Jai sheathed his sword and bowed back to Arell, avoiding eye contact.

Arell's expression was unaffected, though he gave the guard a tired smile. "Thank you for exercising with me. I was starting to feel stiff." He rubbed his toned shoulder, then turned to leave only to realize that his fiancee was standing dumbstruck at the edge of the practice yard. He strode up to her, breaking her captivated gaze. He thought he could see her face reddening beneath the veil.

"Good morning. Are you packed already?" she asked in her alluring voice.

Arell nodded. "I'm just going to take a bath. I assume we'll be ready to leave by the time I'm dressed. Where are we meeting to say goodbyes?"

"At the caravan is fine," she answered. She hesitated, then asked, "How did you do that? I mean, fight so well like that without being able to see what the enemy was doing?"

His lip curled up. "Practice," he said with a wink, strolling away towards his guest room.

After about an hour of taking in the palace surroundings for the last time, Vida and Ari made their way to the gates. Some Othan guards were securing the luggage cart at the back of the convoy. There were guards sitting on the driver's seat at each of the three carriages and then several on horseback to accompany them. Milli and Jannah bowed as they noticed Ari nearing the caravan and climbed into the front wagon. The middle carriage was highly decorated and obviously meant for the royals. It was painted black with ornate gold trim and matching wheels. Ari was annoyed that it was so obvious where they'd be in the convoy.

"Are you regretting your decision already?" she heard the increasingly familiar, deep voice coming up behind her and turned around. Arell's signature arrogant smile adorned his apathetic face as he joined her and turned around to see Ari's family on their way as well.

Ari chuckled softly. "Why, were you expecting me to?"

Arell put on his impression of a kind smile for her family as they grew nearer and answered, "Yes," in a voice so quiet that Ari almost missed it.

She wanted to retort, but her father suddenly engulfed her in a tight hug, letting go after a moment with tears in his soft, brown eyes. "Your mother would be so proud of how strong you are," he whispered to her. Ari felt a lump form in her throat as her eyes stung and threatened to spill over.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

She had to quash the emotions and was glad, as always, for the veil over her head as Mei Lin and Ari's youngest elder brother, Aamil, group-hugged her next. "It seems ridiculous that the godmother of our first child is going to live so far away. But... I pray you'll be happy there little sister," Aamil said, putting his arm around Mei Lin who nodded. They looked at each other lovingly, then at Ari once more before Aasif walked up.

He gave Ari the quickest hug of her life. She didn't even realize that it was a hug until it was over. He bowed slightly to Arell, his face as cold as ice, then joined the rest of the family without so much as a word of goodbye.

Aviir was glaring at Aasif as he strolled up next. He sighed before his gaze and smile softened at Ari and he hugged her gently. His long hair tickled her shoulder when he pulled away. "I smuggled a few dresses I made into your luggage. And your REAL wedding dress will be waiting for you when you two come to visit again." He grinned and pet his little sister's head before turning to clasp Arell's shoulder. "Keep her safe."

Prince Arellan gave a small nod and watched as Aviir stood in the Atranian family line. They all bowed their heads at the engaged couple.

"We bow now," Ari whispered at him. Arell and Ari bowed deeply back to them in unison.

Arell held open the carriage door for her and as she stepped up, she turned around to wave at her family one last time. As she sat, Arell climbed in next to her and shut the door behind them. Outside the carriage windows were Vida and Ronan, already on horseback. Arell nodded at Ronan, giving him the signal to begin their journey.

"Hyah!" Ronan called to his horse and was swiftly mimicked by the other Othan guards. The caravan was set in motion and Ari bit her lip in an effort to suppress her heartache. She watched out the window until they were out of the capital city.

The trip into Otha would take about a day and a half if they took the path through the mountains. It seemed they were indeed taking that route, though Ari desperately wanted to ask about what happened to Arell on the way into Atrana. He must have been attacked, since he was on the brink of death. Did that mean whoever did it would attack again, but with Ari as an added bonus? Anxious thoughts filled Ari's head but as she glanced over at Arell, he was looking out his window as cool as a cucumber. His usual emotionless expression made her click her tongue. He blinked at the noise and looked at Ari questioningly.

"What are you thinking?" she blurted out. She was surprised at her own question, but focused on his face.

His eyebrows furrowed. "Is this a trick question? Should I be thinking of something in particular?" he asked cautiously.

Ari sighed and put her chin in her hand as she turned to look out the window. That man's head was like an impregnable fortress. There was a lovely breeze outside blowing the tree branches as it swept by and it wasn't too warm out. The sun wasn't even shining too brightly, even though it was close to dinner time at this point. Ari gazed absent-mindedly at the lively bushes passing by with different flowers, berries, birds, and bugs inhabiting them. One even had a child laying under it.

Wait.

ONE HAD A CHILD LAYING UNDER IT?!