Chapter 141: My Heart Screamed "Yes*

*Ciana*

The air was cool today but not in a way where it wasn't pleasant to be outside. The last few days had been weird, to say the least. I had settled into the palace well even though it didn't feel like I needed to settle in. This place, as strange as it sounded, offered me a certain peace.

My mind wandered to a pair of mesmerizing dark eyes and the way that they tried to lure me in.

I shook my head, trying to rid my mind of King Theo's presence.

Jake said to trust him but I didn't know why I just couldn't. There was something familiar about him but I couldn't bring myself to take that leap.

I had just turned the corner when I was nearly toppled over by one of the servants who were sprinting in the opposite direction from me.

"Forgive me, my lady." She bowed before sprinting past me.

Three more servants followed after her, brushing past me.

"What's going on?" I muttered to myself as I walked into the square and searched for what they were running from.

"Why the hell is it so damn big?" I heard Jake's muffled voice in the distance.

I hid behind one of the finely pruned hedges and looked through the small opening. There was Jake, approaching the square. But he wasn't alone.

Was that a... leopard? I squinted my eyes and zeroed in on the moving object.

Yep. That was a leopard, all right.

Why on earth was there a leopard on the loose in this grand palace?

Jake looked around the area and then turned to the leopard that was now moving toward the large oak tree.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty..." He moved to the animal slowly and groaned, "Why didn't I recommend a normal gift? Like a diamond or a damn handbag?"

Gift?

"Did you find it?" Warren came out of seemingly nowhere. "Of all the things this man could have bought, he decided to get her a leopard?"

"She likes animals." Jake scratched the back of his neck.

"Then get her a cat, not a freaking predator of the jungle," Warren panted. From where I was hiding, I could see his face was red from trying to get on the tree. It was rare to see the elegant and graceful prince frustrated like this.

"Believe me, that was what I meant when I said a cute cat. Sir, can we please just get it down before we ruin the surprise for her?"

"Alright. You go to the left, I'll be on the right to corner this baby," Warren instructed. As they slowly moved to the tree, Warren commented. "But I'm pretty sure that Ciana will love it. She has always had an affinity for animals."

What? This leopard was a gift for me? From the king?

That same light fluttery feeling returned to my chest. It happened whenever his name was mentioned or when he was close to me. I didn't fully understand my bodily reaction to him. It unnerved me.

"Ciana?”

Jake was staring right at me.

Oh well, they saw me.

I stood to my full height and hoped my cheeks weren't flaming red.

"Prince Warren, Beta Jake, fancy seeing you two here." I cleared my throat and came out from behind the bush, plastering on a fake smile, looking at both men.

My eyes flicked to the leopard that had now settled at the base of the tree. It was unlike its nature to not climb, but then again it probably felt safe here. I pointed to the predator on the ground, "I see you both are quite busy on this fine day."

two men exchanged a

to

head. "Can you watch him for a second? I need to run and get

to," Warren, smiling nervously, also started to back away. "You are good with animals, right? He won't bite, at least I

I looked at them

they both

waved

little pups

the leopard that was looking

secret. Seeing the leopard reminded me of my friends

I looked at the majestic beast, the apex predators-the kings of speed. I thought

to fear you." I smiled at her. "Don't worry about all those people that were running from you. They just don’t understand

right spots to truly

the distance inch by inch. When I was about a foot away I

movements and being friendly, those were the

my hand out to her and waited for her to allow me to approach her. Then she raised her head and sniffed my hand. When she was sure that I was not a threat, she

a little and

laid my back against the bark and looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful

lap and nuzzled up close to me. I stroked her fur and we

the animal and she was already staring up at me. "You need a name, sweet girl. What should we

purred and scratched

It matches your

She scratched her face.

and resilience. Do you like that

knew

the ground and went straight to a

I just knew exactly where to get food. It was what I had been feeling for the past few days. These halls,

did seem harmless to me. I just wish I could remember exactly what

one hand, I didn't particularly like to be trapped within the walls, but on the other, there was something attracting me

in the fog

hand. Animals don’t smile but in that moment I swear I saw Neava smile.

leaned my head back against the

he

day isn't it?" A deep and smooth voice sent

my eyes open and

I cleared my

my soul, his gaze intrusive

I insisted on keeping the

on it, only walked over to the leopard and crouched down. He reached into the bag of treats beside him and offered them to Neava, who gladly accepted the food

find a common ground for us, "Few people get along with large animals like Neava this

He rubbed Neava's forehead. "Wait,

her ancestral land that means strength and resilience." I looked down

voice came out much softer

at him I saw him staring directly at

away. “Who taught

special person in

bet I could be good friends with that person then. We

softened. "I'm

myself staring at him longer than what would be considered polite, so I cleared my throat and looked away from him. "I feel much better now. I think now it's time for me to return back

you should leave..." I shot him daggers with my gaze. What did he mean? I wasn't a prisoner! "...Yet," he added, after seeing my unfriendly glance.

"My father?"

instead of rushing back maybe

guilty that I

look. "I told you,

say his name out loud in his presence, but if that was what

about you join me for a

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