Keira's POV
"How could they do this to me? A servant ruined my dress and I was supposed to remain calm?" Princess Lyna fumes, pacing around the room.
She changed into another exquisite dress, but her eyes are still wet from all the crying.
"I am sorry your highness, their tests seem to be quite tricky. But you have only failed one test, we still have a great chance of winning." Helen comforts.
"How can I pass another test if they are so difficult and humiliating?" Lyna laments.
We all fall silent for a long moment. Our hosts seem to be testing a person's character and I think Princess Lyna would easily pass if she were a good person. No good person would react the way she did. But telling her that would make her more furious.
"I know that Keira is a weak human, but she did seem to notice that you were being tested. I think it might get easier if you let her help." Lisa surprisingly suggests.
It's the first time she has acknowledged that I am not completely useless. I smile inwardly, but Princess Lyna and Helen look disgusted as they cast me scornful looks.
"I need to meet withthe angel kings, that's the only way I can win this contest." Lyna says desperately. "Did you write the letter?" She demands.
"Yes, I gave it to one of the palace servants and she assured me that it would be taken to the kings." I answer.
"Then why haven't I been informed of when I am going to meet them? Was the letter so bad?" She angrily questions.
"They are busy kings, but I am sure they will soon respond." I say, trying to sound confident so that she won't fire me so soon.
She huffs then goes to sit on the edge of the big bed facing the mirror on the wall. She flaps a finger and Lisa hurries to her side. The princess stares at her beautiful reflection on the mirror while Lisa sings a sweet, lulling song to calm her.
I quietly turn and leave the room. If I am lucky the angel kings will answer the letter tomorrow. If they don't Lyna will be too furious to keep me.
I want to stay long enough to at least see the other two kings. Is any of them nicer to ordinary humans like me? Are they all breathtakingly gorgeous? I don't know why my heart yearns to find this out.
* * * * *
We stand aside as Princess Lyna quietly eats her delicious breakfast of heart-shaped cakes, slices of fruit and hot tea sweetened with honey. It doesn't seem to be improving her mood though. Yesterday's shame and anger still lingers, her confidence is completely shaken.
Today she will be facing yet another test and I can see the anxiety in her eyes. We trust that we have got enough time to prepare her before Lady Doria comes calling. No one can predict which virtue will be tested and or how it will be tested. We can only hope that she won't fall for another trap and completely ruin her chances of being selected to be the bride and queen of the powerful kings.
"Go get me a glass of water." She orders, pointing at me.
"Yes your highness." I accept the order and leave the room. As I head out of our palace building, I meet a young man in refined apparel rushing in.
I keep going until I meet the first palace servant, the same servant that bumped into Princess Lyna yesterday and ruined her elegant gown with food and wine.
She had orders to do what she did and it's not her fault that it is her job to follow such orders. I do not hate her for it. I have the same job.
"Excuse me, do you know where I can get a cup of water for my mistress?" I ask and she nods.
"Follow me." She turns around and leads the way to the next palace building. We walk into a spacious kitchen and she hands me a cup of warm water.
"If you do not mind me asking, you do not smell like a werewolf." She notes in a polite tone. "You're not human, are you?"
"I did not phase after my eighteenth birthday, I guess that means I am human." I answer honestly.
"Glad to know that I am no longer the only human here." She reveals with a joyous smile. "You seem like a good person, hope we will be friends." She excitedly adds and I nod.
She would be my first friend, someone I can talk to without getting laughed at for being a miserable human.
"Nice to meet you. I am Keira."
"Margret." She says and we shake hands.
"I am sorry that your mistress failed her first test, it wasn't my intention to . . . " She starts and I cut her off.
"No one is blaming you for that, we both know what's it's like to be forced to follow orders." I say and she sighs in relief.
"I will take the water to my mistress before she gets furious. See you later." I mutter before turning and hurrying back to the guest quarters.
I was not aware that there were humans living in Lunacrest, and above all working in the palace. I imagine she must have been lonely here and endured a lot of bullying. But she at least gets a fair pay for her job.
I hope I will stay here long enough for us to be friends. My strange longing to meet all the angel kings keeps growing despite the rude remarks from King Conrad the last time we met.
If they accept the request to meet with Princess Lyna I may get the chance to see all the three at once.
I walk back into Princess Lyna's room to find only Helen and Lisa sitting on the bed. They look excited for some reason.
"Where is her highness?" I ask.
"One of the palace officials just offered to help her win the contest." Lisa informs. "He wants something in return so they left to speak outside." She adds and my heart races with worry.
I did meet a young man in refined apparel rushing in but didn't think he was coming here. Why would he want to help Lyna win the contest? I thought she didn't have friends here?
After a moment of thinking I gape in realization. Lady Doria has not yet come to get Princess Lyna for today's test. This may be the test and Princess Lyna probably won't figure it out. The man must have been sent by the council.
"Did they mention where they were going to talk?" I ask my fellow servants.
"Stop bothering us, human! Why don't you go look for them." Helen snaps.
I set down the cup of water and run out. I am guessing that the man took Princess Lyna to the palace backyard where they can speak in secret. Hopefully I will get there before it's too late.
I hear hushed voices as soon as I take a few steps into the beautiful flower gardens of the palace backyard. Following the direction of the sounds, I tiptoe towards the massive statue that hides the princess and the man she is meeting.
"You will stand a better chance of passing the tests if you accept my help. I have access to the details of all the other tests they have set for you. I can give you the information you need if you promise to do me a little favour in return." I hear the male voice say.
"Your help would be highly appreciated. What do I have to do in return?" Princess Lyna's joyous voice asks.
Does she really think that a stranger just decided to secretly approach her with such a sweet offer? If it were so easy to cheat in the tests the last four princesses would not have failed.
"I trust that you will not reveal my secrets to anyone. I am a spy of Blackwolves pack, sent here three years ago to seek a job within the palace and spy on the operations of the angel kings." The man confesses. "But I haven't been lucky to gather much and my alpha is getting impatient. I am offering to help you become the queen, the one person that will be closest to the kings. I trust that you will repay my kindness by bringing me all the secrets of the angel kings so that I can inform my alpha." He adds and my heart literally skips a beat.
Princess Lyna may fall into this trap and she will have failed yet another test. So I jump out of my hiding before she can reply.
"Women of Silverthorn are ethical and noble. Her highness will not act as a traitor in fear of failing the contest. She values her honour more than the silver and gold of this palace." I state in a firm tone, halting a step away from them.
The handsome man seems surprised and raises an eyebrow while Princess Lyna turns and glares at me, still not realizing that she was being tested.
I bow my head. "Lisa and Helen hopes you will pass today's test, your highness." I say in hope that she will get the hint. Her eyes finally go wide with realisation.
She turns and glowers at the man. "I have unwavering loyalty to the angel kings and will not take part in an act of betrayal." She snaps angrily.
"What if you fail the tests, how will your loyalty help you then?" The man challenges. Lyna appears to think for a long time and I start to fear that she will change her mind.
"I am not failing another test. Go away or I will let everyone know that there is a foreign spy in their palace." She states and I sigh in relief.
The man shakes his head and takes one last glance at me before walking away.
"You better be right that it was a test for my loyalty to the angel kings, otherwise you will have ruined my golden opportunity to win the contest." She warns, striding past me to return to her room.
I wait a moment before following, no one ever wants me walking by their side. Lady Doria and another man in expensive robes stands in Princess Lyna's room when we walk in.
"I see that you're done with your second test, Princess of Silverthorn." Lady Doria says, confirming that I was right that they had sent the man to test princess Lyna's loyalty to their Kings.
Princess Lyna strides forward with a proud smile. "Yes, I noticed that you wanted to be assured of my loyalty to the kings. It is my honour to let you know that I would not betray them for gold or crown." She says and Lady Doria returns her smile.
"I knew from your application letter that you would not disappoint us." She praises.
"This is Sir. Henry, the assistant of the kings. He brings you more good news from the main palace." She informs, gesturing at the man by her side.
The man steps forward with the letter I wrote in his hands. My heart throbs as everyone steps forward in anticipation of his announcement. He would be here if the angel kings had turned down our request, would he?
Keira's PovAnxiety makes my intestines churn as the man unfolds the letter. The letter got the attention of the kings just as Princess Lyna wanted, but I will still be in trouble for what I wrote."Congratulations, Princess of Silverthorn. You're the second contestant to get the attention of our kings through a letter." The man announces and Princess Lyna literally jumps. "Yes! I knew it!" She screams in exhilaration. "They must be impressed!"The man nods his head. "Of course they are. A woman with combat skills and a gift of courage is a rare gem. You must be proud of your unique skills to challenge the angel kings to a duel. Not even the best of our knights has ever done that, believe me we are all intrigued." He says and Princess Lyna freezes. She matches forward and snatches the letter from his hands. Her mouth falls open with shock as she quietly reads the contents of the letter. I would not have suggested a test of combat skills and courage if she had not pressured me to wr
I joined Margret and her fellow diligent servants in preparing a magnificent banquet hall, in the second palace building, for tomorrow's extravagant party. Since leaving Silverthorn my mind has been so occupied that I almost forgot about tomorrow being the first day of the full moon.Apparently the angel kings sets a banquet for all the governors of their massive kingdom to come feast and get entertained on the first day of the full moon. The atmosphere is filled with anticipation and excitement as everyone works together to create a truly mesmerizing experience for the esteemed guests.As we finish wiping the smooth floor, another team of servants meticulously arranges long wooden tables in precise rows, each adorned with crisp, white linen tablecloths that cascade all the way to the floor. Delicate, fragrant flower arrangements fill the air with their sweet aroma, carefully placed as centerpieces along the tables.A group of talented chefs can be seen scurrying around the massive s
I have been thinking the whole night, yet I haven't figured out where I would go if Princess Lyna gets selected to become the wife of the Angel Kings and I get fired. Her father would be glad to banish me if I return to Silverthorn, that or he would turn me into a slave of his pack.Maybe I should plead my case with the angel kings. So far I have met two and they were extremely rude. But I have endured rudeness before. Are servants even allowed to write letters to them like princesses? I will have to ask my only friend Margret. Lisa and Helen hold towels ready as a naked Princess Lyna emerges from the basin full of warm water and aromatic herbs. Passing yesterday's test of loyalty seems to have revived her confidence. She stands in an elegant posture as Helen and Lisa wrap towels around her wet body and hair. I grab a rug wipe all the water that has spilled on the floor while Helen and Lisa help the Princess dry her hair, oil her smooth skin and choose the best gown to wear. Toda
Fenris's PovI had hoped that my brother Conrad was wrong, that a weak servant girl cannot be our fated mate. That hope vanished the moment I smelled her enchanting scent. It was faint, but it appeased my senses more than any music or wine has ever done. I had an immense urge to get closer and inhale more of it. But I changed my mind as soon as I was standing in front of her. She had the most beautiful hair I have seen on a human head though. But she wore an old, wrinkled dress with a permanent stain at the front and didn't seem bothered.I didn't see her face as she kept her head bowed even when I said the rudest things about her. I wonder if her weak human senses acknowledged the natural, unwelcome pull between us. "If you too felt the mild mate bond then we can conclude that we have been mated to a wretched servant girl." Garren, the only one of us that is yet to meet the girl, says while gulping down another glass of wine. The servant girl has become the topic of our dinner an
Keira's PovThe banquet hall, with its luxurious furnishings and sumptuous offerings, exudes an air of majesty and grandeur. The great guests that have already arrived grace the space with their elegance and charm.In the gallery above, musicians play lively tunes on lutes, harps, and violins. Their music floating down into the hall, adding a joyful melody to the bustling feast below. The palace servants are in their positions, ready to attend to the needs of the distinguished guests. Every one of us including Princess Lyna appears stupefied by the sheer opulence of the place. The servant girl in a princess's dress giggles at the sight of all the delicious luxury she is about to experience. My eyes search the room for Margaret's face. She is surprisingly nowhere within sight. But I recognize the faces of some of Lady Doria's fellow councilmembers. Their presence here means that they will be in watch for every one of Princess Lyna's actions. "Come, you will seat and eat with the go
Keira's PovHellen and Lisa sit on a mat on the floor with the finest fabrics scattered all around them. They are carefully sewing another exquisite dress for Princess Lyna. The refined princess tried on the ones in the closet and didn't think any outlines her curves well enough to make the angel kings wish she was their queen. So she ordered her favourite maids to make another, cut and sewn in accordance to her wishes. I am standing aside, holding the threads and needles for them since I am not allowed to touch anything that the Princess might wear or eat. They always act like I have a disease she might catch. Princess Lyna lies in bed, waiting for her servants to make the loveliest of dresses for her to wear during the duel with the angel kings. I wonder if she has considered learning one or two things about sword fighting. Not that there is time to learn much, which means that the kings will realise that she got no combat skills as soon as she steps into the battlefield in a tigh
The two guards push the doors open without inquiring my identity or intent. The alluring scents flood my nostrils and I allow myself to breathe deeper, welcoming their soothing abilities.I know they are the scents of the angel kings. I however do not understand why they are so profound tonight.The guards gesture at me to go ahead and walk in alone while the palace servants wait at the door. My stomach churns as I take steps into the spacious chamber. The throne room is a blend of beauty, opulence and grandeur. The furniture is made of rich, dark woods, upholstered in lush fabrics adorned with embroidery and patterns. Massive fireplaces line the walls, their roaring fires casting warmth throughout the room. The floor rises at the far head of the room where three beautiful figures sit on majestic thrones. Their striking faces are as alike as three peas in a pod. A strange, overwhelming urge to run up to them and take each into my arms suddenly grips my mind and I have to literally
Keira's Pov"What did the angel kings speak to you about?" Princess Lyna demands for the tenth time, her curiosity turning into anger as I stay quiet."None of my maids are allowed to keep secrets. So speak up or I will send you back to Silverthorn to become the pack slave like you were supposed to be!" She threatens. "I do not see a reason she is withholding that information unless she was called to speak foul of our mistress." Helen eagerly excuses. I shake my head, finally tired of enduring their demands and threats. If I had a choice, no one would ever know about the angel kings being my mates or their rude rejection. But right now the only other choice I have is to return to Silverthorn, get banished or become the slave of the pack."You better not have said anything awful about me, human! I will claw off your skin before getting the palace guards to throw you out!" Princess Lyna hisses, her angry wolf claws breaking through the tips of her fingers."I wasn't summoned to talk a
Keira PovAlluring scents fill my nostrils as my mind reawakens. It's been days since the last time I inhaled those scents. Back when our mate bond existed. So this must be a dream. I briefly struggle to get my eyes open. A pair of soft lips kisses mine just as my eyes finally blink open. "Told you she just needed our close touch," Garren says after pulling back. "She has woken," he anounces and two more beautiful faces gather next to him, staring down at me with happy smiles.It's not a dream, our mate bond is back. Probably because of the shaman's death. We didn't get to celebrate our marriage, and after getting nearly killed I finally realised how fragile everything in life is. I was too focused on winning battles that I forgot to enjoy my relationship with my gorgeous mates.Arina's attack awakened the part of me that desired pleasant things again. Because I learned that anything can be taken away easily and all that will be left is regret. Because I didn't allow myself time to
Conrad's PovIf I had known this is what would happen I would not have allowed Keira to be part of this fight. She almost lost her life and will probably take days if not weeks to recover from the injuries. Not even our mate bond is present to help her heal faster."Where is her father?" I ask my brothers. It's obvious they do not want to talk about that. A thing that worries me because they were under Shaman's spell. "When that witch and her father arrived Keira's father and her friends tried attacking them. Of course we thought the woman was Keira so we defended her," Garren answers. "You didn't kill them, did you?" I ask. "No. The witch demanded that they be punished and locked up. We let the soldiers do the dirty work since we did not want to be directly involved. We thought that she would regret the decision later," Fenris answers. I wonder how bad the punishment was because there is a chance that our mate's father will never forgive us. I understand that my brothers were und
Angel Fenris's Pov I should have killed that witch before she had the chance to use the darkstone. Problem is I wanted to have fun killing her slowly and using different unbearable ways. I wanted her to die screaming apologies to Keira."Where is my Father and Ezra?" our mate asks with a concerned expression despite the pain she must be feeling. The truth would infuriate her. We made terrible mistakes while under that witch's spell. Telling her where her father and friends are when we have hurt her so much would make her hate us. I made her mind hurt excruciatingly whilst thinking that she is the witch. I cannot give her more bad news. Conrad stares at us curiously. Of course he doesn't understand why we cannot talk about our mate's father right now. "You're losing blood. Let me remove the blade out of your hand so we can take you to the doctor," I say to our mate, avoiding answering the question about her father and friends. Garren holds her tighter as I pull the sharp blade out o
Angel Garren's PovKeira would never ask us to kill our own brother, regardless of the fact that he is under the control of a wicked witch. Our mate was of pure heart. She would never demand the murder of someone that is not under control of his mind. I used to think that no other woman can have Keira's face, but our brother's witch looked and sounded exactly like her. We would have been fooled as well if Keira had not already found a way to restore our mate bond. But I am shocked that she is now demanding for Conrad's death like she never loved him.One of the pretentious guards that Conrad came in with takes off her helmet and just like the first time I am baffled by how much the witch resembles our mate."Kill me instead! I am the witch that is controlling his mind," she says. She is that selfless? Or is it a trick to make us believe that she is the true Keira?"You stupid bitch! You will die today!" our mate screams like she has suddenly lost her mind.She picks up the sword tha
Keira's Pov"I must ask that you do not tell your brothers that I am not Keira. Unlike you they seem to care for that pathetic human and won't like me if they realise that I am not her," Arina tells Conrad as we follow her and her father inside the palace. "Of course I won't tell them if you don't want me to," Conrad assures. "The guards behind used to be close friends of mine. Allow them to come with us," he requests and Arina simply nods. Guess she is so eager to have him as well that she is not allowing her mind to have suspicion. My other two husbands rise from the soft couches of the palace parlour as soon as we walk in through the door. They both step forward to hug Conrad."Welcome back, brother. Where did you get lost to?" Garren asks in a voice filled with concern. Arina makes her way to Fenris and wraps her hands around his waist. He embraces her back, rubbing her back gently and kissing her on the lips. She smiles in comfort."You first tell me what happened the day I l
Keira's Pov"Your plan worked, your majesty. Arina and her father believed that King Conrad turned against you and wishes to have a mate bond with her," Allen gladly informs. We smile in relief as we are now halfway into getting rid of the vixen and her foolish father. As long as the mate bond between her and my other two husbands is broken getting them to recognise who the real Keira is won't be as hard as the first time. According to the text I read about the identity spell, Arina must carry my blood everywhere she goes or my mates will discover that she is not me. Her father was left with only a few drops after suspending my mate bond with the angel kings before I returned to Lunacrest. Arina will only have a little of that blood as her father must have used some to lift my mate bond with my husbands again. Finding the tiny amount of the blood she is carrying will be hard but not impossible. "Did she mix the blood?" Conrad asks. "She asked that you return to the palace, your ma
Keira's PovAngel Conrad's hand and pen hovers over the tiny parchment."What do you think I should write?" he asks, looking furious that he has to do this. Of course penning a love letter to our enemy is not just hard but disgusting as well. But it seems to me like it's the only way we can get her to mix her blood with Luther's. Once the fake mate bond between her and my other husbands is broken then we won't have to fight them to get to her or her father."We must make her believe that your thoughts and feelings are genuine. You must confess a good reason why you're choosing to betray me. Tell her that I am a weak human that never deserved to be the queen of your great kingdom," I suggest."That's not true. You're the smartest and strongest woman our kingdom has ever seen. Not even our mother was as fierce as you're," my husband differs. "The point is to make her believe without doubt that you hate me. The truth doesn't matter," I answer. "Still it disgusts me to write such lies
Keira's PovI read the text titled, "The Identity Spell," frowning at it's weird content. "To steal a person's identity one needs the blood of their victim as well as an object belonging to those that they wish to fool. The enchantment must be done by a powerful sorcerer," I read out loud so that Angel Conrad and the alpha can hear. The rest of the text include strange words that should be uttered during the casting of the spell. How did they get items belonging to my mates to cast the spell? "The Shaman already had my blood, but not anything belonging to you," I tell Conrad. "Maybe we should search the place some more. You never know," Luther says. He summons five more loyal servants to help us. Good thing everyone is eager to please an angel king .The servants excitedly search the house for several hours, bringing anything suspicious to King Conrad. "I found these in Aria's closet, your majesty," one of the servants proudly reports while holding out three scarfs made of sea si
Keira's PovHow was trusting in their love for me supposed to help me win when they are comfortably killing me. I can feel myself slipping towards a permanent sleep as my strength wanes and my limbs stop fighting. I hear a deep groan before Garden's hand leaves my neck. I fall down on the floor and my eyes fly open. I notice that both Garren and Fenris collapsed as well. They do not seem to be in pain, but they are huffing and puffing as if extremely tired. "Hey! We must leave," Conrad's worried voice urges as he comes to squat by my side. I had asked him to stay outside so that he wouldn't fall into the Shaman's spell as well. Guess I screamed loud enough for him to hear. "I cannot kill my bewitched brothers. Let's leave before I have to."He picks me up in his arms and make a rush for the door. "Where do you suggest we go?" he asks while setting me down on the front yard to take off his shirt. His massive wings spring out of his back. "My father is still in there. I cannot leave