Avenged

♕Chapter 3a

“Lady Devendale! You disappeared so suddenly you had me worried.”

“My Prince?” I gasped in genuine confusion. What the heck was he doing in my room?

“Adonis,” he interrupted.

“Adonis,” I repeated softly, still struggling to overcome my shock.

“Last time you were at the castle, it was attacked, you were injured and then not seen again for years. I assumed the talk of rebel attacks and the incident with the rock had you shaken,” he said, taking a tentative step forward. Concern was clear in his features. Once again, I was struck by his thoughtfulness.

“So you thought you’d break into my house?” I questioned in a flat tone. I was never more thankful that, the second I left the ballroom, I remembered to send some energy to my wings to keep up appearances and thus, my ruse. Usually, when I was in my private room, I would let my illusions go.

“I...” he starts, but I just laugh lightly. I don’t think I’d ever seen him this nervous.

“I’m made of stronger stuff than that. Don’t worry about me. When I was young, what happened did have me truly shaken for a long while. I’ve since learned that whatever doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. I am truly touched that you care, though.” And that bit, I meant it. I would never have expected him to come chasing out to find me in the middle of the night. If only he’d cared all those years ago… “Where are your guards? You didn’t come here alone did you? If something happens to you it would be my fault!”

“You should have said goodbye at least. I needed to know you got home safe,” Adonis said, ignoring my comment.

“I thought you would have your hands full. I didn’t want to disturb you,” I murmured.

“You do disturb me, but only in good ways,” he said with a tentative step forward, and I bit my lip and he reached for my hand. “That must sound ridiculous since we only just met, but I feel like we know each other, like somehow we're destined to be friends. I almost feel like my soul is reaching out for you… or it recognizes you.” His eyes were full of honesty as he spoke.

For a moment, I was completely speechless. That was… unexpected. He said something similar when we were children. In fact, he was sure we would be chosen mates one day, that our souls were connected. Did he recognize me after all? Was the prey baiting the predator? Or perhaps I was not as ready for this as I thought I was.

My mind flashed back to when he last said those words for the first time. I was 14 and totally enamored with him while he was 18. Of course that was when I was a child, and my heart was filled with innocence, happiness, and wonder.

I’d found him holding hands with a girl, learning in for a kiss. A flurry of odd feelings had rushed through me. It wasn’t until later that I understood it was a smidgeon of jealousy. Until that exact moment, I’d never considered that he might want someone else.

“Oh, Adonis has a girlfriend,” Marissa cooed in a sing-song voice beside me. That only served to irritate me more.

“No. We’re just friends,” he laughed. Though, judging by the look on the servant girl’s face, she had thought otherwise.

“I thought we were … friends,” I groped for the right word. “I thought we were... You said we would be mates one day! What are you doing with her!?” my shock quickly turned to anger.

“You are beautiful inside and out. My Princess, one day, I know we are meant to be together. I feel it in my soul. You are mine. But I’m a lot older than you. You are too young, and I have … well, urges. And you’re just not…” he shrugged like my feelings, everyone’s feelings, meant nothing to him, so I cut off his poor attempt at an excuse.

“Not what? Attractive? Experienced? And four years is not that much older. Besides, I want a mate who wants me not just to satisfy his urges,” I pouted. I hated that I was pouting — Princesses don’t pout.

“You aren’t just anyone.”

“That's because you are my chosen mate. You’ll be my Prince one day, not hers.” I remember feeling so intensely for him.

We’d been friends for so long that I just assumed we’d always be together. During the Summer season, the city and palace were full of visitors, but during the off-season, it was usually just Marissa, Tiberius, Adonis and I, and we were inseparable. But the way that girl was looking at him, it was different. It felt like things were changing. And I did not like it.

“One day, I hope so. But that day is a long way off. Until then, know that our souls are entwined. I know it,” he leaned down and kissed both of my cheeks, then beamed a gorgeous grin at me before sauntering off, leaving me and the servant girl in his wake with a laughing Marissa.

That day that he mentioned never came. Instead, the attack did, just a few days later. It seemed preposterous now to think that a 14-year-old could be in love, but at the time, that’s how I felt. I would have sworn on all my elements that he was the one. At least, I learned the truth before our souls were officially bonded.

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“I’m flattered. I confess I don’t even know what to say. I do feel a connection to you, though. It’s strange. It is like my soul pulls for you too. Like something led me to you on that balcony.”

“I wonder if this is what the wolves mean when they talk about their mate bond. Wait. What’s wrong?” he asked. I guess I’d let my face darken when the thought of mate bonds and him clashed in my head.

“I’m sure it’s nothing but… oh, don’t worry.”

“No, please tell me. Did something happen?” he pressed.

“I received this note.” I handed him the scrap parchment and watched, as this time, it was his eyes that darkened.

“Come with me,” his announcement was short and full of authority, leaving no room for argument. A tone that ruffled my wings.

“What?” I unintentionally growled.

“Come home with me to the castle. You’ll take one of the guest suites where you’ll be safe.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I can’t do that. I have staff here, and I will be perfectly safe. I’m sure this is just a joke. Besides, my brother will be here tomorrow and there are very few people in the Kingdom willing to take him on,” I added with a chuckle. Thorndon and Adonis were once friends, but now, they were more like rivals. Ever since Elliot stole the Crown, underground rumblings have suggested the new Duke of Devendale should have been given the Crown. That would’ve made Thorndon the Crown Prince instead of Adonis.

Other than the Council members, I might be the only one left alive who knows the whole truth about that night. No one knew exactly what happened to my family or the old Duke of Devendale that night. Most bought the story the King sold, history is written by the victors, meaning the King got to choose the story people were told. Despite that, a lot of people suspected there was more to the story. It hadn’t taken much for me to stoke the embers of doubt in the Kingdom.

That’s one of the many reasons the false King wanted to marry Marissa off to Thorn. He figured that might quell those grumblings and settle the rebels. Especially since I, the real me, disappeared, throwing a kink in his original plan; Marissa and Thorndon became a viable plan B.

While moving into the viper’s nest would not be safer for me or my new family if I were found out, it wouldn’t put me closer to all my targets — much closer than I had planned. I would have to be very careful, that was all.

“I’ll send a messenger to your brother in the morning. We’ll have rooms set up for him too. I know Marissa is keen to get to know him better.”

Of course she is. He’s one of the only nobles in the Kingdom not to have graced her bed. She probably has a checklist and he’s her long-hunted prey.

“My… Adonis, I would not wish to cause any trouble. Your parents would think….”

“My Adonis? I like the sound of that,” my eyes widened, and he chucked before continuing. “I didn’t think you were the type to care what anyone else thinks. It’s no trouble. Gather just what you need for the night and the morning. I’ll have someone bring you home tomorrow for the rest.” He tossed me that incredible grin once more.

“Thank you.”

Within the hour, I was settled in a suite in the guest tower of the palace. While things were not exactly progressing according to plan, this was not actually a bad development since I planned to get closer to him anyway. Then, I could rip his heart out, like he did to me…