turned for the door. I did not need anything to remind me of this meeting.
Leaving quickly, I headed towards the Goddess of Light’s fountain and stared up at her, sending a silent plea for guidance—
for help. My throat felt dry and my legs shook a little, likely from anxiousness. I'd received fortune telling before, but nothing
like that. Fear welled up deep inside me as I thought more on it. Sitting down on the edge of the fountain, I tried to regain some
sense of balance and normality.
“Are you alright, your highness?”
A sigh escaped my lips as I heard Marcus’s voice behind me. I was grateful it was him who had snuck up on me and no one
else.
“Yes, thank you, Marcus.”
Turning around, I felt a lump appear in my throat as my heart began to race loudly, and the ringing in my ears started again.
Standing just a few paces away behind Marcus was Dorian as he stepped out from a carriage, and he locked eyes with me.
I didn’t know what happened then. All I felt was the ringing grow louder and warm arms wrap around me tightly as the
world went dark.
Chapter 11
ORNELLA
“My sweet. You’re not supposed to be here.”
His voice took me by surprise as I pushed open a large wooden door, stepping into an overly large bedroom. It
was bigger and grander than my own.
The fire snapped and crackled as it lit up the room softly. He stood with his back to me as he looked into a large floor
length mirror. Seemingly to do up the collar of his white crisp shirt and then the button on his sleeve. His dark hair was
loose and just fell below his shoulders. He looked almost relaxed.
“It is not yet time for your arrival.”
His voice was husky and gentle. He did not turn towards me, just continued preparing his clothes. Throwing his arms
into a navy velvet jacket and then slipping on a pair of black dress shoes. He kept his back to me.
“I don’t know how I got here,” I said, confused. When he did not reply, I stepped farther into the room and asked, “Am I
not allowed to be here?”
He didn’t seem to notice as I wandered slowly over to his desk, which was littered with endless parchments and maps of
our home. My vision slightly blurry as I tried to make out the words on some of the pages.
“As much as I enjoy your presence, no, you are not allowed here, at least not yet.”
Coming up behind me, he surprised me as he wrapped his arm around my waist and breathed in deeply, taking in my