Chapter 16

His eyes widened gently, he felt his chest tighten and his stomach twist in pure joy. He had to bite his cheek to prevent himself from asking her to repeat what she just said. The wind picked up softly as her loose pieces of her dark hair sway framing her face. Her eyes looked serene and maybe even happy. 

"You can't go back on that promise. Otherwise, I'll spend the rest of my life chasing you." He teased while pulling her in close. She could anticipate his lips on hers and how badly she wanted to cry.

She didn't want to love, she knew what love did, it had made its presence known throughout her life. It hid away in corners and under creaky floorboards. She saw it flourish in her mother's eyes, and take it's fill from the tears she shed and the cracks it bore into her spirit until she couldn't keep fighting anymore. She wasn't going to be naive, it's simply an emotion nothing more and nothing less. So, she buried it deep inside her. Even when her husband desecrated her body and covered her in dust. 

But, why?

Wesleynard was still a man. He could still betray her maybe after years of loyalty he might crave a taste of something new and young. Or maybe his ego wouldn't be able to stand the weight of her ambition.

But maybe.

"That's okay. I'm Yours." She whispered. As her lips meet Wesleynard's, the wind continues to blow softly, as if whispering a blessing on their union. He couldn't hold back as he returned the kiss with an intense ferocity, she gasped as he deepened the kiss, his hands instinctively reaching for her waist, pulling her closer. He pressed her against a tree and moved away from her lips to press kisses along her jaw his hands trembled as though he were touching a sacred relic and if her worshiped her with ill intentions he would burn. 

 Her jaw tenses from the sweet feeling she was unfamiliar with. Memories of her past came swirling back but, she did her best to focus on his hands. They roamed her body and held her with such an honest undiluted love. He can feel her heart beating in sync with his, and he knows that in this moment she truly was all his. He pulls away slightly, his forehead resting against hers as they both catch their breath. Wesleynard looks into Ana Sofia's eyes, his own filled with a fierce protectiveness and unyielding love. His fingers trace the curve of her cheek, as if committing her face to memory.

"I will protect you with my life, my queen," he murmurs.

"Call me Ana."

 As Ana and Wesleynard stand there, wrapped up in their own world, the sound of hooves echoes in the distance. Both of their heads snap up, alert and focused. The moment has been broken, but the intensity remains.

"It seems we have company," Wesleynard he sighs clearly upset by the interruption.

Ana Sofia couldn't deny the small smirk forming on her face, Wesleynard wasn't the only one eager but that would have to wait. She notices the distant form is Ethan. He can sense the awkwardness between two, and he knows it's from his interruption. However right now was not the time for him to be sheepish his horse's hooves pounded against the ground as he rode towards them. His face is serious, he dismounts quickly as he reaches the pair.

"My apologies for the interruption, my queen," he says, bowing his head in respect. "But I have urgent news."

Ana Sofia feels her shoulders tense, "What's wrong?" she steps towards him carefully studying his expression.

He seems to be reluctant, she glances at Wesleynard as he shoots her a similar look. Something is off and she was afraid to uncover it.

Ethan slowly began, "Some news.... from Advisor Mallorca."

Ethan's words hang heavy in the air, and Ana Sofia can feel her heart rate slow. It must be an update nothing to get overwhelmed by. She has always trusted Advisor Mallorca's judgment and instincts, and if he has sent a message, then it must be important.

She turns her attention back to Ethan, her expression calming. "What news does he bring?"

 Ethan hands over the parchment, "I believe it's best if you read it yourself your highness."

Ana Sofia pauses becoming increasingly suspicious she takes the parchment her brows furrowing at Ethan's cryptic mannerisms.

What is all the fuss.

As Ana Sofia begins to read the parchment, her eyes widen in shock. The message is brief but clear:

Usurping.

"Ralthone." She whispers.

************

Wesleynard ears perk at the sound of her voice he quickly leans in and takes the parchment from her grasp. He reads the contents as a wave of anger crashes into his chest he instinctively crushes the parchment directing his attention towards Ana Sofia. Her once glowing face was now pale, and she looked like she would collapse at any second. He tries to contain the anger that wants to burst open.

What is the shithead doing. 

He turns and huddles with Ethan, "Take a few scouts to Elynor. Find out what Ralthone is planning."

Ethan quickly nods before bowing and taking his leave. Ana Sofia yelped in pain she steadies herself on a nearby tree.

"Ralthone." she repeats.

Wesleynard kneels at her feet as he takes her hands.

"Don't worry Ana I'll take care of this." he gently rubs his thumbs over her knuckles trying to soothe the physical sensations she was most likely feeling.

"I will not let Ralthone harm you or your kingdom." He squeezed. He studied her eyes they seemed to dull with each passing second.

"Ana." he cooed. 

Her eyes flickered to his. The honey warmth once again pooling into them she shook her head in an attempt to regain control over her body. 

"Forgive me, that won't happen again." 

Wesleynard gives her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hands gently.

"There is nothing to forgive, my queen. I understand the weight of this news and the shock it has brought upon you." He rises to his feet, still holding her hands. "But we must act swiftly and with caution."

She sighs before taking his hands and using them to reorient herself, "Let's head back to camp."

As Ana Sofia and Wesleynard make their way back to camp, the seriousness of the situation weighs heavily on both of them. The thought of Ralthone usurping the throne sends a chill down Ana Sofia's spine. She can't focus on that right now. The sooner she brings down Daeth the quicker she can get back to Elynor. The rest of the day she spends confined to her tent mulling over plans they couldn't proceed forward until the enchantment spell was lifted from Natalia. The sun began to dip, and she had grown tired of waiting she quickly made her way to the mages tent to hopefully encounter an update. As Ana Sofia enters the mage's tent, she is greeted by the sight of Natalia, hunched over a large tome, deep in concentration. The air is thick with the scent of incense and magic, and the sound of chanting can be heard in the background. The other mages seem to be in deep concentration as a gentle hum vibrates through the air. 

 Ana Sofia approaches Natalia, her footsteps soft against the ground. "Natalia, have you made any progress with the enchantment spell?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Natalia looks up, her eyes tired but determined. "I have been making some headway, my queen."

Ana Sofia sighs with relief, "Good the sooner this is resolved the quicker we can continue. Do you have any requests? I shall see to them right away."

Natalia shakes her head. "There is only one thing I require, my queen, and that is time. The enchantment spell is complex and requires great care in its unraveling. I have been able to slow its progression, but fully removing it will take some time."

Ana Sofia bites the growing irritation down, "I fear we don't have time. You must get this done before nightfall tomorrow....there's been some urgent news that need my attention."

Understanding the urgency in Ana Sofia's voice, Natalia nods solemnly. "I will do my best, my queen. I will work through the night if I must." Ana Sofia gives her a grateful nod. "Thank you, Natalia. I trust in your abilities."

She quickly exists the tent as a soft breeze ruffles through her braid she could feel the tension she held in her shoulders radiate up to her neck. Deciding it best to get rest she had a quiet dinner and fell asleep as best she could. 

Author's note: Hi all! for any readers I apologize for the lack of updates I've been dealing with some unexpected health issues but, everything is settled for now I hope to continue updating every other day!