INICIAR SESIÓNThe afternoon sun hung low above the palace walls, painting the stone corridors in warm shades of gold.Adriana followed closely behind Tari as they crossed one courtyard after another."So..." Tari glanced over her shoulder with a teasing smile. "This friend of yours must be important."Adriana smiled faintly. "She is.""You've only been separated for a day.""It feels much longer."Tari's smile softened. "I understand."They walked in silence until they reached the servants' quarters.Tari stopped before a narrow passage hidden behind rows of stacked barrels."The kitchens are beyond that wall," She whispered. "The slave quarters are on the other side. We shouldn't be here."Adriana looked around cautiously. "No one comes here often?""Not unless they're delivering supplies." She replied quietly.Tari hesitated before grabbing Adriana's wrist."You only have a few minutes. If anyone asks, I was never here.""I won't forget this."Tari nodded. "I'll wait here."Adriana slipped into t
The royal aide took the last scroll Kallias had signed and placed it among the others.Kallias let out a deep breath and cracked his stiff fingers and then he got up.“What day of the month is it, royal aide?”The royal aide's eyes twitched in confusion but he replied anyway.“The Scarlet, that is two days to the end of the month.” It was when he uttered it himself that he knew what the King meant.Kallias nodded. “Good, I have given them enough time.” He came around the desk and went towards the door. The royal aide immediately went after him and walked behind him.“Is Your Majesty perhaps talking about the royal physicians?”Kallias nodded once and continued walking.The royal aide twisted his fingers and hurried after the King.He didn't have enough time to warn Brad.They got to the physicians' quarters in no time and no one was around to meet them like the last time.When they got to the door leading to the physicians' conservatory, the royal aide announced the King's presence.
The sound of the cock's crowing and the chirping of the birds, marked the beginning of a new day.Adriana stirred on the bed but her eyes were wide open and heavy. She had barely slept through the night.She had tried to find sleep but it hadn't been forthcoming and it worsened when she heard footsteps striding in the hallway behind the hidden door and the sound of a door being opened and closed.She had known it was the King's and he was settling for the night. But what made her situation worse, was the heat that came from the thought of him being nearby.She had heard the first crowing of the cock and tried to force sleep but the second crow had come an hour later, announcing dawn.She slowly got up and stretched her stiff limbs, then went out and headed to the bathtub.She met Annie and some royal slaves already there and her eyes searched around for Tari.“Beautiful one.” Annie's hysterical voice sounded from a corner and Adriana bowed slightly.“Good morning.”“Morning, morning,
Tari was already waiting when Adriana walked down the hallway of the King's court and when she saw Adriana, she ran up to her.“Adriana, where were you? I have been searching around for you but no one knew where you were. I'm sorry for leaving you that way.” Tari’s face was filled with worry.“Don't be sorry. You were summoned and had no choice.”Tari took hold of her hands. “Where have you been?”“Around the palace grounds…” Adriana stopped for a bit before asking. “Is there a narrow path leading from the Moon Solar?”Tari's brows knitted together. “Narrow path?”“Yeah.” Adriana nodded. “Is there any?”Tari didn't think twice before shaking her head. “None that I can remember. There is no narrow path or any path leading from the Moon Solar. I was even about to take you back to another place before I was called upon.”Adriana paused and stared at her.“What's wrong?” Tari asked her.Adriana thought about telling her what she had seen some hours ago but decided to hold her tongue. She
Adriana saw the look in the King's eyes and the heat burned in her.Excitement was building up inside her but she struggled for control.But it was difficult especially with the way the King was staring at her.He was too close and he had ordered her to stand still so she couldn't shift away.The proximity was getting to her and she tried to steady her breathing.She saw his hand coming up but it stopped and a frown appeared on his face.The King took a step back and then another until he was a few feet from her and Adriana released the breath she didn't know she was withholding.“I'm not sure if you are lost as you claim but you shouldn't be walking into unknown places or even places that don't exist.” Kallias' voice was clipped and Adriana bit her tongue trying hard not to argue.“Let's go.” Kallias turned and started walking away.Adriana glanced back once and then followed right after him.They got out of the bushes and Adriana sighed in relief.She had been worried when she hadn'
Kallias raised his sword up and was about to give Rad the third strike that would make him the winner but he suddenly felt a presence.It was so strong that it made him stop, his hand freezing in the air.He barely felt the prickle of Rad’s sword, his eyes snapping to the entrance of the field.He wanted to ignore the presence he felt and wanted to continue the duel with Rad but he found his body moving against his will.“Your Majesty, what's wrong?” He heard Rad’s worried tone but he couldn't reply. It was like all his being was channeled to the connection he felt drawing him to that presence.Kallias reached the entrance but saw no one. His frown deepened and he walked further.He didn't know where he was going but his body kept moving till he came to a path hidden between tall grass and he stopped.This was an abandoned part of the palace and no one had come over here for ages. Kallias felt the presence getting stronger as he stood before the path. He glanced around and back at th
Adriana knocked on Marcus’s room holding a food tray and the door opened.Marcus came out and smiled at her.“I'm here with your lunch tray, Your highness,” Adriana announced but a small smile graced her lips.“Come in.” He widened the door and Adriana's eyes darted around before she stepped inside
Kallias clasped his hands behind his back as he walked towards the physician's quarters. His royal aide was right behind him.He turned a corner but suddenly he went still, his body stiff and alert. He didn't know what happened but he could feel all his senses sharpened.His dragon snarled from wit
Adriana hesitated before taking a bite of the chicken leg she had dreamt of eating.She almost wept for joy as the meat melted in her mouth. This was heaven. This was paradise.She felt eyes on her and saw Marcus staring at her. He hadn't touched any of the meal and he was smiling at her.Adriana g
Footsteps echoed on the marble floor as people bustled around with trays of food, drinks, and flowers. The air was misty with the scent of the delicious food being prepared and mingling with the flowers hung on the walls.A woman with grey hair tied into a tight bun barked out orders and tapped her







