damianos asked329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RQvDVw77T
''My intentions now are the same as before'' Gaja spoke as he moved closer to them.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpFOdf9qBU
''I'm a lion and she is a hyena'' Damianos presented.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dsyy1GGi3
''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 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX3KnVz7f0
''Well as you can see we are together and we need your help Gaja '' Zoe said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DTgJvvZwE
''We want to get married, we want to be forever and we want our bloodlines to accept us.'' Damianos continued.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCsE7bKTF3
''You want to be together'' Gaja said as if contemplating 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbzMPgMMWV
''Is something wrong, cant you help us, is it difficult? Zoe asked continuously329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIFaTFJH5M
''There is nothing Gaja cant do princess'' he muttered out proudly. Zoe's eyes almost popped out when she heard Gaja.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4bCCQneKn
''How did you know that'' she asked 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmWzqXU8cp
''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 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ShnA5ejiW
''Then get us to be together.'' Damianos shrieked 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6REpnFgem
''You have to take a vow, it's like a ritual but it has its consequences.'' Gaja said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR4sOuZZY8
''We don't care about consequences right now Gaja.'' Zoe said329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RQJg0SjLC
''We really want this.'' Damianos added.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EfLGDumt3
''Are you sure you want to do this'' Gaja asked.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdns68JSNG
''Never in our lives have we been this sure.'' they both blazoned in union329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelR2Q74fx8
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 priest329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnzllyBw3f
''I hope you both know what you are doing?'' Gaja asked tentatively 329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HQuXS7Wys
''My hands are tired, it's my duty to grant you your wish.'' he continued329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf84gOXJiD
''Then do what you have been told and stop behaving as if you have been constrained.'' Zoe muttered out329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFwWT359hO
'' Yes, princess Zoe'' Gaja said as he directed them to a ring.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCgThA9zA7
''Are you ready my light'' Damianos asked Zoe as he led her to the ring329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Z9YzMkp4
''Yes! yes, my magnanimous prince. It's high time the two leagues stop fighting.'' she blurted out as they move in a twirl329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh73QWMkhV
''Then let's put the past war to rest.'' Damianos shrieked. They were brought back to reality when Gaja cleared his throat329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT638vbPEvu
''Then let's prepare the ritual for the vow.'' Gaja shrieked.329Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tQIiuYnLW
