The two women escort me through a pathway that leads to a lush garden with a fountain in the center. Across from the garden is hotel and by the looks of it. It's a luxurious one.
I look frantically for a way to escape this crazy situation that I seem to have gotten myself into. However, one of them links her hand through mine and whispers,
"oh dear, you're going to be the most sought after woman in the world. You will become the next Luna. I can just see it!" She says a little too excitedly.
I cringe on the inside. There is no way that I, Xania Emerson, am going to be the next Luna of a nation of a billion people.That is crazy news.
There must be a way out, but all my hopes fade as we are joined by the two bodyguards, who lead us to the lift that will take us up to the penthouse. I guess correctly as we reach the highest floor—and, to no surprise, the penthouse is beautifully decorated in gold and various shades of red.
I observe the living room and take in all the fine furnishings and the grand paintings that decorate the walls. It really is an exquisite place to live in. Well fit for a king.
"I'm going to go and get you some essentials. Lyra will guide you with what to do next." She says mysteriously before shooting me a mischievous smile and leaving me alone with the other woman.
She's much shorter and she has short wavy blonde hair. Her green eyes are beautiful and so is her shy smile as she finally speaks out after a couple of minutes go by in silence.
"You must freshen up for your first night with the king."
I look at her now with full blown terror etched on my face.
"I am not going to sleep with him, just because he orders it. I dont know him."
My expression quickly makes her nervous.
"I didn't mean it like that, there's no telling what exactly he expects of you on the first night of meeting."
She tilts her head to the side and studies me intently, saying.
"Most women wouldn't hesitate to get into bed with him."
"Why do you fear him?"
She asks me rather abruptly.
"I don't fear him. I would rather prefer to be with someone. Who I really love and wish to spend the rest of my life with."
"Ah, so that's what you want a marriage then? A wedding? Yes?"
"More like getting to know him well enough, perhaps have him sign an agreement of some sort. Not sell myself short. Am I making sense?"
"Yes, you are, do not worry you are his fated mate. You were destined to be his by fate. Designed by destiny.....," she intends to continue.
I cut her off saying, "I think I've heard enough."
"Fate or not fate, you dont demand or expect anything of anyone on first meeting."
I say firmly. Before I move towards the door.
"Don't leave him, please it would break his heart."
"There's nothing to break, he does not know me."
"Maybe not yet, but I will in time if you let me," says a deep voice from behind me.
I nearly jump in fright when I realise just how close he has been standing next to me from behind.
"I..." I sputter. As I turn around to face him.
He holds up his hand, to gently silence me so he can speak.
So I remain silent as he says, "if you wish to be courted, then I will do so, if you choose to become my wife tonight, that can be arranged as well," he says regarding me with a seductive smile.
"I choose neither" I reply softly, not wanting to look at him as I say it.
"So you're rejecting me, then?" He asks, this time, its as though I've slapped him. His voice is tinged with hurt as his shoulders tense.
"You won't give me a chance," he pleads now a little desperately.
"Give me a day or two to think this over. I just need time and space to decide, now that I know what I mean to you," I say steadily as I look at him with as much sincerity as I can muster.
"Very well, two days." He replies reluctantly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
I reply not forgetting my manners.
I turn to head to the door before I can touch the door know to leave.
He asks me again, "What is your real name?"
"Xania Emerson," I reply not having the heart to lie to him again or explain myself further.
"Don't lie to me again or there will be consequences."
He says in a serious tone.
I look at him once more, nod my head to acknowledge his warning and leave the penthouse before he can say anything else to me.
I bunch up my dress in fists and run as fast as I can away from the hotel taking the garden stone pathway back to the pavilion and back to the safety of the crowd, where I know he won't find me.
This is what I desperately pray for that he never finds me again.
He may be my fated mate but he is the last man on this planet that I ever want to end up being bound to.
Only God knows that this must be some cruel joke played by fate. Fate must have gotten my story wrong somewhere down the lines and I hope she does a rewrite.