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CHAPTER 328 – Acknowledging Her

“I understand you, Jade. I do,” Arctic smiled and lightly patted her back.

It would be wrong if she wasn’t. Her parents adored her more than they did anything.

“You can cry but remember, as much as you miss those who are gun, do not forget those who remain and love you dearly.”

She nodded and pulled away from the hug allowing her gaze to rest on each one of them.

For a long time, she hung on to revenge that much and, in the end, she almost lost sight of those who made living worth it and valued her.

Her hate made her suffer whereas she had those who were there for her.

“Thank you so much, guys. Without you all being here for me, I would have lost my way more than once. Thank you so much for taking this fight with me as well.”

.....

“Do not sweat it, Jade. We will always protect you and love you. Before as a friend but now, you will be more than that. Each one of us here will lay down our lives for you as we will for Xander,” Sky mentioned as he took a deep bow before her.

Seeing this, Jade gasped and took a step back.

She did not think she would see the day again when this would happen and right before her eyes, everyone else followed suit.

“W-what…” She took another step back, stammering as she racked her brain to find the perfect words to say.

They were her friends. Bowing to her made her feel uneasy.

Suddenly she felt a hand wrap around her waist, stopping her from running anymore.

“You mean this and more to them now. You will be crowned queen once we get married. By all right, this would become usual,” Xander whispered close to her ears.

“Congratulations on your engagement, my lady,” Jay added, heightening the situation further.

She whipped her head up to see the smile on Xander’s face.

He loved his friends so much. Never once did they disregard their respect for him and his decisions just because they were close.

And the fact that they even geared it towards his betrothed, made his heart swell with pride and joy.

“Rise, please,” Xander uttered and pressed a kiss close to her ear. “That is what you should say, Jade. You cannot leave your subjects hanging.”

“Oh yes. I…” she cleared her throat and swept her gaze over them. Till now it still felt unreal.

“Please rise.”

As if on cue, none of them responded to her plea of command until Xander spoke up.

“Rise before you scare her to death. Look she is already tensed up,” he enunciated deeply.

Obeying him, they all rose with smiles on their faces. But somehow, Jade wasn’t happy.

She was polite in her order, yet they ignored her. Did they really not take her seriously?

Sensing what her worries were, Astoria smiled and walked up to meet Jade.

“You will be Queen soon. Amidst the act that we are friends, never forget your authority. You do not need to plead with us when you issue a command. Be firm.”

“But I…”

“Shh, it is okay. No one judges you. We also know what a good person you are. Stubborn but good,” she smiled and rubbed her palms with hers.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Astoria. Now she will be at ease.”

“Anytime,” she nodded and took a step back, letting the lovers be.

“Then shall we get this mini-celebration started?” Marlon questioned. He as well as the others were eager for something more.

“Sure. But remember, this is only the announcement. I will hold an engagement party for her. The world should know who she is to me.”

He winked at Jade and tightened his hold on her waist. Similarly, her eyes brightened and she drew in her nostrils. She answered his silent question with a nod.

Of course, she was happy with whatever decisions he wanted to make.

Right now, even with the dread still lying waiting in the dark, she wished more than anything to be married to him.

The mate bond needed to be consummated and she also wanted to feel the ecstasy everyone felt by being with their partner.

“Let’s have fun, love. You need it,” Xander’s deep voice informed her through the mind link.

******

A few hours later, while a few of them remained in the garden and some dispersed to different places in the mansion, a pair walked down the garden, far from the others as they took in the sight before them of the large expanse of land.

“Are you happy?” Asia inquired. She needed to make sure he was alright no matter what.

“I am,” Aramis replied and turned to face her.

He hooked a finger underneath her chin and drew her body closer to his using his free hand.

Before Asia got the chance to ask if everything was all right, he pressed a firm kiss on her lips, slipping his tongue into her mouth with the very opportunity he could get.

All of his actions caught her off guard but she responded still. Her hands wrapped around his neck as she pressed her body to his.

From how needy his kiss was, and the way his hands moved on her back and sides, she could tell something was not right.

After a few minutes of sharing their blissful kiss, she stopped. Her breathing was ragged and her eyes felt dizzy from almost having the air sucked out of her.

It was both hasty, wanting, and desire filled and yet it held so many secrets.

“Aramis,” she called calmly with her eyes staring intensely at his face. Her hands moved down to his face to caress his cheeks.

She loved when he looked her deep in the eyes. It spoke so much and she could connect better.

“Tell me, darling. Something is off. What is it?”

“I…” he paused and lowered his gaze.

Saying what bothered him was going to be heartbreaking for her. Yet he knew if he refused to tell her, he would hurt her so much.

“I was reminded of her and…”

“You miss her. I know.”

Peeling his gaze back up, Aramis peered back into her eyes and saw the sadness that enveloped them. Quickly he apologized.

The last thing he wanted was for her, who was living to feel useless.

“I am sorry, Asia. I never meant to…”

Moving in, Asia silenced his apology with her lips as she pressed a deep kiss on his lips while she poured his heart for her into the kiss.

He was hurt and sad. She understood and she meant to help him feel happy, no matter what.

Aramis did not fight back nor did he resist her. Instead, he pushed her head forward, meeting her kiss with his eagerly.

She understood what he did when he kissed her first. As much as he missed his first mate, he loved Asia enough to want her instead.

And so, he kissed her, reminding himself that he had found love once more.

Moments passed and they finally broke off the kiss and smiled at each other. His eyes searched hers, loving everything he saw there.

“Forgive me.”

“Silly no need to apologize. At least I do not expect you to forget her so soon, but I am happy you thought of me, even. Thanks, Aramis. I love you.”

“I love you too. Thanks for understanding.”