Prince KeithThe memory of Heather's reaction to my teasing still lingered in my mind, it was strange that warmth was blooming in my chest. It was a feeling I hadn't felt in years. It was ridiculous, of course. I, Prince Keith, the crippled prince, finding... what? Amusement? Pleasure? In the discomfort of a woman forced to marry me out of duty? But the truth, however ugly, was there. Even more disturbing was the whisper from the dormant part of me, the wolf I thought I had lost had stirred deep inside of me making a low growl, threatening to break free, he had recognized Heather's presence, I almost gasp when I heard him stir in me, I couldn't believe he had reacted to Heather that way after losing him for ten years, I haven't been able to connect with my wolf since the war happened, I have tried all means to bring Kyle back but it seems that I had lost him until now... which was quite amusing. Pushing these unwelcome thoughts away, I focused on the present insistent knock echoing
HeatherI watched Prince Keith with bewildered eyes, does he really think he is all that, that I would lock myself outside just to sleep in his room? "Do you really think so little of me, prince Keith?" I burst out, the laughter is brittle and sharp. "That I would stoop so low? That I would...sleep in your room? You flatter yourself, Prince."My mind flashed back to the night before, how we had argued, how he had insulted me even though he had tried to save me from getting caught by Ezra, which I didn't really see as a big deal because I knew Ezra wouldn't be that angry at me. I had walked back to my room that night, with the thought of laying in my bed and sleep in off, I remembered the sinking feeling when I had returned, trying to turn the door knob severally, only to find out that I had absentmindedly locked it from the inside. Panic had seized me then, not because of being locked out, but because I didn't know what could have happened, Prince Keith had successfully instilled fea
Prince KeithTrying not to think much about the confrontation I had with Heather, my pace quickened as I walked through the familiar corridors, I made my way towards the underground hall, and the guards guiding the door saw me and let me in. The moment I stepped through the entrance, everyone became quiet, they all stood up as a form of respect while I walked towards the altar, I stopped in front of the altar my eyes scanning everyone that was available. "My brothers," I began, my voice resonating in the confined space. "I thank you for answering my call, for sacrificing your night, and for being in here today, I will also use this moment to thank you for joining me in this quest for our freedom and everything we have believed in. I know the risks we take, the shadows we inhabit for years, but I see the fire in your eyes, the yearning for justice that burns in your hearts."I paused, letting my words sink in, they were all quiet quite enjoying everything I had said, we were all gath
Prince KeithThe grandfather clock in my chamber chimed midnight, I stood up from my chair closing the file I was working on, I hid it in its rightful place and then changed my wear, after that, I stood in front of the mirror to look at my reflection in the darkened mirror. I had changed my clothes to look like one of the guards, that was the only way no one would quickly guess I was the one and no one would also expect me to walk, this has been the way I have hidden for years, gathering my people and doing what is necessary. I stepped out of my chamber and scanned the corridor. I noticed it was empty. “Good,” I muttered to myself and then moved towards my meeting point that is only known by a selected few in the palace, it was an underground I had found over the years, which I am sure even the king doesn’t know existed. It was where my true work began, where I strategized with my loyal men, men who saw me not as a disabled figurehead, but as their future king.I was so lost in my t
HeatherI had left his room without a warning, how dare he say something like that, I hated the way my heart skipped a beat, letting his words get to me. I had stayed in my room for a while, trying to gather my thoughts but it was hard, as I kept on replaying the image of Prince Keith's face, the words he had spoken, and the heat radiating off his body. Even with all those ungodly thoughts swirling in my head, I couldn’t help but think about his fever, he had been insistent that I do not pry, that everything was fine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Why the secrecy? Why the refusal to see the royal physician? Everything about that man is a mystery and no matter how hard I tried to stop thinking about him, I ended up thinking about him the more. I was jolted from my troubled thoughts by a light knock on the door. “Come in,” I mumbled and the door was pushed open, I craned my head to see Lucinda, her face gentle and concerned as she stepped further
Heather's POV I suddenly opened my eyes and stretched my body only to notice that I was waking up beside Prince Keith who was still sleeping. Panic, confusion, and a strange flutter of something akin to... excitement? Invaded me, I looked at the time and my eyes widened in a cocktail of emotions I wasn't prepared for, especially not at this hour. Or any hour, really.I practically bolted upright, the silk sheets pooling around me as I tried to piece together the previous night. All I could recall was Prince Keith burning up with a fever, his ramblings, and falling asleep in between, I had tried to stay for a while to care for him but it seems I had fallen asleep along the line, it was something I wasn’t prepared for. Just when I was about to make my way out of his room, with no intention of waking him up or disturbing him, Prince Keith, eyes flickering open, a lazy, disarming smile spreading across his face. It was a boyish grin, the kind that made you forget he was royalty, and ins