Addison

Thanks to Oliver and his broad back, I can’t see what’s going on. “Would you move?” I send to him.

“No,” he replies harshly. “Sam and Sel are one thing, but Wesley being here puts me on edge.”

“He would never harm me, Oliver. Now move!” I try to push past him, but he’s much stronger than me. I have to duck and spin quickly to get in front of him, then make my way to Reid, to stay out of Oliver’s grasp.

“Addison!” he shouts across the room.

“Would you calm down for one moment, so we can find out what’s going on?”

He’s at my side in a few long strides. Wesley, Sel, and Sam all rise from their chairs.

Reid speaks before the other men have a chance to. “Oliver, my friend, sit down. No one is here to harm Addison.” Oliver follows Reid’s order, but I can tell by the hard look he’s giving Reid, he’s not happy about it. He takes the seat to the right of Reid, with me on his other side. Sel sits beside me. Across the table, Sam sits next to Reid, with Wesley on his other side. Oliver’s eyes lock with Wesley’s, and if looks could kill, he’d be burning as if Lyras got ahold of him.

“Now that we are seated,” Reid begins, then addresses Oliver. “After lunch Sel came to me and made a request. One which took me aback, considering I knew what had previously taken place. He knows you’re serious about Addison. I’ve even told the men of your engagement, since I think it’s important they know.” No wonder Wesley appears to want to kill Oliver.

“What was Sel’s request?” Oliver asks.

“He would like to become part of Addison’s personal guard.” I start coughing and sputtering thanks to the drink I was swallowing. Oliver turns to me and pats me on the back.

“I’m fine,” I rasp out. People have to stop saying surprising things to me while I’m drinking.

“Addison doesn’t need a personal guard.”

I shield my mind. I’ve always been a strong woman, one who takes pride in my ability to protect myself, however, I think I need to let others look after me. I might not like it, but if I’m going to be in Pine with Oliver, it’s necessary. I don’t know who else out there wishes to do me harm. They could be lurking out there, waiting for the right moment to end my life. I also think there are certain concessions I’m going to need to make to have a life with Oliver. A very long life I hope.

“I beg to differ,” Sel interjects. “If not for me, she would have been killed today.”

Oliver’s eyes narrow. “I know you are unaware of all of her abilities, but she, and she alone, saved her life.”

Sel leans back in his chair. “You’re right, I don’t know everything about her, but I knew enough to try and take out the threat to her life.”

“We are aware of your loyalty. That is no longer in question. My concern is you haven’t shown any fondness toward the princess. Why would you want to protect her now?” Oliver asks.

“I’ve been a part of your trusted team for a long time. So much so that you asked me to guard–” his eyes cut to Wes and Sam, rethinking his words. “You asked me to guard what’s precious here. I know the task only goes to the men who have gained your utmost confidence. And yes, the princess and I got off to a rocky start.” I scoff, but he ignores me. “Knowing Princess Azure is going to be spending more time here, I think it only fitting that she have others guarding her. Not everyone in our kingdom is going to be happy about your upcoming nuptials. She’ll need more protection.”

Oliver leans forward, half across me. “You think I can’t protect her?” I know he harbors a lot of guilt, and the thought of needing others to protect me is a huge blow to his confidence, but if this is going to work, he needs to let others help, at least for the time being.

For the briefest of moments, Sel lets fear cloud his features, but it’s gone as quick as it appeared. “I know you can protect her, but you can’t be everywhere all of the time. I’m sure there will be instances where you’ll need to work with Reid, go out to the forest to handle…something, and whatever else when the princess won’t always be going with you. She should have someone looking out for her.”

“And you’re the man for the job, even though you have a great dislike for her?”

“Yes, I think I proved that in the forest. Besides…” he shrugs, “…she’s growing on me.”

Oliver tips his head back and laughs heartily. “You never cease to amaze me, Sel. Only the other day, I was threatening to end your life if you so much as looked at her wrong. Now you’re offering your life to her in protection, because you know as well as I do, that one day it might come down to you risking yourself for her.”

“I’m aware. I’m also the best archer you have, and as much as you think I wanted to end her life, that was never the case. I was merely hoping you would move on to another woman, who wasn’t once our enemy.”

I put my hand on Oliver’s arm and speak to his mind so no one else can hear. “I think this is a good idea. As much as I don’t want to need someone watching out for me, he has a point. I know you said you'd never leave me, but there will be times you’re here with Reid and I won’t be. If earlier today taught me anything, it’s to be prepared for the unexpected.”

“You think Sel is the man for the job?”

“He has proven where his loyalties lie.”

He sighs then turns to Sam. “Why are you here?”

“The same reason Sel is. I want to help protect Addison. I heard about what happened in the forest, and it angers me that I wasn’t there. I’ve known her a long time; it might be more comforting to her to have someone from her home kingdom by her side. You would never have to question my allegiance. I’m a man from Azure, but my family is in Pine.”

Oliver looks to me for confirmation and I nod. He turns to Wesley. “If you think you’re here to offer your services, or bring the princess back with you, you have another thing coming.”

“That’s not why I’m here, you insufferable knight. I heard Addi was almost killed and needed to come here myself to ensure she is okay.”

I gently kick Oliver under the table when he opens his mouth so that I can address Wes. “I’m all right, Wes. I do appreciate you coming here, but it wasn’t necessary.”

“Of course it was.” I can see the love in his eyes as clearly as I can see the sky when I’m outside.

I stand and so does everyone else. “Wes, please,” I say pointing to the door. I take a step away, but Oliver grips my elbow. “I’ll be fine.” I press a kiss to his cheek and whisper, “Trust me.” He nods, but it’s clear he’s not happy about me leaving the room with my ex-lover.

Gently, I close the heavy wooden door behind me, keeping an irritated Oliver in the dining room with the other men. I notice an empty room next door and go inside, closing the door behind us so the guards in the corridor don’t hear our conversation.

Wesley’s eyes hold mine for a moment before he comes forward to pull me into his arms. On instinct, I return his embrace. He’s warm and familiar, but he’s not the man I love. Stepping back, I drop my hands from him and he does the same.

“Wes, you shouldn’t be here.”

“I had to make sure you weren’t harmed.”

“I’m not. There isn’t a scratch on me.”

“I’ve been looking after you. Every time I saw you with Oliver, I wanted to make sure you were okay. It’s painful to see you with him.”

“I’m sorry for the way things happened between us. I never meant to hurt you.”

He lets out a long breath. “I know you didn’t. I need to come to terms with everything.”

He takes my left hand in his. His finger grazing over the ring Oliver gave me. “I always thought I’d be the one to put a ring on your hand.”

I remain silent. There isn’t much I can say that hasn’t already been said. He knows I don’t love him as he loves me. He’s also aware I’ve made my decision, even if it is with the one man he despises above all others.

He pushes his dark hair out of his eyes. “Does he treat you well?”

“Yes.” I smile, thinking about all of the ways he shows me how much I mean to him.

“You really love him, don’t you?”

“I do.”

He releases my hand. “Then I’m happy for you, Addison. But please know I will always be here for you. Anytime, anywhere, if you are in need of help or a friend to talk to, I’ll be there.”

“Thank you, Wes, I appreciate it.”

He nods then looks around the room. Only a small table and four chairs sit in it. There are candles lit along the wall, casting a warm glow in the room. “It’s eerie how much this castle looks like ours, but at the same time is different.”

I chuckle. “I agree.” The similarities between the two are far too many to list. The main difference is where there are blue flags adorning the walls and flying overhead in Azure, here they are green.

“I guess I should be going.”

I’m grateful for him not pushing me more or pleading for me to be with him. He knows me well enough by now to realize once my mind is made up, there’s no changing it. I hug him one last time before opening the door. “Thank you for looking after me.”

He reaches up to cup my cheek. “You’re strong, Addison, remember that.” I fight the emotion as it builds in my throat. Through all of this, Wes would still stand by my side. He deserves someone who can offer him the same amount of devotion he has shown me. My eyes follow him as he walks out of the tower house with two guards on his heels. The creak of a door brings my attention to my left. Oliver is there with concern evident in his eyes.

“Everything okay?”

I walk to him and wrap my arms around his neck. “It is now.” He holds me tight. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

We go back to the dining room where we eat lunch and discuss how I’ll now have two guards who will alternate protection duty for me. I express my concern about pulling Sam away from his family. He tells me how much he misses working, and this will give him something to occupy his time, when not with his wife and child. He said it’s an honor to guard me. I’m not sure about that, but I appreciate both men taking time out of their lives to do so.

Reid and Oliver both ask them to swear their lives and loyalty to me. I would never have guessed the man, who sent fear down my spine, would be someone who is now responsible for keeping me safe. In all honesty, I wouldn’t want them to die to save me. What makes my life more important than theirs? Sure, I’m royalty, but I’m not the only heir to the throne. I’m not special. I’m merely a woman in love with a man who, due to that very love, has put my life in jeopardy.

It’s worked out that whenever I go to Azure, Sam will accompany me, even if Oliver is there. While in Pine, Sel and Sam will work shifts to be by my side. With me being engaged to Oliver, I need to go back home and discuss with my parents how I’ll be moving here. I’m not sure if they will approve since we aren’t married yet.

Oliver leans in close to me. “They are fine with it.” I didn’t even realize I let the shield slip. He continues, “It was one of the things I discussed with your father. Once you said yes to my proposal, you were free to move into my home.”

“Is there anything else you’ve worked out, which I’m not yet aware of?”

“There are horses and a large cart waiting for us to ride to Azure to pack your belongings and haul them back.”

“I’ll be joining you,” Sam states.

“As will I,” adds Sel. We all turn to look at him. “What? I’ve never been to the Azure castle and I’d like to familiarize myself with it.”

“You know they aren’t going to welcome you with open arms,” Oliver says.

A wicked smile graces Sel’s face. “I count on it.”

Oliver shakes his head. I lean over and give Sel a hug, which completely catches him off guard. He stiffens in my arms. I can hear Oliver laughing behind me. “Thank you, Sel.”

“Selatore. My full name is Selatore Viridian.” Pulling back, I look into his blue eyes. He gives me what I’m now noticing is his signature shrug. “My mother was from Azure and my father was from Pine.” Viridian is a color which blends blue and green. The true embodiment of his heritage.

“Selatore it is.”