Love & Thieves (Book 2) ✓

𝓒𝓱.23 ~ 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮'𝓼 𝓑𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓭𝓪𝔂

Marigold knew her father would not be happy or pleased with the cancellation of the wedding, but it was the right thing to do. She could not marry Alexander if he loved another woman, putting the Prince through an unwanted wedding and a lifetime of torture being married. She loved Alexander, but she knew it was time to let him go. Her father erupted with anger as well as the Queen, but King Vincent was understanding being a believer of his past belief.

"Alexander should marry who his heart desires! Not be forced into marriage. Let him choose his Queen." The King declared, silencing any further disputes of disagreements from Lord Darius or Queen Margery.

Marigold expected her father to explode at her when they were in the hallway outside the Throne Room but the man left her standing alone, not knowing what was to happen to her after she failed...

Now she stood amongst the crowd of people in the Main Hall, drinking honey wine and observing the party from the sideline. Usually she would be dancing and enjoying herself but tonight she didn't feel like dancing with a broken heart. Alexander was across the other side of the room, greeting guests and accepting birthday wishes and gifts.

The Prince planned to pursue after Jezamine and announce his love for her. Marigold was happy for him. She would not become Queen like her father had hoped but at least the Prince would be truly happy with Lady Jezamine by his side.

After tonight, Marigold assumed she would find out her fate when her father finally erupted and showed his emotions later on. She prayed the man wasn't serious about his threat to throw her on the streets to live...

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The Main Hall was packed with more people than Kaleb could ever imagine, making it hard to keep watch over the crowd. How was he supposed to see Jezamine when he could barely make out anybody in the room?

The only people who stood out were the Royal Family and Lady Marigold, the woman standing alone on the edge of the crowd, not being herself. Kaleb wondered why she wasn't eager to dance like she was at the Grand Ball? Her usual glow was dimmed by the sad look upon her beautiful face.

He kept searching the entryway and crowd for any signs of Jezamine, wondering where she was. The feast was about to begin any moment and the King's speech would be shortly afterwards. They needed to be out of there before the crown was brought out and given to the Prince.

Kaleb was distracted in his search when a Royal Healer stood directly in front of him, blocking his view of the room.

"Excuse me ma'am, could you move out of the way please." Kaleb asked politely but the woman didn't move a muscle.

"Where is Jezamine?" The woman asked with urgency to her voice.

"I don't know where Lady Jezamine is miss..." Kaleb didn't know who the healer was or what she wanted with Jezamine but he needed her to move.

"Cut the crap!" She removed her hood and looked up at him. "Where the hell is my daughter!?"

Daughter?

It couldn't be...could it?

When Kaleb finally found his voice, he spoke the name that was forbidden to be spoken within the Guild. A name that came with severe punishment if ever mentioned. A name that hasn't been said in years.

"Arianna?"

Kaleb stared dumbfounded at the woman before him, who was an exact image of the painting at the Guild. But instead of being dead like Caine claimed her to be, Arianna stood in front of him alive and looking anxious.