His Chosen Bride

der what it feel

ar, low and sharp, as if the words had

besides this party?" He waved a hand toward the ballroom, where nobles spun

king down the arched window. Outside, the sea thrashed, restless a

hing away from the pillar and stepping closer.

watchin

h the crowd. Her laughter rang out, bright and sharp as glass, but he

wood muttered, but even

hidden at his waist. "Maybe," he said, "but if I'm

ia a moment too long. "You really think she'd t

ked like something torn out of a dream-too beautiful, too strange. Towers of coral spiraled high above the waves, their edges sharp as

aped it, carved it, and in return, the

e cold glass. "This place

nce of it. Poor, tragic Arik. So cursed, so burdened." He smirk

his hands in surrender. Cheekily backing

drink a boatload." Arik

emselves in daringly tight clothing, baring skin and showcasing their boldness. Yet, for Arik, the carnival of sights and scents was overwhelming. His a

icating, and he could feel

r, who regaled the guests with tales from his youth, re

ised platform, each one adorned in increasingly flamboyant att

and engaging in increasingly scandalous antics that made him wince. He quickly averted his eyes from Nahla, who was

the banquet walls captured Arik's attention far more than the festivities inside. Lightning fla

stubborn yet sweet-tongued young woman. Today marked the anniversary of their first meeting-a day that had saved and irrevoc

ntion back to the party. Floating effortlessly above the ground was Fleetwood Goldstein, his half-h

er made him the life of the party, even as

ing with the elegance of the ball. His bright amber eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were narrowed into slits from lau

as nearly obscured by shadows. He was still where he left him. With a playful roll of his eyes, Fleetwood rec

ods in the realm of Fable. His wild, shoulder-length flame-red hair

against the wine glass with theatrical flair. "Hear ye,

eyes turned toward Fleetwood, wh

and leaned close to one of his stepmothers, Kalliste, whisperin

otting how to add this absurd spectacle to her already burgeoning list of

echoed in the great hall as silence fell, all eyes now fixed o

his finger pointing like an eager poi

ttered under his breath, his

irtatious whistles directed at the Prince of the Sea. In the hearts of many wome

of disbelief and barely contained fury, and he appeared as if he might vomit from the sheer embarrassment. He look

sheepish grin in Arik's direction before v

g the guests from their stupor and commanding silence with

a dark glint in her eyes, rising to her full height. With purposeful ste

o their husband. Her sisters made a sprint for their respective mother

lapels of his jacket with surprising strength. Arik's father was a short and stout man, but he had the strength of ten men in his bulky arms. "

of us were looking for." Arik sneered and

r of one of the Fallen and Arik's childhood friend.They were used for an allia

d grovel to be taken back." Andreus' brown eyes flashed, and his nose flared as he sta

sure grandfather didn't have a say in your marriages, so let me have my

ready to tear into each other. "This is nei

criticising gazes. Anybody who was anybody was right here in this hall, and he was making a fool of

around the hall. "Escort all the guests

e poured in from nowhere. There was a sudden gust of wind, and al

out fifty guards encircled the royal family. Andreus drew

nd felt it better to run to see another day.Lightning struck within the palace, and fire caught one of the curtains. From the smoke and fire, a dark shadow slowly emerged. A tall, voluptuous woman

dark purple smoke crawling out from the empty eye socket. Her lips were a bloody shade of red, and her teeth, a

your in-law, Andreus?" Morgan asked

my liege. They just get so excited when they hear of your coming." Arik lo

d, the guards did the most absurd thing. They dropped their weapons and, as if hypnotised, marched out of the room i

it that the wedding date is set officially. My daughter in name has been engaged for far too long, and I'd like to see lit

augh, "Of course, of course. I w

h." Arik cut off his father's lie. "I'll surely be ge

ve but a bloody fool. If the witch decided to kill him here an

s like he's asleep." Andreus dropped to his knees and bowed his head to Mo

death wish. Arik didn't kneel with his family. He k

" Arik didn't know if the witch even cared for the happiness of E

a slap across Arik's face."You vile spawn!"The

of her hand, Morgan threw Andreus across the room using her magic. Andreus hit a column, and a

to Esmerelda Morgan to

'd rather die." Arik said aloud,

ow appeared in Arik's hands, and he shot the arrow at the witch without even looking. He ra

her shoulder. The witch didn't bleed. She quickly pulled the arrow out

Crowed the sea witch with

opped down into the sea. There was a bright light, and at once Arik felt dizzy and a slight pai

word, the sea witch had turned into a huge sea monster. Tentacles thrust out from all ove

le free, but it o

en. She had come immediately she heard her

was finished. She gave it no second thought as she

constricted as there was no more struggle left in Arik. She raced towards them

he blacked out was the distre