Part 13 ~Afterglow~

Part 13 ~Afterglow~
Donovan watched Shandy sleeping peacefully, snuggled close to his chest.
His fingers gently stroking over the soft contours of her beautiful face, unbelieving of the deep emotional hold this feisty little vixen already had on him.
Trying to process this whole situation was taking a toll on him as well. He never took the words his father told him seriously, never imagined in his wildest of dreams he would feel so strongly about his betrothed....never actually believed his fathers words to begin with.
He had despised her, wanted to make her life hell for this shit he'd been forced into...that now had completely shifted.
He felt things he'd never in his life experienced before, even though he had been with so many women in his kingdom for his own sexual gratification. None ever developed into anything more than just that....and not a single one out of so many made him feel the things Shandy did.
There had been a couple that had wanted more and bugged the shit outta him, which only pissed him off causing him to become so enraged he cursed them mercilessly, resulting in their running off bawling and crying. Which had zero effect on him at all.
True, he had grown up privileged. A spoiled pompous ass, next in line for the throne of his father in their kingdom.
Donovan remembered back to the day not so long ago that his father called upon him as he flirted shamelessly with the servant girls.
●(Flashback)●
"What is it you require of me father?" Donovan strode into his fathers chambers with an air of superiority as he tossed an apple up into the air snatching it.
"Sit son," his father replied bluntly pointing at a chair across from his large desk, commanding his full and undivided attention with a heavy sigh while watching his son flop down, huffing with aggravation for intruding on his day of strolling about the castle getting into mischief.
The monarch dreaded the discussion he was about to embark upon with his cocky son, since he knew what his reaction would be, yet it was his destiny, and the king was ready to endure any outbursts of retaliation with his own swift assault of harsh facts, If need be.
If there was one thing the king knew well, it was that his eldest son, although excessively overbearing and smug, he would respect anything he told him to do, even if he showed his royal ass and pitched a tantrum in the process. Donovan knew when his father meant business and wouldn't push him but so far.
Donovan would undoubtedly give in, knowing his father was in charge and had nothing but his best interest at heart.
King Kimbers opened up the large, thick, heavy treatise of their kind and their kingdom,"Rolod" and so he began the long story of his eldest son's destined one.
He quickly stood lashing out at his dad with excessive anger at the news of this woman he was being forced to accept as his betrothed. His father had talked of this many years before, however Donovan had always been too busy running around asserting his dominance to all the kingdom's people as their next king that they should fear and respect....or else. His hubristic attitude had known no boundaries.
Donovan loved his philandering life and had damn near bedded every split tail in their kingdom.
Now here he was angrily pacing his father's chamber's, listening, and having to accept his fate of being forced with a female he had never met, a woman that had been out in the mortal world to live until it was time for their union.
"Father! How the hell am I gonna make this,...this woman you speak of understand where she really comes from!? and,.. and how she is destined to be with me!? And on top of that, I can't use my abilities on her?! For fucks sake! Are you serious!? I'll be goddamned!!" He stomped his foot, throwing his hands up in the air, growling out so loudly it echoed throughout the ground level of the castle causing his younger brothers to hear and chuckle a bit.
There was nothing his youngest brother Devin loved more than to hear Donovan in distress. The youngest had despised his elder brother for a long time after what he had done to him and couldn't wait for the day he could pay him back....Devin was just waiting for his chance.
"Young man!! I strongly suggest you mind your tone with me!! I have explained what is expected of you and said consequences, if you try to finagle your way out of this, you will be eternally doomed! Now gooo! prepare for your journey!! His father responded in a booming voice.
Donovan stood fuming in anger, face red, teeth grinding together, yet he spoke no more. His father was not a man to fuck with and he damn well knew it. He begrudgingly accepted the fate that had been handed to him against his will.
As he turned to rush out in a mad dash, his father's softer tone stopped him in his tracks.
"Donovan,....my son, I do this to better you, this young woman will change you in ways you can not yet begin to imagine. Trust my words, for I speak the truth. His father had replied in his most sincere and loving tone.
"Here son, take this book and keep it safe, until the time comes for you to give her the truth. I am aware that this will be difficult, even more so than this was for me. I promise you son, this will not be in vain. Your efforts will be worth the reward you recieve.
Donovan's father carefully held out the large old book to his son that read "Rolod" in large raised lettering on the cover. This was the book of their kingdom,...of their people that he entrusted his son with.
"Yes father." He replied lowering his voice, accepting the book.
Donovan was not ready for this as he stepped through the portal leading him out of their kingdom.
He was immediately standing in front of Shandys overturned car. This female wasn't supposed to have gotten hurt which changed the course of everything.
He was granted permission to only use his abilities to transport her to the home that had been prepared for them, until she accepted this arrogant future king, who was not from the world she had been accustomed to living in her entire life.
Little had he known what a difficult spitfire she would turn out to be. She was not one to take kindly to smug, arrogant men. Yet he had thought he'd be able to sway her with his good looks & charm right away.
Her dislike of his vain attitude had only created a toxic cocktail of enmity between the two from their first meeting. He had damn near come close to giving up, however the words of his father rang out clearly in his head and he had pushed through it with much effort.
●(End FB)●
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Now here he lay with this beautiful creature he was observing in a whole new light. For the first time in his life someone else mattered more to him than himself.
A slight fear rushed over him as he thought of how she'd react to the truth he soon would give to her. The time she had run from him, then passed out replayed in his mind, yet he had to tell her within a certain amount of time.
Donovan had never had a worry in the world, until now. The thoughts of her rejection stung his heart. He'd have to be extremely cautious with his attempt at sharing this overload of information. But for now he was basking in the warm emotions she had conjured up deep within him.