Their Demand

Ira's Pov

I had thought I died. That blow made my brains dance in my head. But since I am thinking and breathing I am assuming I survived. How did I get so unlucky? First I lose my mother, my father goes missing and now I get mated to three monsters that abuse me. Even a beggar would think twice if they were offered my life. 

I crack my eyes open and it happens that I am in a room. Not an exquisite one of course. But I am laying on a slim bed and there is a wooden table at the corner, a few bottles of herbs set on it. Someone clears their throat and I notice there is a man standing at the farthest corner. 

"I will let the kings know that you're awake," he says and immediately makes his way out. 

I want more explanation. Was he my doctor? One side of my head still hurts and is probably very swollen. I would appreciate something to ease the pain at least. I wonder how long I have been unconscious. 

I close my eyes again briefly only to get startled by the sound of the door busting open again. I snort when the faces of my mates appear. It's just two of them and they are in different clothing from the ones they were in last time we met. Yet it is quite obvious which one is King Adon. 

He wears an outfit that is rather outrageous for a king. His white silk shirt is tight against his muscular physique. But that's not the thing that makes it truly conspicuous. It's the shoulders which have been intentionally left out, leaving those parts of his smooth skin exposed. His hair is styled but with lesser braids than before. His brother looks lovely as well, except that only his pants are tight. 

Why did he have to dress so provocatively if they loathe me as much as they claim? I cannot lower my gaze when I am laying on a bed with swollen face. I wish their scents were not so enchanting because it would be possible to pretend that they were repulsive. I  guessing that they are here to reject me so this nightmare can finally end. 

King Adon walks all the way in while his brother remains standing by the door. They are not going to take turns serving me their rejections, are they? That would be extremely torturous.

"It took you an entire day and many hours to regain consciousness. You're an outstandingly weak human. We are surprised you didn't die even," he says.

How many times do I need to remind them that I did not choose to be their mate? It offends them when I point out that I do not desire to be their queen either. I keep my mouth shut as I do not want to give them a reason to harm me again. 

"We should have had your head cut off for all the insults you uttered," the angel says. 

I resist the urge to tell him that I only gave honest answers to their questions. It is not my fault that they are embarrassed of the truth. What would it cost them to be less prideful? 

"While you were asleep we sent messagers to King Ademon and his precious daughter. Princess Andria has agreed to marry us. So we are figuring out ways to get rid of you," the angel informs with a wicked smile. 

"I would be pleased if you could be serious for once and just tell her what we discussed," the quiet angel standing by the door finally speaks.

He must be Tiras. The one that people believe to be the wisest of the angel kings. But so far he has only proved to be the least talkative. 

"Right. We decided to have a ritual to transfer the mate bond to Princess Andria, the only woman worthy of wearing the crown of our queen. She will be arriving here before tomorrow's celebrations. We expect you to have gained a sense of respect and not utter a word of protest in her presence," King Adon states. 

Sounds like this nightmare isn't ending now. I was ready to withstand the pain of their rejection. But they want a ritual to give the woman they have always desired the mate bond. That will hurt worse. 

They already adore Princess Andria. Why do they need a mate bond to marry her? Are they worried that without it she might not love them as much as they wish? Or is it her true mate that they are worried that he might have an advantage over them?

"You must willingly give up the mate bond for the ritual to work. Obviously we do not expect such kindness from you. So we have ordered that you be hanged for your insults if you do not consent to giving away the bond to Princess Andria," King Tiras says, finally stepping into the room. 

So I am only alive because they need my genuine consent to transfer the mate bond to the princess. So far I have gained nothing from coming here. I think it is time to demand something for all the pain and shame they have put me through. They will not kill me if they need the mate bond as much as I think they do.

"I thought you needed me to consent willingly in order for your ritual to work, your majesty?  Clearly a threat of death makes it a forced consent and doesn't help you-" I pause when King Tiras takes a step forward with a menacing look on his face.

"You're useless to us if you cannot give up the mate bond-"

"I will willingly surrender the mate bond to her highness Princess Andria," I say before he declares me useless and ready to be hanged. "But I want something in return."

"Better not demand something you're not worthy of," King Adon warns.

"I only ask for the chance to sing during your banquet and get paid," I reply. 

Despite everything that has happened I still need the money to find my missing father. But the two angels are frowning at my request. 

"You would be an awful sight for our guests," King Adon states. His brother appears to be considering the matter though.

"If that will make you surrender our mate bond to Princess Andria then we shall approve your request. Note that you will end up in the slave dungeons if your performance fails to meet the standards of our best entertainers," he says. 

I am willing to risk anything just to have the money. Since these are the mates I got, my father is the only precious thing left worthy of fighting for. I would risk my neck just to see his face again.