Page 69 of One Last Promise
“It was only about training.He’s aNoxlin!I wasn’t attracted to him in the slightest,” I lied, feeling ashamed that I had fallen for Darce’s charm in the first place.I had been so foolish.
“That is a relief at least.”
“What are you going to tell my father?”
“I’ll have to tell him the truth unless Uri has alreadyseenand told him.”Shit!I had forgotten about Uri!“Your father was furious when he believed it was aDylinwarrior training you.I’m not sure what he’ll do when he discovers it was a Noxlin.You’ve gone againsteverythingthat we are.”
“The first vision Uri had, what exactly was it?”
“He saw you fighting off some noc beasts with a warrior figure.I went to question Noor, and when she realised your life might be in danger.She agreed to take me to your meeting place.Soleil tracked your scent, and that’s how we found you.”
“I’ve made such a mess of everything,” I admitted, throwing a few stones into the river.“My intention was never to hurt anyone.I simply wanted to take revenge for my mother’s death.”
Xavier took my hand in his, pulling me closer to him.My body convulsed at the closeness.“Alora, you’ve done extremely well.Zohar will declare war now, and we’ll finally be able to take down that smug, conceited Noxlin that killed Duska.I’ve been wanting to wage a war with him for quite some time now.Do tell me, whatishis name?I never had the pleasure of finding out in all the times I’ve tried to run him through with my sword.”Just how many times had they met on the battlefield?It made me question Darce’s rank within the Noxlin army.He couldn’t be a mere foot soldier.
“Darce.”I sighed deeply.“His name is Darce.”
“Well, Darce’s days are numbered.With our binding, I willfinallybe able to destroy him.I’ve been waiting to gain enough power to match his for quite some time.Darce won’t get away from me so easily next time.”Our binding?Xavier looked at my stunned face.“What did you think would happen, Alora?You have no way of escaping now.You’ll finally beminebefore the two suns set.You’ve proven you can’t be trusted.Zohar will have no choice but to bind you to me.Uri has already seen it.I will make sure you fall back in line, and once the seer confirms that you are still pure, I’m going to takesomuch pleasure in deflowering youallnight long.If that Noxlinhasclaimed you, I’ll simply claim you right back.There will be no trace of him once I’m done with you.You have kept me waiting long enough.”Tears stung my eyes.I couldn’t run from my fate anymore.There was nowhere left to go.
In some strange way, I took comfort in being bonded to Xavier.He would force me to forget Darce, and all these feelings deep inside me would fade to nothingness.It would be as if he never existed, and right now, I would take anything to ease the pain deep in my chest.
Chapter Twenty Two
Fate has a funny wayof catching up with you.I felt as if my soul was outside of my body as Xavier escorted me into the throne room, where Zohar was waiting for me.His face was a picture of fury.I had no doubt that Uri had informed him about the Noxlin that had trained me.He stood by this truth pool, watching me intently.Nell and Noor were to the left of the throne, fear written all over their faces.Fear for me.
Elin stood behind my father, clutching the top of his throne.She gave me a sly, gloating smile.This was what she had wanted all along: me out of the picture so my father and her could try and produce another heir.Closing my eyes, I reached out to Holy Ether, begging her to hear me out.Please, Holy Ether, please let me complete my destiny.I can’t get out of this myself.I need your help and guidance.I don’t want to bond with Xavier.Help me!Show me my true path!
“Alora, tell me this isn’t true!”my father bellowed, slamming his fist down on the arm of his throne.“First, I learned you have been trained in battle by one of our own kind.That was enough to generate my outrage, but then, Uri realised it’s not a Dylin that trained you, but aNoxlin!Our sworn enemy!Have you completely lost your mind?HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME IN SUCH A WAY!”Zohar was up out of his chair now, pacing the room.“I have no choice now but to declare war!”
“No!Father!”
“SILENCE!”My father’s voice echoed across the great room.“You are lucky I’m notbanishingyou!You have made a fool out of meandour race!What did you possibly hope to gain from being trained in battle by aNoxlin?”My father motioned towards Xavier and Uri.“Take hold of her!”Before I could even scream, Xavier grabbed me around the waist, holding me tightly in place.His fingers dug into my hips painfully while I tried to squirm against him.Uri walked over to me with a stern look on his face.“If this Noxlin has deflowered you, I will lash you myself.”My father’s tone was incensed.His eyes burned straight through me.“And Xavier is welcome toeverysingle piece of you if you’ve been tainted.”Even trying with all my strength, I couldn’t break Xavier’s hold as Uri drew closer.I searched the room, pleading with someone there to help me.Nell was holding Noor down, tears streamed down her face.Uri pulled his light power into his right hand.Two more guards appeared either side of me, taking hold of each of my arms.This allowed Xavier to release me and stalk me in a circular pattern.
“I need better access to her sex,” Uri commented to Xavier.“Rip the bottom of her dress.”Of course the general didn’t need to be told twice.He had waited centuries to get a glimpse of my body.He ripped my skirt, his hands lingering a little too long on the inside of my thighs.
When I felt Uri’s hand underneath my undergarment, I screamed out!No!I was theprincess!They couldn’t do this tome.
