Destined Love by Marline (i can read book club txt) 📕

is you who will have to put up with me for the rest of your life.” He grinned, trying to make the atmosphere less tense. I just stared at him. He wrapped his arms around me and suddenly laughed.
“You’re speechless, that doesn’t happen very often.”
“What do you expect? I thought I would have a few more years to decide whom to marry.” I said sardonically and still a little shocked.
“Cleo, something else is bothering you. Tell me.” He said gently.
“Nathan, I love you more than anything in the world right now. But I’m only 15, what if I don’t love you anymore in a few years, what if I fall in love with someone else?” I whispered.
“I’ll take that risk.” He kissed me long and if it was only my heart here tonight I would have agreed to marry him instantly. I took a deep breath.
“I’m going to Yirdo for a few days, to think things over.” I announced. “When I come back, I will let you know my decision.”
“Not only beautiful, but wise.” Nathan said.

“Are you sure you want to go all alone?” My mother was looking at me disapprovingly as I told the maids what to pack.
“Yes mother, I’m sure. I need time to think. This decision will affect the rest of my life.” I answered as I gave a shawl to the maids to pack.
“But it could be dangerous, what if you get sick again?”
“I’ve learnt a lot from the last time I was stuck on an island. Besides, I’ll only be gone for a few days, it’s not enough time to get sick.
“But-“ My mother couldn’t think of any more arguments.
I laughed, walked over to her and put my arm around her. “I will be fine mother, I promise. And if something goes wrong, I’ll row to shore. It’s not very far. I just need to do this.” My mother nodded, even though I could see she was still not too happy with my decision.

Can’t we just fight Jeremy?

I wondered. Just because he is Nathan’s cousin doesn’t mean he has a right to be King. But he does

, I reminded myself. It’s the law. If the Crown Prince has been out of his country for longer than 3 months, he will have to marry before his eighteenth birthday or otherwise lose the crown. And since Nathan’s birthday is in two months, he needs to get married now. It’s the most stupid law I have ever heard of! But it hasn’t been changed and therefore Nathan will have to agree with it.
But can I marry him? I’m fifteen! What if it turns out I don’t love him anymore in a few years? Why would I not love him anymore? What’s not to love about him? He’s practically perfect. Maybe he’s too perfect. A guy can’t be too perfect! And why am I thinking of reasons not to like Nathan? And would I really want him to lose the crown? Cleo, this isn’t about him, this is about you! Don’t marry him just because you don’t want him to lose the crown! Marry him because you actually want to. But do I actually want to?

I pondered over that question for the next 5 minutes but all that time I had known the answer; I did actually want to marry him. It was probably a good idea to ask God if he agreed with my idea because He was the one who knew the future and He was probably the best person to decide whether I should marry Nathan or not. I spent the next few minutes in prayer and a positive feeling came over me, something that I knew I could trust. I thanked God for this opportunity to be able to marry the man I loved and then thought to myself: Well, now that I know that answer, what shall I do on this island for the next three days?

Nathan came to pick me up alone. I could hardly wait to let him know my decision but didn’t want to seem too excited. I met him with a solemn expression on my face. The moment he saw me he could guess my decision and I saw a whole range of emotions go through him, from misery, to annoyance, to questioning. But even though he thought he knew what I was going to say, he asked me anyways.
“Have you made your decision Cleo, will you marry me?” He looked at me and I almost felt sorry for him, because of what I was doing. I waited a few moments and then a sly grin spread over my face.
“Yes!” I squealed. I would always remember the expression on his face at that moment, it was a mixture between surprise, happiness and love. I ran into his arms and he lifted me up. We both laughed and I kissed him.
“On one condition though.” I suddenly said. He put me down.
“Anything.”
“Our honeymoon is spent here, on Yirdo.” I wondered what he thought of the idea.
“All right.” He said, with a mysterious twinkle in his eye.
“Nathan.” I said, in a threatening tone of voice. “Tell me!”
“Nope.” To change the subject he got the ring out of his pocket. This was the first time I saw it by daylight and I gasped at its beauty. He laughed softly and slipped it on my finger. I could not stop staring at it.
“It’s beautiful.” I whispered.
“You’ve seen it before.” He reminded me.
“Yes, but not in the light.” I looked up at him and wrapped my arms around him.
“You know, I have a feeling I’m not going to regret this decision.”
“All because of the ring? I never thought you were that easy to buy.” He teased. I laughed.
“When’s the wedding?” I asked, all of a sudden.
“As soon as possible.” He whispered as his lips ran over my cheek.
“Well, let’s go tell the world.” I pulled him with me towards the boat.
“Cleo, do we have to go this soon?” He definitely did not want to go.
“Do you know how much there is to do before a wedding?” I asked, pretending to be serious. “Especially a royal wedding.” I winked at him.
“Ok, fine.” He gave in and we walked, well, I was so hyper I couldn’t walk normally, so I skipped, towards the boat. I sat opposite him and could not believe how happy I was.
“You know, for a moment there, I really thought you were going to say no.” Nathan said, referring to when he first arrived on the island.
“I know,” I smiled naughtily, “that was my intention.”
“You!” Nathan dove towards me and the boat rocked dangerously. He pinned me down on the bottom of the boat. I silently dared him to kiss me. Slowly, as if wanting to show me that he dared and wasn’t scared of me, he leaned forwards. Just before his lips touched mine I moved quickly and got out of his grasp. I slowly walked towards the front of the boat and then stood at the very front, with my arms spread out for balance.
“You’ll fall.” He said, without even a hint of concern.
“My balance is not that

bad.” I looked back at him and lifted one eyebrow.
“Oh no?” A mischievous grin played on his lips as he started rocking the boat.
“Nathan!” I squealed. Just before I lost my balance he took a dash towards me and with his arms wrapped around me we fell in the water together. Laughing and gasping for air, I came up. It wasn’t deep and we could both stand.
“You are absolutely horrible!” I laughed.
“Thank you.” He said, as he took my hand and kissed it. I looked at him for a few seconds, realizing how happy I was that I could spend the rest of my life with him.

We were lying next to each other on the bottom of the boat. He had taken off his shirt which was drying on the front of the boat and he had his arms around me. The boat was deep enough so that no outsider could look in and it had exactly enough room for two people, if they were squished really close together, which Nathan and I had no problem with. I observed his body, registering all the abs and biceps I could find and I could not believe how a person could be this perfect. Suddenly I caught sight of something and ran my finger over the scar on his strong, muscular arm.
“Thanks again.” I said softly. He put one finger under my chin and forced me to look up at him.
“Anytime.” He smiled. Then he kissed me tenderly. I could feel his lips caress mine softly and I felt completely happy in his arms.

I could not believe how much choice there was in wedding dresses! And it was especially annoying to choose one knowing that the whole country would see it. It had to be suitable, pretty, not too open, not too this and not too that. Well, at least I could exclude at least half of the dresses in the humongous room. My mother suddenly came running in.
“Cleopatra, we have a problem.” She looked alarmed. I followed her out of the room and we stepped into the limousine.
“What, mother? What’s wrong?”
“Durwald will explain it to you.” My mother said.
“Oh no.” I moaned, as I put my head back and looked at the ceiling, hoping it was not yet again some annoying problem we had to fix. I ran out of the limousine when we had arrived at the palace and a page showed me towards the room where Nathan was. His parents and my father were there too so I knew it was serious.
“Cleo, we have a problem.” Nathan announced as he took my hands. Except for the shortcut of my name, my mother had used the exact same words. I nearly laughed at the similarity but knew it was too serious for that. “Tokitian law states that the girl I have to marry, if I have been away from Tokito for more than three months, has to be Tokitian. So technically, I am not allowed to marry you.” He let it sink in for a moment.
“Ugh! What is it with your stupid laws?” I burst out. “Can’t they spend their time better than thinking of what if stories that just happen to come true in our lives?”
“What?” Nathan looked puzzled. I wasn’t really bothered to explain.
“Never mind. What are we going to do about the situation?”
“We are looking for a loophole in the law and fighting in high court.” Nathan’s father said. “But I am afraid the law will be very difficult to change.” I felt like crying, I knew I could not live without Nathan, especially since I had adapted to the idea that I would never be without him. Be strong.

I told myself. For his sake.

A plan started forming in my mind and I knew I would have to act fast. I took a deep breath.
“Well then. I guess that’s it. Goodbye Nathan.” I turned around and walked out of the room. Just as I was out, Nathan caught up to me.
“What do you mean?” He asked distressed, “I’m not just going to let this happen. I can’t live without you.” It hurt me to have to do this to him but I forced