Fenris's Pov
I 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 and early morning discussions and it's starting to feel like we are not as great and mighty as we are thought to be.
"I wonder what transgression we committed to deserve such a shameful punishment." Garren continues and Conrad shakes his head.
"Maybe there is something special about her we don't know of." He remarks.
I scoff. "She is a weak servant girl that needs all the protection she can get. That's what is special about her."
"She can have protection without being our mate. We should be figuring out a way to keep everyone from knowing." Garren says, lowering his empty glass of wine so he can look at us in the eyes.
He is the type that never dwells much on the details of the problem before rushing to come up with a solution.
"We need to reject her tonight as it will be the only time she will be able to sense the mate bond and understanding what we are speaking of. But we must wait until all the guests are gone or the shameful story will travel to every pack." He suggests.
Conrad and I take a moment to mull over the proposal. "Right, but she can tell the story herself." I argue.
"No one would believe a human servant claiming to be our fated mate. People will assume it's a lie as long as they haven't heard it from us." Garren points.
A part of me pities the servant girl and her soon-to-be-broken heart. Like all women she must have been hoping for a mate that would love her unconditionally. But we are the angel kings, accepting a lowly, human servant as our queen would be extremely disgraceful.
"Let's hope that our newest contestant will pass the tests so we can have a noble bride to marry after the despicable mate bond is broken. The princess has already proven her loyalty to us and her unique courage. None of the other royal women we know of possesses combat skills. She is definitely a special one." Garren says with a dreamy look.
None of us have met the bold and beautiful princess of Silverthorn. We would be greatly happy if that was our mate. She failed the difficult test of grace that our cousin Doria and her council had set, but we can definitely forget aboutthat since she was the first candidate to pass the test of loyalty.
"I suggest that we summon our servant mate after the party and simply state our rejection. Then we will later decide whether her mistress is the best bride for us." Conrad says and I and Garren nod in agreement.
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'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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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