When we arrived at the pce that evening, I felt better to an extent. I don’t know why. Perhaps, because I had spared the goddess another moment of hope by unburdening my heart to her at the temple, or because of the presence of Ashton.


    Albeit, by the time I entered our chamber, I fell on the lounge by the hearth and gobbled the spring water shared by the priest, while I stared into the crackling fire nkly.


    There was a slight knock and when I answered, looking back, Kora entered, bearing a bundle in her hand.


    “Kora?” I twisted fully, with my brows arched. I didn’t know she didundry on Thursdays too. She said it was only on Fridays, unless on emergencies which were rare. “What’s that?”


    “The new guy,” She handed the bundle to me. “He said I should give it to you.”


    I was even more astounded. “Tyler?”


    “Yes.” She shifted on her feet, her hands in front of her as she, like I observed the package. I unfolded it gradually to reveal a small box inside the bundle which I further unboxed to reveal a beautiful gold bracelet. Another bracelet?


    “Hmmn,” Kora mumbled beside me. I almost forgot she was there. “Quite a gift.”


    “Yeah…” I removed it and sampled curiously. It was beautiful. Why would he get me something this elegant? I looked up. “Where is he?”


    “Thest time I saw him he was walking in the direction of the Mega halls.”


    I nodded once and rxed back to y with the gift. It’s been a while I got those. Thest gift I got was from Julian and my family. On myst birthday. I was supposed to get another gift on Prom. From Julian. But, the bad omen deprived me from all that. I lifted the bracelet and only then noticed that there was a scripted pendant on it. It said…


    ‘La Pita.’


    I closed my hand around it at once. What does that mean? Is that hisnguage?


    “W-will you be needing anything else, your highness?” Croaked Kora and I jerked forward a little.


    I keep drifting off.


    I shook my head vigorously. “No, Kora. You can have your day off. Till tomorrow.”


    “Oh, thank you, your highness.”


    I forced a smile as she walked away. Then as she opened the door, something urred to me. I abruptly heeded to my thought. “Kora?”


    “Yes, your highness?” She paused with her hand on the door handle.


    “This should be between us.”


    “Yes, your highness.” She was gone.


    I stood and went to the mirror. I ced the bracelet around my wrist beside the one Julian gave me and studied it in the mirror. I was so engrossed in admiring it that I didn’t hear the door open.


    “What are you doing?”


    I spun around, the bracelet dropping to the ground in the process. I acted put of instinct and snatched it off the ground. “H-hey.” I concealed it within my palm and ced my hands behind me on the table to face Ashton. “You… are back.”


    “How did you get that?” His head was craned to the side trying to see my acquisition which was impossible .


    “Uh-huh.”


    “Who gave you that?” He jabbed his hand towards my hidden hand.


    “This?” I braved it and showed him, shaking it as if it meant nothing. “I-I bought it.”


    He scowled, pining me down with a disbelieving look. “You didn’t go out today.”


    “I-I” I swallowed loudly and pushed away from the table. “It’s not your business how I got something, Ashton. If you care so much about how I get stuff, perhaps you should get them for me.” I snapped my mouth shut. Why will I say that? It will look like I’m begging him to buy me presents.


    He smirked and stepped forward. “I didn’t know you were a gold digger too.”


    I exhaled. I have to control my emotions to avoid spewing more rubbish. I nodded and looked to the side. Then, I moved to the closet. “I have training and to check on Tyler. I don’t have time for this.”


    “You will do well to remember your ce in this pce, little wolf,” he was stilling close and I didn’t want that. So, I snatched the first pants my handnded on and a top and fled the room towards the bathroom.


    “You are the Queen and shouldn’t act like some cheap slut.”


    I mmed the bathroom door. I won’t speak to him. I don’t care what he thinks of me and I won’t give him the freedom to shake me. I know what he is looking for. A fight.


    I changed sharply and came out and he was still standing there.


    “Gwendolyn.”


    “I have training, Ashton.” I hurried to the door. Any minute I give to him, he will have me where he wanted me.


    “Don’t you_” I was out of the room, literary sprinting out. I didn’t have any desire to train this evening but if I have to escape him, I very well will.


    I reached the training ground and slowed down to breath. I stood with my hands to my waist in front of a dummy, taking in deep breaths. Goddess, give me the fortitude to endure this union and Ashton’s meanness.


    I never dreamt of running from my partner, my mate. However, this is my new reality. Living a nightmare.


    “Whoa!” I jumped forward, touching my chest.”What are you doing here?”


    I rounded on Tyler. “Don’t jump on me like that.” I snapped.Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    “I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be here, not to mention you. Are you okay?”


    “I’m fine.” I bit out. I just wanted to be alone. Now, it seems that won’t work. “I’m sorry, Im just… I just wanted to be alone.”


    “Oh, I can leave.”


    “No.” I wagged my hands at him and sighed. “You can do your thing, don’t mind me.”


    “Okay…” He went to pick a sword and stood in front of an automated fighter dummy. He positioned but I saw him sparing me nces from time to time.


    I punched the unfortunate dummy in front of me. My attacks are feeble as I was solely distracted. I shook my head and wobbled back, letting my hands tumble beside me in irritation.


    “Hey.”


    I met Tyler’s disturbing look. “Hey, how was the tour?”


    “It was educative.” He grinned broadly, the creases beside his lips heightening his loveliness. “However, I think you are… unhappy.”


    “I’m not.”


    He bent his head to the wide. Still, grinning, though softly. He don’t believe me. “Look, it’s not my business, but I deduce you are good person and seeing you like this is kind of disturbing. Is about your husband?” He lifted his hands. “I’m just being your friend. Nothing sketchy.”


    “I’m fine, Tyler.” I insisted. I saw his eyes stop on my wrist. I looked at it. “I’m just very tired and kinda distracted.” I faced him now, forcing a smile. I lifted my right hand, with the bracelet. “Why did you get me this?”


    He shrugged. “For appreciation.”


    “Oh.” Fair enough. “Thanks.”


    “Do you like it?”


    “I do.” My smile was genuine. “What does the inscription mean?”


    Hepointed at my wrist. “My protector.”


    Okay, that might be some deep shit. Politely, I nodded and looked away, something else urring to me. “Hey, while you were touring was there anything unusual?”


    “Like?” He arched his brow.


    “I mean, like… were you with the King and the… the Delta?”


    Somehow he found my question hrious and began chuckling. He was wagging his hands on my face. He looked surreal. He looked magnificent even while he frowned, not to mention now that he wasughing. I became dumbstruck.


    I looked down at my hands. I have to control myself.


    “Look, I get it.” Hisughter receded, his right hand extending to touch my shoulder as though we were friends. “You are jealous.”


    “What?!”


    “I saw it at breakfast. The way you instantly wanted to go out with us because of the otherdy. I get it.”


    “You don_”


    “You are more beautiful though if you ask me. And…” He held up a finger when I tried to cut him off. “They didn’t do anything. I was there.”


    I rxed my shoulders. I didn’t know I was holding my breath until he said that. “Okay.”


    “You are one hell of a helion, I must say.”


    “Why do you say that?”


    “I saw you guys behind us, right before your husband did his thing.”


    “Did his thing,” I repeated his words. “What thing?”


    He shut his eyes and sucked in his teeth as he twisted away. It must have slipped. “Well, I’m not supposed to say what he did.”


    “Tyler.” He shed me a grin, and this time it was worse. Maybe because of the angle his face was tilted, arge hole formed in his left cheek. His Obsidians sparkled as he howled with aughter again. Lud, does he likeughing this much?


    “Tyler!”


    “Fine.” He was nodding. “He was the one that caused you guys to hit the poor deer. He was mad that you were stalking.”


    I bunched my fingers. That piece of shit! That…


    “Hey,” He tapped my left shoulder. “You didn’t hear it from me.”


    “You were an aplice.” I had to say, narrowing my eyes in slits. “And you say you want to be my friend.”


    “I am your fr_”


    “What is going on here?”


    We both did a 360 rotation in the direction of the entrance of the training ground where the hunky bane of my life stood, scowling.


    …