When I wake up, Sia is nowhere to be found and that’s weird because I am certain we went to bed together. In his stead lay clean underwear and a nice frilly dress. There’s no way I am wearing that. I’m not some fucking princess. Huffing, I snatch the note taped to the dress. Written on it are instructions in Sia’s handwriting.
Crinka,
I want you to read this using my voice.
I stopped reading. Okay that’s easy. I continue reading.
Done that? Good. Now I’m sure you’ve seen the clothes I laid out for you. You are to wear them and come join us for breakfast. I know I haven’t given you a tour of the palace, so I am sending Ruarc to get you.
I frown at that. Doesn’t he know how much I despise Ruarc or has Sia forgotten what his elder brother did to me? Sighing, I undress and take a shower. After toweling off, I put on the underwear, but I don’t touch the dress. What was Sia thinking when he got me these awful stilettos? I don’t even know how to walk in them. Heels yes, but not stilettos!
I march over to his closet, opening it. There are a lot of clothes in here! Ranging from royal regalia to his underwear, Sia’s closet was truly fit for a prince. I tried not to visualize how breathtaking he would look in tuxedos, as I pulled out a shirt and his sweatpants.
I put on the shirt and the pants, rolling the waistband so it would fit. It doesn’t so I take them off, settling for his boxer shorts. I rolled the waistband, and it fit. Next, I reach for my boots, and put them on.
I exited the south wing, making my way up a flight of stairs. I don’t know where to go from here, but I don’t ask for directions. Marching forward, I paused at the next icy door which didn’t have any guards positioned outside. I press my ear to the door.
“We can’t let her become a royal concubine!”, a voice yells, one which I recognize to be Rifera’s.
“We certainly don’t have a choice in the matter Rif. The prince has made up his mind and I don’t see why you should be mad. The girl poses no threat to us,” a slippery voice said, one I recognized to be Farouk’s.
“She poses a threat to me! That little mutt challenges me every damn time, and making her a royal concubine for none other than prince Nasia, elevates her status,” Rifera argued. I’m even surprised I can hear them clearly or maybe they’re just loud.
“If you hate her so much Rifera, then just kill her,” Luwid spoke dryly. I know it’s him, because of his nasal tone. “We can drink her blood afterwards.”
I flare up. Drink whose blood? My hand is reaching for the door knob before I am roughly pulled back.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing querida? Do you want to die?”
Ruarc.
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t querida me. You lost all rights to call me you beloved after you raped me.”
“You’re still on that? Darling, how many times do I have to say it to get you to believe me? I lost control. Raja took over and …. I’m sorry.”
“Take your apology and shove it up your arse. Now get your hands off me!”
He released me, sighing. “What were you thinking? Walking about in the palace, exposing these legs to the eyes of many?”
“How does that concern you? Plus, there is nothing to be ashamed of. They have seen me naked before. And all thanks to you.”
He flinched. “Crinka, I am sorry.”
“I don’t care. Are you taking me to Sia or not?”
“Tell me you have forgiven me.”
“I can never forgive you for what you did Ruarc. If you are not taking me to Sia, I might as well find my way.”
He curses, glaring at me. “Fine. Follow me.”
Ruarc walked ahead and I followed him, fully aware of the judgmental stares I received from the servants we passed on our way. I know they are servants because they were all in uniform, and each had a similar marking on their wrist.
Ruarc stopped before another set of icy doors. He glances at me, before pushing the doors open and walking in. Once again, there are no guards positioned outside. Maybe they are on holiday or something.
“I’ve found her!”, he bellowed and I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t even missing.
I step into the dining room, looking at each and every one of them seated at the table. The dining table is loaded with sweet delicacies, that they won’t end up finishing. The queen sat to Thjis left while Ruarc, just sat to his right. His six wives are all seated in the chairs following him. Then Eloive sat next to the sixth wife, looking grumpy as usual. I’m glad that he is okay. The other prince sat randomly. Massa sat next to Eloive, Cocci sat next to Massa, Sia next to Cocci, Kayne next to Sia, and Eoff sat next to Kayne. Opposite him, sat Eleanor. Next to Eleanor was Elvis. Next to Elvis was Dolan, next to Dolan was an unsmiling Thane who sat next to a little girl. She has blonde hair and bright blue eyes. I’m guessing that is Waxlyn. Next to Waxlyn sat Izal, and next to Izal was a small boy. His hair is brown, but I can’t see his face. There were four empty seats between them before Elijah and the Queen.
The Queen wore the same dress as Ruarc’s wives and Waxlyn. Now I see why Sia asked me to wear that dress. He wanted me to be in uniform with the females of the royal family. But what Sia doesn’t know is that his girl would like to stand out, not follow the crowd. The men all wore leather pants with their individual fur cloaks, hair gelled back.
And that’s when I realized that I don’t belong here. Their appearances scream royalty while mine screams omega.
Despite all that, I forced a smile and a curtsy. “Good morning my king, queen and the rest of the royal family.” They just stare at me. Sia beckons me to come, and I take a small step forward. The Queen yells at me to stop. I do.
“She won’t be dining with us son!”, Dogara spat.
Sia’s brows furrowed. “Why not? She has every right to be here.”
“No, she doesn’t. She doesn’t belong here, Nasia. Just take a look at her. She’s so under dressed and dirty!”
I frown. I took a shower this morning.
“Mother, I’m just…”
“Let me finish,” the queen ordered. “I did my research and my findings have proved that this runt here is an omega. The lowliest of lowlifes and you say she has equal rights like we do? Have you forgotten what breed she is? Wolves are not tolerated here! The fact that she is still alive doesn’t mean that she is in any way welcome. And shouldn’t you be punishing her instead of encouraging her to walk around like the slut she is and will forever be.”
“Mother!”, Izal bellowed. “Not in front of the children!”
“Don’t shush me. The children need to understand that her kind are not welcomed here so that they don’t make the same mistake that their fathers made.”
“But what if we are mated to them grandma?”, the little girl asked. Her voice is so full of innocence, I wonder how a man like Thane could have birthed such being. “Do we still send them away?”
Silence at the table. Massa smiles as he helps himself to a bowl of mashed potatoes. The queen looks quite taken aback by the question.
Holding the little girl’s stare, she replied, “Yes, Waxlyn. We would still send them away.”
And as my eyes found Sia’s, it struck me that whether we’re bonded or not, we can’t be together. Lycans and werewolves can’t be together, so our relationship is clearly forbidden.
But as they say, the forbidden apple is always the sweetest.