CHAPTER EIGHTY SIX - THE SPOTLIGHT

THE LYCAN CITY. LUKKAR CASTLE

VALERIE

Never had so many people stared at me like this, stared at me with happy and warm smiles. I had had stares in my life, a lot of stares that usually came with an equal lot of scorn. But today I was the star of the kingdom, nobles flocked around me like I was some rare gem they all wanted to get a glimpse, for the first time I had seen peasants walk the castle halls. I greeted a small peasant family, the man looked a bit scruffy and took only about a second to recognise me before he threw his head down and literally screamed the words, “It’s an honour to be in your presence your grace!”

I laughed heartily, waving him off and I saw the surprise on his wife’s face when I said, “The pleasure is all mine.” I gave their daughter a flower from one of the many Ariel had stocked like decorations in my hair, and my heart rose when I saw the long smile that brightened the girls face.

Since I told Lukkar the truth about me I had felt freer, lighter and more re