AUTHOR’S POV“King Kaiden, I–” “Save it, Mazdaan. Your words are the last thing I want to hear right now. Planning on overtaking my Kingdom by trapping me with a child that was never mine. You play dirty, Mazdaan Really dirty.” “But you knew…that the child wasn't yours?” Kaiden looked forward, his side profile turned to Mazdaan, “I didn’t know she had a child, Mazdaan. The princess confessed that to me. Feeding your daughter supplements, I'm guessing you had no idea the dangers you exposed your daughter and your grandchild to.” Mazdaan frowned, his forehead wrinkles showing the marks left by aging on his face, “Dangers?” Kaiden glanced at the King, “You almost killed her baby, Mazdaan. The child you wanted to rule over my realm would have died before it developed to full term.”Mazdaan’s eyes went dim, the light in it dying. The once proud and happy King was nowhere to be found, leaving nothing but a sad and guilty King. The King couldn't have looked more pale, but he did, and K
AUTHOR’S POV“I made a mistake as a King, and I am not afraid to admit it, no matter how ugly. But first, I would like everyone to hear me out, not because I want my daughter to forgive me, but because it's necessary for what I'm about to do.” King Mazdaan paused, his eyes roaming the table as he stared at each one of them before moving on, “My daughter, Sunitra, has always been the apple of my eye, right from the day she was born, even though I don't show it. Her mother, My Queen, was my first love–” A lot of eyes widened, and the King smiled sadly, “Yes, I and Queen Zaina’s marriage was one of love and not of political gain. Sunitra was her mother's spitting image and personality; she was also my first child, so I was very protective of her. Her kind heart and sweet personality would have made it hard for her to survive in this world. So I trained her, both emotionally and physically, but my daughter was too hidden from the world for her light to shine. She only ever moved within
AUTHOR’S POV“Are you okay?” Sunitra turned slightly to stare at her father, a worried look etched on his face, “Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired a bit. I'm guessing the pregnancy is starting to tell on me.” Mazdaan nodded and stared at his daughter’s baby bump, “I'll tell the tailor to reduce your royal attire to weak lace, something that would be free for you to move around.” Sunitra heaved a tired sigh of relief, “I would be more than greatful for that, Your Majesty.” She groaned slightly as she arched her back, her palm brazed against her lower back. The duo continued their journey into the deeper parts of the castle in silence. “I know I shouldn't interfere, but I can't help but ask. Are you upset with your sisters?” Sunitra shrugged, “In a way, yes. But I'm not completely mad at the both of them.” “I think it would be unfair to them, you know. Punishing them for my sins. You even slapped your sister.” Sunitra winced as she remembered the heartbroken expression on Nadia’s usuall
AUTHOR’S POVOdessa looked around for the fifth time and tip-toed a few distance ahead before pausing again to look around like a sneaky thief. She didn't know if she should curse or bless the moon goddess, as the full moon tonight was a bittersweet occurrence. The bright, luminous moonlight spilled into the castle through every crack and opening that it could pass through. Odessa had to rely on shadows to hide her appearance, but there was only so much one could do to hide in the shadows cast by the moonlight. A sigh escaped her lips as she cursed Kaiden in her head. That stupid King should have gone to her bedroom, not the other way around. Did he not miss her? Was he not worried sick about her the way she was around him? Was she the only one restless from not seeing him for days? Odessa scowled, huffed, and puffed as she moved like a ninja and a rat on a mission. Her mate was going to have a lot of explaining to do, but nothing would save him from her wrath tonight. Odessa succ
AUTHOR’S POV“My princess, will that be all?” Fiona asked as she watched Sunitra settle into the hot bath she made for her. The Fae princess placed her head on the edge of the bathtub as she breathed the mixture of rose-scented herbs, “No, Fiona. Thank you.” Fiona curtsied and left the Princess to her vices. Sunitra laid in the tub, allowing the hot herb-induced water to perform their magic on her body. She could feel the heat attacking her sores and aching joints, the rose scent was doing a good job in calming her spirits. Sunitra missed this. Falling asleep to the smell of rose in the air and the feeling of heated water surrounding her. She couldn't go to the hot water spring in the Kingdom because she'd swim to go naked and Sunitra wasn't a fan of spoiling the villagers fun just because she wanted to skinny dip in the spring, secondly, she was worried that she would drown as she would end up falling asleep in the water. I
ODESSA’S POVSunitra stared at the King like a child caught red-handed while stealing candy from a jar. I looked behind Kaiden at the worried faces of the royal family. Everyone must have heard her shout and rushed down here. The King and Queen still looked very sleepy and Sunitra is just in her bathrobe, on the balcony and must be freezing to death. My sweet mate, as always, is blind to that and might start interrogating her right here, right now. It would be better to send everyone back to their rooms and talk to Sunitra alone. “I think it's best if we all go back to our rooms, His Majesty and I will stay with the Princess.” I said. The princesses nodded and took their parents out of Sunitra’s bedroom. Even our people turned around and left, leaving behind the guards, who insisted on doing a quick sweep of her entire bedroom to make sure Hakeem didn't plant anything in it. “We’ll be leaving now. We’re sorry, Your Highness, it's our negligence that let him in. We promise it won'
ODESSA’S POVIt's so uncomfortable!!!!I groaned as I tried to turn on my other side, my eyes snapped open as I felt my body falling, before a strong veiny hand suddenly appeared on my arm, pulling me back. “You're such a restless sleeper.” My gaze met Kaiden’s golden ones, his eyes filled with mirth as he laughed. “Huh?” I exclaimed slightly, as I felt out of my depth. It took me a while to get accustomed to my surroundings and regain my memory as to why I was sleeping in his arms. “Did you enjoy your sleep?” Kaiden asked again. I nodded, “That was until it became uncomfortable and I almost fell.” His fingers trail the side of my face, tucking the stray hair there behind my ears. “Sorry, I should have brought the limo instead but the road’s terrain would be perilous for it.” All traces of sleep escaped my eyes as I look up at him in awe, “You have a limo?” “Does that surprise you?” He asked, one eyebrow shot in the air. “Of course. I know it shouldn't but I can't help but won
ODESSA’S POV“Your Highness, are you okay?” At the sound of Evelyn’s voice, I was pulled out of my reverie, and I noticed the worry on her face as she looked at me. Her fingers dug into the white face cloth she was holding as her eyes moved from left to right as if she were studying every one of my moments. “Are you still shaken from what happened earlier?” She asked again, this time a bit more hesitantly and I shook my head. “I've come so close to death so many times that I think I'm probably besties with that agent of darkness. What about you? Are you okay?” I asked in return, feeling guilty within myself that I ignored my maid’s existence for so long. “Yeah. It's kind of fun watching your life flash before your very eyes.” She chuckled, a little bit of worry easing off her face as her tensed shoulder rose and fell more freely. “Sir Cassian and Sir Caesar were very nice to me. They made sure I didn't get hurt.” I smiled as I looked up at my maid warmly, “From here on out, Evely
AUTHOR’S POVOdessa couldn't control the gloomy cloud floating over her head and the racing of her heart. She couldn't help but still feel anxious and scared even though she was safely hidden in the cocoon of her kingdom. She had opened up to her father about her vision, and King Odesseus had increased his security, putting four guards on the princess and a shadow that followed her about in secret.“I don't think you'll feel safe until your mate is by your side.” King Odesseus said as he stared at his daughter. She was extra fidgety and always looking around. “Well, he's on the other side of the world, probably fighting a war right now.” Odessa sighed as she nibbled on a soft cookie absentmindedly. Thoughts of her mate’s well-being always managed to keep her preoccupied.“If he can help it, I'm sure he’ll be back before you know it. Just focus on yourself and your baby right now. You don't have to be worried about your security; I've deployed all my able men to every corner of the p
AUTHOR’S POVKaiden walked into the palace the next day, at midnight. He’d spent so much time today at the pack, erecting more buildings, visiting the new site for the second pack house construction, and checking the conditions of the industries and factories. It had taken most of his time, but it was worth it. When he went back into his office, his guard had delivered a message from Dokrado. On reading it, King Xarson told him about the rogue spotting close to the border. Just last night, the rogues attacked, but thankfully, they managed to hold out fine. Although Xarson expressed his concern about the rogues and his suspicion that they'd decided to stay at the border, he implored Kaiden to ride down to Dokrado and check out the situation. King Kaiden was a bit skeptical about the whole incident. Why would the rogues go as far as attacking the Dragon realm? Kaiden was sure that the letter wasn't a fake; it had Dokrado’s seal and Xarson’s blood print. The King sighed and placed his
AUTHOR’S POVMe?... Odessa thought to herself. “That doesn't make any sense. Why would the king stop you from telling me?” Odessa asked; her confusion was very evident in her voice, and Hansel was quick to clear it up. “He didn't mention your name, per se. There's no way he would have known about you then, or that the prince would go to your realm some years later. He just told everyone not to mention the Queen in front of any stranger coming into the realm, or the future Queen of the realm, which implies you.” “Oh, okay…” Odessa nodded. Now the questions she wanted answers to would never be answered. Her mate would continue burying his emotions until they spiral out of control again. She sighed, realizing that there was truly no way to help the King. She couldn't ask the Beta General for help because he’s also in on it. “Does any of you have any idea why he would not allow the future queen of the realm to know about Queen Kyra?” She asked. “N-No one knows. But there are some spe
ODESSA’S POVI frowned slightly when I felt the feeling of something cold dripping over my legs. I tried to pull it away, but something or someone held it down. The coldness disappeared and I sighed, settling to go back to sleep when I suddenly felt the chillness again along with a sharp pain. I sat up immediately, my blurry eyes pinned at the foot of the bed to see my mate crouched down cradling my foot in his hands. My toes curled and wiggled as he blew cool breath against my foot. “What are you doing?” I asked, as I stared at him with confused sleepy eyes that were quickly coming to focus. He didn't answer me and just continued blowing my feet with his cold breath. Minutes later, he gently set my feet back on the bed and walked away with a bowl and towel in his hands. I watched as he walked into the bathroom. I pulled my foot closer and stared at it, only to notice the bruises and reddened skin. “Did you walk here barefoot from the palace?” I looked up at the sound of Kaiden
ODESSA’S POVMy legs slowly unwrapped from his waist, one foot touching the floor before the other. My hands fell to my side as my head fell forward, burying my face in disappointment. I turned around and walked to the door, my hand on the doorknob, before my arm was suddenly grabbed from behind and I was spun around to face my mate. “What happened to you all of a sudden? Did I hurt you?” Even though I didn't look up at him, I could still hear the worry in his voice. “How could you…” “How could I what?” He asked confusedly, and I finally looked at him, my eyes getting blurry with tears. “How could you still be so worried about me when you're bottling so much inside? When you're battling with such guilt and self-hatred?...” My voice broke at the end as the lump in my throat grew bigger as more tears dripped down my cheeks. “Odessa—”“I caused that, didn't I? I made you feel like this; it was because of what I said, wasn't it?” I asked, even though I didn't need any confirmation.
ODESSA’S POVSo I ended up parading the entire palace barefoot, and by the entire palace I meant going to Kiaden's bedroom and home office. Of course, he wasn't there. I got to the palace entrance and looked down at my bare feet. I could have gone back to get my shoe but I was too lazy to go back to my bedroom even though I should have done that before making this entire trip. Was I expecting my maid to pop out like a devil and hand me my shoes? Yes. Did she pop out like the devil she was to hand me my shoes? A big fat Yes! But I refused because I loved the feeling of the tiled marble floor against my feet, and now, my legs were sore and I was starting to regret my decision. Evelyn already left the palace to see Hugo, such an incompetent and love-sick maid, so I couldn't ask her to help me either. “Is everything alright, Your Highness?” One of the guards stationed at the door asked as they both looked at me looking at my feet for the past twenty minutes. I contemplated sending th
ODESSA’S POV“He’s so stubborn!” I yelled. “Well, he's right in a way.” My maid sighed as she brushed my hair. I turned to glare at her, her hand holding the brush suspended in the air as she looked at me, “So am I.”“Actually, you are wrong. You hit him with a low blow.” Evelyn pointed the brush at me, giving me a very judgy look. I scoffed, “You're only defending him because he's the King. You know I'm right.” “Maybe, but your way of handling it was very wrong. Two wrongs don't make a right. He might have gone on a mass murder after his first Queen died, but our facts about that event are only based on here-says and nothing concrete.” “What are you talking about? Both He and Victor did the same thing. They got lost in their grief and did something horrendous, the only difference was that Victor was stopped before he could do anything.” “You're talking as if you wanted Victor to have killed you and your baby.” Evenlyn frowned. “Of course not. I'm just saying–” “That the King
AUTHOR’S POVA thunderous roar shook the grounds of the realm, the floor vibrated beneath their feet. With a motion as fast and swift as lightning, a huge figure slammed the Prince against the wall, cracks spread out like branches around his pinned body. Everyone watched in horror as the King stood in his half beast form, three times his normal height, towering over the Prince that struggled for breath in his hold. “Kaiden!” “Your Majesty!” “Victor!” Everyone echoed at once as soon as the first initial wave of shock wore off. “He treated what's MINE!” Another might roar echoed in the air. “Your Majesty, please let him go! You’ll kill him! He's your only heir!” Eira yelled as she watched the King and her husband with caution. “HE’S NOT MY HEIR!” Kieran yelled with all his might, tightening his grip on Victor’s neck. Odessa could clearly see the Prince's face turning blue. He’s going to kill him! He's going to kill him. Odessa moved without thinking, causing an uproar from the
AUTHOR'S POVA gut-wrenching scream resonated from the Prince’s bedroom. Lycans, with their very sensitive hearing, heard it from far and near; those outside the palace could only hear snippets of it. Odessa and Kaiden were just having their breakfast when the gut-wrenching scream echoed in the dining hall. They looked at each other before standing to their feet immediately and heading towards the third floor. They met Elixir and Miriyam on the way, and the confused looks on their faces showed that no one knew what was going on. As soon as they arrived, they saw some of the midwives bustling in and out. Now because they had to respect the Prince’s wishes, four of them stood outside the bedroom, watching the panic and chaos happen. Odessa could hear someone sobbing inside, the person came out and it turned out to be the midwife who had delivered Astraea and carried her in her arms for the first time. Miriyam quickly went to Gia and grabbed her arm, “What is it? Is the princess okay?