Chapter 20

Gabriel, the man she had shared a fleeting night of passion with, now loomed large in her thoughts. Their encounter had been unexpected, a moment of reckless abandon that had left Skylar grappling with unexpected consequences. She had not planned for this, had not imagined herself in such a vulnerable position.

As she stood lost in thought, a knock on the door startled her from her reverie. She hesitated for a moment before crossing the room to answer it. Pulling open the heavy wooden door, Skylar found herself face to face with Chief Declan, the esteemed leader of Lionheart village.

"Chief Declan," Skylar greeted him with a hint of surprise, stepping back to allow him entry into her humble abode. His presence was commanding, his demeanor a mix of concern and authority.

"Skylar," Chief Declan began, his voice grave. "May I have a word with you?"

Skylar nodded silently, gesturing for him to take a seat at the small wooden table in the center of the room. She perched on the edge of her bed, facing him with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

"I have been informed of your situation," Chief Declan continued, his gaze steady. "Gabriel has yet to make a decision regarding your child."

Skylar swallowed hard, her heart sinking at the mention of Gabriel's uncertainty. It was true—they had shared a passionate night together, but their relationship had never been more than a fleeting encounter. She had hoped for more, had allowed herself to dream of a future with Gabriel, but reality had shattered those illusions.

"I understand," Skylar replied softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "It's a lot to take in."

Chief Declan nodded sympathetically. "I can only imagine," he said. "But there is another matter that requires your consideration."

Skylar furrowed her brow, her gaze locking with Chief Declan's intense stare. "What matter?"

Chief Declan hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "Prince Zachariah of the neighboring kingdom has expressed an interest in you," he explained slowly. "He seeks a union that would benefit both Lionheart and his kingdom."

Skylar felt a surge of surprise at the mention of Prince Zachariah. She had heard of him—an enigmatic figure known for his ambition and determination. His proposal was unexpected, to say the least, and yet it carried with it a promise of stability and security for her child.

"And what would this union entail?" Skylar asked cautiously, her mind racing with questions.

Chief Declan leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Prince Zachariah wishes to negotiate a water deal with Lionheart," he explained. "In exchange, he seeks your hand in marriage. It would be a union that could secure our village's future."

Skylar's head spun with the weight of Chief Declan's words. Marriage to Prince Zachariah—a man she had never met, from a kingdom she knew little about. It was a proposition that held both promise and uncertainty, a gamble she was unsure she was willing to take.

"And what of Gabriel?" Skylar asked quietly, her voice tinged with guilt. "What if he decides to be a part of our child's life?"

Chief Declan's expression softened with understanding. "Gabriel's intentions remain unclear," he admitted. "But we cannot afford to wait indefinitely. The future of Lionheart hangs in the balance."

Skylar nodded slowly, her mind whirling with conflicting emotions. Gabriel had been a fleeting passion, a moment of vulnerability in an otherwise guarded life. Could she risk everything on a chance that he might choose to stay?

"And what of the curse?" Skylar asked suddenly, her thoughts returning to the ominous shadow that Chief Declan had hinted at earlier. "You mentioned something about a curse plaguing Lionheart."

Chief Declan's eyes darkened at the mention of the curse. "It is an ancient affliction," he explained gravely. "A blight that has haunted our lands for generations. We have sought answers, but none have been found."

Skylar felt a chill run down her spine. A curse—such things belonged in stories and legends, not in the harsh light of reality. And yet, Chief Declan's words carried with them a weight of truth that she could not ignore.

"And you believe I can help?" Skylar asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chief Declan nodded solemnly. "There are whispers among the elders," he said. "Whispers of a seer whose arrival will bring hope to Lionheart. Perhaps you are that seer, Skylar. Perhaps your presence here is no coincidence."

Skylar's heart pounded in her chest, torn between the allure of Prince Zachariah's proposal and the uncertainty of Gabriel's intentions. The future of Lionheart hung in the balance, a delicate thread that threatened to unravel with every passing moment.

As Chief Declan took his leave, Skylar was left alone once more with her thoughts. Outside, the stars twinkled in the night sky, casting a blanket of darkness over the sleeping village. In the quiet solitude of her cottage, she knew that she could no longer avoid the inevitable.