"Leo, I don't think that I could ever say no"
"Wait, I don't have a ring"
"Actually, I'm still wearing my engagement ring. I couldn't bear to take it off"
"Good, because from now on, you're mine"
"And you are mine as well"
Leonidas and Leah embraced in a hug, holding each other close as if they never wanted to let go. With the wedding called off, the guests had already left and Chase started walking up to Leah and Leonidas, still wearing his wedding suit. He looked directly at Leonidas and gave him a chilling stare but Leonidas just glared at him and begrudgingly released Leah from his arms.
"Who do you think you are"
"Leonidas Arthelys, Prince of Drastos"
"I meant who do think you are ruining our wedding"
"You mean the wedding that would let you wage a war on my kingdom and kill my bride"
"Your bride?"
"Yes, Leah and I are engaged"
"No, she is to marry me and I would never kill her"
"That's not what your plan says"
"How do you know about the plan"
"That is my information. I don't think that you quite understand boundaries, Chase. Perhaps that is why you were trying to steal my bride"
"You must leave immediately"
"This is not your kingdom"
"It will be"
"Chase, Leah will not marry you"
"She will become mine"
Leonidas couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had Chase really fallen in love with Leah? That wasn't possible, or was it? Leah didn't love him back, or did she? Nonetheless, right now she was his to protect.
"Chase, leave now and there will be no consequences but if you come back you can say goodbye to your life"
"We'll see about that"
When Chase left, Leah invited Leonidas into the palace. Alriya was known for its beautiful architecture. Everything was so intricate and pleasing to the eye. When they reached Leah's room, Leonidas saw a journal on the floor. When Leah turned her back to him, he picked the journal and started flipping casually through the pages.
"Leo! What are you doing?"
"Interesting to hear your thoughts about me, Princess"
"You didn't get to the part where I-"
"I already know I'm handsome but what's this? Wow, my princess sure has some interesting fantasies"
"Stop"
"No way, this is just too good. Would you like me to kiss you in the rain or trap you behind my strong, muscular arms against a wall"
Leah's face immediately turned red in embarrassment. That excerpt from her journal didn't even scratch the surface of her wild imagination. She loved to write in her journal because it was a way for her to really engage her thoughts and record her feelings. It was her safe place, where she could say anything without consequences, well until now.
"Leo, I can explain"
"No need, I'll make sure to take care of your desires, Princess"
"Stop doing that. Call me Leah"
"Leah, is that the name you want me to say when I tell you that I love you because I would be very much obliged. ?"
"Precisely, do you have a preference as to what you would like to be called"
"I think Leo will be just right. I'm longing for you to whisper that name when I start kissing you so hard you'll barely be able to breathe"
"Leo"
Once again, Leah was unprepared by Leonidas's fast motions and was suddenly pulled into a kiss. It was fierce and passionate which left a burning sensation at the pit of Leah's stomach. Leonidas then started walking forward until Leah was against the wall. He moved his hands from her waist to the wall, capturing her with his arms.
"There's one fantasy down"
"Shut up and kiss me"
And so he did, very willing to be exact. He enjoyed every second of their closeness and paid attention to even the smallest details of the moment. He could feel her soft, blushing cheek against his stubble and her delicate arms draped on his broad shoulders.
He wondered how he had come across someone so perfect for him. It was as if even their bodies fit together like a perfect puzzle. Like their lips molded together almost as if they were not separate. How did he stay away from her for so long? Then he realized something that was so clear and yet so hard to wrap his head around.
Their souls were not separate, they were not even distanced, they were intertwined. He could never leave her, not even if he tried.
She was his and his heart was hers.
She could break it.
She could hold it.
She could burn it.
She could heal it.
She could shatter it into a thousand pieces...
But it will only ever be hers.
She was his midnight flower. She gave him hope when he was in the depths of despair. She taught him how to care. He needed not his kingdom because for her he would give up any power. She gave him light, he gave her pain, but she still stayed.
"I love you, Leah. I love you my Midnight Flower"
"Can we go back to Drastos"
"Of course, my lady but don't you need time for your things to be packed"
"No, they are already ready to go because after the wedding I was planning on moving to Hydreas with Chase"
"Don't you dare mention him so casually again"
"Aww, is my fiance jealous"
"I have good reason to as you were about to be married to the man a couple of hours ago"
"I think that it's quite attractive if I do say so myself"
"Careful Leah or you might find that I won't be so willing to delay our wedding night"
"Leo, stop you're embarrassing me"
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about. It will happen eventually"
"Let's just get into the carriage"
"As you wish"
When they entered the carriage, Leah noticed that Leo was sitting next to her rather than across from her as engaged couples normally did in Alriya"
"Leo, this isn't proper. Go sit on the opposite side of carriage"
"Does my fiance not like me anymore"
"Don't be ridiculous just go sit on the other side and follow proper Alriyan carriage etiquette"
"In that case, I'll just do this"
Leonidas then proceeded to pick Leah up and place her on his lap so that she was facing him.
"This is even worse. How am I supposed to set a good example for my people this way"
"They cannot see you, I've already closed the curtains on the carriage"
"Nonetheless, I'm moving back"
Leonidas then held onto her tighter, not letting her move.
"Leo, let me go"
"Ok"
As soon as Leonidas let go the car had come to a stop while trying to avoid some deer that were crossing the road. Leah was then pressed closer against Leonidas. They were so close that Leonidas could feel the softness of Leah's chest against his own.
He held back a groan as Leah tried to push herself away from him, creating more friction between them. He wondered how he was going to wait until their wedding night? As he had expressed to her before, he only had so much self-control.
When Leah finally managed to make her way off Leonidas's lap, she quickly moved to the other side of the carriage. She also soon realized that maybe this wasn't the best idea since she was now going to be facing him for the entire trip back to Drastos and the smirk on his face did nothing to hinder her attraction to him.
Leah realized that she was really in for a long ride when she caught his intense gaze. She couldn't stop staring into his captivating brown eyes and admiring his other features. She particularly noticed his disheveled black and red hair, giving him a particularly sexy appearance. She stopped focusing on his hair when she became aware of his facial expression.
She really was a sucker for his smirk. Leah felt her heart fluttering and her cheeks blushing when she realized that he had been watching her observe him. She stopped being embarrassed when it came to her attention that he had also been looking at her and she couldn't help but wonder what he thought of her. Was he as infatuated with her as she was with him?
Little did she know that Leonidas was also thinking about her, and her undeniable beauty.
Leonidas couldn't even describe in words how admirable her traits were, even after spending so many hours contemplating them in his head. She had beautiful brown eyes and long, silky black and red hair. Leah seemed to be blessed with such smooth, soft skin that seemed to glow when she was out in the sun. His favorite feature was undeniably her smile. Leonidas would do anything to see her smile, to see her happy.
They both talked joyously for the rest of the ride while taking short naps in between. They soon passed a village, which meant that they were back in Drastos. Leah was surprised to see Leonidas smile as they passed by some of the people. She had no idea that the only reason he was smiling was that he was around her.
In no time, they had reached the palace. The carriage door opened and there was a hand outstretched. Leah placed her hand atop it and stepped out of the carriage carefully. Leonidas couldn't help but be annoyed by the guard because he had wanted to help her out of the carriage. He did not want any man to so much as touch her. It was a good thing that Leah was wearing gloves or he would have to inflict some sort of punishment on the guard.
When Leah had stepped out of the carriage she realized who the hand belonged to.
"Hello, Kylo. Long time no see"
"You too, Your Highness. I cannot wait for the wedding. I'm sure it will be absolutely marvelous"
"What do you mean? Leo and I haven't set a date yet"
"It seems you haven't been informed yet but the prince has already planned everything out"
"So when is the wedding?"