@shattered_heart
So, as a rough summary (I can give a detailed one if needed), the story starts with the protoganist, Zaelan. He has been sold as a slave, the most shameful punishment of his people, for killing his officer (in self defence).
He is bought by the princess of Dune, their enemy country, as an act of rebellion against her grandfather (he hates Zaelan's people and doesnt believe in slavery). But after being forced to care for him and understanding the feeling of being shunned and having suffered unjustly herself, she begins to develop feelings for him.
However, she has already been promised to Emir, whom she shares a complicated relationshionship with. She is against the idea as Emir is just a childhood friend. There is also a sense of rebellion as she doesnt want to be told who to marry. If not for that, her and Emir might have actually worked out together.
I am in a dilemna as to whether her and Zaelan actually love each other or if it is simply a faze or blind love they share. It might simply be the feeling of two people who finally find someone who understands how hurt they are and what they are going through.
So here is the dilemna. I have two endings.
To understand a bit better. Ara is the princess and her grandfather passes away, but not before making Ara promise to marry Emir.
Ending 1: Ara, Zaelan and Emir go back to Brunhelm. They stand on a high rock, staring down at Brunhelm, and they feel at peace. Emir puts an arm about both of them, and they all laugh together. Ara and Zaelan share a glance before both look to Emir and smiling (symbolising he is between them but they are now okay with it. They give each other one final look, symbolising they will move on).
Ending 2: Ara and Zaelan go back go Brunhelm. Emir did not make the battle, having sacrificed himself to save Ara, telling her that even if she could never love him, his feelings could never change. Ara and Zaelan stand on a rock overlooking Brunhelm. They awkwardly take hands. Zaelan glances at her. Leaning up, she kisses him gently. Zaelan hold her close, her head against his chest, his chin resting on her head. Zaelan knows deep down, that nothing has changed. Ara will respect Balor's wishes and Emir's memory, but for now, that moment was enough.
Both are bittersweet but at the end of the day, Ara will always chose her respect fkr her grandfather over her own heart.
A third ending is that Zaelan decides to go home and leaves Ara and Emir, knowing he will only hold them back, because as long as he is near, Ara will only look to him.
