We arrive when the sun has fully set, and the stars begin to emerge, decorating the night sky. I walk straight to the maid’s quarters to change my clothes. Stepping out of my room once I’m done, I head to the kitchen in search of something to eat. I haven’t eaten all day, so I’m starving.
“Hello,” I greet the head chef. With Beatrice still at Lord Easterlin’s estate, I wonder if I would be given any food tonight.
“Your dinner is with the king,” he responds stoically.
“What?” I say, shocked, wondering if I heard correctly.
“Your food is…”
“I heard you the first time,” I cut off the chef. “Why is my food with the king?”
“Because he asked for it to be with him,” he replies flatly.
“Hmm…” I stand in the kitchen, wondering why Nickolas has my dinner.
“I advise you to hurry before the king decides to throw your food in the bin,” the chef says, pulling me from my thoughts as my stomach growls at the mention of food.
I decide to stop thinking about the why and walk over to his room, where I presume he is. The whole way over, I continue to wonder why he asked for my food to be delivered to him and why he wants me to eat in front of him. It couldn’t be because he feared I won’t eat, as that’s not happening, so why? I step into his room with the thoughts still roaming my head.
“Approach,” he says as I stand by the door. I walk over to him by his desk.
“Sit,” he commands again, no emotion in his words. Pulling the chair in front of his desk, I take my seat.
“Eat.” If I didn’t know better, I would say he is treating me like a dog, which I actually think he is.
“You know I’m a human being, right?” I say and immediately regret it, watching him lift his brow at me. I quickly pick up the fork, diving into my food, praying he doesn’t say anything about it and allows me to eat in peace.
Once I am done eating, he asks me if I have any information of importance to him. I share the conversation Ember had with her dad. For some odd reason, I want Nickolas to have a reason why he shouldn’t marry her. Nickolas isn’t surprised to find out his girlfriend sleeps with other men. I think he knew before I told him today.
“It seems it was a waste sending you over to his house,” Nickolas says, reclining back in his seat.
“Probably because I didn’t stay long enough to gain information of importance.”
“Yeah, which unfortunately couldn’t be helped with that bitch back in town,” Nickolas says, and my eyes widen at his statement, but then my brows furrow as I realize something. Did he bring me back to the castle because Ember returned home? Does Nickolas care? I stare at him, and he lifts a brow at me, causing me to quickly look away. Impossible.
“When you are done having conversations in your head, hop in the bed.”
I nod, too surprised to speak by my sudden discovery that I find pretty hard to believe. I hop into his bed naked as usual. Feeling a little tired today, I dozed off quickly, and with his scent everywhere around me, it couldn’t go any other way.
***
The following morning, on my way to the kitchen for breakfast, I halt in my tracks as nausea hits me, scenting the aroma of the food made. I cover my mouth and nose immediately and take a step back. It doesn’t help as someone passes in front of me with a plate filled with eggs and baked beans. I gag, pressing my palm over my mouth, but it’s too late-I end up spilling my entire dinner by the kitchen entrance.
“Eww,” someone says,
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Another barks.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologize, wiping the side of my mouth with the back of my hand. I can’t imagine how disgusted they must be right now. I didn’t mean to throw up here. I glance around the room, and everyone looks at me with either a scowl or anger in their eyes. I quickly turn around and walk away from the kitchen. I doubt I’ll be eating breakfast today.
The rest of my morning is spent throwing up and feeling weak. Beatrice comes to see me after my fifth visit to the bathroom. She gives me something to drink to help with it. I doze off soon after drinking it and wake up later at night.
I spent the rest of the week vomiting in the morning and sleeping through the day. I can’t help but wonder if Nickolas poisoned me the day I ate in his room, but why would he though?
NICKOLAS
I discreetly check the time on my Rolex as Lord Goleman continues to regale us with the tale of his harrowing encounter with a werewolf – a narrative I’ve heard at least a hundred times before. His memory seems to be the size of a peanut, and it’s a challenge not to roll my eyes as he recounts the exact details with unwavering enthusiasm. It’s become a predictable ritual at every party I host. Tonight is The Bloodmoon Gala.
I could easily point out that he has shared this story on numerous occasions, but experience has taught me that such a revelation would be forgotten by the next gathering. The other lords’ sons standing beside me share a knowing glance, silently acknowledging the repetitive nature of Lord Goleman’s storytelling. None of us dare interrupt him, preferring to endure the familiar narrative rather than risk his ire. I suppress a sigh, resigned to the fact that, once again, we’ll be subjected to the saga of the werewolf attack.
I scan the room for Eric or Beatrice, wondering why they haven’t come to look for me yet. If either of them doesn’t come running soon, I will have to declare one of the worst lycans on Earth the future queen. Just thinking about it causes an unsettling feeling in my stomach. To drive away the unease, I down the rest of my wine in one go and decide to move away from the crowd in search of either of them. Just as I’m about to excuse myself from the group, Eric finally decides to grace himself with our presence. He rushes over to me, worry lining his features. Perfect timing; I knew I could count on him.
“She’s bleeding,” he whispers in my ear. I face him, feigning shock as if I don’t know what he is talking about.
“Is something wrong, your majesty?” Lord Goleman asks, noticing my shift in emotions. Good, tonight couldn’t go more perfectly.
“It appears so, Lord Goleman,” I turn to face Eric, and he shakes his head, pity in his eyes for me.
“What is wrong, Your Majesty?” Lord Goleman asks, concerned.
I don’t say anything and just stare at Eric.
“Eric, what did you whisper in his majesty’s ear?”
“It’s not in my place to say,” Eric replies. I run my palm across my face and release a deep sign.
“Your majesty, you are scaring me. Please burden me with your troubles so I can fix it.”
“Take me to her,” I inform Eric, ignoring Lord Goleman’s request.
“This way, Your Majesty,” Eric moves, but Lord Goleman stops us. Eric turns to face me, and I nod, telling him he can share the fake bad news.
“We just found out Amelia was pregnant.”
“Amelia? The werewolf princess? She’s pregnant?” Lord Goleman exclaims, and the whole room goes quiet. Just the reaction I wanted. I resist the urge to turn and look at Lord Easterlin’s face.
“I said was, Lord Goleman. The princess had a miscarriage.”
If it’s possible, the whole room becomes even quieter. Lord Goleman stares at Eric, wide-eyed and speechless. He turns to face me, but only for a second before quickly bowing his head.
Eric continues to walk out, and I follow him. I leave the room and let the gossip begin. With the news Eric just shared, nobody will be asking me to announce Ember as the future queen. They will all be too scared to approach me, fearing I might kill them from the grief of losing my first child. The plan might have been elaborate, but it was perfect nonetheless.