Four days had passed since Layana had begun her training, and her father had been more than angry, but to her surprise, it did not bother Declan. When the king had threatened him for defying him, Declan had suggested he would stop training the army too. Something that had not sat well with the monarch. One thing that was becoming ever clearer was there was some reason the king was not outright punishing Declan for his disobedience. The latter knowing it was because of the hidden truth, the king was most likely feeling some guilt because of it and Declan was determined to push the man till his resolve snapped. As for Layana, Declan was more than impressed with her determination and progress. Everything he said she took it in, coming back the next day to show him that she had remembered it all. Every morning she was making three rounds around the palace whereas he had told her two. She never mentioned it but he had seen it, accompanied by a mix of guards who took turns to complete the
The morning had gone by like most, with Layana bathing and getting ready for the day, she had breakfast in the princesses drawing-room, Cordelia once again not present. Terania had left to attend to matters with Zephyr, it was clear she was becoming accustomed to the man, much to Layana’s relief. She and Aurelia had lunch with Queen Azalea in her quarters, discussing and studying for the upcoming engagement. With many nobles and even royals from neighbouring kingdoms arriving, the princesses needed to be sure to greet each one according to their status. The queen gave the girls several large handbooks to study the guest list from. Currently her and Aurelia were sitting on the balcony outside the drawing-room, the sun shining down on them. the hustle and bustle of palace life filled the air, and it felt pleasant. The table between them held the large handbooks containing all the guests who would be attending, many with a small but detailed portrait added to their information. These
“She’s lost consciousness…” Declan said approaching the king, he knew she had the moment the energy pulsating in the room vanished. The king did not seem to hear until Declan placed a hand on his shoulder jerking him back to reality. He stiffened looking at the guards and princesses. He had to hide the truth, no one must know it was Layana’s doing. “It is clear this was an attempt to harm the princess, speak of this to none or I will have your heads, now leave us,” he barked, the men bowed and stepped away, knowing an un-refusable order with no space for arguing. They left the room leaving Declan, the king and the princesses in the room, Declan scanned the surrounding, his gaze lingering on the shattered diamonds as if they had been made of glass…. Crouching down he picked up a piece, diamonds were one of the strongest materials on the planet… and she had shattered them with ease. Could he even crack a diamond with his lightning? He doubted it… Aurelia and Cordelia looked around wit
“I have my ways, and besides, you should be grateful I'm here, I came to get the book you wanted me to return,” he said smoothly satisfied with his excuse. “Oh… thank you,” she said “But if my father finds out you’re in my room…” “I already carried you into this room princess right in front of your father,” he said as he walked into the bedroom making her eyes widen before she looked away “So you were there earlier…” she said quietly “Hmm yeah,” he said as he dropped onto the bed making Layana blush again, rushing over she stopped by the bed “Get off the bed!” she hissed as he leaned back against the headboard crossing his ankles. “What if I don’t want to?” he said raising an eyebrow, “It’s not proper,” Layana said pouting, Declan smirked “Well since nothing about me being here is proper who cares,” he said looking at her. Becoming serious he frowned as he looked into her eyes, sitting up letting one of his legs slide to the floor “What happened earlier?” She looked down the
Layana had awoken bright and early ready for training even before the sun was rising, dressed in blue fitted pants, and a white tunic that stopped above her knees, she was wrapping her hair up into a bun when there was a knock on her door, she paused was that her father? Standing up from her vanity table she entered the bedroom and opened the door to her bedroom feeling rather nervous, sure enough, her father stood there, his face serious and emotionless, “Father,” Layana said curtsying to her father, the king entered closing the door behind him, walking towards the open balcony window he looked out at the dark skies. It was clear to Layana her father knew what time she was waking every day for training. “How do you feel,” the king said now turning away from the dark skies, that even now did not dull the beauty of the city of Odairo. “Perfectly well,” Layana said standing a few metres away from her father. The king looked at her, he had tried all night to think of what to tell her
“You’re late,” Declan said without turning to face her, the sun had already risen shining down on the courtyard, to her surprise there were no spectators today, she wondered if Declan had sent them away. “I'm sorry but father came to see me,” she said quietly looking at his strong muscular back. Noticing how he filled it out nicely, the fabric of his dark brown tunic stretching around his biceps, her father's words returned to her, blushing lightly she looked away quickly, “Excuses aren't allowed, princess… I would make you run four laps but I’ll let it slide this time,” he said “Because I'm here to spar with you,” a bright confident voice said and Layana knew who it was before he even came into view. Dressed in a forest green tunic and chocolate brown pants, Aren of Silver Mountain stood out brightly against the stark contrast of his dark-haired dark-eyed friend. But to Layana Declan somehow demanded all the attention, his dark mysterious allure only made him look more attractive
The rest of the day had gone by in a blur, with the preparations, last-minute dress fittings and going over the main rules and expectations by Lady Miranda who had been the one assisting the younger three princesses. It seemed even Cordelia came out of the confinement of her room. Layana was not sure if this was her fathers’ doing or not. But she was grateful to see her sister again although the latter did not even look her way. It was after dinner and Layana had gone to the library, it was pleasantly empty, seeming everyone was busier with the approaching wedding, her guard kept a distance, knowing she did not like to be followed closely and they respected that but made sure she was in their line of sight. Especially with the increase in guests residing in the palace. Layana now skimmed the shelves, she had come for some answers. There were a few things that had been on her mind, and although she was not sure she would find the answers here, it was worth a try if not then she would
Layana stood the moment the door opened, and Declan slid inside shutting it swiftly, locking it before he turned and looked at her. She ran over to him, for a moment it was as if a woman was running to meet her secret lover, but the look in her eyes was not of love or desire, her eyes were full of worry and fear. Her hands gripped his muscular arms tightly, instinctively he gripped her hips, his thumbs massaging her through her deep purple gown. “Zephyr, there’s something wrong with him,” she whispered urgently and went on to explain everything that had occurred in the library. Declan listened quietly a frown on his face. “Then there’s a chance he has seen your ability too…” Declan said quietly both stood rather close, Layana too worried to notice, and although Declan was very aware of her breasts brushing his chest now and then he did not move back. Aren had left for the night, heading into the capital for some fun and had invited Declan who refused, something about bedding a rand