- I love you!
His soft voice echoed in my ears like a whisper. I opened my eyes suddenly looking around. Everything was still dark, but I could feel like I was alone. I frowned when I realized a little of the clarity coming from the outside. I walked up to the window and noticed that it was not long before dawn. I went back to bed to get the dagger under the pillow and noticed that there was a chain on the top. It was made of gold with a medallion containing the MacCalister coat of arms, adorned with small emeralds around it. Smile when you pick him up. That could only be Alec's work!
I left early for the port, after saying goodbye to my sisters, Alistair accompanied me to the anchorage to catch the boat. Five soldiers have been chosen for my protection. He smiled when he noticed the chain, whose medallion was hanging over my lap.
- I see Alec's here at last! - said Alistai when we got to the pier.
- I'm not sure. - said holding the locket. - This was on my pillow when I woke up this morning. Somebody might have put him up to his requests.
Alistair held my shoulders.
- Don't worry about him. - Alistair whispered. - I know my brother well enough to know that his anger won't last long.
- I wanted him to know that I appreciate his safety and that I'd hate to see him hurt because of me.
- Believe me when I say he knows that. - Alistair assured. - Have a nice one-way trip and let the good winds bring you back.
Smiling I hugged Alistair and he walked away towards the horse.
- Majesty?
- Oh, yeah?
- I think you should give me a letter of introduction in case Phillipe doesn't want to see me.
Alistair shook his head from side to side and rode the huge animal.
- Trust me, Your Highness! - he fired. - You won't need a letter.
Franzi's forehead, but when I tried to ask him what he meant by it, Alistair went off. Without understanding his words, I entered the boat and waited for the departure looking at the shore. There was no one waving at me, but I still waited until we got out of the canal. I went to the cabin where my quarters were and took a deep breath before opening the door. I was distracted, contemplating the beauty of the medallion and did not notice that there was someone else in the room.
- Beautiful, isn't it? - a voice said making me shiver from head to toe. - I knew it would go perfectly with those huge, expressive eyes you have.
I lifted my head when I recognized Alec's voice. He was sitting on the bed with one leg bent over the mattress and the other raised. An arm was under the knee raised, with the sleeve of the white shirt rolled up to his elbows.
- What... What are you doing here? - I asked in a surprise voice. - I thought you were headed for Edinburgh by now.
Alec smiled at his provocative smile and stood up slowly. He was barefoot and his feet barely sounded when he put them on the wooden floor. Alec came walking up to me without taking his eyes off mine.
- Do you really believe that I would leave for Edinburgh or wherever, without saying goodbye to you? - he asked with a whisper.
- But... the front?
- Alistair said he will command the army. - Alec explained. - He said a good king doesn't send his subjects to sacrifice.
- What about my sister?
- You'll be taken to Dunlock to stay with my parents, where you'll be safe. - Alec laughed. - She very much wanted to accompany Alistair and he was willing to take her, but due to the circumstances of pregnancy, he preferred to send her there. Of course, it took her to be doped up before they could take her away.
I had a laugh. I imagined the scene of my sister kicking herself to go with Alec to the battlefield. Although I disagreed that she needed special care, I had to agree that the battlefield would not be a good place for my sister.
- I still can't believe you're here. - I said amazed. I was nervous and I couldn't move. - Why did you disappear? Your furious reaction doesn't leave my head.
Alec sighed.
- I'm so sorry! I heard what you said in the dungeon and I talked to Alistair. It was his idea, and to make it look real, I had to pretend to be angry.
- You disappeared during the hanging. Do you have any idea how I felt?
- Yeah. That's why I stood next to you in camouflage. - Alec said in a quiet voice. - I wish I had embraced her, but if I had, it would have aroused her curiosity when she had to disappear again. I chose to hold her overnight.
- It wasn't a dream. - I whispered.
Alec approached me.
- No! - He whispered taking my face in his hands. - It's not in me to leave her, princess. You were the only woman who instigated me to go this far.
I swallowed dry when Alec's lips rubbed against mine.
- You're mine, and I intend to let the world know that.
- What about annulment?
- If I don't love to serve as an excuse to cancel a wedding, I'll gladly accept it. How do I know that's
