AUTHOR'S POV
"It is to transform me to a brand new entity with the greatest powers ever existed! It's amazing, right? The Traveler's stone, Iaso's stone, and the blood of a paladin. Can you just imagine the greatness that I'll ever have?", Galen's eyes widened at the plans he has built.
"The stones…", suddenly, ugly memories flashed before Helena's eyes of how she got herself involved with the stones. The search for each one of them was truly laborious. However, it all came to Helena like it was meant to be. Despite all the hardships she has been through, the stones were safely kept in her possession. And with her, Galen can easily grab all that he needs effortlessly. "Damn", she whispered.
"You happen to attract the stones, and have kept them well. Though, it wasn't intended, of course. We just let destiny take its course. And now, you simply delivered them all to me.", Galen reached for Helena's pockets and rummaged for the stones. One arm snaking her waist, and the other hand traveling in each of her pockets. Grunting, she shook hard while his palms searched blindly. But the more she pushes, the harder he pulls. "Thank you, my love", he lifted the stones and smiled sweetly at Helena before tossing them to Celeste.
Helena pushed Galen as hard as she could and trailed the stones with her eyes. She watched how Celeste examine each gem. "And what do you need Stellan for?", Helena asked.
"Again with that name", Galen bit his lip as he suddenly seize the back of Helena's head, rudely burying her into his chest and slightly tweaking a handful of her locks. Grunting, Helena struggled to set herself loose from Galen's strong hold. "I'm starting to think that you like Evandrus, Helena. But don't worry, Evandrus will soon live in me. There's no other better candidate out there but Evandrus", Galen then let Helena go.
Glaring, Helena gasped as Galen release her. "But… he'll die", Helena, in her befuddled state, assumes Galen undeniably wants to take Stellan's life.
"That's essentially the plan! But, it won't be as painful as getting hit by a dark healer, or strangled in a garrote", Galen darkened his eyes. "His powers will just… live on me", he grinned.
Helena gave a side eye glance to Celeste, who's staring closely at the stones before keeping them in a small purse inside her dress. Then, when she looked back at Galen, she was caught off guard seeing him on one knee. "… and where do I fit in that story of yours?", Helena frowned, with her eyes moving up and down the young Prince staring lovingly back at her.
"You are my trophy. Besides, who would not be enchanted with such beauty", Galen said as he open a small Damascene gold hummingbird ring box revealing an oval diamond ring with gold braided band. "Marry me, Helena. As if your life depends on it", he said like it was more of a threat rather than a proposal.
Marry me…
Marry me…
Marry…
Me.
Those words tormented Helena. She could drown in them as it repeatedly cause chaos in her head. Deep in her thoughts, she wanted to kick the lunatic king who's reaching for her hand with the large rock presented at her feet.
She lowered her head, with so much anxiety. She couldn't feel her face, as it turn red and heavy after having such conversation with Galen. The once pity that she felt towards him, which eventually shifted to fear, is now nothing but profound revulsion of her miseries.
'Is this is it?', she thought. With her coming here and surrendering herself to Galen, she thought everything will be done and over with. It seemed like… things have only just begun.
Galen gazed at his desolated queen as she stood there frozen with eyes wide open. Wondering if the ring is too old and the diamond is too small for Helena, he clicked his tongue while he pick up the gold banded ring. "I know it's a but old fashioned. But this is a family heirloom, passed onto queen to queen. I shall provide you a larger and rarer diamond if you prefer", he said as he grab onto Helena's hand, forcing her to wear the ring.
"You're thinking if I like this ring?", she frowned, trying to remove the ring.
Now back on his feet, Galen met Helena's glares while she try to shake off the ring. He knew that the truth would have shaken her, yet, he still plan to reveal everything to his future wife. "I do not intend to keep things from you. I will be honest now… no matter how blunt I may be or how painful my truth is.", Galen thought Helena couldn't leave him anyway, and there's no way Helena will risk her traveler life if she decides to hurt him. He held Helena's hand, and kissed the finger where he put the ring on.
There was a long silence.
Like the ring on her finger, Galen is indeed to difficult to shake off. "Then, I guess, you should start planning our wedding. A happily ever after to us, my King", Helena said unaffectionately. Galen's heart sunk as low as 6-feet below the ground. Regardless, those cold words ignited his flames burning for Helena.
"My.. King", Celeste called again. This time, standing on her feet, wanting to catch Galen's attention desperately.
Galen's world turned in slow motion. The sounds of the night have completely faded. He have always known that his heart and soul are bound in the hands of only woman - Helena. And if there's a cherry on top to all these, that is for him to be loved by his soul traveler. Such a dangerous thing called love, he suppose. "I… guess you have started to see the bright future with me", he whispered as he stare straight to her eyes, moving closer towards Helena with an attempt to reach for her lips.
"My King", Celeste continued to call him. This time, with more conviction.
"What?!", Galen lost his patience, glowering at Celeste's impertinence for disrupting again.
"I can feel something breaching my powers.", Celeste revealed.