Sometime later we had left the royal training grounds and arrived at the throne room to meet with King Alton and of course Dumah, who was waiting by the door. Just being in his presence made every hair on my body stand on end, if we weren’t inside surrounded by other knights, I would have attacked him right then.

I could feel my newly awakened light clashing against the dark aura around Dumah, his expression changed when he felt it too. We glared at each other for a moment, then he turned his attention to Tigra, grinning.

“Thank you for accompanying her Fang,” said Dumah. “You may leave now.”

“I am afraid I cannot do that,” I said, keeping my expression expressionless. “I am Tigra’s Guardian, I am to be with her at all times.”

“Fang,” snarled Dumah.

“Dumah,” I hissed back.

“It’s okay Fang.” Tigra raised her hand. “I’ll be fine, please wait out here.”

“As you wish,” I bowed and took position by the door. I felt a little nervous her heading inside with him.

I waited patiently for a long while, so long in fact that I saw Dash pass twice as he had been given orders from Tigra to find the books on the stories of Fang, I could have told her most of them, but perhaps we could find out more of what happened in the past. Dash came a third time, and I stood in the way. He stopped inches from me.

“Fang,” he smiled.

“What are you doing Dash?” I asked.

“My orders from Tigra of course,” he nodded to himself.

“I know that,” I shrugged. “But can you please use a different route, you are driving me crazy.”

“Okay,” he glanced at the doors. “Tigra at her meeting with the King?”

“And Dumah.” I snorted.

The doors suddenly swung open and Tigra came out, she had tears in the corner of her eyes, but hid it quickly from Dash.

“Tigra, don’t you dare walk out!” her father called after.

“I will never marry Dumah!” shouted Tigra. She didn’t look back but just kept on moving forward.

“Best hurry after her,” said Dash. “She’ll need you.”

“I know,” I nodded and went to follow after her.

“Fang,” Dumah said my name slyly.

“What?” I glanced back at him, seeing he held a golden sword embedded with gems of every colour. It was the royal betrothal sword.

“Just so you know, our future marriage is now official,” he grinned.

“Not if she wasn’t the one who gave it to you,” I commented. “I heard that sword can tell and won’t just accept anyone during the royal ceremony.” He seemed to become irritated as I said those words. “And I doubt it will ever accept you.”

“Why you?” Dumah lashed out at me and Raziel appeared in front of me.

“One step and I’ll burn you and this whole castle to the ground,” I snarled, then walked off, Raziel following behind me.

After getting a far distance from Dumah, Raziel spoke. “I know you wanted some personal time with Tigra, but our contract says…”

I answered before he could finish. “That one of you must be present at all times.” I nodded. “Sorry.”

“That is alright master,” he followed beside me. “Your bond with Tigra is a strong one, but you may have many struggles ahead.” I just nodded as I followed Tigra’s scent to where she had gone.

Tigra had headed up to the roof, where I found her hiding in one of the hidden rooms that can only be accessed from the roof.

“Tigra,” I said gently as I entered. It was a proper little room, with a bed, cabinets, and a second room. I had read in history it had once been used as a place to hide the younger members of the royal family if the castle was ever attacked.

“Leave me alone Alex,” she didn’t even look at me.

I went over and sat next to her. “You know just because he has the sword doesn’t mean anything.” She looked at me from the corner of her eye. “I read the sword can only be given, if not it means nothing, plus your heart does not belong to him, it belongs to me.” She managed a little smile as I said that.

“But how did he get it,” she said as I moved closer to her, and she put her head on my shoulder.

“Where did you hide it?” I asked.

“The gardens under Cathopia, where only the queens can go,” she answered.

“Underground gardens,” she had piqued my interest.

“I can’t tell you a thing about it, only mother can go inside, so it should have been impossible for him to obtain it,” Tigra was angry. “How the hell did he get it!” She suddenly stood up frustrated. “The only way would be if she gave it to him.”

“She wouldn’t.” I shook my head.

“How would you know?” she asked.

“She is protected from his influence.” I looked around. “Plus, I can see it so clearly now, the darkness that spreads across the castle from Dumah.”

“Is this something to do with the awakening?” I nodded to her questioned. “Do I have it?” she wondered.

“No.” I stood up. “Those who are close to me are protected by an aura of light.” I took hold of her hand; I exuded that light so she could see it.

“Wow.” She watched as it spread over her.

“The closer someone is to me, the more powerful the protection.” I added.

“You’ve been keeping me safe for a long time then.” I nodded to her words. “Thank you.”

“No need. I would die for you.” I placed my hand on her cheek, rubbing it gently.

“Alex,” she blushed as I kissed her softly. We stayed like that for a moment before she pulled away slightly gazing into my eyes. “I’m so glad you came back alive.”

“So, I am.” My emotions for Tigra grew even stronger than before, as now I could show her how I felt, tell her, be with her. I could hold her close, kiss her and all thanks to those who sacrificed their lives to save mine.

Tigra moved the subject on, still concerned about how Dumah got the betrothal sword. “You can test mother then?”

“I can, but I am telling you, you have nothing to worry about,” I responded.

“I would like to know, that sword does not belong to Dumah…” She hesitated with her next line. “It belongs to you.” My eyes widened at her words.

“It hasn’t been that long since we confessed our feelings for each other, and you consider me your betrothal.” I commented.

“Yes,” she nodded confidently. “I want you to be my king.”

I looked away. “I doubt am king material.”

“It will take time before we can share this with everyone, until then just think about it.” She smiled. “You kind of have no choice if you want to stay with me.”

“True.” I sighed, becoming king of Cathopia was too big of a thought. I had already gone through my awakening and now this. I’d never thought about being king, but I suppose that didn’t really matter, I had already decided a while ago I would be with her. “I’ll tell you something.” I reached for the pendent she still carried around her neck; the gift I gave her on her birthday.

“What?” She looked down at the necklace.

“This pendent is very special to my family,” I began.

“You said it was the sign of your protection,” she remembered.

“Not just that.” I shook my head. “This pendent is the betrothal gift my father gave to my mother.” I smiled as I said it, watching her eyes widen in surprise.

“But you gave me this on my birthday.” Tigra stuttered.

“I have loved you for a long time.” I gazed at her fondly. “I gave this to you, determined we would be together one day.”

“Alex.” She smiled touched by my words. “All this time.” I nodded.

“I will never let Dumah have you.” I pulled her in, holding her close. In that moment I didn’t want to let her go, this close no one would be able to touch her, but we had something important to test, to reassure her of what I already knew. I slowly pulled away from her. “Now let’s go test your mother.”

“Right.” She nodded; her expression was still one of almost disbelief. “Alex.”

“Yeah.”

“Promise me, you’ll always come back.” Tigra still held what happened before in her heart, just as heavily as I did as there was a chance I wouldn’t have come back.

“I promise.”