𝐷𝐴𝑅𝐾 𝐻𝐸𝐴𝑅𝑇𝑆

viii

        Chapter 8 | silent sufferings |
"Open up"

Walking back to my rooms I was completely and utterly over men by this point. Having to go to the ball in two weeks was one thing, but being told I have to find a suitor was another. I always knew what was going to happen but I always followed my heart and my heart was with Daminion. He's been by my side since we were sixteen, we've loved each other before we knew how to describe the feeling that was brewing inside. For eight years, through thick and thin he's been my lover, companion, and my best friend. He is the only other person I can confide in, it may take him a while to understand but he always comes around and for that, I am forever grateful, I am forever in love with this man. So I have my answer, I will not jeopardize everything that I've built with this man, for someone I don't know all in the name of the council. It will not happen but I will entertain the thought for my kingdom, I know where my loyalty lies and it is with Daminion.

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"So you're telling me, that Rydon is making you find somebody to marry so that there would be a king?'' I love Aariq, I do but I feel like he's deaf, having to repeat everything I previously said over and over again. I feel like I'm talking to a wall. Instead of getting frustrated, I started to pet Dycaryes' black fur as he laid across my lap on the bed with me and Aariq.

"Aariq, yes they want me to marry somebody but I know that the Rydon is just going to use whoever it is as a puppet, and manipulate them into thinking that he has their best interest at heart.'' he thought about making that horrid face he always does when he's thinking. Nose scrunching up and staring off into whatever his crazy mind is showing him.

"I just think that you should just tell the council that you want to marry Daminion. Tell them that you love him.'' yes he's right but that would just be wishful thinking that would be in another universe beyond me.

"I know but it's not that easy, dear friend. I can't just declare my love. This is a job and I take it seriously. If I don't marry someone who has wealth, land, and a title good enough for the council and for the kingdom then that's the man who'll compete with Daminion no matter how bad that sounds, but it's true. No one can compete and so I just won't marry at all. I don't need to say vows to prove my love to Daminion."

He thought about that and as he opened his mouth there was a knock on the door, Daminion. He came over and greeted his best friend, just looking at him, tall and muscled. I needed to look away. But that was short lived as he hooked his fingers underneath my chin and gave me a slow kiss. Before it could get heated Aariq cleared his throat. I internally groaned, joy killer. Daminion pulled away and asked me how I was doing. I knew I had to tell him, he had every right to know but I just looked over to the blond haired boy for help, another thing to add to my list of regrets.

"Tell Adya to you're her queen slaying warrior skills to kill Rydon, the ball is coming up pretty soon.'' oh no Daminions fist clenched until his knuckles were white, jaw twitching.

"You didn't think to tell me?'' And here we go. I shot Aariq a glare thinking that I'd use my 'queen slaying warrior skills' on his head.

"Aariq, can you check on thatcher without being in the nude?'' he lit up at the mention of thatcher, that sweet but I need him to focus on more than a pretty face, but with that, he hugged me and gave the 'im watching you eyes' towards Daminion. I took note of that. When he left, Daminion fired question after question once again. By gods here we go again.

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He played with my curls as we laid in the bed, deep in thought. I knew what he was thinking but I didn't want him to say it. I didn't want him to ask if one day we shall be married. Daminion knows this can not be and this breaks my heart and his. I would never be able to call him my husband, my king. We will never have little warriors of our own. The only way we could is if I kill two of the council members but that would be a conspiracy against the crown, treason and that would lead to my end. I thought about killing Rydon and Kyric so many times, too many times to count, but what good would that do for my kingdom, my people. I would do anything and everything to be with him even if that meant putting myself at risk, but I can not kill them without a probable cause and at the moment I have none.