- The disclaimer is in chapter one, blah, blah, blah, blah, etc.
- To my reviewers, thank you so much. You make my writing a pleasure.
Chapter 9
Veronica stood in front of her mirror staring at her image. The maid helped her put on the dark blue jacket laced with silver. She looked the image of the Protector ready to take on the role that was her destiny. But inside, her stomach was in knots. She should have been in London, preparing for her wedding with Ned. Instead she stood here, getting ready to marry a man she hated with a vengeance to keep the lives of those she loved safe.
"My lady" Danubis entered her room, preceded by flowers.
"My lord, how lovely" she accepted the flowers with a gracious smile.
"I was hoping to talk to you alone".
The maid quickly scurried away.
"I wanted to make sure you were really sure that you wanted to marry me" he smirked.
"Why my lord, whatever would make you think otherwise?".
"I don't know, but I wanted to make sure you were agreeable" he gestured and a small ball of light appeared. Inside the ball of light was Gladys standing in front of a mirror, modeling a white wedding dress.
"Didn't I tell you that I would marry Ned?" Glady's turned to her father.
"You make a beautiful bride".
"Aren't you worried that Miss Layton may return? You have stolen her fiancé" Mr. Avigdon proposed.
"As far as I am concerned, she is gone as is everyone in the Challenger Expedition".
"My dear, I understand that, however, there has been talk…".
"I will be Mrs. Ned Malone, not that savage jungle princess. I am marrying Ned tomorrow. You shut them up, cant you?" Glady's voice returned to its normal sweet tone.
The bubble disappeared as Veronica's eyes flared.
"Is that passion I see?".
The fire died in her eyes, but not in her body.
"I suggest, my dear, you save that for tonight. Mr. Malone will be married to Miss Avigdon, as you will be to me. You will remain civil or your friends will see their last sunset" The door slammed behind him.
Taking Challenger's arm, she allowed him to escort her to the altar.
Standing with Danubis and the priest, she stood anxious.
"Do you, Lord Danubis take this woman, Lady Veronica to be your wife?" the priest questioned.
"Of course".
"And do you, Lady Veronica take Lord Danubis as your husband?".
Noticing the guard inching out of the side door holding Finn at knife point, Veronica eyed her friends whose weapons were hidden beneath their finery.
"Lady Veronica?" the priest asked.
"No".
"What my lady means is that she wishes to marry me, but needs her mother's permission".
Turning to her mother, Veronica nodded in agreement.
"Lady Veronica?" the priest repeated.
"No".
"We had an agreement" Danubis growled.
"I don't remember agreeing to anything".
"Kill her" Danubis called to his guard, but it was too late. Finn had him on the ground, out cold.
"Attack!" pulling out the weapons beneath the finery, the allies of the Protector stood ready to fight.
"Kill them all" Danubis ordered.
The two sides attacked one another, death taking many quickly.
Finally, Veronica faced Danubis.
"We had a deal, but obviously you don't remember it. For that you and your friends will meet your death and I alone will rule the plateau" he attacked.
"I am the Protector's daughter, I will rule, no one else" after several blows, both were bloody and bruised.
Finally Veronica had him on the ground, sword at his throat.
"You will leave Avalon with your men and never return. If you do, the punishment you receive will be far greater than the gods could ever come up with".
Putting up his hands, Danubis slowly got to his feet.
"As you wish, milady" seeing Finn still sparring with one of his men.
I'm sorry, it's taken so long and I apologize for the shortness of the chapter, but I need to post. With that said, please send a review and make me feel like my time is worth it? Please?