I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY CHAPTERS I WILL GET UP FOR YOU ALL TODAY BUT HERE IS THE FIRST!
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Evander and his men tortured the creature for hours, learning all they could. The light kept the creature contained, light that came from the palm of Evander’s hand. The creature didn’t like the light. It hurt him. As expected, Malich offered the General new employ. Someone with his particular gifts would be invaluable against a threat like that creature, and Alara.
In exchange for their service, Malich gave them food and board. “Can’t say I didn’t see this coming,” Arya huffed a laugh. “You collect valuable things for a living. It’s what makes you so brilliant.”
Malich smiled sidelong at her, but his smile never reached his eyes. Something weighed heavily on him. “We should have that talk now,” he insisted.
Curious, Arya followed Malich to his office inside the alumni camp and he closed the door behind them. Perhaps this was the moment he’d scold her for running off after Ihsan. “If this is about me running after Ihsan, I never found him.”
“It isn’t. It’s not what you think,” he motioned to the seat opposite of him. Arya opted to sit on the edge of his desk instead. “You didn’t find Ihsan because he completely ignored his charge and opted to return to his homeland instead. He’s reclaimed his birthright as King of the Unseelie Court. My guess is we’ll see him when he gets up the nerve to come for you.”
Arya bristled. She knew Ihsan had a birthright. She’d heard others make mention of it in passing, but she never asked him about it and he never felt the need to confide in her. Now she understood why Malich felt threatened by him. A King to rival a King.
There was more, she could see it in his eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m about to do something that goes against everything inside me. I’m a ruler by blood and I take what I want, but lately I’ve come to realize that anyone worth having shouldn’t be taken by force…like you.”
Arya’s eyes grew wide and her brows rose. It wasn’t like Malich to be so philosophical. She wondered what turn of events brought this revelation on. “Go on.”
“I love you more than anything in this world, and although I believe you do love me, part of me wonders if its out of obedience or choice.” Arya opened her mouth to speak but he motioned for her not to. “I don’t want you to answer, I just want you to listen.” He sighed. “Several cycles ago you fell in love and I took that from you. That decision haunts me every time I look at you, secretly wondering when the curiosity of things that could have been will cause you to betray me. I don’t want your obedience Arya I want your heart. Completely. If that means setting you free, then so be it, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m hoping you’ll stay.”
Arya swallows hard. She can tell from the pain in his eyes how difficult this was for him and yet, he was setting her free. It’s true, he took away what could have been with Ihsan, but she wasn’t sure if that’s what she wanted anymore. She felt conflicted…confused.
“What about our engagement and our wedding plans?” She asked.
“I’ll postpone it all, and if you still want me when you’re done exploring yourself, we’ll resume.”
She still couldn’t fathom why after the years he’s spent grooming her to be his, playing both games of the heart and games of the mind he’d simply let her just walk away. “You don’t have to do this Malich. I want to marry you.”
“Then nothing will change if you take some time to make sure this is what you want. Before I commit to you, I need to be sure we are both going into this with our eyes completely open. I need to know you want this for you and not because I want this for us.”
Arya nodded. He carefully danced around the truth, but the truth was he was calling off their engagement until further notice and she didn’t know how to feel about it. She should feel relieved that the pressure of disappointing him was gone, and she did, but beneath all of the pressure, she was truly happy with what they’d built together.
“I don’t understand what brought this on. Is it that I haven’t said I love you, because I do? More than you know. I’m just not good with displaying my feelings. Whenever I do I usually end up hurt, so I stopped.”
“You may love me, but I know you love him too. Before we proceed with our nuptials, perhaps you should see what, if anything, still lies between you.”
“Now isn’t exactly the time for me to travel to the Unseelie Court in the hopes of finding myself. The God of death has staked a claim to my soul for whatever reason and that is of much more importance than confusions of the heart.”
“All the more reason for you to go and get as far away from here as possible.”
“No,” she refused. “I won’t do it. When I conceded to you, I conceded everything. That means everything that could have been and wasn’t. I conceded to forgive you for what happened with Ihsan and love you still. I conceded to love you knowing fully how controlling and insanely jealous you are. I conceded my independence because I realize that submission isn’t a weakness it’s a compromise.”
“Then like I said, it won’t change anything between us, but I need to know you’re done with him. I need to know there’s nothing left between the two of you and I need you to go to him. Evander and his soldiers will accompany you since Balor poses a threat to you, but you must go Arya, for me. For my peace of mind.”
“Malich-”
“I will not share your bed, shower you with affection, or acknowledge your presence here until you do,” He cut her off. “I’m serious Arya.”
“So am I. And the answer is still no-”
Malich stood and walked away in the middle of their conversation. She stormed after him, determined to make him listen to reason, but his mind was made up and there was no changing it. After over an hour of arguing, he finally put his foot down.
“I will not see you until it is done. Your requests for counsel will be denied and you will no longer have access to the palace.” Arya stared at him in wide-eyed astonishment. “For now, you and I are over until further notice. Have I made myself clear?”
Tears formed in her eyes as she reluctantly nodded. “Yes your highness.”
“I will have someone move your things to the alumni camp in the meantime.”
Arya wiped away her tears and nodded a second time. He motioned to the ring on her finger with his eyes and her heart sank. This ring signified so much. It was his promise to her and now he’s taking it away. Her chest heaved and her heart lurched. All of it, every kiss, every touch, every warm embrace…he was taking everything away from her, and in the blink of an eye. Gone…all of it. Heartbroken, Arya pried the ring from her finger and set it in the palm of his hand. He slipped it into his pocket without another thought.
His lips moved as if he was about to say something, but he thought better of it and simply left. Arya would rather commit suicide than cry, but she couldn’t stop the river of tears that fell from her eyes. It all seemed so final. She could travel to Ihsan’s kingdom to see what was left of a love from long ago, but why reopen an old wound when she’s already made her peace with it? No. She would wait him out, no matter how long it took. Once he saw she had no interest in fanning old flames he would come to his senses.
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