Chapter 17- Final Decisions

I waited patiently in my room as my father instructed me to do. He was now approaching each suitor, including Fraren, with the proposition of marriage. However, this proposition of marriage had a +4 husbands other than you, attached to it. I could only imagine each of their reactions when told the news.

I anxiously paced back and forth lost in my train of thought. I was stopped by a soft knock on my door. I quickly walked over to greet my father,

"Fraren?" I said in surprise. I didn't expect to see anyone until my father came back. But here Fraren was before me, and I noticed his eyes were red and watering.

"Fraren, I said again more serious, "are you okay?"

Before I could say another word, he embraced me in a warm and loving hug. I could hear his choked breath as he said to me, "I never allowed myself to imagine that you could truly be mine but today I am allowed at last."

His words brought tears to my eyes too. I hugged him back asking, "does this mean you said yes... even with..." I wanted to say even under the conditions given?

But he cut me off, he pulled back from the embrace and looked me in the eyes reassuring me. "Fanariel, no matter the conditions, if it means I am allowed to be with you. As man and wife." He paused, "that's all I've ever wanted, and I promise you I will protect you for the rest of my life. To love you, honor you, and make you proud that you chose me to be yours." He finished.

His words made my heart happy, no matter the outcome as long as I had Fraren by my side I would be happy.

Fraren leaned down and kissed me with an emotion I had not yet felt from him in previous kisses. He grabbed my waist lifting me off my feet as he melded my body to his. My hands intertwined into his hair pressing his face into mine. The tensions were rising between us making us lose sense of our surroundings. He pressed me up against the wall deepening the kiss. I felt something hard pressed between my legs touching me in a way that made me moan softly.

Unbeknownst to me, Asmodeus had let himself into my room yet again. He stood stiff watching the scene unfold in front of him. His heart pounded in jealousy as he held himself back from tearing apart the man that was touching his soulmate. Frozen in a mental battle the breaking straw was the sound of a moan he so desperately craved from his mate filling his ears. A growl erupted from him sending Fraren into a protective stance. He drew his sword placing me behind him.

Asmodeus was steaming from head to toe. Once the shock wore off, I realized who it was quickly jumping out from behind Fraren and in between them.

"Asmodeus," I exclaimed, "what are you doing here?" I asked nervously.

Fraren tensed as Asmodeus stepped forward to me.

"I came to tell you my answer personally... but it seems as if someone has already beaten me to it." He said with disgust towards Fraren.

My heart jumped at his words. So, he too had agreed to the terms? That meant I now had two future husbands.

"Well don't look so shocked Fanariel," he said with his normal cocky grin, "I did tell you after all, that you and I are soulmates." He closed the space between us quickly grabbing me, pulling me to his chest protectively. His eyes flashed red as he took a look at Fraren.

"Fraren!" I yelled to stop him. I knew him long enough to know when he was about to make a move.

He halted in his actions, "I will take my leave," he said forcefully before leaving me with Asmodeus.

Was this a small taste of what I had to look forward to for the rest of my life? Constant jealousy and bickering over me? I certainly hoped not or else I might have to implement my one condition.

"Fanariel," Asmodeus said soothingly into my ear pulling me from my spiraling thoughts yet again.

"Yes?" I asked looking up to meet his call.

"So, you did choose me." He said with pride. His lips formed what I think was his first genuine smile. I could see true happiness in his eyes as he looked down at me.

"Well of course," I replied, "we are soulmates after all!" I finished giggling after repeating his words. He laughed with me before embracing me.

"I'm happy I get to live on thanks to you, I vow to you I will never let you regret this decision."

"It's not like you would have died if I hadn't chosen you Asmodeus, you're so overdramatic." I said laughing again. But a sadness flashed across his face making me grow silent.

"What's wrong?" I asked with concern.

"Fanariel, for my people when we find our soulmate, if they reject us, we die a slow death. Females of my kind can find another, but the males can only ever have one soulmate." He trailed off not wanting to continue.

"I understand now, but the other day when you let me have the choice. Knowing that you would die if I didn't choose you, yet you still let me. Why?"

"Because for a soulmate to choose us back is the ultimate prize. To know she loves you as much as you love her. Fanariel, you are my treasure." He said to me as he stroked my hair away from my face gently.

"There's so much I still want to know about you," I said.

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. We both looked to the door then back to each other.

"In time you will know all there is to know about me. Until then I just wanted to tell you, I will always choose you Fanariel." He said giving me one quick kiss before disappearing back the way he came.

I collected my thoughts before rushing to the door. Upon opening it to my surprise stood Sabasmus.

"Sabasmus, please come in," I urged seeing that he was in a nervous state.

I moved aside to let him enter then closed the door behind him. He paced slightly before standing still, rubbing his sweating palms against his pant legs repeatedly.

"Fanariel," he began, "your father just informed me of your decision. I came to give you my answer as he instructed."

So that's why I was receiving so many unexpected visitors. My father had put them up to it, meaning he went to see Fraren first.

"Yes?" I prompted seeing that he was stuck in his thoughts as I was earlier.

"I'm sorry, I just never imagined myself to be in such a position." He said making me laugh.

"Neither did I," I replied before stepping forward and taking his hand in mine. We locked eyes as he placed both his hands over mine.

"Fanariel, you make me feel so many emotions I never thought were possible. My heart races at the thought of you. Yet I feel so comfortable when we are alone. You understand me like no other, and we have so much in common. I'm just scared, that I will be lost to you amongst the others." He paused. I could see his brain spinning. I had to reassure him of my feelings for him.

"Sabasmus," I said placing my hand to his cheek to make him look at me once again, "my feelings for you will never be forgotten. Not now or ever. I find so much joy in our conversations never wanting to leave them. I showed you my favorite spot in the whole world and it was our favorite spot. Just as our love for books is strong, I know our love for each other will grow even stronger. You excite me intellectually and challenge me to be better. I don't want you to ever doubt my feelings for you." I finished.

His pupils dilated as he took my words in. After some thought he took my hand to his lips licking me like before. "I would be honored to be by your side for the rest of my life as your husband." He said confidently.

I stood on my tippy toes to share our first kiss together. His brows raised in shock before his primal instincts took over. With shaking hands Sabasmus grabbed my waist and leaned down into my kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck reassuring him of my intentions. Slowly he relaxed into the moment allowing himself to feel at ease. His breathe quickened and his grip tightened as he playfully nipped my bottom lip. I let out a giggle as I playfully bite his lip in return. I could feel his desire growing but not before another knock interrupted us. We pulled apart begrudgingly as he leaned his forehead against mine.

"To be continued," he said with a smile I had yet to see from him. With that he kissed my forehead before taking his leave. As he opened the door and walked out, I saw Asterion, my Minotaur prince. With three husbands already I wondered what his response would be. Could I get any luckier to have any more amazing men pledge their selves to me?