bChapter /b47

Valencia

Hooked at Killian, who scooted closer to me and pulled me close, making me gasp.

“Don’t worry, the mark will appear,”

Killian embraced me, much to the shock of bMartin /band all the others present around.

“Did he just embrace the blessed one?” I heard somebody exim in shock.

bI /bcould see the others get up and lean forward to get a better look, Killian was in front of me, blocking my sight of them and shielding me from them as

well.

“Oh, my” Maelyn clutched her chest dramatically and gasped.

“Am I seeing what everybody else is seeing?” She asked with her eyes dancing up and down as if she was revealing a big secret.

“Hey, ignore them. Eyes on me” Kilian bsaid /band gently ced his hands on my chin, making me look at him.

“But they are talking” I began, and he ced a finger on my lips.

That touch made me shiver delicately.

“Let them. You need to be calm and cool while I try to find an escape n for you”

“Escape n?” I asked him in surprise.

bWas /bhe going to take me out of this kingdom and back home? My heart surged with hope. I could go back to my apartment and meet my best friend Sophia, who was probably worried sick of me by now.

by your authority and make you blook /bweak

“Martin and Maelyn feel challenged by byour /bbarrival/b, They will do everything possible to downy

“What authority? I dont have any” I bcountered /bas he let his hand slide down mine to interlock our fingers.

“You do. You are strong. And even more powerful than King Aecidurhimself”

I blinked at that

“You think so?”

Killian nodded affirmatively, “I know so

He then lowered his head to whisper in my ear.

“But for nowb, /bblet /bmee bup /bwith something to put their worries to rest. A flick of magic. Something to make them shut up.”

Those words should bhave /breassured me, but instead I felt worry rise in me all over again,

I was not a witch, I didn’t have even a lick of magic in me

“How?” I asked, and he smiled.

“just wait and watch”

Meanwhile, Killian slid his bhand /baround my waist and bturned /baround to face the crowd that was already whispering and theorizing again.

1312 Sat, 23 Aug En

“Calling dibs on her already brother?” Martin grinneil. “I thought you didn’t want in participate in the hunt?”

urage as he

Kilian’s hand stroked my back, infusing me with some courage as he smiled hack at his brother.

jaminysting her for the dance thought since you are so fond of the traditions of our kingdom, I should bring up one fon.”

Martin’s smile flickered

“As you might be very well aware, brother, we have a dance at Serantlyne and the girl gets to choose who she wants to dance with for the rest of the night. Or have you forgotten the tradition?”

Martin’s smile wavered, and he looked at Killian as if he hail just robbed him of his vorite toy

“Oh night. The dance. I didn’t know you were fond of dancing little brother.”

Killian smiled.“There are a lot more things you don’t know about me. bOr /brather pretend to not know about

He said thatst line in a slightly suggestive tone, making me wonder just how many secrets Killian had

Martin pretended to not listen to Killian’s reply and turned his attention to the bonfire that was still burning brightly

“Very well then, my friends and siblings. Let us all enjoy the bdance/b. Bring bon /bthe musicians.”

I was d that for once, all eyes were not on me. Everybody seemed to be distracted by the prospect of dance and men started moring to ack the women for a dance.

While everybody else was distracted with that, bI /blooked at Killian.

“don’t know how to dance.”

He ced both his hands on my waist and mumbled.

“You don’t have to worry about it. Just follow me.”

“But dance all night? I can’t do that. And what if the mark doesn’t…bagan, but he ced bhis /bindex finger again on my lips. ollin. Let me think while I have you safe in my arms rather than hatching a n while you are away from bme /b/li/ol

my queen.

“You talk too much, my

My queen.

How could he bsay /bsuch lines so easily when I bwas /bpanicking so muchb? /b

And why did my heart flutter every time he said something cute or nice? I was supposed to be angry with him for bringing me here forcefully, not bget /bmushy over every stolen touch or bgaze/b.

My queen… the way he said those words or just about anything made me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling

“Ahem” Somebody cleared his throat behind us and i daw a young man standing behind Killian.

“Yes?” He looked at that man,

“thought I should ask the blessed one for a dange

Before I could answer, Killian said dismissively

“She isn’t interested to dance with you.”

The young man tried not to frown at Killian and looked at me.

7.5 Aug

“I wish to hear it from you, mydy.”

Killian’s expression when he heard him call me “my is

(“mydy‘ was ba /bmixture of anger

er and amusement.

“Mydy?” Killian scoffed. “She isn’t your bdy/b, she isn’t anything to you except the blessed one. And mind you, I saw her perform some neat magic trick yesterday. Almost took my eye off. So be careful not to anger ber

The young man looked from me to Killian warily and I stomped my foot on Killian’s foot. Hard

“What bes are you telling him?i hissed, but Killian paid no attention to me

“Go, ask other girls around. She is taken.

He let his hand side down mine again and interlocked our fingers before raising it up i

to show!!

b“/bSee! Now po

eaway!

The poord looked heartbrokenb, /band I wanted to console him. I didn’t want to make enemies here.

Martin and Maclyn already hated me. I couldn’t have the rest of the hate me too.

“I am sorry, prince…” I trailed off, and he gave me a bright smile.

“Prince Fabian” He supplied.

“Prince Fabian,” I nodded.

“Perhapster, tonight?” I tried to offer, but Killian put stepped in front of me and growled.

“Don’t make me lose my calm, Fabian. Or I’ll have you clean the piggery tomorrow. Go!”

But…” Fabian tried to protest, but Killian roared.

“She is mine!! Now leave before she turns byou /binto a pig”

What?

The poor guy scurried away hastily as if I had pulled out my magic and to transform him into a squealing pig and ran away as fast as he could.

I wriggled my hand free of Killian’s grip and ced it on his shoulder to make him face me

“What the hell bare /byou trying to achieve here?” I asked, ring at him.

A corner of Killian’s lips curled up into a smirk as he replied.

“So haughty! It brings out the bcolor /bof your cheeks.” Killianplimented me, but again I braised /bmy leg to stomp on his foot.

He pulled it away beasily /band turned me around at a dizzying speed.

My back collided with his chest and bhis /bbhand /bwas around my neck, holding me in his grip firmly.

I felt his breath tickle my skin as he whispered.

“The only safe ce for you is with me, sweetheart. bI /bhope you know that.”