The next day passed uneventfully for Shay. Fiere did not return but Meerde had checked in on Andy three times and assured her everything was fine.Shay had passed the time reading Andy’s book or sitting next to him and talking to him in his unconscious state.After dinner in their chambers and a bath the evening before, Shay had continued reading and had fallen asleep, more from exhaustion as opposed to choice.She woke confused and anxious before she recalled where she was. The book lay open on her lap and she quickly recalled where she had read up to. Prince Fiere was in the book but he was making his journey from the province of Eldrom after dealing with a border skirmish between tribes in the small village of Arstor.Shay was technically behind the curve in the story since it

Josh was stunned when he received Shay’s text message the last evening he saw her. Feelings rushed through him one after another so quickly he could not separate them and then it felt as if they all collided creating an emotional holocaust. It felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach and he struggled to recover his breath while someone cut his heart from his chest as he watched. He felt sick and thought he would vomit while he wished the earth would swallow him up there and then if it wasn’t already doing so. It was as if he was on a long stretch of road in the dark and the road had suddenly ended. There was nothing ahead except a bottomless chasm. No way forward. Nothing. Just pitch black blackness.Josh read the message over and over trying to understand what had happened. Shay had been herself and there had been nothing to suggest there was anything wrong between them.

Maica closed her chamber doors and waited for Algwad who arrived shortly after she sent for him. Her long black hair flowed down her back, straight and free and she ran her hands through it as she pondered what to do.She was troubled by the arrival of the girl and her father. She did not believe in coincidences and knew she had to act fast. She could not have the girl and her father killed or even thrown in the dungeon without news getting to Mayle. He would most likely delay the wedding if it came to his attention. Anything which might suggest that the wedding could be disrupted or was not secure, would make him delay the wedding. Royalty from surrounding kingdoms would attend the wedding and Mayle needed to be able to assure them of their safety. If anything happened which placed the guests in danger the kingdom would possibly be faced with war and Mayle would do all he could to avoid such a situation from occurrin

“What? How?” Fiere’s tone was indignant and outraged all at the same time. “How can it be Father? You know what this means? I have been asking you to change the law for how long? How long Father?”Mayle sat silently as he listened to Fiere rant.“I know Fiere. I know. I just never expected to remarry so I did not think it was necessary. Maica has swept me off my feet and things have moved along faster than they should have maybe, but….”“Maybe? Maybe? Father, how many times have I have spoken with you about changing it? Since you first started seeing Maica. And now it’s too late. You have given away my heritage, my inheritance and my kingdom!”Mayle’s face flushed with anger. “I have not gi

They left Shay’s chambers and made their way to Fiere’s chambers. Shay realized she had forgotten her manners with the fuss Fiere had made of her appearance and complimented Fiere on his appearance too.Soon they were settled on the balcony of Fiere’s chambers. The balcony overlooked the royal garden which was well lit with torches and they could see all the way to the royal mausoleum. They could hear the fountains running water in the garden below.Fiere was eager to learn more about Shay and her life.“Tell me about your life.”Shay tried to keep details simple. “I am truly just a simple peasant girl your highness. My father is a writer and a hopeless romantic. It should be obvious considering how we have traveled the countryside seeking my mother