~~~~Ayla~~~~


He was gorgeous. I was sure I never met anyone like him before. A callused hand reached out to hover over my cheek, drawing my gaze up to those hazel pools with matching handsome features. Was this love? My heart thudded hard in my chest as he came closer, and the rich, sandalwood scent I first noticed during my fall reached my nose. Flawless honey eyes locked me in place, and butterflies flooded my stomach. Was he my betrothed? If not that, then why did I feel this strong pull towards him?


“Princess Ayla? Are you alright?”


Surely I would never forget a lover so unbelievably handsome. His lips lifted in a friendly smirk which took away some of the tension in my spine. Maybe I didn’t know him, but even then, I wanted to know. Who is he? Who am I? As much as I wanted to fall into him, to let his charm take away my thoughts, I needed the truth. Why am I here? What is my purpose? Maybe he didn’t know the answers, but he knew my name.


“Yes, I apologize, but do I know you? I cannot seem to remember.” His jaw fell as I continued, hazel eyes sparkling like little stars. “Are we to be wed?”


Though my question made my cheeks burn, I needed to know. This man, he was someone I felt an immense attraction to. Was it something I could ignore? Not before this memory issue, as far as I knew. All I could think about was the distance of his body from mine, and the way his focus was just as linear as I was sure mine was. His lips lifted again in a smirk before he lifted a lock of blonde hair, letting it slide through his fingers before it fell to my side.


“As much as I wish you were my lover and future wife, we are only acquaintances. After I saved you from your fall, all I found was a note detailing who you were.” Donovan’s smooth tones had me relaxing more, and my gaze fell to my lap again. “I hated to, but the letter requested I burn it and only tell you your name. I’m sure you had reasons.”


Could I trust the past me that much? I wanted to, but there were plenty of things leaving me unsure. His explanation didn’t tell me who he was, or what I was doing here, only that he saved me. Would he tell me about my fall from the sky? Could I depend on him to tell me the truth? I couldn’t help but test him in the only way I had access to; by asking these questions, but I was nervous around him. My fingers clenched into the bedsheets as my nerves hit the ceiling, and I bit my lip.


“Is that all you can tell me?”


“Yes. The letter was written in haste, but I assume you wanted to protect yourself.” Was his reply as he leaned closer, eyes narrowed in concern. “Are you alright? That was quite a fall.”


“Fall?”


“From the Heavens.” Donovan explained, his gaze dropping to my body under the white covers. “I wasn’t sure if you’d hit your head too hard on my chest plate.”


“As far as that goes, Donovan, I am fine.” I replied, my gaze falling again in embarrassment when another smile lifted the corners of his full lips. “What...?”


It was all overwhelming; suddenly showing up here, with this handsome man who could make me forget everything I could remember so far, with a single glance. Honey colored eyes with a stunning royal wardrobe, fair skin, and a fit body I could easily see under his robes. He was a man who knew what he had and was not afraid to flaunt it. A deep, deep voice that made me shiver a little, and callused hands that felt so gentle.


“Well, Princess, the Palace Doctor wants to keep you under observation to make sure you are well enough to walk.” He stated, leaning forward again, bringing the clean scent of his musk with him. “We can have a tailor set things up for your wardrobe soon, and I will have the servants prepare your Quarters. I look forward to helping you, Goddess.”


I doubted I was a Goddess, but the way Donovan stared made me wonder. What did I look like? Beyond the blonde hair and tanned skin, I didn’t remember anything about my appearance. Was I beautiful, or just average? Why did he look at me like that? His honey-colored pools seemed to devour every inch of me, to where I felt completely exposed, yet I knew the blanket concealed my form. A hand reached out again to cup my face before he stood, and turned his back to me.


“I have some duties I must attend to this evening, so I hope you will pardon me, Princess.” He murmured, his hands clasping behind his back. “I will return to your side as soon as I am able.”


I knew he had things to take care of, but I wanted to learn more about him. Was he just as enamored as I was? Could things really start on appearance alone? Donovan glanced back over his white-robed shoulder at me, a gentle smile on his lips. Maybe appearance wasn’t enough, but I could tell he would never hurt me; not intentionally, if he could help it. Despite how he seemed, he had his own code of conduct and something told me it didn’t involve disrespecting women.


“Since I have found the woman I wish to spend my life with, I have to take the proper steps, no?” He ventured, shrugging as he walked towards the door. “All I can hope is that she accepts my courtship and becomes my Queen.”


I didn’t know who he was talking about, but I was sure she was a lucky woman. Odds were Donovan had dozens of women waiting for him, and any one of them would be happy to become his Queen. My thoughts wavered as I wondered if he was the King. All I could do was sit here and stare at him as he walked through the door into what appeared to be a courtyard bustling with activity. As the door closed behind him, the Palace Doctor stepped forward, head bowed with his fingers clasped together in front of his waist.


“Prince Donovan rarely visits this part of the Palace. I heard he disbanded his Court assigned concubines because he found the woman he wanted to wed.” He stated, brown eyes focused on the floor, but his words confirmed Donovan’s title. “He ordered us to treat you as a Queen. Have you been promised to him?”


~~~~Donovan~~~~


Royal duties were annoying when one had somewhere they wanted to be. His thoughts hadn’t ventured very far from his charge, the beautiful Princess Ayla, and he wanted to return to her as quickly as possible, but it seemed everyone wanted to get in his way. Donovan knew he was lucky as his parents wanted him to marry for love. He knew how it could be in other Kingdoms around Steg, but his parents were kinder to their subjects and family than some.


Steg itself was a massive continent, one that held three Kingdoms within its mass; the Albrecht, Erde, and Tellus Kingdoms. As a member of the Royal family, Donovan had to keep up with the borders and information on the other ruling families. His march through the extravagant white and blue hallways led towards the Private Dining Hall where he would enjoy dinner with his parents. Donovan needed to discuss the future; specifically, the one involving Ayla.


“We heard you disbanded the concubines.” The familiar tones of the twins echoed in the hall behind him, making his steps pause. “Was that woman from the sky so stunning that she stole you heart in an instant? We saw the whole thing from the balcony.”


Their usual hiding place when they avoided their Princely duties but at least they would complete their studies. They were the youngest of the family, and a medical miracle for the era. The first set of identical twin boys born to the Royal Family in generations, and they were rather rambunctious, often playing pranks on the staff of the Palace. Brett and Rhett Albrecht, and Donovan felt awful because he could never tell them apart despite being family.


“Yes.” Donovan confirmed, chuckling when they rounded him to face him, their eyes widened in apparent shock. “Her name is Princess Ayla. I hope to make her my Queen.”


The two shared a glance before looking back at Donovan. Brett and Rhett were the youngest of his brothers, and the ones he knew the least, as his duties usually kept him far too busy to spend any time with them. He walked between the two, continuing on his way towards the Grand Hall. He was so caught in his thoughts about Ayla, he didn’t notice his brothers falling into step on either side, until one of them poked his side.


“Is it true she has hair the color of the sun’s rays and eyes that match the sky?” One asked, drawing Donovan’s gaze to his left as they passed some servants who stopped to bow. “I also heard she had strange robes. Did you have a few Royal Guards barring the entrance to the Palace Doctor?”


“Yes, yes, and yes.” The elder prince nodded, a smirk lifting the corners of his lips. “And they’re not barring the entrance. They are standing guard and sending anyone like Neil away. I only told them to use their best judgement.”


Ordering the protection of someone not already within the Royal Family was not normal. The Royal Guard only protected the Royal Family, but Donovan was making a statement with his actions towards her. Ayla would be safe here; he would make sure of it. Their footsteps echoed as they grew closer to the Grand Hall, and the savory scent of meat and vegetables filled his senses. His stomach let out a small growl, making him cough to cover the sound from his youngest brothers.


“Father is quite happy with your choices lately.” Another familiar voice had Donovan sighing in annoyance, and Neil, a blob of brown hair appeared in front of him. “And I must say, I’m quite interested to meet this female everyone has been whispering about.”


“Prince Neil. Stay away from her.” Donovan warned, only for the second oldest to turn, his feet still shuffling him backwards. “I mean it.”


“Rather fast of you. And if I say no?” His wicked grin and leering gaze had the elder narrowing his eyes as his hand fell to the pommel of his sword. “Relax, dear brother. I can see how serious you are.”


Neil was the Prince of Women Chasing. Donovan was sure there wasn’t a single female in the Kingdom who hadn’t fell for his brother’s charm, and several kept coming back for more, despite knowing they would never win the philanderer’s heart. Of all his brothers, Neil was the one who annoyed Donovan the most. Especially when the nobles demanded an answer for his actions towards their daughters. It gave his parents headaches they didn’t need.


“You shouldn’t kid around so often Neil. Unlike you, Big Brother has the purest intentions concerning the Lady.” Oliver, the middle child, appeared as they stopped at the double wooden doors leading into the Grand Hall. “You don’t always have to act as a perverse old man, you know.”


“I assure you; I have the purest intentions as well.” Neil stated, tilting his head to the side innocently as he leered. “I have to make sure our dear older brother knows what he’s getting himself into. Regardless, I heard she looked quite exotic. Mind if I pay her a visit?”


“Touch her and you die, Neil.” Donovan warned, hand falling to his sword, and his eyes narrowed as his second brother raised his hands in jest. "Father has sworn her protection from everyone in the Kingdom, so do behave.”