𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter seventy

Emriana 

"I have to thank you, princess," Zeke said, and I smiled.

"Why?" He grinned.

"You saved me from the boring meeting," he whispered, pecking my cheek. We walked toward the inside courtyard, getting curious stares sent our way as we walked hand in hand.

"You don't like meetings?" He shook his head.

"Isn't having endless meetings the main thing a King does?" I asked, and he frowned.

"Yes, I guess," he shrugged.

I was about to ask something else when a high-pitch screech made me turn around. My eyes widened as I saw Dana running toward me. Zeke moved to stand in front of me, but I moved away, dropping his hand as I started running toward her.

"Emriana!" She squealed as she almost jumped on me, making me stumble back as she engulfed me in a bear hug. I laughed, tears spilling down my cheek as I hugged her back. We stayed like that for a long moment until I could barely feel my arms. I pulled away from her, seeing her glossy eyes smiling at me.

"How are you here?" She asked, smoothing the edge of my hair.

"I'm so good, how are you? I missed you so much!" I said as I squeezed her against me. 

"I'm great, what...I mean...how did you get here?" 

"It's a really long story; I'll tell you later," I said, and she shook her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe you're here— I thought you had been kidnapped or something," she said, and I bit the inside of my cheek.

"I'm fine, as you can see," I did a little twirl, and she smiled, pulling me into a hug again.

"I missed you so much. I was so worried," she mumbled against my shoulder, and I patted her back softly.

"I'm okay," She smiled, pulling away.

"We have so much to catch up on. So much has happened since you left. You have no idea," she said, and I grinned.

Her eyes moved over my shoulder, and her smile fell as she quickly dropped her head down in respect.

"Your Highness, forgive me. I didn't see you here," she stuttered, fear lacing her voice. Zeke went to stand behind me, pulling me back into his chest as he looped an arm around my front.

"Zeke, say something," I scolded him, and he chuckled.

"Stand," Dana slowly looked up and froze as she saw his arm around my waist. She took a shaky step back.

"Emri, what's going on?" She said, looking between the two of us. I bit my lips, not even knowing where to start.

"Ummm... I...he's umm...," I mumbled, trying to find the right words, which only seemed to amuse Zeke more. I smacked his shoulder, frowning at him.

"Stop laughing at me. You should be helping me," I said, pulling myself away from him, and he only chuckled more. I huffed, turning to Dana, who looked now more confused than scared.

"Are you two a thing?" She whispered to me, and I slowly nodded. Her eyes widened, looking back at Zeke.

"For real?" She yelled through the hallway, and I shushed her. I could tell she didn't know how to react. She looked so confused.

"Has this been going on the entire time? Why didn't you tell me?" She asked in a hushed voice so only I would hear.

"I'll explain everything to you, I promise. Like I said before, it's a long story," she raised a brow.