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Chapter 32 - A Queen's Handmaiden
Last Updated:
2023-10-20 01:53:56Related chapters
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 33 - The King's Lineage
“This is my sister,” I say, interceding in the conversation and refusing to let them have an intimate moment alone. “Callista de Silva.”“Callista,” the Duke says slowly, turning the name around in his mouth as if tasting it. Then, he reaches for Calli’s hand and raises it as he bows low, pressing his lips against her knuckles and letting them linger for a moment longer than I’d like. “The Queen’s sister,” he says, his eyes flicking to me before returning to her as he stands. “One dark, one fair, but each…a remarkable beauty. What treasures your kingdom does have.”I work hard – very hard – to avoid rolling my eyes at this overdone flattery. But I watch Calli for her response, hoping to hell that she doesn’t fall for it. But she just laughs and tugs her hand away from the foreigner, looking back at the fight as if she hears that sort of compliment every day.“And you?” she asks, not looking at him, saying the words as if she’s bored. “Who are you, sir?”“I am with the Vendan entourage
Last Updated : 2023-10-26The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 34 - Mine.
Niall gasps and cries out a little, tucking his head against me as the corpse lands in the center of the ring, a puddle of blood already spreading into the dirt. I move my hand to the back of Niall’s head, tucking him close.I reach to clutch Vivi closer as well, but she swats my hand away - she, like me, can’t tear her eyes away from the horrible scene before us. Coco peers with her, neither of them blinking as they take in of the blood, the full display of what her grandfather is capable of, before I grab her and force her to turn. Coco flutters, unbalanced, but Vivi grabs him and holds him close to her chest.“Does ANYONE,” Mahl roars, turning now in the center of the ring, glaring around at the crowd as if he’ll take on each and every one of us now if we challenge him at all. “Have ANYTHING to say on this subject?”And no one utters a single sound. The only noise is the wind whistling through the arena – no echo of a footstep, no clink of a glass - as we all stand perfectly still
Last Updated : 2023-10-27The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 35 - Tempers Flare
“Yes, a coup for Callista,” I say slowly, though everything inside me screams no! That too-sly Vendan Duke is not at all what I hope for Calli, for her future. “But…well, do you think his affection is genuine, sire?” I ask. “Or is he merely…playing with her in order to get closer to you, through me?”“Does it matter?” the Mahl murmurs, rolling his eyes in displeasure with the turn in conversation - and, frankly, a little drunk. Any veneer of delicacy or consideration for my feelings has been neatly wiped away. “She will be useful to us – able to report back what he has said. It is good for a woman to be useful.”I work very hard to hold my tongue now and just say nothing, locking eyes with Calli where she stands across the tent, still at Caspar’s side. She gives me a little smile, but I just shake my head subtly before looking up at the King. Then, determined, I begin to beg him to please let me go to bed, to take my sister with me so that I can warn her about the advances of indelica
Last Updated : 2023-10-28The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 36 - The Reality of this World
Auden loses his temper the moment the words leave my lips, but then I watch him reign it back in almost as quickly as it went.Honestly, a part of me would rather see him lose it – rather see him actually vent his emotions, instead of constantly tucking them back inside of himself. Because as much as Auden is Mahl’s double, I have no real fear of his rage.I know that Auden would never hurt me, never hurt my children. Our children. And part of me very, very much wants to push him across his edge, just a little bit, as I tonight have been pushed. I think it’d be good for him.“Are you – are you serious, Everleigh?” Auden growls at me, his shoulders shaking with the effort of keeping his anger tightly wound. “This is my fault now!?”I narrow my eyes at him, clenching my jaw as my wolf again nudges me, reminding me, deep down, that it is not at all his fault – that he’s been working, this entire time, to mitigate all of this – to protect the three of us.But this? What happened tonight?
Last Updated : 2023-10-29The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 37 - Misrule
**Midwinter, 5 and a half years ago**Auden takes a steadying breath as he stands at the doorway to the terrace, his eyes fastened on the girl before him who stretches her hands out above the warm brazier. His fingers clench hard around the two glasses of mulled wine in his hands, betraying his anxiety.God, does she even like wine?What if –But then he growls, shaking his head in frustration and forcing himself to take that first step forward. Because he’s being ridiculous, and it doesn’t even matter. The wine is just an excuse to talk to her – she can throw it off the balcony for all he cares.Auden begins to cross the terrace to her, his footsteps echoing on the stones.She turns when he’s about halfway across, just at the precise moment when her scent hits him again.He has to grind his teeth, resisting the urge to flinch, or groan, or drop the cups – because god damn it, but that scent –It’s incredible - black violets, and saffron, and plums, somehow spicy and sweet – conflicti
Last Updated : 2023-11-04The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 38 - Into the Woods
**Midwinter, 5 and a half Years Ago** I can’t help laughing as Auden winds us, fast, down the stairs, the butterflies in my stomach matching his pace as he turns and turns. It feels… I don’t know how to describe it - but something about the way we move reminds me of when I was a kid in spring, stretching out my arms and spinning and spinning for the joy of it. I reach a hand out, laughing and grasping at the snowflakes that fall around us now that we’re far enough from the ballroom that they’re not burned up in the heat. When Auden’s pace slows I almost regret the end of the staircase, mostly because it means he’ll put me down. I’ve rather liked the way that he’s holding me close against his chest, and the fact that both of us are pretending to ignore the way his thumb has slipped around to the back of my thigh. There’s nothing scandalous – not really – about that touch, but…well. We both know it’s there. And if my fiancé found out about it? He would not be happy. But the climb c
Last Updated : 2023-11-05The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 39 - Reaching for Her
“Be cool, Auden,” he murmurs to himself, resisting the urge to sprint for the guard house by the lake and shout for the guards to get the hell out of it.But no. There is no rush – no need to hurry any of this. So he forces himself to take measured steps across the snow and then up the short set of stone stairs to the door. When he opens it, the guards inside turn to him and freeze in surprise.“Out,” Auden says, nodding towards the still-open door.The guards just stare at him.“You have the night off,” Auden continues, making himself wear the mantle of command that he always assumes when commanding his troops. “I’ll take over from here. Go,” he says, jerking his chin towards the door. “Shift, run back to the castle. There’s still plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.”While the Alphas have their own party, Midwinter is for everyone. The Betas, Gammas, and Deltas who aren’t working have their festivities downstairs. A few Betas stand up eagerly, ready to go, but still others move
Last Updated : 2023-11-06The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 40 - A Change of Plan
I flinch away from Auden as he reaches for me, as memories of that night five years ago come suddenly flooding back -It, too, was a night that started on an open-air terrace with Auden offering me wine –And then, a little guard shack in the woods, when we shared a drink by the fire, and Auden reached for me, just as he’s doing now -My breath comes short in my throat as his hand moves for me -But his palm lands soft on my shoulder, not on my waist. He leaves it there a moment before squeezing, his skin warm against mine. “I’m sorry, Everleigh,” he says quietly, his eyes sad. “I was upset –“I gape up at him like a stupid fish for a moment before I force myself to blink, to come back to this moment –Because, of course, of course it’s just me imagining things, flashing back to the memories of a night that Auden doesn’t even know existed -“No,” I say, finding my shaky voice and taking a step closer to him. “I mean – yes – I accept your apology – but I was unfair too. I’m sorry, Aud
Last Updated : 2023-11-07
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The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 62 - Betrayal
“What the hell are you thinking, Everleigh!?” Auden snarls, but behind the anger that darkens his face is just…complete devastation. Betrayal. Sadness in every line of every feature.My stomach sinks with guilt – because he loves them, I know he loves them -But I rally, knowing that I’m right – that I’m out of options. And, as it so often does, my temper leads my response. “I’m getting the fuck out of here, Auden!” I shout, casting a hand toward the door. “Or at least I was until you fucked everything up!”“You were going to run!? Again!?”“Yes!” I shout, bursting into hysterical laughter as I drop my hand, which smacks listlessly to my thigh. It’s hopeless now. Fucking hopeless. “Of course I’m running! Of course I am! Why did you think that I wouldn’t!?&rdquo
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 61 - Five Minutes
I turn off all the taps and then rush out of the bathroom and across the room, yanking open the door to the children’s suite, praying that Auden isn’t here – that he’s busy rallying his troops to war –I’m holding my breath as I storm into the children’s room, my eyes immediately moving to the young nurse helping divest Vivi of her jewels. Relief rushes through my chest as Coco lets out a panicked squawk. Niall rushes for me, clearly upset, his arms wrapping right around my leg.“Get out of here,” I snap at the nurse.She stands straight and stares at me, eyes wide.“Go!” I shout, pointing at the door. “Right now! Go!”She drops the jewels on Vivi’s bed and does as I say, hurrying out of the room. I wait for the outer door to shut before I turn to my kids.“Mama?” Niall asks, looking up at me, his voice all creaky. “What&rs
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 60 - War
“Where, wife, do you get the gall to apologize for me, for my decisions!?” Mahl snarls, his face inches from mine, his furious breath hot on my cheeks. My heart pounds with what are surely its final beats –I have moments left to live, I’m sure of it -“No!” I sputter out, trying to shake my head, even as his grip on my hair causes pain to radiate through the back of my head. “I misspoke! You misunderstand!”He pauses, barely.“I – it was pity!” I manage, still gasping against the pain, trying again to find my balance with my toes the only parts of me truly on the floor. “Not apology – I didn’t know what to say! I don’t – I don’t know how to do this! I –“His fingers loosen and I find my feet.The sound of my panting fills the hallway. “Again,” Mahl snarls,
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 59 - Firebird
“You dare,” Mahl growls, his eyes fastened on the chubby little ambassador, who looks like he’s quite literally shaking in his boots. “To again raise the subject of my granddaughter’s pet?”From the corner of my eye, I see Vivianna sit up straighter in her seat, sensing that Mahl is talking about her, quite pleased – as she always is - to be the center of attention. Niall keeps reading. Auden sits very still.My back molars press together in frustration as I consider, not for the first time, that this is less about paternal affection for granddaughter and more about Mahl disliking the fact that this man has the gall to question his previous decree.The ambassador lifts his chin, determined. “The Firebird is a national honor, your Highness – I don’t know how it appeared in your lands after hundreds of years of absence but it belongs in Venda. It is our heritage embodied, our most important –““Vivianna!” Ma
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 58 - Morning Update
Margot settles in on the lounge as I move to the bell pull by the side of my bed, giving it two tugs that I know will send Tara up with some coffee. Then I move to her side. “So,” I say, leaning close, glancing just once at the door to the children’s room. “How did it…go?”“Oh, it went fine!” Margot says, laughing lightly and stretching her arms up above her head. “It always does. Honestly, Everleigh, there’s no need for concern. You weren’t awake and upset all night, were you?”I pause for a moment, kind of shocked now that she suggests it. But I shake my head. “No,” I whisper. “I kind of…slept beautifully.”Margot grins at me and glances over at my bedside. “Two cakes, Everleigh!” she says, laughing a little and reaching out to lightly smack my knee. “Be careful not to overdose.”My eyes go wide.She grins. “Just kidding, that’s not possible. Don’t worry so much. Did you have sweet dreams too?”I blush and she laughs, but I shake it off, knowing she doesn’t have the true details unle
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 57 - Big Day
I groan, turning over to bury my face in my pillow when I wake up for the second time, the sun just starting to peek through my windows. Because even when I fell back asleep, all my mind did was go over that dream again and again – the feel of Auden’s mouth on mine, his hand slipping down my back, the way he pulled me tight against his chest –I shake my head, my face slipping against the soft fabric of my pillowcase, not knowing…how the hell I’m supposed to deal with this insane crush that I have on my baby daddy. The son of my forced fiancé. The man who sleeps two doors away from me and who is…so utterly off limits.I sigh, pushing myself up, pushing my hair back from my face, scowling. “Don’t be so weak, Everleigh,” I murmur, getting out of bed and storming off to the bathroom. There is just…way too much at stake to even dream about such things.
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 56 - Dreams
I laugh, leaning forward to pat the mattress. “Well, come up, then. No sense in letting this perfectly fantastic bed mysteriously placed in the middle of a field go to waste.”Auden’s smirk deepens as he crawls onto the bed, surprising me by stretching himself out long at my side, resting his head against his hand, perfectly at ease and much less formal than he usually is. But then again, he’s a figment of my imagination, isn’t he? Of course this version of Auden is more relaxed.“I’ve never dreamed of a place like this before,” he murmurs, looking around with interest. “Though I have to admit, your presence is less of a surprise.”“Really?” I ask, a little delighted, sitting up all prim with my hands in my lap. “I’m a regular feature in your dreams, then?”“Yes, Everleigh,” he says, a little growl tracing his words as he flicks his
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 55 - Snack
“Highness,” the Prince murmurs, stepping close to my bed. “I like your nightgown.”My eyes fly open at this.I turn my head to glare at him.Auden smirks at me. “Very fine materials. Precisely my father’s taste.”I groan, turning my face away and burying it in my pillows. Behind me, I hear Auden laugh as he seats himself on the edge of the bed. “It’s so weird that you know your dad’s taste in lingerie.”“Yeah, I’m not sure we have…what could be understood as a healthy father/son dynamic.”I sigh and turn again, lounging back in the pillows, studying him in the dark. The soft fall of his dark hair over his forehead. The broad set of his shoulders and his strong, muscled arms. “How are you?” I ask.“Surprised that you’re here,” he says, studying me in turn, not letting me change the sub
The Alpha Queen's Deadly Secret Chapter 54 - Just a Taste
I just stare at the four tiny cakes that remain. “I’m…not hungry?”“It’s not for hunger,” Margot whispers, grinning at me. “At least, not that kind.”She holds out the plate a moment longer and then, when I stand frozen, just shrugs and moves for the bed. Mahl follows her, that growl still sounding, and gestures for me to come along too. “They’re here, highness Queen,” Margot says, placing them on the side table to Mahl’s bed. “Should you want one.”“Highness Queen,” Mahl murmurs, laughing a little. “Call her Everleigh – we’re more intimate than that. Or at least, we will be soon.” Then he breaks into his booming laugh, snatching Margot by the waist and pulling her into the sheets with him. She bursts into laughter too, a delighted sound.My eyes go wide as I just…watch these people, so comfortable with each other, so…easy and joyful in the world of sex.To my surprise, jealousy runs through me as Mahl playfully pins
