Aden of Aden
Chapter Seventeen

…
Nick looked to the one on the throne as he said, “Now, I really do need to be introduced.”

The lady replied, “I cannot do it, Brother.” She stood, and upon raising her hand I heard the sound of bars being placed on the doors as I watched the room become dark as the windows were closed. “This is all make-up. I am not our mother.”

“Then I am doomed?”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Sixteen

…
“Well, if that is all you want to say, let me add that I do not like having to wear the same clothes continually.”

Nick said, “Mother should have clothes for you, but it will still be a couple of days. Sorry.”

Dumourl replied, “She was probably honest, but her words were still a misdirect, Nick. Get back to leading us.” While he set himself to following, the eyes of the lizard person continued to look to me until he had a chance to whisper, “Are you falling in love with him?”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Fifrteen

…
“I don’t care,” the lizard person replied. “It should keep him away, which should allow me some time to rest. Scream if you need to.”

“I can fight. At least, I can hold a weapon. I never really practiced. Still, my father is only a knight, and we live in an unprotected community. Certain skills were taught.” Not really satisfied with my own words, I added, “I can also scream.”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Fourteen

…
The young man knelt, then said, “No. I will take a place as you servant. If you have a claim to protect her then you will have an ally.”

The lizard person looked to me to ask, “Do you know what this is about?”

I replied, “I do not. That young man has not bothered to properly introduce himself, then ran away when challenged. As for the dragon, I do not know about it either.”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Thirteen

…
“Well, I was told not to make a decision too quickly.”

“Probably from the very person who latched onto me no sooner than did I step into the courtyard of her home. You’re looking for something, Aden of Aden. I guess that you do not know what, but you are looking. When you find it, why look further?”

I felt the answer to that was obvious, “Because I will not recognize it.”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Twelve

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“I don’t blame her, but I just wish she would talk to me. This is a big decision. It is a major step in my like, and I wish she was here.”

“It is a big decision, Aden. Still, it is your decision. Don’t let me, your parents, or even fate take from you the fact that it is your decision.”

Hearing a word, I felt I had an opportunity to turn the conversation onto a topic that would not trouble me. “Fate?”

Aden of Aden
Chapter Eleven

…
“No,” I replied with conviction. “It’s joy. It’s happiness. Mother did the right things, and chose the proper path, and it led to her doom. She is not a baroness, or duchess, or having children that are princes and princesses, and she is happy. She wants me to be happy. What I am feeling is that my happiness will not be in a castle.”

“What if you are hearing the call of another? You just spoke of one’s name being powerful. What if someone is using your name to gain power over you?”