Destiny Rewritten

Chapter 13

The fireplace crackled loudly sending embers to hit the floor.

Relief flooded over me as I realized that Alissa and I were on good terms. A smile formed across my face.

"Oh it was honestly something out of a movie Alissa" I told her. Giddy with excitement like a schoolgirl.

She sat there attentively hanging onto my every word as I told her how my day went from waking up to the date and romantic horse ride back.

Alissa gave me a soft smile and took my hands. "Arc, you know I love you more than anyone and the last thing I want to do is to see you hurt. Don't you think this is a bit too fast?"

A moment of silence had followed, and I thought to myself was this too quick? Was I in over my head with this? Was it wrong and I'm kidding myself? The thought of getting hurt again hit me like a ton of bricks. In that instant a warmth wave of security spread just as quick. My mind engulfed by Tristan and our kiss that we shared and what he told me.

"No. Not at all." I told her.

She continued to sit taking in what I've told her. I could understand her hesitation. My whole life I had never been so deadest on anything let alone someone.

"Tristan just feels right. Its indescribable. Not to rant on like a lovestruck idiot, but the connection we've built recently is strong. I don't doubt he doesn't feel what I feel." I told her.

"I'm happy for you Arcadia really." She said.

"I appreciate it" I told her. Her approval meant a lot to me. Alissa and I were close, she was the sister that I never had.

We had talked for a bit more before she excused herself to sleep. The feeling of exhaustion had not hit me yet. I walked to the garden and gazed at the stars. My mind was consumed by the fear that hit me earlier that day. The weight of my situation and responsibility chilled my veins. I gazed at Orion constellation. I felt incredibly small in that moment. Right then I realized that I had stopped breathing for a quick second as anxiety crept. I looked to the constellations that shined up again once more and thought of what constellations my own parents gazed at. Right then I felt I had a purpose. I wasn't going to let time pass by as I sat around waiting to be told what to do. I made a promise that I'd do what I could to them. We'd one day stare at the same constellations together. I was not going to succumb to this feeling of fear, the anxiety and my own negativity.

"Arcadia" he said.

I turned around and was surprised to see Tristan standing there.

"I figured that you would be here near the fountain. Can't sleep?" He asked.

"Not at first, but I think I'll be okay." I told him. We sat next to one another and he joined me as I stared at the stars above.

"It's going to be okay. I promise you." He said grabbing my hand gently.

I looked into those beautiful gray eyes. "I know it will." I said.

The next morning at breakfast time I decided to take control for once instead of sitting around waiting for change.

"I'm requesting an audience with the order." I said.

Ana's eyes stared at me with shock and bewilderment.

"I don't believe that they're prepared at this very moment Princess."

"Well let them know that I am requesting an immediate audience and expect to see them by the end of the day."

Tristan cracked a small smirk.

"I will share it with them." She said quietly and proceeded to excuse herself.

"I'm not going to wait around anymore" I said to Tristan.

He shook his head with his hands up "I don't blame you" he said.

"Can we talk for a quick second?" Alissa asks.

"Of course." I quickly look at Tristan who leaves the room, excusing himself.

Alone in the dining room she proceeds to tell me. "Please don't be mad."

"What's wrong Alissa?" I ask.

"I need to go away for some time. There's something I need to take care of in the States." She told me solemnly.

"No way? Everything okay Alissa?" I asked her with concern.

"Yeah of course. I'll be on the first flight back. We'll have a proper girls weekend just us." She promises.

She leaves the dining room to get her belongings packed. I head towards my room to change into appropriate clothes for my training session. I made my way towards the gym to meet Tristan. He plants a small kiss on my cheek.

"Everything okay?" he asks.

"Yeah. Everything's good. Ready to lose today?" I asked. I quietly giggled.

"Yeah we'll see" He says sarcastically. I lay my water bottle and cell next to the wall and make my way towards the mats to meet Tristan.

"Before we start there's actually something I wanted to give you." He said. He proceeds to pull out a thigh holster with a jeweled handle exposed. He hands it to me cautiously.

"Oh wow Tristan. It's beautiful." I said. I examined the small blade it gleamed a bright silver. It was flawless and lightweight. The sunlight in the gym reflected off the sharp blade. It had markings that followed from top to bottom. I was marveled by the craftsmanship. Its burgundy handle encrusted with small sapphires, emeralds and rubies. The jewels were held in place with a gold-plated setting.

"I'll be by your side no matter what happens. I've devoted my life to your safety and well-being. These past few weeks I've been impressed by your ability to grasp our training lessons from hand to hand combat to swordsmanship. For any moment that I'm not by your side don't hesitate to use this or any other weapon you come across." He said. He stared into my eyes hesitantly.

I grabbed the sides of his face gently and kissed him. This was such a sweet gesture. Of course, I wanted to show him my appreciation.

"I will. I love it. Thank you so much." I told him.

"I'm happy you like it. Honestly, I've never gifted anyone anything. I was afraid that you might've not liked it." He said sheepishly. His cheeks turned pink, slight flushed.

"It's perfect." I assured him with a smile. I fastened the holster to my thigh.

Our training session was rigorous as usual. Our bodies danced across the mats; we had decided to do hand to hand combat today. I did agree with Tristan on how fast I caught on to our training lessons. In the past few weeks, I went from average college student to trained fighter in multiple forms of combat. We ended our 3-hour lesson with soreness and exhaustion. The muscles of my body ached but not as much as my first day. My body had become conditioned to take in impact to multiple sites of my body and have been pushed to acquire and exert energy I didn't know I had.

My throat was parched and screamed for water. My forehead and upper back damp from sweat. I walk towards the wall where I had left my water bottle and chugged what remained.

"Well Princess you know I'd love to remain as your company, but I do have to go. Since you're expecting The Order to come today, I'm going to be a bit occupied running security detail with the rest of the team." He said. He removed his drenched gray T-shirt. I'll never stop fascinating what those sculpted muscles feel-

"That's fine. I appreciate it. There's going to be some changes expect some angry people today." I told him.

He lands a light peck on my lips.

"I'll see you later." He said and exited the room.

My body yearned for a nice warm bath. I better make the most with the time before the meeting to come up with a kick ass speech.