The heralds sounded in the rosy-lighted morning. Their ringing tones signaled the end of the old day. I sat on the stone bed waiting for the chamber doors to open again.

Then a golden light split through the darkness as my fair dainty princess entered the temple. She hurried inside with an anxious look upon her features. Her piercing dark eyes widened in profound relief once she saw me. A sheer delight crossed our faces at the same time. I stood and smiled, causing her tears to fall afresh over the rims of those carved lashes.

"Nikita..." Amarisa breathed.

"Your Highness," I greeted her back. She rushed towards me with...