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Chapter Quote:
"Women may not hit harder, but we hit lower."
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Chapter 8

Kiara

It'd only been three days after Kyrian had left on his trip and only three days that I'd been training with Aemon. He complimented me on my fast learning. We stopped early that day because I'd gotten dizzy. He ordered me to go drink some water and get some rest. I did his first suggestion. His second one, not so much. I walked around the palace. There were still many places in it I still had not seen since it was such a sprawling place. Zelina came and joined me. Guards were stationed all over the palace, and I always had two with me at all times. My assassin still hadn't been caught so King Alkis was taking extra precautions with my safety. I'd been in most parts of the garden but there was one place I still hadn't seen. Mostly because whenever I went near it, someone would always stop me and distract me from going there. It took me a while to catch on to that trick, but after I did figure it out, it just made me more curious than before to know what was over there. In fact, when I started heading in that direction, Zelina attempted to lead me over to another area of the garden, but I was obstinate. She begrudgingly allowed me to go. It was a small oasis with a statue of a woman. She was on a pedestal, and a massive Valonia Oak Tree shaded the area. I studied the statue.

"Who is that? Aphrodite?" I queried.

"No, that's Kyrian's mother: Tysiphone. She died of a fever while visiting another city. Prince Kyrian was ten, but he remembers it like it was yesterday. No one is allowed in here except for him and the King, but His Majesty never comes here, only His Highness. We really shouldn't be here, Princess. It is said that it's cursed to anyone but those related to her," Zelina warned anxiously.

"Then let's go. I have seen what I wanted to see." Turning to face the statue of Tysiphone, I knelt and said respectfully, "I am so sorry to have intruded. Please forgive me and my curiosity, my lady."

I stood up and walked out of the little cove. Zelina suggested we go for a ride on our horses. I instantly agreed, feeling it'd been far too long since I'd ridden Arsen.
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Kyrian

Two weeks later...

My body ached from the fight. I'd lost only forty men compared to the entire army Rome had sent. With the army I'd led, while I mourned the deaths of my brethren, it'd barely made a dent in the size I had. Julian rode next to me. My friend, normally, was smiles. But when he was leading the army, his Spartan training came out and he looked as still and stoic as a statue. I, on the other hand, was giddy. I was getting to see Kiara in just a few moments. She didn't know I was coming. I wasn't supposed to be home this early, albeit only by two days. It took all my willpower to not just leave my horse and men behind and go see Kiara. I was a general. I had to take care of business first. I instructed my men to unsaddle their horses, clean them, and feed them. Then, and only then, were they allowed to leave. It was good they were so well-trained because having an army my size would be very hard to lead if they weren't.

"Your highness, may I request a private audience?" A quiet voice asked. I turned around to see Zelina standing in the doorway of the stall, hands held together in front of her. Her face was drawn, bags under her eyes. Sweat beaded her forehead. Just her appearance made me ask, "Is Kiara okay?"

"I don't... when you are done, I will escort you to her."

"Julian!" I called out. My friend rounded the corner immediately, his brow furrowed with worry. "I'm sorry to make you do this, but something is wrong with Kiara. Could you please-"

"I will take care of Deimos. Go see her." I briefly grasped his shoulder in appreciation before following Zelina. She walked through our army but once out of sight, she broke out into a run.

"I'm sorry," she said between breaths. "I can't be away for too long. I'm the only one who knows how to truly handle this and I don't even know if I can help anymore."

"What's going on?" I demanded, easily keeping stride with her. She halted in front of Kiara's door. When we entered, it took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The room was warm due to the candles scattered around the room. Kiara's step-sister, Elysia, and Kiara's mother sat next to the bedside, patting Kiara's head with wet cloths. My fiancée was asleep? Unconscious? I couldn't tell. The two things were so similar.

"What happened?" I whispered, walking up to the bed. Kiara was sweating profusely. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Her forehead was burning up.

"We don't know. She and I went for a ride along the beach and when we were turning around, I noticed she was paling so I told her we should take a rest but she insisted we continue. We'd only gone a few more feet when she just... fell off her horse. One of the guards carried her back. She was fully conscious by the time we got back. The fever only really took her four days ago. She's been seeing things, murmuring things. We haven't been able to get it to stop. We've been trying to Your Highness, I'm sorry. I'm sorry we couldn't get her well before you got here!" Zelina said in a trembling voice. "I- I'm failing you and Princess Kiara..."

"No, this is not your fault. You're doing everything you can. I do not want you getting sick as well though from lack of sleep so-" I was interrupted by the door opening. Agathon entered carrying two massive buckets of water.

"I got some more- what is he doing here?" Agathon demanded, scowling.

"I returned from battle early. Have you been getting water for her?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied cautiously.

"Thank you. Set them down here. Zelina, hand me a cloth," I ordered, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to my fiancée. Both did as they were told. "Elysia, Your Majesty, you should go to your rooms. You must be tired."

"But my daughter..." the Queen began.

"Will be safe in my hands. I've taken care of fevers like this before in battle."

"Kiara is not coming from a battlefield," Agathon growled.

"No, but she probably has been fighting off your advances which is very similar to a battlefield, or do I need to remind you of the black eye she gave you?" I countered angrily. Agathon lunged at me but I stood up and kicked him in the stomach. He looked up at me, eyes glowering at me. "She does not love you, and while you actually do love her, she does not believe it. You do not deserve to have her. Her heart will always be mine. It always has been," he snarled.

I pulled him up by his tunic and slammed him against the wall. I heard the girls telling us to stop, but my rage could not be contained. "You talk about her as if she's some sort of thing to be won over. I have news for you. Kiara is not a 'thing' to be won or to be owned. She is nobody's prize. And you're right, I do love her. And when she wakes, I will do everything I can to prove that to her. Do not test me again. Leave. Now." I let go of his tunic and backed up. Agathon stalked out of the room. I then realized Elysia, Kiara's mother, and Zelina were all still in there. They stared at me. I shifted uneasily on my feet, my strength fleeing my limbs. "I apologize you had to see that. Your Majesty, I'm sorry I attacked one of your own."

"When did he advance on my daughter?" She demanded.

"A few days before I left."

"He will be punished. After what I have seen, my fears of wondering whether my daughter will be okay here have been alleviated. I very much believe that she will be safe here. I will relay my belief and opinion to my husband. Elysia, Zelina, come. Leave Kyrian to take care of Kiara. I trust him to do so."

"Zelina, get some rest," I said firmly.

"Yes, Your Highness," she replied with a curtsy. The three women left. I was now alone with Kiara. I submerged the cloth in the bucket of water and placed it on Kiara's head. I grabbed another one, soaked it with water, and dabbed her cheeks and neck repeatedly. I did this for hours. My arms ached but I ignored it. I couldn't stop. If I stopped, her fever would rise. I had to stop it. I had to get the fever to break. I had to make sure she lived.

"How is she?" Julian's voice broke the silence.

"Still feverish. But she hasn't moved or said anything which according to her mother, she was mumbling things every other hour so I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign. When did you come in here? I didn't hear you."

"About thirty minutes ago."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"You were repeating a mantra. I didn't want to interrupt."

I gulped. "What was I saying?"

"She is not like my mother; she is stronger. And you're right. She isn't your mother, she is stronger and she is healthier. She'll survive this Kyrian," Julian promised.

"And if she doesn't?"

"You will find another. She would want you to."

"But what if I don't want another one? My father will just arrange another marriage and I will not be so lucky. I will not be able to fall in love with the next one as I did Kiara. Damn it, I never even got to tell her. She doesn't even know. She'll die believing I wasn't in love with her!" I ranted.

"When she wakes up, then you can tell her."

"You make it sound so simple."

"It is."

"How do you know she'll accept it?"

"You did not see the fear in her eyes when she heard her father was trying to cancel the marriage. You did not see the sadness in her when she thought she'd ruined her relationship with you after your fight. Kiara is as stubborn as you. Neither of you believes the other loves the other and you are both too stubborn and prideful to admit that and therefore, neither of you will tell the other what you feel. I know it's difficult being a general and a prince. You have been trained to show weakness to no one. But now you must unlearn that and learn to show weakness around your wife. She will be the only one you can do that to. There's always me but I may not always be around."

"Don't you dare think about leaving me, brother," I warned.

"I don't plan on it but the day may come. Nothing lasts forever. Here, let me take care of her for a while. You may stay, but your arms are growing tired. Rest." Julian sat on the other side of the bed and replaced the cloth on Kiara's forehead. He started patting her face with a damp one. I reluctantly passed the job over to him. I took her hand in mine and remained by her side for the rest of the day and the night. I left only when Zelina came in around midnight, informing me that while I could still remain by Kiara's side, perhaps I'd be more comfortable in something other than my armor. I had to agree with her. I used the bathroom, switched into a toga, and went straight back to my position. Zelina brought me food. I ate little bits and pieces throughout the night. Kiara murmured my name once or twice, causing me to think she was awake, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. After the second day of being with her, Kiara's mother insisted I get some fresh air. I tried to protest but the woman stood firm. I kissed my fiancée on the forehead and left, heading to the one sanctuary I knew no one would bother me.
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Kiara

Opening my eyes for the first time in days felt strange, as if they didn't want to be opened. My eyes were greeted with darkness which made me panic. I started to sit up to figure out my surroundings but gentle hands grabbed onto me and pushed me back onto the bed.

"Easy princess. You have been unconscious for the past week. Your body does not have the strength it usually does," Zelina's voice consoled.

"I can't see. Why can't I see?!" I cried out.

"We had to keep it cool in here. You had a horrendous fever. We didn't want you to overheat. Here." A small light flared up next to me. I could finally see my handmaiden. She held a candle. I blinked in attempt to shield my eyes. Just that small amount of light made me cringe. The gods only know how bad the sun was going to be to me.

"Kyrian. I heard him. Where is he? Is he home?"

"He's home. He's been with you ever since he arrived. He only left because your mother did not think it healthy for him to be in the dark for so long. He didn't want to but she was adamant."

I cringed and tried to sit up. "No, no, no! I was supposed to be here when he got back."

"You were here, just... not awake," Zelina comforted. It didn't help. She pushed me back down gingerly on the bed.

"I have to see him!" I protested.

"Let me get you some fresh clothes and help you bathe first, all right? Then you must eat because you haven't eaten anything in a week. And drink. You must need some water." She got up and said firmly, "Stay. I know that look in your eyes."

Grudgingly I obeyed. If I was at full strength, she wouldn't have been able to push me back down on my bed as easily as she had. I knew I had to get my strength back up before I could even consider sitting up, let alone sneaking out and walking around to find Kyrian. When Zelina came back, she brought Dorothea with her. The two girls helped me out of bed, undress, and get into the bathtub. The warmth felt good, and I tried not to fall asleep again, fearing if I closed my eyes, I wouldn't wake up again for another week. I couldn't afford to do that.

After my bath, I got out and put on fresh clothes. I was feeling better already but the girls still practically carried me back to my bed. I drank water first. They opened my drapes, allowing sunlight to flood the room. I squinted it away, but slowly my eyes adjusted to it. After an hour of talking, drinking, and allowing my hair to dry and be styled, the two servants left to go get me some food. Feeling good, I stood up to go find Kyrian. I promptly collapsed. Groaning, I picked myself back up. My legs had hardly any strength in them but I was determined to go find Kyrian. I was supposed to be here to greet him and by George, I was going to greet him. Using the wall as my support, I stumbled through the castle, down the stairs, and into the gardens. I had to hurry to Kyrian before Zelina and Dorothea discovered me missing. They'd easily catch up and drag me back to my room. That was not happening. The only place I could think of that Kyrian would be right now would be his room and his mother's statue. I was right about the latter. He sat cross-legged in front of the marble statue. I made sure I didn't step foot in the actual sanctuary. Whether the place was truly cursed or not, last time I'd stepped into it, I'd gotten a horrendous fever right after. I wasn't chancing it again.

"Mom? If you're listening, please let Kiara come back to me. I can't..." Kyrian trailed off, picking at a piece of grass. He finished the sentence in a mumbled breath; I couldn't understand it.

"Either your mom answered your prayer or I just have inexplicably good timing," I said softly. Kyrian scrambled up.

"You're awake!" He exclaimed, staring at me in disbelief.

"Yes, I'm awake. Been so for half the day. Zelina and Dorothea insisted I take a bath, drink, and eat before I came and saw you. I did the first two. Snuck out while they were going to get food. I told you I was going to be here when you got back. I'm so sorry I wasn't," I told him, crossing my arms behind my back.

Kyrian strode up to me, enveloping me in a bone-crushing hug. He had one hand wrapped around my waist, the other cradling and stroking my head. "My gods, I thought you were going to die on me."

"Well, I didn't. I'm here with you now," I answered, wrapping my arms around him. The prince held me for a few moments longer.

"I'm not sure what's going to kill me first: the Romans or the fear I get every time something happens to you," Kyrian laughed.

"Try to not let it be either," I said. "How are you? Did the Romans hurt you? Is Julian okay? Are your men okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a few nicks and bruises. Nothing to be concerned about. Julian's perfectly fine. He's with Penelope right now. I lost forty-three men exactly, but compared to the completely wiped out Roman army that opposed us, we're practically unscathed."

"You're sure the cuts and bruises are nothing to worry about?" I prodded seriously.

Kyrian cupped my face. "I'm absolutely sure. Come, let's get you back to your room so you can eat. I'll stay with you."

"I'd like that." I smiled as he kissed me on my brow. Before I could protest, he swept me off my feet. Literally. "Kyrian, put me down!"

"You are in my kingdom. I'm the prince here, and right now, you are still my guest. Therefore, I outrank you. Therefore, I'm ordering you let me carry you," he explained cockily.

"Well as your future wife, I'm ordering you to put me down."

"As your future husband, I'm not going to listen."

"Put me down!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"You're not going to win. You do realize that, right?"

"Maybe I do. I just thought if I annoyed you enough you'd put me down."

"Not happening. Besides, we're already at your room." At that moment, Zelina and Dorothea came running up to us, sliding to a stop.

"I found him," I said.

"We can see that," Zelina responded. "Prince Kyrian. We apologize we did not stop her. We went to go get food and she must've gotten away when we left. We did not think she actually had the strength to get up and go find you..."

"Ladies, I believe even if you had been there, Kiara would've found a way. I do not blame you. The only one to blame for getting up is her, my stubborn, tenacious fiancée."

"This stubborn, tenacious fiancée had a promise to fulfill."

"I know, I know, but you didn't have to. Let's get you back to the bed." Dorothea opened the door allowing Kyrian to enter. He set me gently on the bed and sat next to me. My handmaidens placed a plate of fruit and nuts in front of me. They thought it best I start small since they didn't know if my stomach could hand anything richer. I started eating. I realized quickly just how hungry I was. A shiver passed through me and Kyrian quickly wrapped a blanket around me.

"No more fevers. Please," he said.

"I don't plan on it," I replied. He leaned his forehead against mine. Our eyes met and it dawned on us just how close we were. We pulled back hastily.

"Why don't I invite Julian and Penelope up? I know she's been dying to know if you're okay," Kyrian suggested, acting rather flustered.

I kissed him on the cheek. "That would be wonderful."

"You really shouldn't do that..."

"Why not?"

"Because it makes me want to kiss you somewhere other than your head. I'm not supposed to do that."

"We're also not supposed to be alone together but look where we are," I pointed out. Kyrian grinned. He excused himself and within five minutes, he was back with Julian and Penelope. My friend took me in a hug, exclaiming how happy she was to see me awake and talking. Julian even gave me hug. The four us grouped together on my bed, chatting about the battle Kyrian and Julian had just fought, how Penelope was feeling so far being pregnant, and what all I'd missed while I'd been out which apparently wasn't much. My fiancé kept his arm wrapped around my waist, keeping me close to him. I rested my head on his shoulder, not realizing I was slowly falling asleep.
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Kyrian

I hadn't realized Kiara had fallen asleep until Julian nodded his head in her direction. I gently lowered her onto her pillow. Julian and Penelope carefully got off her bed, not wanting to wake her up.

"I'm going to stay here and watch over her, make sure she wakes up again..." I whispered.

"She will. She's still getting over it. The fever wore her out. She won't be herself for a few more days. Patience, brother," Julian said.

"You know I've never been good with patience."

"And that will get you into trouble one day. I will see you at dinner."

"Maybe. If she's not awake by then, I will eat in here. I'm not leaving her side until I know she's well."

"I will alert your father of the good news that Kiara is getting better. You should probably expect her family to be up here soon."

"I better prepare for that. All right, thank you Julian." My friend left, leaving me alone with Kiara. I took her hand in mine and made sure she was all covered up by the blankets. I let the stress leave my body. The fatigue from battle, the worry over Kiara, it all washed over me in one swift swoop. Placing my head on her bed, I closed my eyes.

When I woke up, it was to Kiara shaking me. She gave me a smile and said, "I believe it's time for dinner."

"Are you well enough to walk there?" I asked groggily.

"Yes, and I'll have you to escort me there so I shall be fine." I nodded and helped her out of bed. She looped her arm through mine. We walked slowly down to the dining hall where my father, Julian, Penelope, King Nikolos, Queen Melina, Prince Taren, and Elysia were all sitting down. Kiara's mother went berserk at the sight of her daughter up and talking. She embraced her daughter in hug.

"Hi mother," Kiara said.

"You have been out for a week and all you say to your poor mother is 'hi'?" Queen Melina demanded, pulling back and looking at her daughter. "How are you feeling?"

"Weak, but I'm awake so that's good."

"About time you woke up sister," Prince Taren said, walking over to her.

Kiara gave him a smile. "It's all thanks to everyone who took care of me."

"Thank you for escorting her down Kyrian," Queen Melina said as King Nikolos hugged his daughter.

"It's my pleasure. I'm glad I was there when she woke up."

"You were in her room when she woke up?" Taren asked.

"Yes. Well, the second time around I was. I was making sure she was okay while she slept."

"You were alone with my sister in her room?" Taren questioned.

"What are you getting at Taren?" Kiara said.

"It is not proper for an unmarried couple to be in a room alone unaccompanied," he stated. "What were you two doing?"

"We speeded up the process of having children," Kiara retorted sarcastically. Julian choked on his drink, I felt my mouth drop slightly open. King Nikolos and King Alkis looked horrified. Queen Melina looked about ready to faint. Penelope and Elysia's mouths had formed O's. "Honestly Taren. I just woke up from a week long sleep, I'm barely strong enough to walk on my own. Kyrian and I were doing nothing so stop insinuating he and I were doing things we weren't. The gods know you and Elysia shared a room alone often. I would hear you two talking and then silence. It wasn't hard to figure out what you two were doing."

"How dare you speak of-"

"Enough! Both of you!" King Nikolos barked. The siblings fell silent.

"Sorry father," Kiara apologized. Taren mumbled the same thing.

"Taren, I do not want you insinuating things about Kiara and Kyrian. I trust the both of them to make the right decisions. As for you Kiara, refrain from making jokes about such things. You might kill your mother from shock."

"Sorry mother," Kiara said sheepishly. "I lost my temper."

"I noticed."

"You okay over there Julian?" I called out. He was still coughing from choking on his drink.

"I'm good!" He answered. Penelope patted him on the back. We took our seats and overall the dinner remained pleasant, with a few glares from Taren at me and Kiara, but we both ignored him. I stayed quiet throughout most of the evening but focused on the conversations. The women were getting increasingly more anxious for the wedding to happen. And, compared to before, Kiara actually took part in the conversation for it. After dessert, while we let our food settle in our stomachs, my fiancée dropped her hand below the table. I discreetly did the same thing, taking hers in mine. A small smile touched her lips, but if anyone else saw it, they didn't ask her about it.
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Two weeks later...

Kiara

Kyrian and I walked slowly through the palace gardens, my arm looped through Kyrian's. The path we were following was perfectly lit by the moonlight. We had no trouble seeing where we were going, and we had no problem seeing where the guards we had to avoid were.

"How was your training today?" Kyrian inquired, looking kindly down at me.

"It went well; the dagger feels more like an extension of my arm now. Julian is a wonderful teacher," I replied. I'd only started my training back up a week ago once I was at full strength, and I'd switched from Aemon to Julian, but Julian didn't like to push me too hard. He didn't want to risk bringing on the fever again.

"I am sorry I am unable to teach you myself but we are not allowed to be together alone for long periods of time. My father worries about what will happen. Particularly after you comment at dinner a while back," he said with an impish grin.

I blushed. "Of course he does. I do."

Kyrian stopped in his tracks. "You worry when you are alone with me?"

I hesitated before answering. "I worry when you are not with me. I just remember hearing about previous... engagement you've had..."

"Solum fidem meam, et tibi vacat," he whispered. "My faithfulness is devoted to you and only you."

"I believe you," I said with a smile. Looking up at the stars, I closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet scent from all the flowers and let the warmth and humidity soak into my skin.

"Kiara?" Kyrian said hesitantly. "Come with me."

He led us under a Valonia Oak tree. The shade dropped the temperature by about ten degrees, making me shiver. The moonlight filtered between the leaves, creating specks of dancing lights on Kyrian's bronzed face. Gods he was handsome... how had I been so lucky to be marrying someone so stunningly handsome and genuinely nice at the same time?

"Are you okay?" I asked, taking his hands into mine.

"I just wanted to talk to you in private. I..." Kyrian looked up, searching for the right words to say as if they would magically appear out of thin air. "I wanted to tell you that I do not know whether you love me or not, and if you do not, that is fine. Actually, I believe you do not truly love me but just see me as a friend you are soon to be married to. If that is the case, I would like to tell you that I will not pressure you to do anything you do not wish to do. I will not force you to have children with me if you do not wish to do so. I want you to know that I will always be willing to make your life here as wonderful as possible... I also want you to know that whether you have fallen in love with me or not, I have fallen desperately in love with you and I could never love anyone else but you."

I stared at him in shock. He stood still but I could see the tension in him by the way he stood, I could feel the tension in the way he held, or should I say gripped, my hands. He was... nervous? She, Kiara, one of many women Kyrian had met, was making him nervous? For some reason, the idea was quite amusing to her.

"You're laughing," he said dejectedly, hanging his head. "I knew you did not feel the same way."

At that, I actually did laugh but hurriedly shut my mouth when I saw how miserable my fiancé appeared.

"Look at me," I ordered softly. He slowly met my gaze. "I came to Thrace expecting the worst. I was afraid I would marry a pompous prince who cared for no one but himself. Do you know how utterly and how horribly wrong I was? Instead I met the most wonderful and caring prince I could possibly imagine, who also happens to look like he could be a god. And as I came to know you, I began to realize something." Cupping one of his cheeks, he placed his hand over mine and queried, "What did you realize?"

"I realized I was falling hopelessly in love with you," I admitted.

Kyrian let out a breathy laugh. "You are being honest?"

"I swear on the Styx." I could barely contain my surprise when Kyrian planted a kiss on my lips. It was technically forbidden to kiss your fiancée before the wedding but Kyrian didn't seem to care, and honestly? I didn't either. His hands cupped my face while my hands rested on his extremely muscular biceps. When he broke off the kiss, both of us were breathless.

"I should not have done that," he chuckled.

"No, you shouldn't have. However, I do believe neither of us really minded."

"I agree. Let us go back to the palace before I kiss you again and believe me prinkípissa mou, I am finding not kissing you to be practically impossible right now." My heart raced. I wanted him to kiss me again. Badly. But sadly he didn't. We walked to my room, our arms around each other's waists. When we reached the door to my room, Kyrian tucked a stray piece of hair away from my face as he claimed, "I do not think it wise to let me come into your room after what just happened out there."

"Unfortunately I'm inclined to agree with you." I cupped his face and meant to give him a light kiss but he had other ideas. He wrapped his arms around me, lifting me off the ground and kissed me for a while. When he stopped I bit my lip and said, "You need to go."

He set me down. "I know. But I hate to leave you."

"Go before we do something too foolish," I urged.

"I hate it when you're right. I shall leave. But remember, if you have any nightmares, I will be glad to make them go away," he promised with a grin.

I laughed. "I'm sure you would. Good night Kyrian."

"Good night Kiara." He kissed me on the forehead and entered his room.
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Long chapter and I hope you enjoyed :)