Free Unforgettable Lover by Rosalie Redd Page A

group of warriors at a nearby table caught her attention. They laughed and chatted among themselves, their plates loaded with the pulled pork and vegetables from the evening repast. One male had a marking that ran from his elbow up his arm until the line disappeared under his shirtsleeve. She wondered if his mark looked anything like Nicholai’s. 
    She inhaled at the thought. I’m qithan. I shouldn’t think about Nicholai. But that was all she wanted to do. She bit the inside of her cheek, and a new round of tears threatened. 
    The line of Stiyaha in front of the food tables wound into the hallway. Good thing she’d arrived early. She needed to eat and get to the artistry chamber to meet the Prince. A lump formed in her throat, and she couldn’t swallow the bit of carrot in her mouth. She held her breath and forced herself to calm down. At last, she swallowed, but the effort left her with a bitter tang in her mouth.
    Chantel approached with a full plate. Her face beamed, and her mouth curved into a mischievous grin. As she closed the distance, her smile faltered. “Why are you sitting over here by yourself?” Her best friend snuggled beside her on the bench and ran her hand up Leonna’s arm, but the friendly gesture didn’t ease the ache in her heart. 
    “Chanty…I’m qithan.” Leonna raised her arm, and the bracelet dangled from her wrist like a rope, one attached to a male she didn’t love.
    Chantel’s quick breath gave away her surprise. “….and that explains your happy mood, right?” Chantel wrapped her into a soft embrace. “What can I do?” 
    “Nothing. Just…nothing.” The heat and aroma from the pulled pork didn’t help Leonna’s stomach. She clamped her mouth shut to hold back the nausea rising in her throat.
    Chantel pulled back and stared into Leonna’s eyes. “Who is he? Do I know him? Do you even like him?”
    So many questions Leonna wasn’t sure how to respond, so she shook her head.
    “Then why are you qithan with him?” Her friend tightened her lips and gave her a troubled glare.
    “It’s complicated.”
    “That’s not an answer. Please tell me…or I will tickle you until you do.”
    A short laugh burst from Leonna. Her friend always had a way of raising her spirits. A small smile pulled at her lips, and a bit of her tension abated. 
    “I made you laugh. That’s a start.” Chantel pushed her uneaten food away and stood. “Let’s walk—get the blood flowing. It’ll do you good.” She stood and grabbed Leonna’s hand.
    Leonna went along, suddenly eager to escape the Grand Hall, now filled with so many of the Keep’s residents. As they walked down the corridor, their pace picked up. Fresh air filled her lungs, providing oxygen for her muscles and her brain. Her friend was right—she felt better.
    “Now, tell me what happened.” Chantel’s tone was encouraging, yet demanding.
    “My father…he selected Blaine as my mate.” As Leonna said the words, the chain around her wrist grew heavier.
    “Blaine? I must be wrong, but I thought he preferred—” 
    Adrenaline coursed through her veins as a deep desire to let it all out hit Leonna. “Papa doesn’t trust me to run the honey cart on my own. He thinks I’m too impulsive and disorganized.” Leonna took a big breath. “He grows feebler each day…and my mother, what with her bent back, she can’t run the wagon. So, he selected Blaine to help me. He didn’t even ask what I wanted. He—” The floodgates burst and the tears flowed. She inhaled to prevent the wail that threatened to escape.
    Chantel wrapped Leonna in a firm embrace. “I’m so sorry. Why don’t you tell him what you want?”
    Leonna’s body hitched as she tried to control her sobs. A vision of Nicholai crossed her mind, but the thought of being with the prince was futile, so she focused on her other love—art. That wasn’t a viable option for a living. She used to be a fabulous painter, one with the promise of a great career. Ever