Chapter Four: Survival

Nolan

I had backed away from Baila and chosen to stand in a corner far away from her. My heart thudded dangerously fast whenever I was near her.

Twelve blasted hells!

I had hoped with all my heart that I was wrong and yet when I kissed her, every sleeping part of me had awoken. She was the one. She was mine to protect.

I watched her brown eyes gaze outside the window. I was certain she wanted to be free, to leave, but for some reason, she stood still with a lost look on her face.

I couldn't let anyone know about her. Not yet.

Goddess!

The council. What would they say if I told them that my mate was a witch? I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering if I should let her know or watch her walk away forever. The latter was a better option, but somehow, I knew it would be impossible to let her go.

"Can I stay for a few nights?" she asked.

I looked at her. There were a lot of questions I should have asked her. Questions that were very important and necessary for the safety of my people. Instead, I had kissed her, and now, I was about to let her stay.

"Of course," I nodded, eager to please her. I groaned inwardly, wondering what was wrong with me.

I couldn't rule out the fact that she could have spelled me into thinking that she was my mate.

I groaned inwardly again. Once again, I wondered what the hell I was doing. She was a witch. I couldn't cut her any slack for the sake of my feelings. I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was my duty to protect my people and I would be damned if I let feelings hold me back.

"How did you get here?" I asked her.

I watched as her eyes went wide and she shifted uncomfortably on her feet.

"I...I owed some people some money. They came after me and so I ran and climbed over the wall. I didn't think it through when I climbed the black wall," she stuttered, playing with her fingers.

Her eyes never met mine as she spoke. I suspected that she was lying. She had to be desperate to climb the black wall which had large shards of glass sticking out of it. I didn't need to ask her how she got to the river and ended up drowning. I knew how the river called to its victims. My parents had been the first.

Still, I wondered how she had managed to breach the barrier. I should have felt it the moment she stepped into Northwood but I hadn't. She was a witch. She must have cast a spell that prevented me and any of my men from sensing her presence.

"What is your name?" I questioned.

"Baila," she smiled softly at me.

"Baila," I tested the name on my tongue. I froze at her smile. Such a pretty name for a witch.

I was sure of it now. She had cast a spell on me and until I figured out how to break it, I couldn't let her leave.

Aaron had spent the night outside my bedroom. As captain of the guards and my best friend, I knew that Aaron was paranoid when it came to my safety.

I mind-linked Aaron about my suspicions, how I felt, and the fact that Baila would be staying for a few nights. Aaron was not happy about the last part. He was even less happy when I told him that he had to show Baila to her room.

"You can stay. It will be for three nights," I informed Baila.

I saw her face fall when I said she could stay for three nights.

Was she disappointed? Did she want to stay longer or was it something else?

I looked at her, studying the bruises that marred her legs and arms. For the first time since I had seen her, I noticed how the white tattered dress she wore clung to her like a second skin. It was transparent enough that I could see the faint patch of red skin on her waist.

I cleared my throat, focusing on the books and papers scattered on my desk. I had a lot to do. I couldn't spend all day wondering about the red patch on her waist.

When I looked at her, she was staring at me with a brow raised questioningly.

Goddess! Those brown eyes.

"Aaron is outside the door. He is the captain of my guards. He will show you to your room," I said, trying to think of something other than the fact that a witch had cast a spell on me.

Her presence would raise questions and I needed to find a way to answer them.

What worried me was that any other witch would have been dying to leave but here she was, asking to stay.

Any other witch, I would have killed but then again, I couldn't be sure about that since she was the first witch to step on my land since I became king.

She paused briefly and I looked expectantly at her as she ran a frustrated hand through her hair. Had she changed her mind? Did she want to leave? So soon?

"Thank you. If there is anything you ever need, I'll be more than happy to help," she said with a polite smile before stepping out of my room.

I took a bath and wore a dark blue tunic with golden buttons as was the tradition of lycan kings who had come before me. I fastened a black cloak around my neck before leaving to meet the council members in the round room.

There was nothing much to discuss anyways. The treaty had not been violated in any way and there was peace but my monthly meeting with the council elders had been put in place long before I became king. As a king, it was my duty to honour it. Whether I liked it or not.

If it were up to me, the council would be dissolved altogether but the council made the people feel safe. All twelve members of the council had been elected by the people themselves.

Eight hundred years ago, Jared Caldore had been the lycan king. He had stolen money from the people. During his reign, the people had to pay insanely high amounts of taxes. He forced women and children to go to war against the vampires. Jared killed anyone that spoke against him. The people suffered in silence until he died.

After his death, his son, Jairom Caldore became lycan king. He was nothing like his father. Some say that his heart had been softened by his pale mate. Jairom asked the people to elect twelve families from among them. A member from each family was elected to form the blue council. The blue council had a say in whatever law was passed. If a tyrant ever rose again, the council could take his crown.

For years, the twelve families had provided successors whenever a council member passed away.

I straightened the collar of my tunic as the guards pushed the timber double doors open. The council members rose to their feet as the announcer spoke.

"All hail King Nolan Caldore, the sixtieth king of Northwood, keeper of the golden cup, bearer of the blood crown, commander of the army of the fallen sons and the first black lycan since Vaeya the creator!"

"All hail!" the council members chorused once the announcer was done.

I took my seat at the head of the table and the members followed suit. Once I was seated, I noticed that Sara sat in councilman Geris' seat. I knew what that meant.

"I am sorry for your loss, Sara. I am sure that you will do your best to fill your uncle's shoes," I said, smiling sadly at her.

Her uncle must have passed away during the night or early morning. Yet, Sara was forced to attend the meeting. If she had missed her first council meeting, it would be a sign that she did not want the position and it would be passed down to someone else in her family.

I stared at the carving of the snarling wolf in the middle of the dark brown table as I waited for councilwoman Sabyni to speak.

"The bride trials for the high king are still ongoing and it has led me to suggest that our own king settle down as well. Due to the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the death of our previous king and queen, the people are scared and restless. Marriage and an heir will put their hearts at ease," she spoke.

Councilwoman Sabyni was the oldest of the council members at two hundred years. Werewolves and lycans had lost their immortality since Jared the cruel. I thought that it was the Goddess' way of making sure that no one had too much power. Immortality was too much power.

"All in favour?" Councilwoman Sabyni shouted, raising her hand.

Eight of the council members raised their hands. I muttered a string of curses under my breath. Sara had raised her hand too.

Unlike most previous kings, my parents hadn't arranged a marriage for me and I had no one in mind.

Twelve blasted hells!

It looked like I would have to organize a bride trial of my own.