Nadia's surprise
925 Words
NADIA
The elders roared with anger, their voices colliding in a storm of accusations. Some even dared to say I had a hand in my father’s death. But I wasn’t here to convince them—I was here to claim my throne.
Joel had been right. They never expected this from me but my decision was final.
Joel had told me this was the only way to flush out the killer — I was marrying Joel in two days time.
And even I knew it was insane!
“You’re making a mistake, Nadia. You don’t even know where Joel is from! You’re betraying your people!”
Something in the way he said it made my stomach tighten. His voice—it was familiar. An elder my father once trusted. But I didn’t turn around.
I couldn’t.
Another voice, harsher this time, spat, “If you go through with this, we will not give our blessing.”
I curled my fingers into fists. “Then so be it.”
I pushed through the heavy doors before they could see the way my hands trembled. My heart thundered in my chest as I strode through the halls, resisting the urge to break into a run. I needed air, needed to breathe, needed—
Joel.
Relief hit me like a wave when I saw him waiting in my chambers. His dark eyes swept over me, reading every emotion on my face before I could even speak. In an instant, he was there, wrapping his arms around me. I shattered against him.
“I can’t do this,” I whispered against his chest, gripping his shirt as if he was the only thing keeping me standing.
Joel’s hands traced soothing circles down my back. His voice was low, steady. “Yes, you can. You were born for this.”
I shook my head, but he tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You have me, Nadia. I’ll never leave you.”
I believed him.
So when he kissed me, I let him. When his hands moved over my skin, I didn’t stop him. Tradition be damned—what was the use? I loved him. He loved me.
And in the quiet hours of the night, I gave him everything.
The next morning, I reached for him before I even opened my eyes but my hand met only cold sheets.
My lashes fluttered, a drowsy smile still on my lips as I rolled over, expecting to find him beside me.
But he wasn’t there.
Confusion settled in first. Maybe he had stepped out for water, maybe—
I sat up, glancing around the room. His clothes were gone.
The air in my lungs turned to stone.
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stumbled to the door, yanking it open. “Joel?” My voice barely carried past the empty hallway.
I turned back to the room, scanning for any sign of him. My heart pounded as I searched—surely, he wouldn’t just leave. Not after last night.
Then I saw it.
The spot where his sword had rested was empty.
A chill ran down my spine. My stomach twisted violently.
No.
No, no, no—
I took a shaky step back, my head spinning. The weight of his promises, his touch, his words—they all crashed down on me, unraveling into a hollow lie.
The elders’ warnings echoed in my mind.
Do you even know where Joel is from?
My brain started to conjure up tormenting thoughts as I raced to find him.
I didn’t even realize that I was now at the garden with my pyjamas when I saw Joel coming out from the woods, his hair disheveled and a shocked look on his face.
“Why are you in your pyjamas?” He questioned, ignoring the obvious look of shock on my face as I battled with all sorts of questions.
“Don’t let people see you, come inside,” he said casually and pulled me back inside with him where I noticed he had a reddish - purple mark on his neck.
Suddenly my brain was racking on memories of last night and I couldn’t remember when I did that.
He noticed me staring at his neck and quickly smiled “Your handiwork,” he said and despite my brain telling me I didn’t do that, I smiled.
“I have a surprise for you later today. Get dressed,” he said and kissed me too quickly in the cheeks before leaving my room again.
I tried to boil down my thoughts but it kept centering at the fact that I was sure I never gave him hickeys.
I finished my bath and started my wedding preparations when my maids drew my attention to my drawing room.
I had a … guest — my maid had reported and my brows furrowed. Why would I have a guest?
I was relunctant on actually going but something prompted me and I went. I didn’t know what I was expecting but not the dark feminine energy that radiated from a dark haired, sharp featured young woman who stood tall and proud, seated as I walked into the room with no proper curtsy.
And certainly not the way I noticed how much smiling Joel was doing as he introduced her to me.
“Nadia, I want you to meet Vanessa. My best friend and our wedding planner,” he announced and my eyes widened in disbelief.
Joel couldn’t be serious… right?
- Writer
