Zelda’s POVSeeing Alaric walking away without uttering a word pierced my heart, I was longingly expecting to bicker with him, I was even ready to hear him talk about how I shouldn’t be here and blame me for everything.He seemed troubled, and I just wanted to cheer him up, even if it means getting hurt by his words, but he just stood there, and I realized that he wasn’t ready to have a conversation or a fight with me. My heart sank as he suddenly turned and left silently, a part of me wanted to follow him, but I knew he wouldn’t want me to, and I had no plans of annoying him as he seemed to already have a lot on his plate. I stood there wondering what was going through Alaric’s head, but whatever it was must be serious. I took a deep sigh of frustration and decided to stay a bit longer before I headed back into my room, I had a lot to think about and the serenity of this balcony appears to be perfect for a deep thought.I suddenly heard footsteps rushing towards me and I could sen

ALARIC'S POV…I had met Aiden on the way to my room, and I used the opportunity to ask for any progress concerning the kidnappers that almost took our mate from us. From the corner of my eye, I could see Zelda watching us while Aiden and I talked. She seemed curious, but I had no intention of further involving her in this matter. I just had this feeling of impending doom, and putting her at arm's length seems like the best way I can protect her right now. At least until I get a sense of what's actually going on in the palace and the kingdom. There are surely forces in play here, and we needed to find them as soon as possible.After talking to Aiden for a few minutes, I learned two things. One, we really needed to find a way to get reliable information that concerned the palace. And two, the last clue we had, we'd lost.I couldn't bring myself to face Zelda right now, knowing I'd failed her. I was feeling really bitter and dejected. I had played different scenarios in my head, trying t

Zelda’s POV I immediately turned around as I heard Alaric say he will train me, I couldn’t control my excitement as I asked him if he was serious, and he nodded in agreement. He seemed surprised by his agreement to my request, he awkwardly excused himself from the training ground, and I watched him walk away with a smile on my face.I couldn’t believe he agreed to train me because I mentioned Aiden, I just blurted that out and it worked. The fact that he is bothered about me spending time with Aiden, strangely makes me feel happy. I hummed to myself as I walked away, I entered my room with a melody of excitement resonating through every fiber of my being.As I looked ahead to the prospect of spending time with him, a playful dance of butterflies took flight within my stomach, I was nervous and at the same time eager to experience training with Alaric.In this state of excitement, time seemed to stretch and contract as I looked forward to the next day, training hard and becoming str

Zelda's POV.I had really looked forward to training with Alaric, it seemed like my chance to get closer to him and break all the walls he put up because of me. I knew that his influence and power over his emotion was waning, he was becoming much more accommodating. He even sees me for me now.I waited for him for hours in the training ground, my patience growing thin, and anger slowly creeping in. The least he could do was tell me he couldn't make it, and I wouldn't be feeling so disappointed. I decided I was going to confront him today and give him a piece of my mind. There was no reason for him to keep putting up this ruse of hating me. I was going to make him admit that he didn't feel hatred for me anymore, even if that was the last thing I would do.The training gear I had on was beginning to ooze out an offensive odor. “Of course this happens”. I murmured to myself. I had been standing here for the past two hours, with hope and anticipation. Now I just look like a fool. “Argh

Aiden's POV.My eyes were blurry as I saw those boots walking away from me, I was gasping for air as I tried to stay awake.I had become feeble after being shot with this arrow. I felt strange and it took me seconds to realize that this was no ordinary arrow. Whatever it was made of was unusually strong as I wasn't healing as I should. This was disturbing. "What's happening to me..." I mumbled to myself as I felt weakened by whatever was smeared by the arrow.Could it be what I was thinking? No, they wouldn't dare use it on me! If I survive this, I won't stop till I shoot the person with the same arrow. I had also felt a slight pain in my neck too, and I tried to touch it, just so I could know what I was injected with. I knew I could have an idea of what that was if only I could just touch it.But I collapsed, waking up in the palace, with each member of my family, sitting at the dining table. Everyone just went about their business, eating and looking happy. Even Ajax seemed to be