Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Forged In The Flames By Karima Sa’ad Usman

Chapter 97 Busy and Fruitful (Nikolas’s POV)

After the speech, I walked back into the room with Aliana, and I could see the tremor of emotions still affecting her. Stepping into our bedroom, she suddenly broke away from me, her eyes filled with hurt and confusion.

“Why, Nikolas? Why didn’t you tell me?” Her voice quivered, and I found myself at a loss for words. Beyond wanting our relationship to be founded on genuine love rather than the binding force of a mate bond, I had no other explanation.

“Was that the reason you took me away from my father?” Her question hung in the air, and I couldn’t provide a straightforward answer, for it was both yes and no.

“I fought against it, Aliana. I tried with every fibre of my being. Still, I couldn’t resist its overpowering hold,” I confessed, watching as she wiped away her tears.

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“Why can’t I feel it?” Her voice trembled with concern as she looked at me, searching for answers.

“I’m certain you can feel it, my love; perhaps you haven’t fully comprehended the sensation.

It’s why you calm me in moments of rage, why I could never bring myself to harm you, and why I desired you so intensely, even before truly knowing you. I want you to understand that what we share is not solely based on the bond but on the depth of our feelings for one another.

The more I discovered about you, the more determined I became to spend the rest of my life with you. I thank the heavens that our destinies intertwined, so I needn’t worry about anyone else taking you away from me. You are mine to love and cherish, Aliana,” I poured my heart out, and she rushed into my arms, holding onto me with all her might. Her tears dampened my chest as she rested her head against it, and we clung to each other tightly.

“I love you, Aliana, and my love is not merely a product of our bond,” I murmured, and she held onto me, her grip unwavering.

“I love you too, Nikolas. I love you with all my heart, and I appreciate everything you’re doing for us,” she whispered, and I k*issed the top of her head, holding her close.

We remained secluded for the rest of the day, revelling in each other’s presence. I made love to her, trying to compensate for the times I had been absent due to my demanding schedule. Now that she knew the truth, her response to my t*ouch differed. There was a sense of belonging, and the fear of being torn apart had dissipated. I was grateful that I had chosen to forge ahead despite the challenges. As I lay beside Aliana, I knew that love would be my ultimate reward once all was said and done.

I woke and went to the office in the morning, three days after I had addressed the crowd. I was waiting for a message from Piotr to inform me of Fredrick’s plans.

Ingham and Grant said they were working on something, and because of that, they were scarce. I was tired of sitting in the office, so I asked Abraham to join me on a stroll.

Qusack wasn’t in the office, and I didn’t need to guess where he was. I knew he was with Ania. I did not know what had changed, but I was sure they were together now. I hoped my friend would not mess it up.

Stepping outside, I saw Ingham and Grant walking towards the palace, dragging a man they had chained in silver and beaten bloody.

anyone looking at them would think they were psychos, but

The man could bearly open his

and I were stunned. How did they pull this off?

ado, I quickly led them to our interrogation room at the back of the palace. Once they had secured

of his involvement in a web of criminal activities in Forest

did not need supervision because they were already trained, we devoted our time

before yesterday. We traced him all the way to the outlands, between Forest and Snow, in a cabin in Riverdale. The man was living like a hermit. We also found the correspondence between him and Fredrick. We are determined to extract the truth from

with later. I was indeed impressed with these two. I could see Ingham’s desperation to get back in my good books, and I was proud

dimly lit and

chair. The atmosphere crackled with

see it from his resilience; he

death wish, even though death was

him, how he

we would make him

his stern demeanour, leaned

spare yourself the agony, Isaac,” he growled. “We know about your alliances with Fredrick and Leon. We know about

a hint of uncertainty creeping into his expression. He knew his carefully constructed facade was slowly crumbling, and we

the inevitable, he finally confessed to his involvement, spilling the details of their plans and misdeeds. All that we already knew, piecing together the

and did not deserve to be King. Leon was supposed to be King, but a stupid law disqualified him. All I was guilty of was drafting letters on

the letters chose to use is not my fault,” he said, and I punched him in the

realised my father would be alive if he

and she did not help them kill my father, but her silence

finally confessed to his

of my mother’s recommendation. He said

and Fredrick had other plans that did not

dead by then, so they had

that led to my father

law to avenge Leon’s death and protect my

werewolves did not mean well; Gabriel’s rejection did not help matters either. The woman

made me wonder why

crimes, I felt sorry for my

each revelation, the room seemed to grow colder. Isaac disclosed the heinous murder of Olive and the subsequent forgery of my father’s signature

manipulation of affairs, weaving a sinister web that had ensnared Forest’s unsuspecting