Free Aligning Stars (Fate's Intent Book 1) by April Bowles

sides. I could tell he was taking this the hardest and I should have known that he would have but this was important. We’re not doing this because they’re women. We’re doing this because it’s war and they’re our enemy. They were sent to kill us and we had to retaliate to show our dominance. This world belongs to us. If their death would show that more clearly then that’s how it had to be. Feelings aside, there is no mercy in war.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 12
     
     
    Adele
     
    “Where have you been?” I’ve been waiting to ask Jaylyn that question, having not been able to look for her myself.
    “I just took a walk.”
    “Yeah, with Troy.” Ruby mumbled, holding back a laugh.
    Jaylyn rolled her eyes and sat with us. “So what? I couldn’t go alone.”
    “Well, what happened out there? Did you get anything out of him?”
    Jaylyn merely looked over at Ruby with her cheeks raising behind her mask like a smile.
    I knew instantly. “Jaylyn!”
    “What? It was harmless. Just a little kiss.”
    “You showed him your face and kissed him?!” Ruby asked, still with the tone of happiness and surprise on her voice. “Ooh! Lucky! How was it?”
    “Good! I can still taste it!”
    Ruby tried to hold back from laughing again and put her hand over her mouth while looking over at me.
    I was not happy with this news and looked up at Jaylyn with a disappointed anger. “How could you? You’re betraying your country this way.”
    “Oh, come on, Adele. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass me by and don’t blame him. It was all me.”
    “I believe you.” I looked away and we sat through a pause. I was disappointed but somehow already saw it coming when I saw them .
    Jaylyn didn’t want to go on about it further either and make things worse with me but she did look over at Ruby to steer the subject more towards her. “So, how was your ride? You’ve been physically attached to Darius all day.”
    Ruby smiled and looked over at him then back at Jaylyn. “It was good. Well worth the agony.”
    I had enough and fired my voice at both of them. “All right, enough! Can we just forget about this? I’m done hearing about them.”
    “Well, that will be kind of hard considering the one walking toward us.” Ruby said with a whispering smile.
    I looked up and saw that it was Zayden. He had the greatest proud walk you’d ever see but I rolled my eyes and turned from it, not interested in whatever it was he had to say.
    “You three, over there.”
    Ruby and Jaylyn stood up immediately like he was really in charge but I grabbed their wrists, pulling them back down. “No. We’re fine right here, thanks.”
    Zayden’s eyes narrowed and lowered them down at me. “It wasn’t a suggestion. Move.”
    Ruby and Jaylyn stood back up but I only pulled them right back down again. “No. We’re staying.”
    Zayden knelt down to me and looked me right in the eye while I looked back unafraid. “It seems you’re forgetting your place here again. If you won’t get yourself up and go over there right now, I will be forced to make you and that’s really something you don’t want me to have to do.”
    I glared at him and certainly had no intention of moving. “I think I’ll stay.”
    “All right. Your choice.”
    He quickly reached down and grabbed my arm, bringing me to my feet. I struggled to get away and almost made it until Zayden turned me around and pulled my arm up behind my back.
    He pulled my body back into his and leaned into my ear. “The more you struggle the more it will hurt so I suggest you give up now.”
    I stopped and stood silently and still but was breathing heavily to show my anger.
    I had nothing to say to him but it only made Zayden smile in victory. “That’s my girl. See, I guess even wild beasts can be tamed.”
    He started moving over to the fire with me and Ruby and Jaylyn went with us, Jaylyn helping Ruby along.
    “Have a seat, Love.” Zayden forced me to sit close to him so he would