With the sun shining brightly above, I shield my eyes to look in front of me. As we step closer, towering pine trees block out some of the rays and allow me to see better. We are officially on the border of the two kingdoms.
Standing directly in front of me is a man who makes me falter in my steps. He looks exactly like me: same dark hair and slender nose, tall and thin, but he’s in armor. It’s an evergreen color with the head of a wolf on front. He’s the exact height as me. I can’t help but stare. I notice he’s doing the same thing. His mouth is hanging open as he takes me in. This is my brother, Reid. He lunges forward, but before he reaches me, Luke shoots out his arm and hits him in the throat. Elliott swiftly moves me behind him, however I shift to peer around him to see what’s going on.
Reid stumbles back grasping his throat. Men from the other side advance as does the Azure Army. They’re standing toe-to-toe. I start to shake, unsure of what’s going to happen. I’ve lost Luke in the mix and only see a wall of men and Elliott in front of me.
“Enough!” a loud voice bellows. “Stand down. All of you.”
“We don’t take commands from you,” I hear Luke seethe. He’s still close.
“I was talking to my own men, but I suggest your men back off as well.”
“We will do no –”
“Luke,” Elliott interrupts from his place before me. Then I see him. My Prince and defender. The man who makes my stomach flutter in excitement and can knock someone down with one look. The man, who people fear, but also look up to within his own kingdom. The man who every night wraps me tight in his embrace and remains there until I wake.
Over the past two weeks we’ve grown closer. So close, I started calling him mine as he has done from the beginning with me. He turns to look at his brother and then his eyes fall on me. They soften a bit. He knows Elliott kept me safe. I take a step forward and Luke meets me in the middle, while Elliott walks around him to ensure Luke’s back isn’t left unguarded. These two move fluidly with one another.
Luke looks down at me and places a gentle kiss on my nose. “Are you ready?” he asks quietly.
I can only nod. I’m not ready. Nowhere close to it, but time waits for no one, and I need to finally meet my father. Luke’s hand protectively settles on my back as he brings me forward with him. We pass the line of the Azure Army and stop beside Elliott. There is a tall, imposing figure in front of me. He has dark red hair and a long, matching beard. He’s in armor that matches Reid’s and is wide like a linebacker.
I stop a few feet from him. Luke and Elliott are with me, and at some point, Oliver joined us along with one of the other Elite. Reid has regained his composure and is standing beside our father. They look nothing alike.
“My daughter finally comes home,” the king states with a smile, but this is not a warm, welcoming smile. No. It’s one of triumph. He must think I’m here to go with him.
My fear begins to melt away and my resolve builds. Maybe it’s all of the strong men around me. Maybe it’s the strength I’m borrowing from Luke, since he seems to have enough for ten men. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I’m going to harness it and use it to speak with my father. The man who has been absent all of my life.
I square my shoulders and raise my chin. “Your definition of home is different than mine. While the Pine Kingdom is yours, my home is with the Azures.”
His lips thin and he speaks with serious tone. “Your home is with me and your brother. Your home is with your destined husband, Oliver.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I have a choice, and I choose to stay with the Azures. I choose to be with Luke. I will not be forced into a marriage with a man I don’t know nor love.”
“You’re foolish. You don’t know what you’re giving up.”
“I’m giving nothing up, only gaining everything I’ve always wanted.”
Reid takes a hesitant step forward while still rubbing his neck. “Alison, I didn’t mean to startle you before. I’m sorry. I was surprised by how alike we look and was going to embrace you. I’ve wanted to meet you for so long. I can’t believe you’re finally standing in front of me. Please, come with us. I’d love to get to know you.”
“I can get to know you without living within your walls. We can meet and talk, but on neutral ground.”
“Whatever you’d like.”
I give him a small smile, but bring my eyes back to my father. “I want you to turn over the men of the Azure Army in exchange for Oliver.”
“Fair enough, daughter. I’m a man of my word.” He waves his hand and two men come forward with guards on either side of them. Oliver, however, doesn’t look like he knows where to go. He stands in the middle of the lines.
He turns to me with pleading eyes. “Please, Princess. Come home with me. I will care for you and make you happy. Anything your heart desires, I will provide. Please.”
My heart breaks a little for him. He was nice to me down in the dungeon on my first day here, and from what Stephanie said, he only has the best intentions where I’m concerned. However, I’m not his and will never be. My heart belongs to another.
“Oliver,” I say, stepping closer to him and placing my hand on his arm. I notice Luke and Elliott move with me. “I can’t. I’m sorry. My place is beside Luke. I know my father promised my hand to you, but he never should have. I’m a woman who has her own mind. I don’t do as I’m told. I was raised by a mother,” I look to Reid briefly, “who taught me to be an individual, to never let someone dictate my life. She made me strong and gave me confidence to believe in myself. Things that Luke and the rest of the Azures embrace about me. They don’t try to mold me into something I’m not. I can’t be who you want me to. You wouldn’t be happy with the woman I am.”
“I would,” Oliver quickly states. “I’ll love you the rest of our lives for who you are. I don’t want to change you, only to have you in my life.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I can’t go with you. I’m sorry.” His eyes close and my heart hurts a little more.
“Move aside, Sage,” my father demands. He pushes Oliver and stands directly in front of me. Oliver falters for a second, but then places himself between my father and me. Luke and Elliott have stepped forward, blocking me as well. A wall of strength.
Luke growls, “Take one more step, Pine, and I will slit your throat, just like I did to your second in command. You remember him, don’t you? The one you sent to fight me, since you were too cowardly. Yet, you cut down Leo with no problem. I don’t know whether you’re stupid or have a death wish. Either way, I’m happy to grant the wish.”
“Afraid? Of you?” My father starts laughing a big, hearty laugh. “That’s rich.”