Fated

Chapter 25

I took my time getting ready, needing the space to process the melee of emotions in me. First, there’d been that damn spider, and then Ash—the way he’d kissed me, stirring something inside me that I’d never felt before. In that moment, I had been so sure of everything. But then came the sting of his rejection, followed by his beautiful words of adoration and those wicked confessions.

I’d play his game.

Let him show me his life, his world. And tonight, I’d give my answer.

Ash and I shared a connection I didn’t completely understand, but it ran deep—deeper than anything I’d ever experienced.

Being with him felt like a missing piece of my soul snapping into place. I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it anymore—I didn’t want to imagine such a life.

Madam Pearl’s words echoed in my mind, how she had explained that sometimes, the divine were fated to one another, that they were like two halves of one soul, destined to be together and drawn to each other. She had said it was rare, but I’d been drawn to Ash since meeting him.

Even now, I could feel the invisible rope tugging at me, pulling me toward him—but that was the compulsion, wasn’t it?

Still, I had no doubt that even without the compulsion, I truly loved him. Despite not having known him very long, I couldn’t explain it, but he made me feel complete, whole.

Just thinking about him sent butterflies loose in my stomach and pulled my lips into a smile.

I took a deep breath. I had avoided thinking too much about that piece of magic—Ash’s compulsion. That piece of magic that had pushed me toward him so powerfully from day one.

I’d been selfish, using its power like a drug, seeking comfort in it.

But now, the question was beginning to weigh on my mind.

How much power did it actually hold over me? Could I really just ignore it, pretend it wasn’t there? Was it really hurting anyone? Or did I owe it to Ash to be honest with him? Unease settled in the pit of my stomach, the weight of the secret growing heavier with each passing moment.

I was almost certain Ash didn’t even remember what he’d done, the compulsion he’d used on me that first day. The thought haunted me, lingering at the edges of my mind. I wanted to push it away, to ignore it. I loved Ash and nothing could convince me otherwise.

But deep down, I knew I needed to ask him to break the compulsion. Soon, he would leave for Astern. How could I bear having that much space between us when I could hardly stand being in another room from him right now?

And I didn’t want there to be any secrets between us.

No, I wanted what we had to be real, untouched by any magic or spell. If I didn’t face this now, I’d always wonder and always question the depth of our connection.

The idea of living with that doubt scared me more than confronting him about it.

But I couldn’t shake the worry about how Ash would react when he found out I’d been keeping this from him. Would he be upset that I hadn’t brought it up sooner? Would he question my true feelings for him? The thoughts made my stomach twist into nervous knots.

I had no choice—I needed to be honest with him, to ask him to break the hold his magic had over me. It had to be done today—now, before I lost the nerve.

This wasn’t something I could run from any longer.

I looked myself over in the mirror, adjusting the cream-colored cotton shirt and pants, the nicest thing I owned. I slipped the bracelets out of the small gift box onto my wrist, their familiar weight comforting me. After a quick touch of lip gloss, I stuffed my things back into the bag, ready to face whatever came next; at least that was what I was telling myself.

Opening the door, I found Ash sitting on the edge of the bed, smiling at me, the sight of it warming my insides. I smiled back at him before sitting down next to him.

“Hey, I want to talk to you about something,” I began, taking a deep breath, my nerves threatening to overwhelm me.

“Sure,” he replied, but a second later, his head snapped toward the door, his entire demeanor changing.

“What is it?”

“Someone is here,” he said, his tone calm but alert. I honed my hearing in, focusing on the sounds around us—footsteps, multiple sets. I looked at Ash, searching for any hint of alarm, but his face remained steady, almost unconcerned.

“We’ll finish this conversation later,” he said, standing and pulling me to his side. “Areya, meet my brother—”

Before he could finish, the door exploded in front of us, shards of wood flying in every direction. Ash reacted instantly, turning to shield me with his body as tiny splinters sprayed across the room. I clung to him, my heart pounding in my chest, as the dust slowly settled around us.

Standing in the doorway was a tall man, dressed in some type of military uniform with a gun strapped to his side. He looked a little like Ash, but not quite. They shared the same black hair, though his was cut short, cropped close to his head.

His face was fuller, giving him a more solid appearance and he was handsome but lacked Ash’s ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty.

“Shit, Xanth, I already have to replace the two doors downstairs.”

The man—Xanth, apparently—stood frozen, his face pale with shock. He opened and closed his mouth several times as if all his available words had escaped him.

“Sebastian?” Xanth finally managed, disbelief evident in his voice.

“Xanth,” Ash responded, a smile breaking across his face.

In an instant, Xanth holstered his gun and crossed the room, wrapping his arms around Ash in a tight hug which Ash returned, clapping his brother on the back. “Good to see you, brother.”

Xanth pulled back, his eyes wide, voice trembling.

“What the hell, Sebastian? How are you even here? We thought you were dead.” His face was wet with tears, which he quickly wiped away.

Ash patted him affectionately on the back.

“Xanth, meet Areya. Areya, my brother, Xanth. Areya saved my life. She broke the curse on me. It’s a long story, but I’ll fill you in at home.”

Home. The word hit unexpectedly, filling me with joy for Ash. He was finally going home.

Before I could process it, Xanth stepped in front of me, his expression filled with gratitude. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground.

“Thank you for saving my brother, Areya.”

I chuckled, surprised by the sudden embrace.

“Shit, Areya,” Ash teased. “You got Xanth emotional. Not something you see every day.”

Xanth sat me back down and I smiled up at him, still a little flustered.

“Greyson, Shae, I can hear you two breathing out there,” Ash called toward the door with a grin.

There was a brief shuffle of feet, and another man entered, light brown hair tousled and a wide grin on his face. He too wore a military uniform, but his messy hair and relaxed demeanor reminded me more of Ash. He was strikingly handsome, his features strong and masculine.

Right behind him, a woman followed, stunningly beautiful, with flawless glowing skin and perfect chocolate curls. Her high cheekbones, pouty lips, and airbrushed complexion radiated an effortless model-like beauty, making a pang of envy twist in my stomach.

Greyson walked straight up to Ash, clapping him on the shoulder before pulling him into a hug. “Shit, man, I can’t believe you’re really here.”

“Same, Greyson,” Ash replied, grinning.

Greyson turned to me, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Areya.”

I took his hand. “Nice to meet you as well, Greyson.”

Shae stood behind Greyson, waiting her turn. When Greyson stepped aside, she locked eyes with Ash, and a wide excited grin spread across her face. Without hesitation, she ran toward him, squealing his name before throwing her arms around his neck. She pressed herself against him, burying her face in his chest with a familiarity that made my heart sink.

I looked down, fumbling with the bracelets on my wrist, my chest tightening as I watched how comfortable Shae was with him. Was this the reason Ash couldn’t move forward with me?

A wave of nausea hit me, fighting back the irrational jealousy rising inside.

But just as quickly, Ash gave her a swift hug, then stepped away, stepping back to my side. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his side as if to make it undeniably clear—to her and everyone else—that I was his. Or maybe, just maybe, it was the other way around.

A rush of warmth flooded through me as the jealousy melted away, replaced with the undeniable comfort of his touch.

“She’s Reize’s friend. We dated briefly in the past, but I never felt anything for her, so I ended it.” Ash spoke in my mind. I looked up to him and gave an appreciative smile before glancing back at Shae. Her eyes were on me, studying me with a quiet curiosity.

“ I’m Shae,” she said. “Thank you for bringing my king home.”

She bowed her head slightly before stepping to the side.

I offered a polite smile in return, though something about her still made me uneasy.

Xanth, meanwhile, was still staring at Ash as if he couldn’t fully believe his brother was standing there, alive, and well.

“We need to get you to the castle, Sebastian,” Xanth said, breaking the moment. “Without anyone seeing you. We need to call a meeting and fill each other in on the last sixteen years. Word can’t get out that you are back until we are ready.”

“Why can’t people know Ash is back?” I asked Xanth.

“The entire kingdom is aware of the curse and the threat of Agidius. People may panic if Ash is seen alive and well without knowing the rest of the story,” Xanth explained. “The people of Ambrosia have been trapped here for the last sixteen years, many separated from family in the other two kingdoms, or visitors from elsewhere who were forced to remain when the curse hit.”

A weight settled on my chest, thinking about all the people who had been separated from their loved ones, trapped in a limbo of uncertainty. The reality of the situation hit me harder than expected. People here had been waiting for answers too, for freedom.

Xanth’s voice lowered as he hesitated, his next word almost a whisper. “Reize?”

“She’s alive,” Ash said.

“And Calyx?”

“Also alive.”

Xanth nodded, his expression caught between relief and sorrow.

“How did you find us anyway?” Ash asked, curiosity flickering across his face.

“Tessa notified me when she detected a breach in the wards over the river, so I grabbed Greyson and Shae to investigate. We felt a surge of power coming from the docks, so we’ve been searching the boats for the intruder. Then we found the doors downstairs blasted to hell, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what we were walking into.”

Ash glanced over at the remains of the bedroom door.

“Seems like the gift of disintegrating doors runs in the family,” I said shyly, the awkward joke escaping before I could stop it.

Xanth and Greyson both laughed, Ash smiling at me.

Shae however, stood quietly to the side, her expression unreadable.

“We’ve got a charger parked on the other side of the docks,” Xanth said, glancing at Greyson.

“Shae, let’s go ahead and make sure it’s clear to bring out Sebastian and Areya,” Greyson ordered.

Greyson and Shae left the room, leaving me alone with Ash and Xanth.

“I didn’t take up the crown,” Xanth said suddenly, his voice raw with emotion as he turned to face Ash. “I couldn’t do it. I ensured things ran smoothly while you were gone, but couldn’t … Well, I wouldn’t have been a true king without the heir power, but mostly, I just couldn’t accept you were gone.”

Ash gave Xanth a sad smile. “We have a lot to catch up on. Let’s head out.”

Ash slung our bags over his shoulder, then reached for my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. Xanth’s eyes flickered to our joined hands for a brief moment before he nodded and turned, leading us outside.

***

Whatever I’d been expecting when Xanth mentioned the charger, it certainly wasn’t this.

Standing in front of me was a sleek, shiny black container resembling some sort of futuristic vehicle, but no wheels in sight. My eyes widened as Xanth placed his palm against its side, and a seamless door appeared, sliding open smoothly.

Ash led me inside, revealing five rows of four seats, all in front of a single driver’s seat situated in front of a large computer screen.

The windows around the vehicle were tinted so dark that I hadn’t even realized they were there until I stepped inside. Xanth took the driver’s seat, while Greyson and Shae settled into the second row.

Ash guided me to the front row, where we sat side by side.

He reached around me, searching for my seatbelt straps.

“I thought we were too cool for seatbelts,” I teased him.

“Trust me, Areya, this isn’t an ordinary vehicle.” His words sent a ripple of anxiety through me. I had a feeling that whatever he meant, I wasn’t going to like it. The fact that he buckled his own seatbelt right after securing mine greatly heightened my anxiety.

Xanth pressed a button on the dashboard and the door slid shut with a soft hiss.

“Take us to the castle, Willow,” Xanth said, addressing no one in particular. I glanced at Ash, but he didn’t seem at all perplexed by his brother’s peculiar command.

“ Starting route to Luminara Castle in Luminessa, Ambrosia ,” a slightly robotic female voice responded, echoing throughout the vehicle. A faint hum vibrated beneath us as the charger powered up. I stared out the window, waiting for the vehicle to move forward, only to feel my stomach lurch upon realizing we weren’t moving forward at all.

We were rising straight off the ground.

My head snapped to Ash, my eyes wide with panic as we continued to rise higher and higher. He simply smiled, took my hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

The ground became smaller and smaller beneath us, the boats shrinking into tiny specks far below. My heart pounded as I tried to steady my breathing, acutely aware we were getting higher by the second. Finally, I had seen enough, tearing my gaze away from the window. After what felt like an eternity, the charger finally stopped ascending, hovering in place high above the ground.

I dared to peek out again, but the sheer height sent waves of terror through me.

We were thousands of feet in the air, suspended in some giant metal contraption.

I turned to Ash, purposely revealing to him the panic in my eyes, my throat tightening as I struggled to catch my breath. Ash immediately understood—the way he always did.

Without hesitation, he wrapped his arm around me and spoke in that calm reassuring tone that somehow made everything feel manageable.

“Breathe, Areya—you’re safe. I’m here with you and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Slowly, the air returned to my lungs, my breath coming more evenly.

I focused on his words as much as possible. “Look at my eyes,” Ash said, squeezing my shoulders just as the charger lurched forward at an alarming speed.

Startled, I buried my face in his chest, focusing on the steady beat of his heart.

With every thump, my own frantic heartbeat began slowing, the panic ebbing away as I let his presence soothe me. I could have sworn a quiet snort came from Shae, but I chose to ignore it, keeping my focus on Ash.

“The worst is over. It’s smooth sailing from here,” he whispered in my ear before kissing my forehead.

I hesitantly lifted my head, noticing Xanth’s swiveling chair facing us; he was absentmindedly looking out the window. “No one is driving,” I whispered to Ash.

“No one needs to drive,” Ash countered, not at all worried. “All vehicles in Ambrosia are connected to one main server. The passenger tells the vehicle where to go and the central network guides them to their destination. The system works flawlessly, and there hasn’t been a single accident since it was implemented.”

“Do all of your people use flying vehicles?”

My initial panic was fading as curiosity took over.

There was a discernible pride in Ash’s voice as he explained the technology of his kingdom, and it only made me want to ask more questions.

“Yes, but only emergency and royal vehicles use the airspace at this height. Everyone else stays much closer to the ground.”

“What if you leave Ambrosia?” I asked, fascinated by how advanced this world seemed.

“You can activate the manual controls for air or ground travel. I’ve tried to convince the other kingdoms to adopt my system, but they aren’t as enthusiastic about technology as we are. With this system implemented worldwide, anyone could travel right across the world—to Titan, for example—in just a few hours.”

I finally mustered the courage to peek out of my window, and the sight below took my breath away. The land was vibrant, a patchwork of stunning colors, beyond beautiful.

We had just flown over dense lush forests stretching endlessly, giving way to rolling hills dotted with shimmering blue lakes and rivers that snaked their way through the landscape.

As we approached a more populated area, tiny neighborhoods came into view, nestled in the landscape like well-placed gems. Ash’s eyes were set on me as I took it all in, a mix of pride and amusement radiating from him as he drank in my awe at the beauty of his world.

“Willow, drop to cruising altitude,” he commanded.

Xanth raised an eyebrow, glancing between Ash and me, but then he went back to staring through his own window. The charger slowed and began its descent, lowering us enough that I could make out more details—the homes, the neighborhoods. But these weren’t houses like those in my world. They were sleek, modern, with bold angles or biomorphic curves.

Most had massive open windows, all of them made from the same stark white stone.

“The houses are carved from silk stone,” Ash explained quietly in my ear. “The material absorbs energy from the sun naturally, which is then converted into electricity for the home.”

I marveled at the ingenuity, my eyes trailing over the landscape until Ash pointed toward the large window in the front of the charger.

“And ahead, there, that’s home. The city of Luminessa.”

My gaze followed his gesture, and my mouth fell open.

Rising before us was the most magnificent city I had ever seen. Towering silver skyscrapers and sparkling crystal-like buildings lined the horizon, their glinting surfaces catching the light.

The streets below were lined with gleaming white stone shops, but what struck me most was the calm—there were no noisy cars or buses, no traffic at all. The streets were full of people walking leisurely, their laughter and chatter visible from on high.

Above the city, flying vehicles of all shapes and colors moved seamlessly through the sky, creating a mesmerizing dance of color and motion. Amidst the buildings, parks—filled with vibrant flowers, tall trees, fields of green, and glistening clear streams—scattered the landscape.

“I’ve seen this city before!” I beamed, turning to Ash with excitement. “In your memories.” Ash gave me a pleased smile while Xanth shot me a somewhat confused look.

As our destination came into view, I gasped in awe. All of the remarkable sights of the city so far paled in comparison to the breathtaking view ahead.

My hand instinctively went to my throat as I took in the castle before me. It was carved from white stone too, its massive glass windows reflecting the light, while the spires were so delicately crafted, the entire structure seemed as though it had been sculpted from ice.

“Oh, my God!” I exclaimed, much louder than intended.

Xanth and Greyson chuckled at my obvious awe, and I couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear as I turned to Ash. “Ash … this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Not even the places I’ve read about in my most cherished books compare to this.”

Ash’s smile never wavered, his eyes shining with affection.

He leaned in, his voice low in my ear. “Watching you take in my city with those dazzling eyes of yours … eyes that see all of the magic and wonder the world has to offer … I think this will forever be one of my favorite memories.”

He kissed my forehead, making me blush, acutely aware of everyone’s eyes on me.

“Take us to the west entrance, Willow,” Xanth ordered.

The charger descended even farther, then shifted direction as it circled around the side of the castle. For a moment, it seemed as though we were heading straight into the stone walls, but at the last second, a hidden door slid open. The charger glided inside, landing smoothly and the door slid shut behind us.

Something shifted in Ash ever so slightly, a calm authority settling over him.

His voice took on a commanding tone when he spoke.

“Xanth, we’ll use the western drawing room; it is closest and the least conspicuous. I need you, Greyson, and Shae. Also, send for Tessa and Mom. Post a group of guards at the door and tell them no one enters or leaves that room without your permission. Is Humphrey still at the castle?”

Xanth nodded.

“Good, send for him and one of Reize’s ladies to start preparing my room for Areya and me.”

Xanth bowed his head in understanding and left the charger, followed closely by Greyson and Shae. Only Ash and I remained inside the ship in the quiet stillness of the empty castle garage.

Ash turned to me, his voice low. “Are you holding up ok?”

He unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me right onto his lap. His arms wrapped securely around my waist, while mine found their way to the back of his neck. The heat of our bodies pressing together sent an awareness through me, one I had to work hard to push away.

“Me? I’m … I’m fantastic! I don’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t this. Your home is breathtaking, Ash. It’s magical .”

He gave me an affectionate smile, his gaze lingering on my face. “God, I love you, Areya.”

A shy smile crept across my lips. “I love you too, Ash.”

“Areya, we’re going to need to explain everything we’ve been through and everything we’ve learned. Everyone in that room, I trust with my life. But if anything becomes too intense or you feel uncomfortable, one of Reize’s ladies can take you to my room.”

“I can handle this, Ash. Besides, it’s you and me together, right?” I looked into his eyes, and he studied my face as though memorizing every detail.

“I never knew what I was missing, not having you by my side,” he said.

I couldn’t help but grin, feeling light and warm inside.

He leaned into me, his hand resting on my cheek, and kissed me.

My knees felt weak, my heart fluttering away. The kiss was slow, deep and sensual, each moment like a silent promise. I could feel him pouring his love into every movement, as if he was worshipping me with his lips. The kiss made me feel cherished, as if he were telling me without words that I wasn’t alone, that we were in this together.

We stayed there a moment, lost in each other, knowing that whatever came next, we would face it together.