FALLEN: Second Chance

Chapter 1 - Chosen Almas

*One Year Ago*

Ariel POV

“Let's try again, Jaziel…” I said to my sword instructor.

“Princess, you need to slow down… I believe our practice for today is done.” He quickly replied, making me roll my eyes at his attitude.

I have been training with him since I was sixteen years old. He is the best swordsman my dad´s kingdom has, but he is also a great guy with the best soul I have ever met, not to mention hot as hell.

Ever since I started training with him, I also started developing a massive crush on him. He is six years older than me, and for more than six years I have had feelings for him. I was devastated two years ago when I turned 21 years old and found out that he was not my destined alma.

I have seen how he looks at me, and I am certain that my feelings are being reciprocated, but he is so loyal to my father that he is not willing to cross that fine line with me.

I pouted at him… “Jaziel, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Ariel?” I said to my 28-year-old instructor.

“One too many, princess…” He chuckled, giving me his dashing smile. I love how his lips curve and how a small dimple shows on his left cheek.

I huffed while he laughed. “You know better princess…” He winked at me, and for the first time, my heart stopped. He was openly flirting with me, and I loved it. Maybe, just maybe, we have a chance to be together.

He then vowed at me and turned around. What the hell was that? He flirts and then makes a reverence? It was like taking a step forward only to take three back.

I left the training court and headed towards my room. My sister Charmaine was there reading, as usual. “Hey, Char!” I greeted her, forcing her to look up and leave her book behind.

“You know I hate it when you interrupt my reading!” She huffed and I laughed.

“I know! Isn't it awesome, even knowing I don't give a damn?” I stretched and she rolled her eyes at me. She is my youngest sister, and she is a bookworm… I love her to pieces, but she needs to live a little. She is young, only 20 years old.

She stuck her tongue out playfully. “Oh! By the way, dad wanted to speak to you as soon as you have a moment… you know those long training sessions with Jaziel are getting suspicious…” She pointed out.

“What? Did he say something?” I asked nervously.

She laughed, “Not really, but now I am seeing where all that dedication is coming from!” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“OH! I hate your smarty pants!” I threw a pillow at her.

“I will take a shower and then I will go and see dad…” I said to Charmaine.

“Yeah, yeah” She waved her hand dismissively.

After my shower, I got dressed and headed to see my father, the angel king. King Engelbert. I knocked on his door and he instructed me to come in.

“Hey, daddy…” I greeted him and wrapped my arms around him lovingly. He quickly gave me a warm hug. I love his hugs, he is warm and he smells sweet, like the best dessert that has ever been created in this and every other realm.

“Good evening, Ariel…” He kissed my head and motioned for us to sit on a couch inside his office. At that moment, I definitely knew that I was talking to my dad, not the king.

“How is training?” He asked.

“Good… You know I have the best instructor in the realm…” I said, trying to hide my feelings for the said instructor.

“Yes, I know…” He chuckled, and then his voice turned serious.

“Sweetie, I know your sister Ayla wants to wait for her fated alma, but you became of age almost two years ago…” He paused and I was getting nervous about where this conversation was heading.

He noticed my anxiety, and he chuckled, “I had this conversation with your sister when she was your age…relax…”

I nodded silently, waiting to hear the rest. Actually, I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Daddy took my hand in his and looked straight into my eyes.

“As I said, you have waited almost two years for your alma to show up, without any luck. I have had several requests from other rulers and noblemen, but there was a petition that caught my attention… Anyways, I wanted to ask you, do you want to wait like your sister? Or do you want to take a chosen alma?” Daddy finished his question.

My heart skipped a beat, this is the chance I have to get the guy that I am in love with, despite fate. Actually, f**k fate!

“Dad, shouldn't you be rooting for the whole fate thing?” I asked, curious about where that came from.

“Yes, I do… I would love to hear that you will wait for your destined alma to show up, but I know my daughters, and I know a thing or two about being in love…” He softly said.

“What are you talking about?” I asked nervously.

“I can see how you see him, and I have seen how he looks at you, my sweet child…” My dad gave me a knowing look.

I bit my lower lip, “And then I thought I was being subtle…” I mumbled, making my dad burst out laughing.

“Well dad, then you know the answer to your question… I want to take a chosen alma…” I softly said, and he nodded my way.

“Now, let's hear about those options out there for you…” he paused and then continued. Honestly, I was dumbfounded about how casually he was talking about my future, especially knowing that my heart already has an owner.

“Well, I received a letter from the faes. They want to make an alliance with us through marriage, so the fae prince is available to choose. Also, the son of the elder Angelov wants to ask your hand in marriage…” He paused and I rolled my eyes, clearly not happy about the options he was putting up on the table.

“Also, just after you came here, Jaziel stopped by to speak to me…” My dad paused, and my insides churned with anticipation. Give it to my daddy to keep you on your toes.

“I was surprised when he asked me for your hand in marriage…” My dad finished, and my heart almost exploded.

My face changed and my smile and happy tears couldn't be hidden anymore. “Did he really?” I asked and then I heard “Yes, I did…” Jaziel said behind me.

I stood up surprised, my dad stood behind me. “I will leave you two to talk…” he said and stepped outside his office.

“Ariel, I don't know how or when it happened, but I fell in love with you… I know that your status and rank are higher than mine, but if you allow me, I will love you with all my heart until my last breath.” Jaziel walked towards me.

“I don't care about rank and position, I just know that my heart belongs to you,” I replied, and for the first time he held me in his arms and slowly he lowered his face so his lips met mine. My world collapsed and was rebuilt in an instant.

After a moment, a soft knock on my dad's office door announced that he was going to come inside. Jaziel and I took a step apart when mom and dad walked inside.

“Well, I guess you will take each other as chosen mates…” Dad pointed out, and at that moment Jaziel took my hand in his, lowering his head in a bow to my dad.

“We will, your Highness…” Jaziel said.

“If that is the case, I would like to point out a set of rules, until you get to your chosen ceremony.” Dad looked at us.

“When would that be?” I asked,

“A year from now, you need to be sure that the bond you are choosing is stronger than whatever fate can provide for you.” My mom softly said.

“OK, mom… what are those conditions?”