Wow, third update of the day! If you don’t know already GAME OVER updated earlier today, and so did Calamity!

Go check it out if you haven't already!

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Sweet Desire

Chapter 11

“We’re all in the same game; just different levels. Dealing with the same hell; just different Devils.”

~~~~~

Adam closed the door to Quentin’s little infirmary behind him. He was feeling much better after a little rest and figured he should return to Mitch’s room. He was getting a bit lonely.

“Mitch, I’m back!” Adam slammed open the door and put on a big smile.

“Adam.”

Adam flinched when he recognized Ian’s voice, “Ian! Hey there…” Adam looked around and saw Mitch with Jerome quietly talking. Quentin, Ty, Alesa, and Seto were nowhere to be found.

“Don’t you hey there me! You had me worried sick!” Ian marched towards Adam and yanked on Adam’s ear, “You literally rushed off on a horse and hardly told me a thing!”

“C-careful! I just had my stitches redone!”

“Redone? Redone! This is what you get for being reckless you fool!”

“H-hey, don’t be so crass…where’s Seto by the way?”

Ian let go of Adam and grumbled, “He’s off with Tyler and Ty. I told Seto that he should visit the former rebel camp—“

“Town of Jeriio—don’t forget the rebel camp is becoming an official town of Duhita,” Mitch interrupted.

Ian rolled his eyes, “Right, Seto, Tyler and Ty are heading to Jeriio because Seto’s uncle and cousin are there.”

“Where’s Alesa and Quentin?”

“Haven’t seen Quentin, Alesa is waiting outside the castle to speak to you before she heads back to her kingdom…and WE are leaving because you have to be back in Emedo. We came here and did what you needed, there is no time to waste. You can talk to Alesa while I get our ride ready.

Adam cast his eyes downward as Ian left, “Right…” he muttered in response. Though Ian had already left.

“Adam, you ok?” Adam looked up to see Jerome and Mitch had stopped discussing whatever they were talking about.

“Yeah! Never better…” Adam grinned. Mitch cast one look at Jerome and Jerome held his hands up.

“I get it, I see when I’m not wanted,” Jerome walked out of the room leaving Mitch and Adam alone. Mitch sighed and tossed the blankets off of his body. He slowly swung his legs off the side of the bed and held onto the bedpost for support as he pushed himself up onto his feet.

“Whoa, are you sure you should be standing, you need to rest—“

“I’m fine, when have you known me to let a little problem like this get in the way of business and life—“

“This is not a little problem, you just suffered a very serious and very deadly injury and condition, you didn’t wake up after you got hit. For Notch’s sake Mitch you placed yourself—a king—,on the frontlines.“

“And what would you have me do? Sit here in my comfortable palace while my people get slaughtered by a problem I need to take care of. Adam what I faced was nothing, I can only imagine what you faced.”

Adam looked away as Mitch approached him with comforting eyes, “Jerome told me that Jordan had to carry you out coated in your father’s blood. You fought a man like him completely on your own. You must’ve faced hundreds of fears and fought an uphill battle against a man like him.”

“Now,” Mitch placed his hands on Adam’s shoulder, Adam turned to look at him, “Is there something you want to talk about, perhaps something involving the very future of your kingdom?”

Adam’s eyes widened before he narrowed them at Mitch, “Quentin told you didn’t he?”

Mitch grinned, “In his defense you never told him to keep quiet.”

Adam sighed.

“Listen Adam, there’s nothing to be afraid of—come on, let’s walk to the front gates before Ian gets mad at you,” Mitch placed a hand on Adam’s back and gently guided him out the doors to his room, “The decision you are facing is not an obstacle, it shouldn’t be something to fear…I would know Adam, so trust me. I was in your very shoes, and look at me, 4 years and the kingdom was still prospering despite the war.”

“That’s different, your father was not a monster like mine was.”

“Maybe not, but I still felt myself under his shadow, and I still feared that I would end up just like my father and make the decisions he wanted and not what I wanted. But Adam you have to remember being King does not mean standing alone. Being King means standing with everyone, Ian, Jordan, myself, Seto, your people, my people, and all six kingdoms. We are in this together, we work together, we fight together, and we grow stronger together Adam.”

Mitch stopped walking and Adam turned to face Mitch, “If you accept to being King, know you are never alone. Don’t be afraid to write a letter or come visit, we’ll help each other. From one friend to the other.”

Adam felt tears well up in his eyes, “Th-thank you.”

“Remember, you are not your father,” Mitch added on. Adam nodded and Mitch smiled and patted Adam’s shoulder, “Good, as long as you know that I need to head back, I’m quite exhausted. Like you said Adam, I need to be resting,” Mitch chuckled, “I’m sure you know the way from here, don’t keep Alesa or Ian waiting. It’s never good to keep the ladies waiting,” Mitch grinned and winked.

Adam chuckled and rolled his eyes. He watched as Mitch limped back the way they came and disappeared behind a corner. Adam sighed and continued on his way to the exit. He did wonder what Alesa needed with him, and since she was leaving to her kingdom that meant he probably wouldn’t see her for a while.

Adam nodded to the guards as he exited Mitch’s home, Alesa was waiting outside by a horse that was geared up and ready for a long journey. She looked up as Adam approached, “Adam, there you are, glad I got to see you before I go.

“Sure thing, what did you need to talk about? Not marriage I hope?”

Alesa chuckled and punched Adam lightly in the shoulder, “Ha, ha, you’re a nice guy Adam, but not my type. And besides I’ll be too busy rebuilding Neim’s economy and culture, not to mention stepping in after my mother and father. A marriage would only complicate things and add more to my plate.”

“True, tr—Did you say you were stepping in for your parents, what do you mean?”

Alesa hummed, “Exactly what I said. My parents need a rest, and I’m old enough. I snuck out of my kingdom to take it back from Emedo, and you and everyone else helped me do that. I’ve learned from you to not judge others, I learned from Mitch on how to be a leader, I learned from Wag and Quentin how to use magic and heal. Everyone I have met has been a teacher for me and I am thankful—that’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

Adam was taken aback and he could only manage a stutter, “Wh-what?”

“Thank you for your help and forgiving my cruel actions towards you based on my misguided biases. Thank you and your brother for returning Neim to my family and removing the troops in my kingdom. I wanted to tell you this because I am in your debt…and I want you to know you can write or visit if you need any advice or help. I can help you with definitely a few things, even if you think I don’t know what your hiding,” she coughed, “magic.”

“What was that?”

“Oh nothing,” Alesa smiled, “Just don’t be afraid to reach out, ok?”

“Y-yeah, sure thing,” Adam said.

“Good,” Alesa finished packing away some provisions onto her horse’s saddle, “You should probably hurry up to Ian, before he gets mad at you.”

“R-right! Thanks!” Adam jumped and waved goodbye before dashing out of the front gates. He saw Ian waiting by a carriage.

“There you are—“

“Ian, can we stop by the rebel—er Jeriio. I need to talk with Seto one last time,” Adam pleaded.

Ian gave Adam a hard stare before shaking his head and sighing, “Fine...ONE last detour, that’s it.”

“Thank you!” Ian opened the carriage door and Adam clambered inside.

~~~~~

“Seto, it’s really good to see you, I-I can’t believe it’s been 4 years…” Tyler said. Tyler, Seto, and Ty were riding quietly through the woods. They had left not long after Ian and Tyler had barged into Mitch’s room. Seto was in the middle of recounting his stories when Ian started asking about Adam’s whereabouts. Before long Seto apologized and promised to finish his stories for another time, he had spotted Tyler and felt terribly bad about having left him back at the gateway without a word.

The two of them slipped away after Ian told Seto about his family in Jeriio and Ty soon followed.

“I’m sorry about ignoring you Tyler…A lot has been on my mind and I couldn’t waste time if I wanted to save Mitch—“

“N-no, no. I understand,” Tyler chuckled, “But if you really want to make it up to me, just don’t run off again without inviting me,” Tyler grinned.

“Sure, sure,” Seto responded. Seto looked at Ty who was silent the entire time, “Hey Ty, why so quiet?”

Ty shrugged, “It’s sort of hard to believe you are here right now…I blamed myself you know. I thought you left because of me—“

“No, no way,” Seto interrupted, “I left because I was dumb and I did a dumb thing, it had nothing to do with you. I’m just glad we finally get to talk again.”

Ty quietly chuckled, “Did you know that Adam’s brother ended the monarchy agreement between Emedo and Keuta?”

Seto perked up, “He did?”

“Mhm.”

“What does that mean?” Tyler asked.

“It means…my Uncle is King again!” Seto laughed, “That’s great! I’m so glad.”

“Heh, so that means I’m in the presence of a real prince, huh?” Tyler gave Seto a sly grin.

Seto winked in response, “This prince has the power to jail your ass, so don’t go around and do anything criminal.”

“Pfft, me! No way! And besides the only criminal here is Ty.”

“Hey, is that supposed to be an insult because I’m Vragan?”

Seto and Tyler glanced at each other and broke out laughing, “Come on!” Seto said in between snorts, “Let’s hurry to Jeriio. I can’t wait to see my uncle, I’ve missed him!”

“Last one there will be cursed by Notch!” Tyler yipped before racing through the trees on the back of his horse.

“The Nyx will smite you!” Ty yelled back and raced after Tyler.

Seto laughed as he watched his two friends go. He was glad both Ty and Tyler looked cheerful. The two of them had seemed glum before he arrived and now that he was here they instantly looked happier.

Seto began to race after Tyler and Ty as they began to disappear from view. He wasn’t going to lose to those two!

The wind rushed past Seto’s face and he had to squint just to keep his eyes from watering. He missed this. This carefree and happy nature spent with friends. He really did miss it and he wanted to just lapse into blissful comfort and think nothing more of magic. But Seto had to remind himself of his mission, he had to remember there was no peace without sacrifice.

~~~~~

“Have you given what Jordan said any thought?” Ian asked from outside the carriage. He sat up high leading the horses while Adam was inside.

“I'm unsure,” Adam commented.

From the outside Ian nodded, not that Adam could see it.

“For the record Adam, you would make an excellent king. Your kingdom already respects you.”

“But many of my people are without fathers, brothers, and sons because of the war. I didn't stand with my people, I watched my own soldiers get killed. How can my people respect and follow me and forgive me for what I've done?”

Adam was overrun by too many fears. He couldn't be the king his people needed, “Those men fought for their families and their kingdom, I can't hate them for doing their duty, I can't justify their murders.”

The road was bumpy as Adam and Ian rode in the carriage. The rhythmic clop of the horses’ hooves created a sharp melody to Adam. Ian's voiced interrupted.

“Let your people hear you Adam. The first step is to show that you still care and you value your people. You have compassion, you are different and better than your father.”

“Still--”

“Your father commanded respect,” Ian said, “but you demand equality.”

Adam looked up, he could see Ian’s form through a little window near the top of the carriage. It was right near where Ian sat so he blocked part of the window view. Ian's back was to Adam, but he was calm and look straightforward.

For some reason this view invoked an ounce of courage in Adam. Ian was right, he wanted his people to be equals, and only he could get the ball rolling.

He didn't want people living in fear of execution due to sorcery. They had nothing to fear.

If he became king he could change everything and fix his kingdom to be better.

If he became king he could bring peace between the two kingdoms of Emedo and Vragan. He could help the restorations in Neim, and he could free Keuta from their monarchy agreement so that they could stand on their own feet free of shackles.

“Ian.”

“Yes Adam?”

“You're right, I need to stop my useless worrying. I care for my people and I want to show it, I also want to bring equality to those my father oppressed. To do so I must be king.” The words of Ian, Alesa, and Mitch rung through Adam’s ears. He could be a good king if he just let himself try.

“So you've decided to take up the crown?”

“Yes, and I want you to be my right hand man.”

Ian smiled even though Adam couldn't see it. His friend was home, “Of course your highness.”

“Great! you have the most important job too! My paperwork!” Adam laughed heartily.

Ian scowled, his smile vanished, “No you bumbling, lazy fool.”

“Darn, thought that would work…”

~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed this!

Tell me your favorite book in the series, your favorite character(s) in the series.

What was the funniest moment from the series thou remember and enjoyed? What was the saddest part that made you sad? Favorite part?

Please tell me! Know this stuff keeps me motivated because it shows me that people still enjoy this series.

Don't forget to check out GAME OVER and Calamity.

If you guys make any art for any of my stories or you've made art in the past, feel free to share or reshare with me. I acrually have my desktop background as all the Sweet Desire cover art that has been made.

I'm hoping to recover and find some of the fanart I've received so I can add to my desktop background