Forced into Fantasy
Chapter 22 - Rivalry

Ronaar;

‘That bastard Adomis.’

‘I’ll fucking kill him with my bare hands for this!’

Once we had managed to put out the fires and survey the damage it was clear that this was a cold and calculated attack on my village and its people. An attack from the enemy.

One that I will not stand for!

We will have retribution for our casualties.

My hands are clenched beside me into tight fists as I sit at the oak table, overseeing yet another emergency council meeting, no doubt due to the attack.

And even in the midst of all this chaos, I can think of nothing but her.

Of Ivy.

‘My Moon Princess.’

I will have her and her powerful Guild Army, one way or another.

A voice suddenly pulls me from my furious thoughts as I am touched lightly on the left shoulder; someone is trying to get my attention.

“My lord, did you not hear me?”

It’s Manus, the old fool. He has always acted as a sort of father figure towards me, not that I ever wanted him to.

I had a father… once.

Before he was brutally murdered in cold blood right before my eyes by the very man I trusted more than anyone.

A man I once believed to be my closest friend.

And now that same man has my betrothed within his clutches yet again.

The mere thought of it is causing my blood to boil, I can feel it coursing throughout my veins as I struggle to open my mouth and reply.

He’s waiting; they’re all waiting for me to say something.

‘Say something...’

“I’m sorry, could you repeat what you said? I mustn’t have heard.” I finally speak and Manus nods his head in understanding.

“Certainly sire. I was merely asking what our next course of action should be, regarding the attack on our people.” the old man queries.

“And what course of action would you care to suggest?” I shoot back at him, still not choosing to meet his eyes as my hands clench even tighter into balled fists.

“Well, at least we know who is responsible for the attack.” Liana points out, joining out conversation at long last as her bright green eyes meet mine in a harsh glare.

My sister has always been one to sit out of possible confrontations. And to point out the obvious in every situation.

Manus continues after her.

“And now the Overlord knows the secretive location of our entire village. Sire, this endangers us all. Something must be done immediately to ensure that we remain protected from Adomis and his great army. Either that or… perhaps we should flee-”

“-We will NOT flee!”

My anger consumes me as a sudden burst of rage takes over and within the fraction of a second I have slammed both of my clenched fists down onto the surface of the oak table in front of me as I snap angrily.

“I will not allow that son-of-a-bitch Adomis to dictate the fate of my people!”

The other council member’s eyes are wide, but they remain silent as I take a deep breath in… and out… in… and out… in an effort to calm myself before continuing.

“That bastard took something of mine from me. And not for the first time either, mind you.”

I notice as Liana’s eyes lower to the table at the vague mention of our dearly-departed father, to whom I am referring.

“I want my Princess returned to me as soon as possible, unharmed.” I command sternly.

I look from one member to the next as I continue.

“Need I stress the importance of our union to you all? Must I remind you? If the Princess and I are not united officially by marriage that I have no possible claim to her guild and the army she controls by birth right.”

“Does she even know who she is?” Liana cuts in, her eyes narrowed in question.

“It appears that she is not yet aware of her bestowed inheritance... But that doesn’t mean that her memories won’t come flooding back to her at some point in time. If she figures out who she truly is…”

I trail off, shaking my head.

“...all hope for defeating Adomis is lost. I need that army!”

“What about our village?” Rita asks.

Rita is yet another of the council members. Aged in her mid-thirties, with long dark hair and bright purple eyes, she has always surprised me with her ability to cut to the chase in our conversations.

Straight talk, no bullshit. I admire that about her.

“How will we ensure the protection of our people until the girl is found and returned?”

I keep my now glowing green eyes locked on the table in front of me as I answer, my voice deep, dark and filled with promise.

“You leave that to me… Just bring me the girl.”

Once the meeting has been adjourned and the others exit the council chamber, I sit alone at the table staring down at my bare hands. My black silken gloves lay flat on the surface of the wooden table beside me as I ponder so many thoughts entangled within my mind.

One thought is clearly clouding over all the others now though; jealousy.

Adomis may have Ivy within his clutches… for now. But he has no idea that she already belongs to me in the most powerful way possible.

An unbreakable way.

Earlier on this evening in the hut when I visited the beautiful Ivy, I made certain that our hands would touch as I handed her something.

We made an ancient skin-to-skin connection and like it or not, Ivy is now bonded with me for all eternity. Not even the all-powerful Overlord could possibly break a bonding once it had been made.

He’d have to kill me.

Just let him try.

I can’t help it as a smirk begins to curve the corner of my mouth upward.

Wasting no more time I get to work, strategizing a plan of attack in silence. A plan to retrieve my Princess from the clutches of my enemy.

And the best part of it is, Adomis won’t even see it coming…

Ivy;

I am seated at a large polished wooden table which looks as if it could seat at least twenty people around it. The room has been sealed off with guards posted at each of the doorways.

Several dignitaries appear to be in attendance at this emergency council meeting, including the General, Captain Khalan, the Mage Zarkin and other various soldiers. All seem deeply engaged in a tense conversation currently taking place regarding my kidnapping and the existence of the mysterious village.

To my left Captain Khalan listens in silence, his eyes narrowed with focus as his hand clutches the handle of his sword, squeezing every now and then.

At least he’s interested in whatever’s being said. I’m totally bored out of my mind!

Everyone seems highly on edge; you can almost feel it. You can feel the tension in the air, crackling softly like exposed electricity.

I look over. Seated to my right is the Overlord himself, Adomis. He sits silently overseeing the meeting as the others speak back and forth. His dark gaze scans around the table as one by one the men in attendance each have their turns offer up suggestions for their next move.

‘Oh my god, I’m soooo bored!’

I don’t know why Adomis needs me here. I have nothing to do with any of these decisions. We both know that I don’t get a say. Even though it’s incredibly sexist, mind you. But I guess this is a different world after all.

Adomis suddenly side glances at me but I pretend that I don’t notice it. I keep my eyes downcast, like a good little girl.

He’s become overly protective since my kidnapping and hasn’t chosen to leave my side even for a second! He’s convinced that it may reoccur somehow. It’s highly unlikely.

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes I feel a yawn coming on, but I manage to supress it as my eyes water and I blink the minimal discomfort away. I take a deep breath in, filling my lungs as I rest my head back against the headrest of my chair and lift my gaze.

Last night was an extremely long night. Not that I’m complaining or anything. Neither of us could keep our hands off one another. It must have taken more out of me than I imagined. I’m completely drained. I smile at the memories as they materialise in my head.

A single word somehow manages to pull me right back into the heated conversation and I blink my eyes open to focus on Adomis who is suddenly speaking, his deep and husky voice flowing like silk into my ears.

“I have no doubt in my mind of Ronaar’s supposed… intentions.” their Overlord announces, narrowing his eyes at that last word.

“That scheming bastard has always craved what belongs to me, in all the years I’ve known him. Clearly Ivy here is his latest fixation.”

I narrow my eyes and can’t help but glare venomously back at him for suggesting that I even belong to him in the first place, but he seems to ignore my reaction, continuing on.

“And why would he want to ‘get back at you’, Overlord?” Zarkin questions with interest.

“I suppose you could say that the Prince and I have a… history of some sort. A rivalry perhaps.” Adomis is staring off into the middle distance as he speaks.

‘Hmm… a history huh? I know I need to know more about this…’

“With all due respect, sire, you’re suggesting that he orchestrated her kidnapping merely in an attempt to get back at you?” the General asks. “There has to be another logical reason for his actions.”

“Yeah, if he really wanted to get back at you, why not kill her instead?” Khalan suggests.

Adomis’ expression instantly darkens as he turns his head to glare down at his Captain for even suggesting something like that.

“Watch your words carefully Captain.” he speaks calmly yet filled with spiteful warning.

But the Captain’s question now has everyone here, including me interested in learning the answer to it. Maybe Khalan is onto something after all.

I don’t know why I suddenly raise my hand, like I’m back in grade school again or something, but I do as I suddenly chime into the conversation. I know I’ll probably be punished by Adomis later on for speaking out of turn, but this whole conversation has been about me!

Shouldn’t’ I at least have some part in it?

“Um, actually I agree with the Captain, Adomis.” I announce, startling everyone including Khalan.

All eyes are suddenly on me and I feel a sudden weight on my shoulders as I look to Adomis for some kind of support. He merely stares at me through narrowed eyes.

“What?”

“I think the Captain has a fairly valid point. I mean, let’s just think about it for a minute. If Ronaar wanted to hurt you, wouldn’t killing me be a better way to do it than just kidnapping me?” I suggest.

Adomis looks as if he is considering my suggestion.

“Honestly I got the idea that he wanted to keep me around for a while. He treated me like royalty the entire time I was his supposed ‘captive’… And then there’s all that weird talk about us being destined for one another, and being his Moon Princess-”

“-WHAT?” Adomis’ voice booms loudly as he moves to stand in one swift motion, his chair sliding backwards as everyone in the room silences around us.

I gasp loudly, instantly shrinking into my seat as I remain still, small and submissive before such a powerful and frickin terrifying man.

I swallow some of my nerves away and look to the others for a reaction. Their faces all hold the same expression; one of disbelief.

Adomis’ voice caused me to find his face again.

“What did he call you?”

“He… he kept calling me his… Moon Princess….” my voice shows obvious fear, but I don’t care.

I expect Adomis to go into a blind rage, roaring and throwing chairs around wildly like an animal, but instead he surprises me with what he actually does next.

“Your marking… It all makes sense.” he says softly.

His brows furrow as if he was in pain, and then without another word he turns on his heel and marches out of the room.

‘What the actual fuck?’

I am left with so many more questions now more than ever as I turn to watch the others in attendance beginning to do the same, one by one, though the others move a lot slower than Adomis had.

They begin to file out of the room until it is only me and Zarkin left remaining seated at the table.

Zarkin lets out a long, breathy sigh which breaks the silence between us.

I am beyond confused at the moment.

‘What the hell is going on?’

“Um, what just happened?” I ask him, desperate for an answer, any answers.

Zarkin’s eyes scan over me attentively, as if he is trying to memorise my every feature. My hands, my shoulders, my face.

“Zarkin! Talk to me!”

He purses his lips tightly together in hesitance before finally speaking.

“Come with me, I need to show you something…”

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on G𝘰𝘰gle to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.