~KivaI shift from foot to foot as I allow Ark and all his wrath to examine my weeping arm wound.“Don’t be mad.” I give him a weak smile, swinging my arm around as if to prove that it really isn’t as bad as it probably looks.“You’re injured,” he says slowly.His lack of explosive anger is unsettling. That quiet rage that echoes in his eyes will haunt me, and will be the subject of my attention when facing whatever punishment he subjects me too.“I tried to scale the wall back into my room and fell,” I admit meekly, motioning down to the sorry state of my wet clothing.My pride is wounded the most…and the breath that was knocked from my lungs will be missed, considering how painful it was trying to get some more back.Ark doesn’t say a word, winding his fingers tightly around my uninjured arm before yanking me to follow him.“Woah, where are we going?”“To the infirmary.”I practically dig the tips of my boots into the wooden floor. A hideous scraping sound followed by me nearly trip
(Previously His Desire)~KivaSomething feels different about tonight.I feel like causing trouble.As usual, Ark is on guard tonight outside my door. It’s as if I can feel his physical presence, and no matter how much I toss and turn I can’t get him out of my head.I shove a pillow over my face, groaning. This has to be because of Ark’s torturous rule that I can’t touch myself.It’s not like I think we will have sex…I just want to talk, to have him entertain me for an hour or so.Biting my lower lip, I look around my room for a way to innocently get his attention. It needs to be enough that he will come into my room without asking my permission.Gently, I press my bare feet to the floor and stand, making my way to my dresser.“You’re going to regret this, Kiva,” I murmur to myself as I sift through my drawer for my prettiest night dress.Quietly, I change into a blush pink one. I doubt the colour will impress him much, but it’s faintly sheer nature might.And then, after drawing in a
(Previous His Desire)~KivaI stare down at my notes, unable to concentrate.Father never wanted me to study beyond what he thought was appropriate, but I enjoy it. Learning allows me to imagine a world beyond all this.Faint whispers have me glancing over my shoulder.Three girls stand amongst the shelves of the small library, giggling between themselves. Maids, by the looks of their uniforms, and they don’t know I am here. "There's a lot around here you're going to have to learn,” one of them with vibrant blonde curls whispers, cheeks flushed bright pink as she leans her head close to her brunette friend."Like what?""Like which guys to go for." She says it like it’s obvious, like it’s written by the Angel’s.I shouldn’t even be listening. What business do I have listening to girls get excited over their crushes?"I kind of like the Princesses personal guard,” the brunette one admits sheepishly.The blonde one startles. "No...no, you can't touch Ark.""Why not?" The other complain
~KivaHe’s my mate.I know what that means. And yet in this moment, that reality feels miles away.How could I think of anything other than Ark’s lips pressed against mine, the way his strong body presses me toward the bed?I want him so badly it hurts, and knowing who he really is, who he is truly aligned with only makes this more exhilarating.I’ve been desperate for him for weeks. And finally, he's giving me a piece of himself.With his hands on my hips, he twists me around, pushing me away gently. I stumble back a few steps, watching him sit casually on the bed facing me.My fingers brush against my lips, where his once were. By the raw, burning desire in his eyes, I know he isn't done with me yet.“What are you going to do to me?” I ask breathlessly.My entire body hums with excitement. It tugs at my patience, leaving me to consider whether I should jump on him right now and get to what he and I are both desperate for. I don't want to rush this though. I want to enjoy everything
~KivaI’ve made a decision. One I’m going to regret, but right now it feels right.He’s going to have to admit it. He’s going to have to tell me to my face that he aligns with the rebels and that this entire time he has been lying right to my face.I should be angry about this, and yet I’m so numb I don’t know what to feel.Ark’s stare is unrelenting at training this morning.We don’t speak beyond his usual giving of instructions until I’m doing my cooling down stretches. He leans against the wall , looking down at me. “I shouldn’t have done that to you last night,” he murmurs lowly.I look up at him through my lashes coyly. “Done what?”“You want to make me say it?” He glances toward the gym door, as if someone may materialise to hear it.The problem is, I’m being destructive. And selfish.If I confront Ark, he loses his job - as he should - and I never see him again. The problem is, I want more time with him, to understand what’s going on before he decides to be less stubborn and
~KivaI stare down at my feet, leaning against the frozen tree trunk.I don’t even know if my mate is going to show tonight. There’s no way for me to contact him without revealing what I know, so for the last few nights I’ve stood wistfully out at our usual meeting spot, hoping he may venture out.And sure enough, after five nights, he appears through the trees, advancing on me.I straighten.This is Ark. It has to be."You're here..." I say, heart thundering in my chest. I see Ark everyday, but seeing him with a hood and mask concealing his face, aligned with a group who want me dead is terrifying.He nods, folding his arms over his chest.“You need to take your hood off. I need to see your face," I command.He shakes his head once, like I suspected I would.If he's bothered to dress up in all this shadowy attire, when we both know what is behind the hood, he's not going to take it off now.But why? I look around and cannot see anyone nearby who may be watching on, but perhaps I'm ju
~ToveToday, my father has invited Caspian over.It took a lot to get Ark to back off and give us some time to ourselves for a walk by the river.Ark was not impressed.First he insisted Caspian wasn’t capable of protecting me if someone attacked while we were on the border of the estate. Then he shifted his argument to saying Caspian cannot be trusted to be kind to me if he decides to make a move.Regardless, he hasn’t gotten his way, and has remained at the manor while Caspian and I walk together.“You intrigue me, Kiva,” he says after a few minutes of silence.My head turns. “Really? Why?”“I’ve met many Princesses, and yet none are like you.” He keeps his hands politely clasped behind his back, although I get the feeling he is itching to hold my hand. I refrain from giggling. That feels like what most men say when seducing a woman.“Is this because I tried to draw you into my bed upon meeting you?” I ask. It’s easy to joke about it. If I don’t, I’ll be raked with embarrassment.C
~KivaLeaning my head back, I let out a long, slow breath.It has been an awfully long day of following Caspian around while he shows off the manor and tells me all about the history of it. It's been a nice distraction, especially with Ark being told to keep away.When he isn't there it's easier not to be reminded that he's my mate and I'm going to marry another man.Sinking a little deeper into the bath, I let the hot water soothe my concerns.Caspian and I have agreed to wed in a few weeks. It's sooner than I would like, but the less time I have to overthink this all, the better.A firm knock sounds as the door, quickly followed by it opening.I don't even bother to turn and look through the gap in the bathroom door. I already figure it's Ark. Caspian wouldn't dare come into my room without waiting for me to open it.“Kiva?” Ark calls out, sounding tense as he scans my room, realising I'm not in there.“I’m in the bath," I call out, drawing my hands through the bubbles. I knew he wo