Word Count: 1823

~Kiva

Today, my father has invited Caspian over.

It took a lot to get Ark to back off and give us some time to ourselves for a walk by the river.

Ark was not impressed.

First he insisted Caspian wasn't capable of protecting me if someone attacked while we were on the border of the estate. Then he shifted his argument to saying Caspian cannot be trusted to be kind to me if he decides to make a move.

Regardless, he hasn't gotten his way, and has remained at the manor while Caspian and I walk together.

"You intrigue me, Kiva," he says after a few minutes of silence.

My head turns. "Really? Why?"

"I've met many Princesses, and yet none are like you." He keeps his hands politely clasped behind his back, although I get the feeling he is itching to hold my hand.

I refrain from giggling. That feels like what most men say when seducing a woman.

"Is this because I tried to draw you into my bed upon meeting you?" I ask. It's easy to joke about it. If I don't, I'll be raked with embarrassment.

Caspian laughs, looking off at the distance.

"That was definitely different," he notes. "I mean, you are so sure of yourself, of who you are. I admire that."

"It's funny you say that, but some days I barely know who I am or who I should be," I admit with a sigh.

Caspian won't want to hear about my mate, nor would he want to hear about my desire to escape this life. I wish I could be content with royalty as he is.

"I know who you are," he murmurs softly, tilting his head to look down at me. The way he looks at me...it's as if he isn't sure what he thinks of me, even if his words say otherwise.

I eye him suspiciously. "You do?"

Part of me suspects he's going to tell me that he knows I'm a liar, that I have a mate who is a part of the rebellion that is trying to hurt me.

Instead, his eyes soften. "Yes. You're the woman I want to marry."

I blink, the information taking a moment to settle in my overwhelmed mind.

He sinks to one knee, reaching into his back pocket to reveal a small box. He flips it open, and sitting there is a ring with a beautiful diamond atop it.

My mouth dries. I figured this was why he was so insistent on us coming out here alone, although I'm still stunned regardless.

"Caspian..." I breathe out, unable to find words.

"It's soon, I know, but I'll keep you safe at my estate. We can start our lives now, get to know each other," he assures me gently, cheeks flushed bright pink, and not just because of the bitter cold.

I know I have to say yes. This is what I've been anticipating the moment I met him, and now, I have to make the final decision on what happens.

This should be a happy moment. Instead, a dark, haunting feeling gathers in the pit of my stomach.

"Wow. Ah, okay..."

He frowns a little. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes. I'll marry you," I affirm quickly. If I hesitate, I'll think about all the reasons this is a terrible idea. I'll even consider Ark's offer to take me far away from here for a new life, and I'll say no.

Caspian slides the ring onto my fingers, smiling up at me. "Excellent. You will not regret this, Kiva."

***

Caspian's home is beautiful.

The marble stairs lead me up toward it, where I once visited only a few weeks ago. Now, I am visiting again to what will soon be my new home. Once we are married, I will be expected to move in.

I didn't need to tell Ark about the engagement when I returned with Caspian to the house two days ago...

He saw the ring on my finger at dinner. The moment I was in my room for the night, he spent a good hour telling me how I made a horrible decision, even when disregarding the mate bond.

I won't forget that look in his eyes. The betrayal.

My father has ordered Ark to remain at my side, even as I visit a different part of the land. We aren't too far from home, so the risk of being targeted still looms.

If only father knew that one of the rebellion's members is right by my side at all times. I think that would be the final nudge over the edge for him.

"I can't believe you said yes," he mutters, one of my bags slung over his shoulder.

"Look, I get it, you're upset. But I had to do it," I grumble under my breath, giving two guards who stand by the door a polite smile.

"You're marrying a man who isn't your mate," he breathes. He grabs my arm, drawing me to a stop in the threshold of the foyer. "Am I that awful?"

My stomach turns as I look up at him.

Even though I know who he is, my heart still hurts knowing that he is witnessing me move on with another man. He knows he has the option to leave, but he has insisted that he wants to stay as my personal guard.

I can't tell if it's because I'm his mate and he cares about me, or if it's because he's been told he has to by those he works with.

"I have a duty, Ark," I mutter, glancing over my shoulder, wary the guards are listening in.

He shakes his head. "One you don't want."

"Quiet, okay? There is a lot more to this then you understand." I'm not saying his life is simple, because I know it's not, but he hasn't been raised like I have, told throughout my childhood that this is the only option for me.

"I'm not going anywhere, you know. I'm still your guard," he tells me pointedly. The way he looms over me reminds me exactly why this isn't going to work.

Caspian is going to learn sooner or later that there is something going on between Ark and I.

"Yes, I know. But don't think of flirting with me in front of Caspian," I growl, pushing at his chest. He doesn't so much as flinch.

He exhales, eyes drifting down to my lips. "You're mine before you're his."

I grit my teeth, wondering if I should throttle him now and tell Caspian I don't want Ark as my personal guard any more. My future husband would have no problem getting rid of him, considering what happened last time we visited.

"I am no one's. I am my own person and I'm marrying Caspian," I snap, turning to head into the foyer to meet the prince.

Ark grabs my arm again, pulling me back until I'm so close to him that a chill travels over my skin.

"I hear things about him, you know. That he is a deeply selfish person..." he breathes lowly, dark hair falling down over his eyes.

"He's been nice to me," I exclaim. I may not be attracted to Caspian, but I suspect he will be a good enough husband.

Ark's eyes narrow. "To lure you in."

"There are far worse Princes. At least he's my age," I hiss, thinking back to all the matches my father has put before me. He's always claimed that an older King would take the pressure of me, brushing off the fact that the thought of being paired with an older man disgusts me.

"Are you going to sleep with him?" he questions, sounding a little breathless.

I shift uncomfortably, feeling as though Caspian may come around the corner at any moment to expose what we are speaking about. He is anticipating my arrival, so he can't be far off from appearing.

"No. Not until we are married," I mutter under my breath, rubbing the back of my neck.

Sleeping with Caspian when I have the most attractive man possible standing right in front of me, who is more than willing to sleep with me if I ask, isn't exactly something I want to think about.

His gaze darkens. "Tell me that's a joke."

"It has to be consummated. I don't really feel like being thrown out on my ass because our marriage is invalid," I remind him. He may not know how this works, but I do, and I can't take any risks.

Ark looks over me. "He knows you've slept with others before, considering you threw yourself on him once before."

"Yes, but his parents don't know that," I mumble. If they knew, I wouldn't be good enough for their son.

Ark's gaze softens. "Don't sleep with him."

Anger directed right at myself churns within me. I hate that I'm doing this, but what other choice do I have? I can't exactly escape this life with a man who either wants to ruin me in some way.

"You can leave, if it's too much. You don't need to stay around and suffer like this," I tell him firmly. I don't want to push him away, even if I know it's the right thing to do.

He shakes his head slowly. "You're going to see that this is wrong soon, Kiva. I'm not going anywhere."

"You're the one who has to suffer."

From the other side of the foyer, Caspian suddenly appears, waving at me with a broad smile on his face.

"Time to go." I give Ark a faux smile as I brush past him, heading toward the prince.

I can feel my guard follow me, albeit reluctantly. Caspian's smile falters a little at the sight of him, although still tries to remain cheerful in my presence.

"Kiva, I am so glad you're here," he says, taking my hands in his. I watch his thumb brush over the ring, which I had to remind myself to put on before coming here.

The weight of it on my finger haunts me.

"Of course. We need to start preparing for the wedding," I muse, trying not to look back at Ark, who I figure is giving Caspian a death stare.

If the prince is bothered by him, he doesn't acknowledge it. "Come, I have plenty of things for us to do today."

"Excellent." I was hoping there would be a distraction for me to engage in.

Caspian's gaze drifts from me to Ark. "You're dismissed for the day, guard."

I don't turn around, suspecting Ark will say something to anger the prince, but he silently departs. I exhale slowly.

Maybe this can work...Although I don't have high hopes.

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I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! and as always it is available 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

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