Chapter Three
"I demand that you let me speak to King Arion." Kaedan growled as his anger kept growing toward the arrogant mountain lion shifter before him.
"The King does not view visitors unless they already have an appointment. Now I order you to leave our lands before you and your comrades blood dirties our grounds you disgusting snake." Devon hissed through his fangs while he took a step toward Kaedan.
The two men stood at the same height, but were complete opposites in looks. While Kaedan had raven black shaggy hair and piercing icy blue eyes as Devon had dark blonde hair with brown streaks blended through it and hints of white from age with golden orbs for eyes. Devon had a thicker build with muscle form age and years of experience in battle and war. Threatening growls were building within both males begging to be released until a soft voice surrounded all of them.
"Devon, what may I ask is going on here?" Rhian stepped out from the shadows of the trees, her hair all in disarray from running through the trees. Immediately both males' growls died down but for completely different reasons.
"My lady, these mongrels-" Devon started but Rhian help up a hand to silence him from continuing.
"I've heard enough to know why these gentlemen are here to see the King. Go tell King Arion of their arrival. Oh, and Devon?" Rhian's eyes never left Kaedan's as Devon brushed past her and froze at the command and authority in her husky voice.
"Yes, my lady?" Devon responded his fists tightening into balls at his sides.
"We will be speaking later about who gives the orders around here. Understood?" Rhian's voice now hinted toward a growl.
"Yes, my lady." Devon bowed stiffly and went to warn the King of the intruders.
Kaedan had never seen anyone so beautiful in all his life. The firelight couldn't begin to capture her beauty only enhancing it giving her a mysterious glow with her golden locks and lightly bronzed flawless skin. Kaedan was dumbstruck. All he could do was stare until Dorian slightly nudged him from behind bringing him out of his trance.
Clearing his through Kaedan stepped forward and bowed slightly while placing his right fist over his heart. This brought a wondrous smile to Rhian's face making her glow and beautiful all the more.
"No need for formalities, my lord. I am but the commander of the King's army, but my word goes far." Rhian stepped closer bowing low in front of Kaedan.
Kaedan didn't like her bowing before him so one bit. Her beauty should always face the sky he thought. Placing his thumb and forefinger under her chin he motioned for her to rise and face him.
"Well my lady, commander or not, you are exquisite and you should never let your beauty be downcast." Kaedan replied smoothly with a rare, soft smile as their gazes locked once again.
This brought a slight blush to Rhian's cheeks. As her dark chocolate brown eyes stayed locked with his crystal blue ones this caused another memory to burst forth in her mind. Those eyes. I've seen them before. But back then they were so warm and full of life. Now they seem cold and distant. Full of pain and suffering. Rhian's face continued to rest in Kaedan's large, calloused palm. His thumb lightly brushed her cheek causing Rhian's eyes to flutter and her lips to plump up in an almost pouty look signaling Kaedan's own lips to draw near hers. For a moment both felt as if they were the only two people in the world until someone cleared their throat bringing them both out of their trance like haze.
Rhian whirled around to face her father. Devon stood next to the King, his anger evident throughout his whole being as it radiated off of him in waves.
The King was trying hard to hide his smile letting only his eyes hold it.
Already they get along. An immediate connection. Sooner than we all expected.
Rhian bowed quickly falling on one knee her hair creating a curtain around her. Kaedan soon followed suite and bowed before the King. Both waited to be signaled to stand.
"Rise my young ones. Rhian go to your chambers. We shall speak later. Devon escort her lady to make sure she makes it there safely. Oh and Devon. Remember- keep your distance. That will be all." The King stepped toward Kaedan and his men while Rhian glanced back and shyly smiled before walking off toward the shadows with Devon shortly to follow.
"Kaedan, my boy. My how you've grown. How is your family faring?" King Arion clasped Kaedan on the shoulder motioning him to walk with him and for both of their escorts following close behind the pair.
"Mother is well. Joanna and Leanna just turned eleven two weeks ago, Lex and Micheal are both engaged to charming princesses and are madly in love with them, but father's health hasn't been doing very well. That is why I am here in his place. But my King I must explain about the mistake earlier today." Kaedan stopped and faced the King.
King Arion was confused by this but gave Kaedan all of his attention.
"What mistake young man?"
"Your men came out of nowhere. We believed they were a threat. Usually your men don't travel that deep into the Dark Forest unless one of your men found our tracks. Which is understandable, but King Arion none should have died and they did. My deepest apologies are in order and your forgiveness would mean a great deal. Again I am terribly sorry for your many losses today. I just-" Kaedan knew he was rambling now but after seeing the Lady Rhian he was all flustered. King Arion cut him off by placing a comforting hand upon Kaedan's shoulder and squeezed gently.
"You are forgiven, my boy. But it is not my forgiveness in which you should be seeking. Lady Rhian is the one you should be asking forgiveness from. Those men were her friends and she had trained most of them herself. The one who made it back barely alive is her best friend. Luckily the girl survived. If not…the consequences of you and your men's actions would have been grave I'm afraid to say. But my boy, why were you in the forest anyway? You could have taken the main road."
"My lord..The Chasers have already entered my father's territory killing hundreds. We have held them off for weeks, but some packs have made it past our barriers. But sir, Montiago's is one of the packs that made it by." Kaedan saw the shock, worry, and even fear held within the King's eyes.
"Are you certain Montiago made it passed?" King Arion gripped both of Kaedan's shoulders tightly. Kaedan could only nod.
"I see…We must get you back home safely. Lady Rhian and some of her best men will escort you there. Do not argue, Kaedan. But I must discuss something with you of great importance. I know now truly is not the time but I may not have another chance. Kaedan you are a prince and with that comes certain obligations. You have been betrothed since you were just a little boy to my daughter. Now is the time for both of you are of marrying age. You are twenty four and she is eighteen. After Montiago is captured promise me you will come for her hand in marriage. Promise me, Kaedan. I will trust no other man to have my daughter but you. But in the end Kaedan, it is your choice."
Kaedan just stared at King Arion in shock. Shaking his head to clear the fog Kaedan didn't know what to say.
"But-but my lord how-how can I marry her when I don't know anything about her let alone have I ever met her!" Kaedan began to pace his face turning to stone as too many unfamiliar emotions bombarded him.
"Kaedan, my lad. You have met her and I saw that there was an immediate connection between the two of you. And I cannot let you see her again until later. This is the way it has to be for now. Please promise me you will take a chance with my daughter. She is..special as are you. But she is gifted. Please, Kaedan. At least think about it."
Kaedan nodded as the King started to walk away, only to pause and turn to face him one last time.
"Oh and Kaedan. Don't fall for Lady Rhian. As a soldier and as a person she is two different people. Bonnuit. Morning will come sooner than you think. Adu." King Arion exited making his way toward Rhian's chambers.
This is all too much..it doesn't make sense. I feel like I've known Lady Rhain my whole life or that I've met her before and had some sort of connection with her, but even if there are any feelings between us..I'm betrothed to the King's daughter. What am I going to do? Kaedan couldn't sleep that night as dream after dream and thought after thought plagued his mind.
"Dammit Rhian! You will do as I say whether you like it or not! You will escort Prince Kaedan back to his kingdom!" King Arion was losing his patience with Rhian fast.
"I will NOT father! Him and his men killed my men! Nineteen good and honorable men! And Melina, my best friend, almost died! No! I will NOT!" Rhian growled back as both father and daughter paced around her chambers signifying they are more alike then they would like to admit.
"Young lady…don't make me do something both of us will regret later!" King Arion's voice was cold and distant. Rhian froze. Her head shaking slowly as tears spilled down her flushed cheeks.
"No..daddy please! Even if they did kill my friends and my men….Daddy he'll think I'm useless and that I'll need to be watched and waited on hand and foot after he realizes I'm blind! Even if Melina and Malakai come with me….Having a blind escort I'm sure isn't something 'Prince Kaedan' will be thrilled with. He'll think he'll die sooner rather than later. Father-"
"No Rhian! You will escort him and you will leave in the morning. Understand young lady? There is to be no more arguing over this. I have given you an order! Understood?" King Arion had never truly yelled at Rhian until this very moment.
More tears welled up and poured out of Rhian's dark chocolate brown eyes as she nodded dejectedly.
"Good. Now get some sleep sigh I love you, Rhi. You know that. I'm only doing what I feel is best for you." King Arion hugged Rhian close enveloping her in his old but still strong embrace purring softly to comfort and calm her.
Sniffling Rhian took a step back with a soft smile on her face.
"I love you too daddy. Bonnuit."
"Bonnuit little feather." King Arion exited softly as Rhian walked toward her king size bed and collapsed onto it thinking about tomorrow and what all needs to be done as she drifted off to sleep.
