Carnelian laughed, the sound as lovely as a spring rain. "Well, I'm glad to be back," she said. "Now come, let's sit in the shade of the trees and talk. There's so much to catch up on."Travis followed Carnelian to a secluded glade, where they sat on a mossy log and looked out at the flowers blooming around them. The air was sweet and fragrant, and the sun was warm on their faces. It was as if they were in a different world, far from the cares and concerns of ordinary life.Carnelian broke the silence first. "Tell me, what did you learn on your journey?" she asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.Travis was tongue-tied, his words stuck in his throat like a knot of vines. He fumbled for something to say, but the words just wouldn't come. His mind was a jumble of thoughts, and he couldn't seem to find the right ones. He shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do or say. It was as if he had forgotten how to speak in the presence of Carnelian, his tongue suddenly heavy and slow."I learn
Spike didn't know what to say. With a deep breath, Spike turned to Travis. "I'm not sure I can accept this," he said. "But I'll try. For my mom."Carnelian's eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around Spike in a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered. "I know this is hard, but I promise you, I'm not making any rash decisions. I'm doing what's best for us. For all of us."The smirk on Travis's face only served to further Spike's suspicions. What was this guy up to? Travis was certainly charming, and he had a way of getting what he wanted. Was he using that charm to manipulate Spike's mother? Was he just trying to get what he could out of her? Or was there something more genuine at play here? Spike just couldn't tell."You're awfully interested in my mother," Spike said, his tone accusatory. "What are you really after?""That's a fair question," Travis replied, his voice smooth and calm. "And I want to be honest with you. I'm not after anything. I truly care about your mother
Elliott narrowed his eyes, not sure if he should believe Spike. "Wait, so you do want them to be cute, but you think it's too good to be true? I'm a bit confused," he said. Spike laughed, and explained, "It's just that things never go that smoothly in real life. Something always goes wrong. I'm worried that something bad is going to happen to them." Elliott nodded, understanding what Spike meant. "I get it. You're just being cautious," he said.Spike felt a blush rising to his cheeks. He knew that Elliott was a good person, and he felt grateful to have him as a friend. But he also felt guilty for the way he had treated Elliott before they became friends. He knew he had been mean and selfish, and he didn't want to take advantage of Elliott's kindness. "I'm really sorry for the way I treated you before," he said. "You didn't deserve that."Elliott smiled, and put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "It's okay," he said. "You were just having a hard time, and you didn't know how to deal with it.
Elliott narrowed his eyes, not sure if he should believe Spike. "Wait, so you do want them to be cute, but you think it's too good to be true? I'm a bit confused," he said. Spike laughed, and explained, "It's just that things never go that smoothly in real life. Something always goes wrong. I'm worried that something bad is going to happen to them." Elliott nodded, understanding what Spike meant. "I get it. You're just being cautious," he said.Spike felt a blush rising to his cheeks. He knew that Elliott was a good person, and he felt grateful to have him as a friend. But he also felt guilty for the way he had treated Elliott before they became friends. He knew he had been mean and selfish, and he didn't want to take advantage of Elliott's kindness. "I'm really sorry for the way I treated you before," he said. "You didn't deserve that."Elliott smiled, and put a hand on Spike's shoulder. "It's okay," he said. "You were just having a hard time, and you didn't know how to deal with it.
Spike felt a knot of frustration in his stomach. He had been so sure that his plan would work, but it seemed to have backfired. Now, Travis and Carnelian were even closer than before. He had to do something, but what? He wracked his brain for another idea, but nothing came to him. He felt helpless and defeated.But then, a thought occurred to him. What if he could make Travis seem untrustworthy, without doing anything obvious? What if he could make Travis look bad without anyone knowing it was him?Travis felt a sharp pain as a rock hit him on the head. He turned to look for the source of the rock, but he couldn't see anything. The only other person there was Carnelian, and she was standing there with a look of innocence on her face. But Travis knew that something was off. He was convinced that she was behind the rock, even if she was pretending to be surprised."Did you just throw that rock at me?" Travis asked, his voice shaking with anger."What?" Carnelian said, her eyes widening.
"Spike, I need you to tell me what's going on," Carnelian said, her voice gentle but firm. "Why have you been acting so strangely? And why have you been trying to interfere with my relationships?"Spike looked at her with tear-filled eyes. "I'm just trying to protect you," he said, his voice shaking. "I've seen your future, and it's full of heartbreak. I know that if you get too close to Travis, it will only end in pain. I'm only doing this because I care about you. I'm sorry if I've upset you."Travis clenched his jaw, his hands balling into fists at his side. He had taken a leap of faith by pursuing a relationship with Carnelian, and it took every ounce of courage he had to do so. And now, Spike was trying to ruin it all. He felt betrayed and angry, and he couldn't help but wonder if Spike was jealous. He wasn't sure how to react, but he knew he needed to stay calm and try to resolve the situation.Spike's eyes were filled with tears, but Carnelian stood firm. She knew that he was o
Mrs. Blackwood continued to fan herself, looking smug. 'We are coming with you to Star Valley, and I will make sure that the emperor marries my daughter,' she said. 'My wife, you mean,' Markus said, his voice firm. Mr. Blackwood walked over and stood toe to toe with him. 'Not if I have anything to say about it,' he said, his tone threatening. Markus felt trapped. He knew that as long as this alliance was in place, his in-laws would never stop trying to put a wedge between him and Celeste."So enjoy your 'so-called wife' while your marriage lasts, because this will be your last," Mr. Blackwood said, passing the letter to Markus. Scales lowered her head and nuzzled his shoulder, sensing his anxiety. Markus's shoulders trembled, and he felt torn between anger and fear. The emperor had not yet made his decision, so there was still a chance that this alliance could fall through. But if it didn't, he knew that his marriage would be in danger. Celeste was a strong and independent woman,
The emperor nodded, and a servant ushered the Blackwoods to their rooms. Another servant led Aviva and Celeste to their own rooms, while Markus was left standing alone in the throne room. The silence was deafening, and he could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and focused. He needed to be ready for whatever came next.Celeste's eyes were red and puffy, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "I can't do this, Markus," she said, her voice breaking. "I don't want to marry the emperor. I don't want to be a bargaining chip in this political game. I just want to be happy, and I can't be happy if I'm forced to marry someone I don't love." She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Markus put his hand on her shoulder, wishing he could take away her pain.Markus opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could he say to make this better? He was just as lost and confused as Celeste, and he fe