Fiona
I opened my mouth, unsure how to answer the question.
My husband despised my father, which was evident during the wedding with Baron. I didn’t know the extent of their history, and although my father was a scoundrel, he had still raised me for over twenty years, so I couldn’t ignore his death.
Alexander seemed to have anticipated my silence, and he didn’t appear to expect an answer from me.
‘Get some rest earlier,’ he said, ‘my stepmother will seize any opportunity, and she won’t give up easily.’
Three days later, when leaving the Imperial Hall, Scarlet approached grey eyes as cold as ice, chin tipped high, with a sinister smirk curled in the corner of her thin mouth. I looked around, and all the others were meandering to their next class. My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out to look casual. It was a text from Nina.
Nina: Why is the tall sexy, looking beta of Alexander’s here at my door?
Me: What?
Nina: I met him when you were going to marry Baron.
I had to think about who Nina was talking about for a second and then grinned. Kayden was at her house?
I heard steps coming closer. I didn’t look up at the Queen as she moved toward me. I clenched my jaw, trapped like a spider in a web. I had slipped past her twice over the past few days, not wanting to deal with her.
Me: Kayden, is there? Why?
Nina: He said I get to come to the palace.
Me: What? Did he say why?
Nina: It is because I am awesome, and Alexander said he wants to meet me.
Me: Really? I will be waiting for you.
Nina: It could be a while if I can get this sexy Kayden to play with me.
Me: Oh, Nina.
Excitement worked up my spine, but I quickly pushed it down because the Queen was almost to me. It seemed I would have no choice today. It was time to cut the head off the snake. I straightened and placed my mask of cool irrelevance firmly in place.
“Fiona, my dear, I have been hoping to run into you.”
“And I, you, Queen Luna. I hope your day is going well,” I said, bobbing with a curtsy.
She nodded and pressed her lips. “Come, let’s walk. What is on your agenda next?”
“I don’t have anything to do at the moment. I was going to find Alexander and see if he wanted to have lunch together.”
Scarlet raised a thin black brow at me, wrapping her arm around mine. She leaned in as I moved in the direction of the West Wing.
“Have you had a chance to consider my offer to help me?”
I cleared my throat, and my brows stitched together as I played the part of possible betrayer. “Yes, I did give it some consideration. I just do not think it is in my best interest to go against Alexander at this time.”
She stopped and spun me to face her. “What is that supposed to mean ‘at this time’. You cannot keep me waiting.”
I grinned to myself. I had her right where I wanted her, hooked. “Alexander has much power and has loyal soldiers and wolf packs. What do you have? What does Alpha King have? After being here for some time, I think it is best to align with the greatest of the two powers, and that is Alexander. So please forgive me. I must decline the offer.”
I took her hand from my arm and bowed. “Thank you for the offer.” I stood. The Queen’s mouth hung open, and her eyes were wide. That might have been the first time in that woman’s life someone was strong enough to tell her NO. I was pleased that it could be me. I left her standing alone in shock. I was going to have to be vigilant all the time. Alexander and I knew she would seek me out for an answer, and we were ready for whatever came. But why was he bringing Nina to the palace?
I found Alexander in the West Courtyard, in the middle of hand-to-hand combat with a much larger soldier.
He was crouched, arms wide, ready for the man to attack. When he did, Alexander sprang high and flipped over the man landing behind him.
He was shirtless and glowed in the sunlight. I leaned against one of the pillars and admired him. He was something to watch with all that power and skill.
One day I would have to fight him to see how I would do against such an opponent. Irritation rattled me because Alexander wouldn’t let me continue my daily workouts.
The baby was draining at times, but things were better with Alexander around more. I didn’t think it was fair.
“What is that smile for?” Alexander asked, walking up the steps and pulling on a shirt.
“Nina text. Said Kayden was there to get her?”
His square jaw tensed visibly. “Having Nina with you will help keep you safe. It is another set of eyes watching Scarlet.”
A squeal rang out, and we both turned to see a running Nina in short cut-off hot pink shorts and a white cut-off top. Her hair was now dark purple to her shoulders instead of the red I had last seen her with. A grim-faced Kayden marched behind her holding three bags. Nina threw her arms around me, and I her. It felt like forever since I saw her last.
“Oh my God, this place is awesome. I can’t believe I am here.”
Kayden dropped the bags and glared at Alexander, who chuckled at him. “I am a servant now. Go get this. Bring this back.” He folded his hands over his chest.
Alexander patted Kayden on the back. “Now you can walk these lovely women to the room next to mine. That is where Nina will stay.”
Kayden’s eyes grew round with anger.
As I chatted away with Nina and Alexander and Kayden grumbled, one of the King’s guards marched over and handed Alexander an envelope. Alexander took it and bowed slightly. The guard walked off with Nina and my arms still wrapped around each other.
“There will be a dinner in the Great Hall tonight at seven. We are all to attend.”
“Who is it from?” I asked but already knew.
“Scarlet.”
I sighed and let go of Nina. “She talked to me today.”
“About what we discussed.”
“Yes.”
Alexander frowned. “Then this will be her moment in front of my father. We must be prepared for anything.”
Nina glanced around. “What is he talking about?”
I took Nina’s hand, and Kayden picked up the bags. “I will explain as we go.”
“Somebody better.”
By the time we had reached Nina’s room, I had caught her up on everything that had happened since coming to the palace. I was nervous about the dinner and what Scarlet would try to do since I turned her down.
She was mean-spirited, and we all had reason to fear her. As it grew closer to the evening, Alexander, Nina, and I prepared for the formal dinner.
I picked a gold dress that touched the floor and hugged my breast, but it fell loose in a chiffon layer to hide my baby bump.
I didn’t know who among the nobles knew about my pregnancy in the palace, so until the Marking ceremony, I would do my best to hide it.
Alexander emerged in a tuxedo with a black undershirt and bowtie. His hair was loose around his face. Nina came next in a long form-fitting black dress cut low at the back. When we left our rooms, Kayden was also in a tuxedo.
Nina snatched his arm. “Looking good, Kayden. You’re my date for the night.”
Alexander offered his arm, and I took it. I leaned into him, needing his strength. “I’m worried.”
“As you should be. I never know what to expect of Scarlet. However, my father is not an unreasonable man. It should be fine.”
This was the first time I would meet the King. I didn’t know what to expect. But I was glad to be with the others. The doors to the Great Hall were closed, yet the guards stood tall. Alexander told Kayden to fall in behind him.
Alexander nodded to the guards, the doors opened, and we were announced.
