CHAPTER 4: SACRED PLEDGE

Every single day when Eve was left alone to play on her own, she would sneak to the Kyarakhi forest to meet with her new best friend. It took them months to get to know each other better. Nothing could ever be better than getting to know someone who is form another kingdom and a new species. He would tell stories about his kind and she would do the same. Both knew of their history where their kind was at war hundreds of years ago but their new found friendship made it impossible for them to hate each other.

“How did you become a werewolf, Adam?” Eve ask while sitting on the tree they had climbed earlier. Adam sat on the bark, staring at her and seem to be enchanted by the ice princess.

“I don’t really know. My mother just said that my great grandfather saved a Goddess who ended up gifting him super strength and ability to shift into a wolf. That is all I got to understand. I don’t like to read that much. “

Eve eyes widen at his words. “You can’t do that, Adam! Reading is important. Mama told me that if we don’t read, we won’t be smart and reading is great because you get to learn about so many things that no one could ever imagine!”

It piques Adam’s interest and he crawled a bit closer to her. “You like to read, Evie?”

She grinned, “I do. I have a huge library where mama and papa would fill in every week because they know how much I love to read. I can’t go out that much so it’s all I can do.” Her smile becomes sad as she continues.

“Papa and mama say I can’t go outside of Zhatiera because people will hurt me.”

Adam frowned. Anger build up inside of him as she holds both of her shoulder, “That’s a lie!”

Eve flinched from  his sudden outburst that both slipped from the branch and falls to the ground. Eve closed her eyes, expecting pain to engulf her body but she felt a soft surface rested on her back. She opens her eyes to see Adam who had cushion her fall. She was in awe.

Adam smiled at her in spite of his obvious pain. She quickly remove herself from his chest and notice a long gash on his arm, “Oh no, Adam! You’re hurt.”

Tears brim her eyes seeing him hurt. She Quickly went to the pond and scoop as much water as her small palm can. She pours it on his wound, which made him flinch at the sting.

“I’m so sorry, Adam. This is all my fault.” She started to cry but Adam quickly hug her which made her surprised. He gently let her go to face her and smile.

“I am alright, Eve. See, your papa and mama is wrong. I am an outsider and I just save your life. I would never hurt you. You are my special friend. I would rather be hurt than see you hurt.”

Eve’s eyes become teary and before she could answer him, his lips were locked on hers. She couldn’t stop blushing and she didn’t want him to stop. It was such an innocent kiss and she closes her eyes, knowing that the boy who have become her friend has own her heart too.

Six Years Later

Years has passed since their first meeting. Evie didn’t know when her feelings comes to fruit seeing the boy who she had saved become the man who she wants to spend all her life with.

Eve grew to become a beautiful grown woman who was known by Zhatierians as the reincarnation of the Goddess Khione, one of the creator of Afhrin and just as her beauty grew, her powers becomes stronger too. Just like her parents, she could manipulate her magic by not only freeze the things around her, she can control the elements by creating whatever object she has in mind. Be it a weapon or a glass ball, she was strong.

All throughout this six years, her feelings for Adam has grown and today would be the day she’ll be able to tell him her real feelings. Though she knows Adam care about her, he had never said the actual words so today, she wants to be brave enough for herself to tell him how she feels.

It has also been challenging for her to sneak out and meet Adam seeing Khalid wouldn’t stop hover around her everywhere since he too grows to become one of the strongest general in Zhatiera. Unlike her uncle, Khalid was always serious, no sense of humour at all and her safety became his number one priority ever since he was elected by her father to protect her.

As she hides at the hallway from her room, she sneak quietly to the back gate as fast as she could while trying to hide from the maids in the castle. When he was almost at the entrance to the back of the forest, a sword suddenly appears in front of her making her shriek. Khalid appear next to it and grin seeing her shocked expression. He put the sword back into his sheath and crossed his arm staring at her.

“Where are you going, princess?”

He stood there with his long platinum braided to his back. Long hair for Zhatierans are considered as honour for her kind especially for the male. Tis’ a symbol of their pride and glory as the Goddess was rumour to kept her hair long for she has not lost in any fight.

His golden eyes alongside his dimpled chin make him the frenzy of every maiden in Zhatiera. He is strong, lean body that towers over her petite figure made him sometimes intimidating for some people. Somehow, she was used to it since she did grow up with him.

“A walk. Nothing for you to be concern about. Move.”

“I can’t do that, princess. You leaving the palace has been a norm now. What do you think the king and queen would react if they found out?”

Dread fill her thought. “What did you tell them?”

“Nothing because just like them, I do not know why you have been sneaking out every evening like this. What are you up to?”

“That is my business, Khalid. Can you please leave me alone? I need some space to breath and you never want to give me any.”

He stares dagger at her and rest on of his hand at the gate, “Your safety is my main concern, princess Evie. I won’t allow you to do anything that can bring harm upon yourself. Tell me, where are you going before I go to the king and queen to tell them.”

“Khalid…”

Sound of girls giggling along the corridor made them turn their heads. When the huge group of maids saw Khalid, they all shriek and quickly ran to him. Poor Khalid was surrounded and almost panicking with how they were blocking his way which left Eve to run while laughing at his situation.

….

After having a simple picnic with Adam, they spend the whole day swimming in the pond seeing they have got use to its height. It wasn’t even that deep but compare to Adam five years ago, it would have swallow him whole.

Just like every evening they spend their day together, Eve felt a strong sense of happiness and peace that no one but Adam could provide. His caring nature, protective and that sinfully gorgeous smirk he would display for her.

He was everything she could ever imagine in a mate. His tall frame, deep brown eyes that darkens after many years, his wavy black hair with his two dimples seems to make Eve wanting to meet her more and more every single day.

There are times they couldn’t meet each other due to their responsibilities as the prince and princess of their own kingdom. When they do meet, they would spend their time till their heat content.

It was already night time and they were both lying down on a bed of daisies. The scent of flowers and fresh air fills their nostril, bringing tranquillity to their state of mind. Eve was leaning on his chest while Adam had his hands behind his head.

They were both staring at the starry sky. Eve was so nervous the whole day but now, seeing the situation around them is calm, she took a deep breath and ask,

“Adam?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“What’s that?”

A nervous sighed escape her lips and whisper, “You have to promise you won’t laugh.”

Adam stare down and he frowned, “Why would I laugh?”

“I don’t know but just make sure that you won’t, okay?” Eve says then push herself to sit and stare down at him.

“Alright. I promise.”

Eve bit her lips feeling very nervous from the way she looks and her cheeks flushed, “I think that ugh, you, uh, are my s..sou..soulmate!” She gasped the last word out and cover her mouth.

Adam push himself up quickly and his face move closer to hers, “What?”

Eve squeeze her eyes shut and turn around. “Don’t make me repeat that, Adam. I’m so embarrass especially since you don’t know what it even means.”

Adam chuckled and hold her chin, turning her to stare at him, “Of course I know what it means. Not Zhateirians’s meaning of that but soulmate, me?”

Eve nodded, “You are, Adam. I can feel it. In here.” She puts her hands and closed it on her chest.

“When I’m with you, I feel my heart beating so fast. My tummy gets all funny and a part of me, my soul, feel so complete with you around. Do you feel that too?”

Adam merging his wolf because his eyes was glowing into a neon gold howled and laughed hard. Eve’s brow drops. Her eye starts to pool with tears but Adam wrapped his hand around her and twirl her around as he stands. Eve shriek at his sudden burst of energy.

After a few seconds, he slowly puts her down, breathing hard and lean his forehead to hers. “Me too, Eve. Me too. I am yours. All yours as you are mine.” Eve gasped and stare into his eyes. Tears brimming complete with a smile.

“Really?”

Adam nodded, “Yes. I love you, Eve. I really do. You are my mate. My other half as well. I wanted to tell you before but I was scared. I didn’t want to rush you but I know now I can’t hold it anymore. I had to tell you. Funny how you tell me first. Thank you, my love. Thank you.”

“I love you too, Adam. With all my heart, I love you.” She pulls him into a kiss, again, surprising Adam who definitely have no complain about that. When they pull back, Adam frowned seeing the sadness in her eyes.

“Why do you seem upset, Eve? Isn’t this supposed to be a thing to be celebrate? You are not thinking of turning back against your words right?” Small fear spark inside of him making his wolf shivers.

“No, of course not but our people hate each other, Adam. Can we be together? Your father, he…he hates my kind right? He won’t accept me. And my family, they don’t like yours too. We had wars before, remember? Do you think we are possible?”

Adam smiled and push the small locks hanging in front of her face behind her ear, “You’re scared for me, love?”

“I’m scared for us.”

“Do you trust me?” He whispers in a low voice.

She tangled her fingers to him and nodded despite looking sad and worried, “Of course I do.”

“Then believe me when I say, when the time comes, we won’t keep our love a secret anymore. We’ll be together forever no matter what. Just give me some time, I’ll think of a way.”

“Promise?”

Adam chuckled and says, “Didn’t you say you trust me?” She ends up giggling and they embrace each other, absorbing the heat radiating from each other and making sure they have hold each other.

They broke their hug and kissed their heart out, refuse to t ink about anything else but the warmth that they provide for each other. Both overwhelm with happiness yet anxious, concern of how long would their secret last and how long they would last. They savour in I each other arms and say a little prayer that the Goddess up above will make this moment last.