Forced into Fantasy 2

Chapter 10 - Twins

Adomis;

I have been desperately searching the castle room by room for Ivy, still with no sign of her and panic is beginning to set in rapidly with each passing second I am without her.

‘She has to be alright.’

As I enter the main courtyard on the lower level, yet another place I thought to check, I am met by a number of soldiers all gathered around three men who stand in the middle.

They appear to be in conversation as I step in through the doorway.

As soon as I enter I hear one gasp, followed shortly after by several gasps as each of the soldiers turn one by one and notice me standing alone just inside of the doorway.

They look between me and the taller of the three figures in the middle of their group, and by their strange expressions they each look as if they had seen a ghost!

I finally understand their reactions when the taller figure also turns to face me, having been alerted by his highly confused men.

“Sire?” Captain Khalan asks, his left brow raised high in confusion. “Who’s… that?”

The Captain points at me and I finally set my sights on the taller figure. My brows furrow inward as I sight this man’s facial features.

He… he looks just like me?

‘What… the… f**k is this?’

My chocolate brown eyes widen in horror and disbelief at what I am seeing right here and now.

This… imposter… he looks exactly like me...

Down to the finest of details, he is my exact twin!

‘But how is this possible?’

‘I have no twin brother.’

“Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on here, right now!” I suddenly command, fighting to keep my cool as my eyes narrow in on the intruder.

I am shocked to hear that his voice sounds exactly like mine as he speaks. Not only that, but it’s beyond surreal viewing this, seeing myself speaking and moving before... myself.

“Guards, arrest that imposter immediately!” he demands, pointing frantically at me.

I frown.

I have no idea of how this bastard looks and sounds like me, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can command my own f*****g soldiers to arrest me!

It’s time to set the records straight.

“NO!”

My voice booms loudly across the length of the courtyard with powerful authority as I glare back at the imposter and give my command in immediate retaliation.

“That man right there is not your Overlord. He is nothing but a f*****g imposter. It’s him that you should be seizing.”

The soldiers quickly halt in place, unsure of what they should actually do, of who they should be arresting.

They continue to glance between the two of us for some time, even the Captain and General are speechless, unable to decide what must be done.

“Captain?” one of the soldiers asks, shrugging.

“Which is the real Overlord?” another asks from where he stands.

“I am!” both the imposter and I suddenly announce at the exact same time.

This only adds to the confusion.

I grit my teeth together in fury as I meet the fucker’s gaze.

The audacity of this fool to try and take my place. I will truly enjoy thrusting my hand straight into his chest and pulling out his still-beating heart while he watches.

“There must be a way we can find out which is the real Overlord.” General Tabius announces, looking to the captain and then back over at me.

“There is…” comes the all-too familiar feminine voice from the other side of the courtyard.

My head spins as soon as I hear her speak and I can feel my heart rate instantly reacting to her mere presence. It thumps much louder and faster than before as a feeling of excitement enters my system.

Not only am I pleased to see that she is alive and unharmed, but I’ll admit she looks just as stunning as I remember.

'My beautiful Ivy.'

I long to hold her in my arms again but must stop myself from marching across the courtyard to do so. Right now, I need to have this whole imposter situation dealt with, promptly and efficiently.

“Lady Ivy, please stay back. It is not safe for you to be in here right now.” the captain commands, holding out his hand as a gesture of warning.

“Yes, stay back!” the imposter adds sternly.

This only causes Ivy to narrow her eyes at the foolish men bossing her about.

‘That’s my girl.’

“How can you assist with this issue, milady?” the General suddenly enquires, ignoring what the others had said.

Ivy smirks as she looks between me and my supposed twin before speaking her response loud enough for all to hear.

“I can tell which of these two men is the true Overlord.” she announces confidently. “We are bonded, after all.”

This intrigues everyone, as they keenly watch her make her way across the room to stand between the two Overlords. She takes a moment to look me in the eyes, but I see a hint of hesitation come from her before she turns around to address the others.

“As I am sure many of you are already aware, the Overlord Adomis and I are bonded. Our connection is unique and unbreakable, even by the most powerful magic known to man. What I propose is quite simple. I merely wish to touch each of these two men. Then and only then, will you have your answer.”

“You must touch them?” Captain Khalan asks.

“And that’s it?” General Tabius adds, seeming equally unsure.

“Yes.” Ivy replies, her stance tall and proud and her tone more confident than ever.

I try to think of why she thinks that merely touching me will alert her to the fact that I am the real Overlord, but I prey that she knows what she’s doing.

If she were to label me as the imposter instead of the real one, it would be terrible.

I must hope she knows what she’s doing. And I have faith in her, more than anyone else.

Swallowing nervously, I nod my head in agreement before Ivy suddenly comes towards me first, one silent step at a time.

I can feel my heartbeat pulsing loudly over and over within my head as I keep my eyes locked on hers.

Those beautiful crystal blue irises, they remind me of the ocean or a cloudless sky in the middle of a day.

‘By the Gods, she certainly is quite stunning.’

It’s strange, I can’t help but allow a small smile to form on my face before she finally stops right in front of me, her brows furrowed inwards and her eyes now narrowed suspiciously as she scans me with them from head to toe.

I feel the eyes of everyone else in that room currently on me as she purses her lips together, considering the possibility that I am possibly the man she loves.

Including those of the imposter who is glaring daggers directly at me.

“Ivy… I’m-”

I begin to speak but am silenced as she merely lifts her hand up with her finger pointed upwards.

“Please, do not speak.” she commands calmly.

She needs me to remain silent for this and of course I respect her wishes and keep my mouth closed, nodding my head to show my understanding.

I watch as she slowly reaches out her right hand, cautiously cupping the side of my stubble covered face.

The moment we make skin to skin contact I feel a subtle warmth radiating from where her hand is resting against the surface of my skin.

It’s utterly incredible.

She too must feel the same sensation, as I notice her suck in a silent gasp of surprise before her eyes dart upward to meet mine.

‘She feels it, I know she does… she must!’

Her left hand now moves in to mirror the right, cupping the other side of my face as she keeps her eyes locked onto mine.

I see her plump pink lips curving at the corner of her mouth as she fights to hide a smile from showing visibly.

And then just like that, both her hands drop to either side of her and she takes a step back, turning around.

I am forced to watch as she makes her way across the courtyard to where the other so-called Overlord is waiting for his turn to be inspected.

I don’t know why I am so nervous. I know who I am now. I know that our bond will show the truth here and now.

But I also know Ronaar very well.

He’s as slippery as they come.

The others standing around him kindly part for Ivy and allow her to move in to stand in front of the imposter.

Then he does something that infuriates me; he smiles at her.

My face contorts into a hideous snarl as I grit my teeth and try not to react.

‘That bastard!’

'I’ll wipe that f*****g smile right off his face!'

Ivy repeats her process, cupping his face one hand at a time and with her back to me, I have no idea of her expression. I can’t tell if she’s smiling or not.

I must simply stand and wait patiently.

And anyone who knows me well enough would understand that patience is not one of my virtues. I don’t know the meaning of the word.

Everyone stands waiting, watching Ivy as she turns around to look at the General.

It appears that she has her answer and is ready to reveal which of us is the true Overlord.

I don’t notice that I am holding my breath in anticipation, but I watch her like a hawk as she finally speaks.

“Gentlemen…” she begins, meeting my eyes with a smile, “… that is your Overlord.”

Everyone looks across towards me, relief mirrored in each of their expressions.

That is… all but one...

With everyone’s eyes all now on me, no one has thought to watch the imposter and what he is currently doing.

By the time I myself notice it, I am too late to prevent it from happening and my eyes widen with fear as I foolishly attempt to move into a sprint, to reach her from across the courtyard.

“Ivy, look out!”

The fake Adomis surprises everyone by suddenly lunging at Ivy and grabbing her.

She screams in terror as he gets a hold of her wrist, pulling and spinning her in towards him.

Within the fraction of a second, he has managed to wrap an arm around her belly and pulls her in against his chest possessively.

“No, let go of me!” she commands sternly.

I skid to a halt as his right hand instantly unsheathes a long dagger and he presses the edge of the sharpened blade up against Ivy’s throat as she gasps in fear. 

Her eyes are wide in terror.

‘f**k!’