FALLEN: Second Chance

Chapter 4 - The Kings Birthday

Ariel POV

It's been an exciting week. Thanks to Char, we were able to mask our extracurricular activities, and it has been more than fun to sneak out to get at it with my chosen mate.

Jaziel and I are crazy for each other, and I can't wait to get through tonight and plan our marking ceremony. This is the last ceremony I will be attending as an unclaimed princess of the angel realm.

Today is dad's birthday and we are having a massive celebration. Everyone that is anyone in this realm will be present.

We were getting ready, when Ayla, my oldest sister, let out a deep sigh. “I hate this…” She mumbled while fixing a pin on her perfectly styled hair.

“What do you hate?” I asked curiously, and I saw surprise in her eyes. I guess she didn't intend those words for anyone else but herself.

“Just having to get ready, and then getting all those guys all over my dad asking him to marry me, only to gain power…” She mumbled again, she was moody as hell, and I get it, she is the future queen, and a lot of guys are very persistent.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I promise that I or Charmaine will stick next to you the whole night…and when you decide to leave, we will follow suit. That way no one would dare follow you back here.” I placed a hand over her shoulder and she gave me a thankful look.

I can see the burden she is carrying around and I feel for her. Especially since she has to deal with Raziel, my dad´s first army commander. He is almost as old as daddy and has been adamant about marrying Ayla. I am pretty sure he wants that union just to get the crown over his head. Thankfully, mom and dad are respecting Ayla´s wishes to wait for her destined alma.

We finished our looks, and as usual, Ayla placed crystals over her hair. She has this ethereal look that can captivate even the most ruthless and insensible man in the crowd. Charmaine, as usual, was wearing a modest, but beautiful gown, while I decided to show up in a sparkly gown, a bold and attention-grabbing one.

I wanted to look good, and I wanted to draw the attention of Jaz… his eyes were the only ones I wanted on me.

“Are you ready?” I asked all of my sisters, and with a silent nod, we stepped inside the crowded hall. We descended the stairs, every set of eyes staring at us. We finally reached our parents and we congratulated our dad.

The ballroom music filled the air, and quickly Jaz came up to me and led the way to the dance floor. I loved how everyone looked at us, we were a perfect match, one made by choice, not because fate forced us.

I saw Charmaine stand next to Ayla, while some nobleman was trying to get close to our beloved sister. I knew she was hoping to get lucky tonight and find her alma, but I read in her eyes that she was not lucky at all.

She should have made her own luck and taken her destiny into her hands, instead of leaving things to fate. Charmaine was a different story, she was in between Ayla and me. She decided to wait for her fated alma, but only for 3 years. After that, she would choose an alma for herself. I was surprised that she made such a deal, she was brilliant and it showed in everything she did.

After a couple of songs, I dragged Jaziel out of the dance floor and rushed onto the balcony. As soon as we were out of reach, he quickly wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear,

“Good Lord, you look stunning tonight…”

“Do you like it?” I gave a little twirl, for him to appreciate the body-hugging sparkly dress.

“I love it,” he said and then whispered into my ear, “And I am sure, I would have loved to peel it out of your body…”

I shivered in anticipation, “Let´s go…” I beamed at him and he shook his head.

“You know I can't, honey… I am supposed to be on duty.” He whispered in my ear, making me roll my eyes at him.

“OK, but after the party, I will sneak out of my chambers… Leave the back door open…” I said into his ear, and I felt him shiver at my words.

“Deal, let's get back in there…Dinner will be served soon, and they will be looking for you.” He led the way, but before we entered the hall, I stopped and pecked his lips. “I love you Jaz…”

“I love you more, my Ariel.” He quickly replied.

He left my side to keep watch on me and my sister, while I made my way toward my family´s table. I sat in my spot overlooking the crowd. I felt my sister tense when Raziel sat next to her. I could feel her disgust at his closeness.

“I took her hand in mine and gave her a reassuring squeeze.” She slowly nodded my way, and then I looked at Charmaine.

She stood up and gave Raziel a dashing smile. “Commander Raziel, I believe your place is over there…” She sweetly pointed at a chair near my parents and clearly away from Ayla.

“I was hoping to be next to my future bride…” He seductively said to Ayla, but Charmaine quickly replied,

“I believe me and my sister are waiting for our destined Almas, Commander…” She paused and then she softly kept going, “We will really appreciate it, if you follow the protocol and take your rightful place, please.”

“Fine, but I expect a final dance with our future queen.” He grumbled, almost stripping my sister naked with his gaze.

I shivered feeling sorry for my sister. She gave me a pointed look, and I gave her a mischievous smile. I quickly used my telepathy and called a good friend of mine. She was a complete flirt.

“Hey, sweet cakes!... I need to ask a favor…” I said to her,

“What do you want, Ariel?” She gave me a look at the distance.

“After dinner, can you keep Commander Raziel busy for a while?” I giggled and she nodded.

“Yeap, I have always wanted to be with an older man…” She sighed.

“You are disgusting, Betty…” I laughed and then finished the link. I gave my sister a knowing look and she let out a breath she was holding.

Soon we had dinner and before Raziel could make his way toward Ayla, Betty walked toward him and started flirting openly with him. Ayla, Charmaine, and I made our way to our dad's and decided to call it a night. The sooner we headed towards our chambers, the sooner I would be able to sneak out to be with my loverboy.

Jaziel followed us all the way to our hallway and then appointed two guards to keep watch on our door. We were about to relax and change our dresses when the alarm sounded, and in came Jaziel rushing inside our room.

“Quick, let's go!” he instructed, and soon Ayla was in leading mode, yelling at us to follow him.

“I need to take you to the portal room, You need to leave this realm…” Jaziel, my chosen alma, informed us, and soon dread took over my heart.

We made it safely into the portal room, but as soon as we entered, the door closed behind us, revealing Raziel. “Do you think you can leave this place?” Raziel yelled at us.

Jaziel unsheathed his sword and yelled, “Quickly, RUN!...” I wanted to fight, I needed a sword to help him, but Ayla took my hand and dragged me towards the portal.

I saw the portal energy quickly getting unstable and shaky. That only meant dad was in trouble, as well as our realm. Ayla reassured Charmaine and made her step into the portal, then on instinct, she commanded me to step into the portal.

I wanted to fight her word, but her command came out as a queen command, and I was unable to refuse or fight it back. I gave her a hurt look, and replied “See you, my queen…”

As soon as I stepped inside the portal, I felt it, the most unbearable pain I have ever felt. It was as if my heart was being ripped in two, something within me broke apart. Right at that moment, I knew it, Jaziel was gone, he sacrificed his life for me and my sisters, and he just left me here, empty and alone. I wouldn't be able to bear a life without him, and with my heart ripped in two, and my soul full of sorrow, I lost consciousness while falling into the abyss.