Keira's povI step out to find a smiling Margret standing at the door of our small servant quarters, a red rose in her right hand. I wonder where she has been throughout the day. She wasn't at the banquet, nor anywhere I walked."You look sad," she observes, "did any of the angel kings scold again?" She asks in a voice full of concern. I am supposed to keep it a secret that I am the mate of the angel kings, so I choose to lie."My mistress had a hard day. We are all just tired." I say. "I am sorry that your mistress failed the test so terribly. I should have been there to help." She says ruefully. "Where were you?" I ask."I met my mate." She informs with a joyous smile. "He doesn't care that I am human. He accepted me because he believes I am a good person. Lady Doria gave us a day off so we could go out and celebrate our meeting." She expounds, her eyes glowing with pride. She got a mate who appreciates her benign character. I wish the same had happened to me. Even a poor peasan
With Helen and Lisa holding the tail of Princess Lyna's dress, we have to walk slower than the others. The space between us and the councilmembers keeps increasing as we go. The populated city of Lunacrest is like a beehive, full of activities and still incredibly organized.People stare at Princess Lyna just like she wanted. She waves her hand, charming them with her precious attention. She stops waving instantly when Lady Doria and her councilmembers start leading us through what looks like an extremely impoverished section of the city.Wretched beggars step out of dilapidated buildings and start following us, pleading for coins. Helen and Lisa lift the tail of Princess Lyna's dress higher and pick up pace in a desperate attempt to get away from the miserable people. Lady Doria and her councilmembers seem unbothered as they keep glancing back at us several more times than before. This must be the test."Please leave us a coin . . . your highness! My husband is dead and my sons a
Keira's PovI have no way of knowing what questions they will ask her, so how am I supposed to help? "You have been reading countless books, you must know the answer to every question they might ask." Princess Lyna says, seeking an immediate answer of how I plan to help her pass the test of wisdom. I may have read too many books but I am not the one supposed to answer the questions. "I can teach you as much as I can before the test." I suggest, still aware that it won't help. The council wishes to test her wisdom, so they will choose to ask questions that will require profound thinking. "That's ridiculous. I cannot learn a million things within one night." Princess Lyna argues. "Get your smart brain to think of a better plan before tomorrow. Remember that you will no longer have a job if I fail that test." She says in a stern tone. It's like she has already forgotten that I am the one that just helped her pass the test of humility. She is yet to even thank me for it. "I will be
Keira's PovPrincess Lyna stands beside her king-size bed with her hands folded in front of her chest. She wants the plan, one that is supposed that help her pass the test of wisdom without figuring out the right answers to the questions herself.Helen and Lisa are seated on the floor once again, skillfully cutting pieces of soft white fabrics and lace to make a stunning wedding gown for the princess. She is already preparing for her wedding with the angel kings, like she is so sure that I can make her pass her final test. "I am assuming that you have come up with a good plan." She says in a frigid tone. "Tell me everything." She orders. "I have thought of a plan, but I will need your help." I say. "I already told you that I cannot answer the questions." She insists. "Yes, I will answer them for you." I reply. "But for that to happen I will need you to lie to Lady Doria and the council." "Lie about what?" She questions. "Having a sore throat." I answer. Her face wrinkles with
They are indeed here. I am not sure I can think clearly in their presence. It's not just their scents affecting my senses, our mate bond isn't broken because I never accepted their rejection. I will feel an unneeded attraction towards them. I must act like I have never met them, like I am not their mate. In order to make Princess Lyna their future wife, I need to focus on correctly answering the questions, help her pass the test of wisdom without them noticing.Their beautiful faces are the first thing I notice when we walk into the hall. It's sad that their breathtaking beauty is only skin deep. I watch as they rise from their seats behind the council and start approaching. The air around me thickens with their scents, but their eyes are on Princess Lyna. Their amorous smiles make my heart swell with pain. They are stunned by her beauty, which is enhanced by layers of makeup and the shimmering jewellery. Princess Lyna bows her head slightly in a show of respect and luckily rememb
One of the council members rises from his seat. "The council would like to know if you're comfortable and ready to begin the test, your highness." He inquires in a gentle voice.Princess Lyna glances at me before nodding her head. "Sir Reynolds will begin with the first question." The councilman says and settles back in his sit.Another rises and my anxiety tightens it's hold on my mind. I take deep breaths to overcome the apprehension as he posses the first question."If you marry our kings and this kingdom happens to go to war with your father's kingdom, where would your loyalties lie, your highness?" He questions. I didn't expect the questions to be so difficult. I take my time to reflect while Princess Lyna pretends to write her answer on the parchment. Apparently the beloved princess isn't capable of writing a comprehensible answer, probably because she isn't even trying. I stare at the paper as if reading from it as I personally answer the question."If it were within my pow
Keira's PovPrincess Lyna sweeps the parchment off the table as the angel kings gets closer. It floats down to the floor just as they halt in front of her."You're a special kind of woman, princess. We feel lucky to have your admiration." Angel Conrad says in the sweetest of voices. "I have enjoyed being your guest, I really didn't want to leave, your Majesty." Princess Lyna responds, totally forgetting our lie about her having a sore throat. None of her admirers appears to notice through. "I would be honored to give you the first tour of the main palace. Do you mind joining us for lunch?" Angel Fenris requests. Lyna appears so overwhelmed by joy that her cheeks are turning red despite the makeup that had previously made her look pale."It would be my honour to share a table with the three of you, your Majesty. I have dreamt of such a great moment for years." She responds, her affection for the kings evident in her eyes."With your outstanding intellect everyone is confident in you
Keira's PovAngel Garren charmingly pulls a chair for princess Lyna while his brothers welcome her to the table with the most bewitching of smiles.We halt a few steps behind her seat and fall to our kneels just like she ordered. "Why are your servants kneeling?" Angel Conrad asks in a surprised tone. "I asked them to do so, as a sign of respect to you." Princess Lyna replies. "You're the greatest of kings, the most perfect of all beings, I will grant you the reverence you deserve. You can always expect profound veneration from me and my servants." She adds. "We are well aware of your unquestionable loyalty to us, princess. You do not need to punish your servants to make it more clear." King Conrad differs. It's weird to hear him sound like he cares. "It is your ability to diligently perform the roles of our queen that is most important. Your ideal intellect is what we value above all else." He adds.Princess Lyna appears baffled as she shrinks back in her seat. "What are some of
Keira's PovI sheath my favourite sword and carefully pack it beside the rest of my warrior gear in one bag. My personal items, clothes included, goes in the other. "The alpha wishes to say goodbye before you leave. He waits at the gates." Ezra, my closest friend and fellow warrior, informs while walking into the room with his own bags in hand. "You do not seem nearly as excited as I thought you would be?" He observes, walking closer and bending to set down his bags beside mine.Four days ago the Alpha of our small pack, Alaric, got the invitation to send the best of his warriors to take part in Lunacrest's knight tournament. There was a huge contention over who should be sent. So the pack council convened and voted. I got the most votes despite being afraid of returning to Lunacrest, the very kingdom I escaped. After six and half months of intense training, I am finally the skilled knight I once longed to be. Both my body and face have changed tremendously, to a point that my own p
Michael guides the priest back out just as our idiotic queen bursts into the room through a different door. She is exquisitely dressed as usual, and her joyous face is evidence of her easy life. "There you're, my sweet darlings." She comes skipping like a child and pecks my cheek. "I just heard about the forthcoming knight tournament. Royal guests will be invited to watch their warriors compete, right?" She asks. I simply nod and turn away, hating the repugnant smell of her breath as she exhales so close to my face. "I was thinking of purchasing new clothes to wear during the matches. Isn't it important that I look more attractive than all women since I am the wife of the mightiest kings?" She says, flicking her hair from side to side. "I promise you the best of nights if you get me seven fur coats of different colours, each to be worn on a different day of the tournament. The alpha of Red Wolves pack promised to gift me a dozen silk dresses in accordance to the treaty we signed.
Angel Garren's PovWe lost the woman that was truly virtuous, and married a vixen with a royal title. We can blame Lyna for cheating in the tests, manipulating our mate to help her win and turning out to be a legendary bad queen. But it was our choice to reject our mate and treat her like a worthless wretch.She would probably not have helped Lyna pass the tests or secure our vows with blood if we had not so clearly expressed our hate for her. It is our fault that we are trapped in this mess, and I doubt there is a simple way out. I never thought a time would come that I would genuinely yearn to see the kind face of our mate again, to say that I am sorry for every rude word I said to her. And if she allows it, I would like to ensure her safety and easier life forever. She didn't deserve the verbal abuse we subjected her to in the name of rejecting her.Michael finally ushers in the old priest that oversaw the making of our vows. He did warn us of the binding power of a blood promise
Angel Conrad's PovJudging from the apprehensive faces of the servants it's obvious that they are aware of the reason we summoned them. How can they deny anything when there is vivid guilt in their eyes?They keep their eyes bowed even as our assistant addresses them. "You have been called here because our kings wishes to give you a chance to confess your involvement in the traitorous act of helping an unworthy woman become the queen of this kingdom against the stated rules of the king's council." He says and the two women visibly tremble in fear. Wish we actually knew the truth and didn't have to ask them."You can choose to confess the truth and be treated as valuable witnesses, or you can deny the truth and be treated as the accomplices you acted as." Michael cautions. The servants vigorously nod their heads. "We are obliged, sir." They say simultaneously.None seems hesitant to betray their beloved mistress despite treating them like friends. Guess honour does not exist in a gr
SIX MONTHS LATERAngel Fenris's PovThe door to our imperial dining room bursts open and our assistant, Henry, strides in followed by the new young secretary of king's council, Michael.Judging from their apprehensive faces, it's obvious that something has gone terribly wrong. There have been plenty of bad news for the last six months ever since we made the gravest of mistakes, marrying the worst of women. "What's the urgent matter today?" I question as they quickly approach and bow their heads in respect. Henry sets some papers down on the table in front of us. "We acquired copies of the treaty that your queen signed with Red Wolves pack. According to the terms of the treaty she apparently signed off a huge part of our southern lands." He informs, pointing at the words in the parchments."In exchange for what?" Garren inquires in shock from across the table. No other kingdom has ever given away a part of its land. What more priceless thing was she seeking in return?"I am afraid
Queen Lyna's PovMy two best servants join me in my queen's quarters before just like we had agreed. Half of the palace hasn't woken up yet."Is the human still in your quarters?" I demand. "Yes your Majesty, Keira is still sleeping." Lisa affirms while Helen nods her head in agreement. "Then go alert my loving husbands of my missing ring." I direct. Both of my compliant servants rush out, eager to fulfill my orders. I have no doubt that they will deliver the news in the most chilling tones. The genius Keira will be dragged to the palace cells or worse to the gallows. It's not how I wanted things to end. I just want to ensure that I will not be competing for the love of my husbands' with their virtuous mate.Only a few minutes pass before my husbands burst into my room, their eyes filled with concern. I run to them and they take me into their strong arms, just like they did last night."What happened? Did they harm you?" One asks. I actually cannot tell them apart, but they are al
Keira's PovFor the first time in years I am resting in a comfortable bed with soft pillows and clean covers. It's of course a servant's bed.Our new servant quarters are a lot more spacious than the last, and there is more furniture apart from three beds and a table. It puzzles me why Princess Lyna allowed me to join Helen and Lisa here. She isn't such a kind soul. After marrying my mates with a blood promise I wonder what else she may be seeking to demand in return of this favour. She got everything she ever wanted, wealth, three powerful husbands and public admiration. Her life will be forever blissful. I on the other hand have limited days to enjoy the comfort of this bed before she sends me away. My mates will of course plead with her to make it sooner. I wish it's possible to accept their rejection without having to meet them. A sudden, intense pain engulfs my chest, like sharp claws tearing at my flesh. I clench my teeth to keep myself from grunting out loud. My mates and t
Keira's PovI sit alone in small space of our servant quarters, trying to focus in the contents of the book in hand. Princess Lyna didn't invite me to her grand wedding like she invited Helen and Lisa, she in fact ordered me to stay far away from the banquet hall and out of sight of all guests. Not that I had any desire to watch her and my mates wed. I may have made the decision to let go of them, but watching them make those eternal promises I suggested would still hurt. I at least got some new books from Michael. But I still cannot focus on what's written inside. My stomach churns painfully from the irresistible, glim thoughts occupying my mind. I can hear the gentle, celebratory tunes being played by most skilled musicians in the banquet hall. The cheerful voices of the arriving guests floats into the room through the window. I rise and make my way to the glass window. Lines of noble, elegantly dressed guests walk down the paved paths leading to the next palace building. I sp
Angel Garren's povThe princess had displayed profound admiration for us all, how come she is now sceptical of our ability to uphold the vows of our marriage? She is of course not our mate, but I am already in love with all her perfections. Why would we fail to respect pledges made to someone so wise, kind and impeccably beautiful. "A blood promise will bind us to the vows of our marriage, forever. Divorcing her won't be an option." Conrad points, worry in his voice. "Why do we need that option? We will be married to the most virtuous woman. She is the one likely to divorce us when she finds her true mate." Fenris argues.I agree with him. The blood promise doesn't work one way. It will bind her to us as well. So she will be stuck in our marriage forever, even if she meets her mate at some point. "The blood promise will work to our advantage, I suggest we accept it." I say. Fenris nods in agreement. But Conrad keeps a contemplative expression. "I feel that it's unwise to rush in