Chapter eighteen #2
“Oh, come on! You could easily beat Lito in a battle, Noor. You’re one of the most powerful females in this town.
You’ve even knocked Fynn down a few times.
You know we’re stronger than the males say we are.
Change isn’t a bad thing. Why shouldn’t we be allowed to protect ourselves?
Imagine the army we would have if the females trained, too. ”
“You’re talking treason, Alora. It doesn’t matter what we think.
Zohar is the king and your father. We can not go against his wishes.
Holy Ether might smite us and take away our powers.
Or worse, our lives. You have to fall in line.
Why can’t you spend some time with Xavier, get to know him. You might be surprised.”
“That’s your advice? To be a good princess and allow my father to control my life?” Anger filled my body. After all this time, Noor didn’t understand the pressure I was under. She might be happy giving herself to Lito, allowing him to control her, but that wasn’t going to be the life for me.
I would run away with Darce if bonding with Xavier was my only option. I would never willingly allow Xavier to have me.
“Alora, you carry the Dylin bloodline. If anything happens to Zohar, the power of the light will flow through you. Are you saying you would give that up? Without a pure bloodline, our race could be destroyed. Descendants are never as strong as a pure heir. You know this! Is that what you wish for our race? To be ruled by a descendant if your father was killed? Your loyalty used to be to your kind. When did you become so selfish? I hardly recognise you these days.” Of course I knew what happened if I rejected the light power if my father was destroyed or he gave up his life.
The power would flow to the next strongest bloodline, a descendant that has some royal blood in them.
It could be a bastard son or daughter of Zohar, or a distant relative.
Without the pure bloodline, the light would be weakened, though.
The descendant would only be granted the power they could control.
“You can’t see it from my perspective at all, can you?” Tears formed in my eyes. “Giving myself to Xavier would destroy me. Is that what you want for me? Am I not allowed my own choice? I could rule this kingdom better alone.”
“He’s the general of the Dylin army. Do you have any idea how many females wish they could bond with him?” Noor didn’t know Xavier like I did. All the unwanted advances, how he was always trying to touch me like I was his possession.
“They are all welcome to him!”
“Where is the harm in getting to know him if you tell him you want to take things slow? It will give you more time. The more you push him away, the more he’ll chase you, Alora.
” She had a fair point, but the thought of spending time with Xavier made my skin crawl.
“I’m trying to help you. All this rebelling isn’t getting you anywhere. ”
“Is this what you, Nell, and Luz talk about when I’m not with you?”
“We’re all concerned for you. I don’t know what they would think of your battle training.
” Giving her a stone cold glare, she held her hand up to me.
“I’m not going to tell them. Your secret is safe with me.
” Loki jumped out of the waterfall, shaking his fur at Noor and me.
“LOKI!” Noor giggled as the droplets of water fell on her.
“Bad dryad!” He tilted his head but shook his fur again.
Keeping Darce a secret was the key. As long as Noor believed I was safe, I could continue with my training and become the warrior I was destined to be.
Xavier was a problem for another day, though I hated to admit that Noor was right. If I wanted to get him on side with me, I had to give the impression that I might be interested one day. If he thought I was saving myself for his touch, he might back off.
****
WALKING THE GARDENS, I tried to force a smile on my face. Xavier and I had spent the afternoon together.
“I have to say, Alora, I adore this sudden change of heart.” Touching the lower part of my back, he led me through the white rose bushes. They were in full bloom.
“I need to accept my responsibilities,” I lied, motioning for Enyo and Loki to come to my side. “Thank you for a wonderful outing.”
“Am I not allowed to kiss you goodbye?” Enyo snarled quietly, getting in between us. “Your mutts will need to learn to like me once we are bonded.”
“They are a little overprotective.”
“I’ve noticed,” he chuckled, licking his lips as he studied my body. “Perhaps you should leave them in your chamber next time so I can get my hands on you properly.”
“Xavier, I don’t want to rush the physical side. I want to really get to know you first. That way, when we do get...physical, it will be more intense.”
“You’ve already made me wait a long time, Alora.” When he took a step towards me, Loki snarled and lashed out at him.
“Once we’re bonded, you’ll have forever. Please, Xavier. I don’t want to rush this. It needs to be perfect.”
“I can’t deny you anything. You’re mine even if I haven’t touched you yet.”
“Exactly.”
“How much time do you need?”
“I’m not sure. I still need room to grow. I’ve been power training with Noor and Luz. It’s helping.”
“Is that why your hands glowed last month?”
“Yes. It’s a very basic power, but something is fighting within me.”
“Take all the time you need. That will one day be our power. I will not do anything to jeopardise that.”
Reaching out, I touched his hand. The simple gesture made his eyes widen. “Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m quite tired. I’m going to retire to my chamber.”
“I’m looking forward to the day I can join you in there, Princess.” Forcing a blush, I shied away, pretending to be flustered. “Sweet dreams, Alora. I’ll call on you again next month.”
“I would like that,” I beamed. “Blessings be with you, General.” With that, I turned on my heels and headed back to my chamber.
Noor had been right. Keeping him on side was much easier if I pretended that I liked him. I might not need to knee him in the bollocks after all.
Time would tell.