Page 27

Leanna Avery

As the day of the ball arrives, so do the attendees. The Eastern Wolf Kingdom and its nobles are the first to appear. I watch from our window as they are greeted by Erik. I recognize nearly all of them from my youth, and for a moment, my heart trembles at the memory of what I suffered at their hands. But as soon as that fear rears its head, I feel a warmth sweep through me, a warmth sent by Cedric through our mating bond.

He comes to stand behind me. “If you want, I can crush all their pompous heads for you, feathers and all,” he comments nonchalantly, and I study the fancy peacock plumage sticking out of the nobles’ hats.

The image makes me snicker. “Thanks for the offer. It’s just that it’s my first time facing everybody. I don’t care what they think of me, but my life in the Eastern Kingdom is like a terrible nightmare that I’d prefer to forget. Seeing them brings it all back.” When he doesn’t say anything, I glance at him. “You’ve never asked me what happened there. You never wanted to know about my life with Vivian? How come?”

Cedric pulls me into his arms, my back pressing against his chest now, and he rests his chin on top of my head. If any of his men saw the way he is with me, they’d fall over their own feet.

“I don’t ask because it’s not relevant. Your whole life, you were in survival mode. Whatever they did to you, Leanna, you crawled out of that pit and made something of yourself. I respect the woman you were, and I pity the child you were, but I admire the woman you’ve become.”

His words bring tears to my eyes. “Thank you,” I whisper hoarsely.

He holds on to me as we watch the guests enter the palace. Erik doesn’t budge, though, and I soon find out why. A few minutes later, more attendees arrive, this time from the North.

My fingers dig into Cedric’s arm, which is wrapped around my waist.

Vivian.

She’s dressed to the nines. Bella is escorting her, along with a man who has me hissing quietly, “Xavier.”

“Who?” Cedric asks.

“He’s one of Vivian’s friends from the Eastern Kingdom,” I murmur, bile rising in my throat. “He’s also the man who—”

I’m suddenly unable to speak, and Cedric holds me tighter. “Is he the one Vivian made a bet with to sleep with you?”

Even the memory is sickening. “He pretended to be kind to me. That was a luxury for me back then. I must have been so easy for him. A few nice words, the most minimal effort to make me feel like I mattered.” I let out a shaky breath. “He was awful in bed. Selfish. I didn’t know any better at the time.” I glance up at my mate, my lips curving, somewhat amused. “Before I met you, I didn’t know what sex could be like. Or that it could be so big.”

I press closer to him, and when I feel him hardening, I chuckle, the previous tension forgotten.

“So, in comparison, I would be…” Cedric growls, his mouth settling against the mating mark on my neck. He bites it, and I moan, sharp desire piercing me.

“Comparison? What comparison?” I groan. “He was terrible.” I turn around in my mate’s arms, my own going around his neck. “You, on the other hand, are not terrible.”

“That’s not exactly a compliment,” Cedric complains.

I make a thoughtful sound. “Maybe you should remind me why I should compliment you, then.”

He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, making me laugh. His hand smacks my ass, and I know I’m going to have a hard time walking for the rest of the day.

The guests are placed in the west wing of the palace, while Erik and my family are all in the south wing. Even though Erik is certain there won’t be a problem, I don’t let Finn go outside.

“Just one more day,” I comfort my son as Harriet helps me into my dress behind a screen. “Then, it will all be over. Don’t pull that out!”

From over the top of the screen, I can see him trying to take off his ascot, and he winces. “I don’t like it. Why do I have to wear these clothes?”

“Because I have to,” Cedric informs him as he enters the room. “Are you ready?”

I suck in a breath and look at Harriet, who nods and says, “We’ll be right there. As soon as Finn is introduced, the blood test will be conducted to prove his legitimacy, and we will take him back to his room. Nobody will be able to get to him.”

I give her an unsteady smile. “Okay, yeah.”

She fixes the bottom of the dress and then helps me off the stool. “It’s time.”

My stomach in knots, I walk around the screen, and the first thing I see is Cedric, dressed in his royal uniform: a fitted, deep blue waistcoat lined with silver panels, a white shirt, and blue pants. The royal cape is carefully fitted on his shoulders. His dark boots are ankle high, and his hair is slicked back.

My mouth turns dry. He looks incredibly handsome. Is this really my mate who wanders around in casual, loose-fitted tunics and black pants, his hair always unkempt?

Cedric sees me watching him, and when his gaze settles on mine, there is heat in it. I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair, which I’ve begun to let grow, is slightly past my shoulders, and Harriet has styled it so that the edges are dipped in some sort of dark, glittery substance. My eyes are lightly done up, as is my face. She has only used a little bit of makeup on me, but I look good.

“I never use makeup,” I murmur, touching my face. “I look so different.”

“You look like you, Mom. Just prettier,” Finn says bluntly. “Dad looks weird.”

Cedric smacks him gently on the back of his head. “She looks beautiful.”

“I just said that!” Finn grumbles, rubbing that spot. “She looks like Mom. Mom’s always pretty.”

I beam at him. “I raised you right.” Leaning down, I kiss him on the cheek. “Ready?”

He nods.

“You remember what we told you?”

“Don’t speak and don’t listen to anyone.”

“Harriet will bring you back upstairs to your room, and you’re not to leave under any circumstances,” Cedric warns him.

“I know.” Finn makes a face. “I’m not a baby. You don’t have to keep telling me!”

“Okay, then.” I give Cedric one final look. “Everything is ready, right?”

He nods. “Stop worrying. It will be fine.”

I believe him, but this lump of anxiety sitting in my throat isn’t going anywhere. Nevertheless, it’s time to get the show on the road. With Finn by our side, we make our way to the ballroom.

Erik’s staff has done a marvelous job of decorating the entire palace. While we stand by, waiting to be announced, I watch in awe as the lights glitter on the marble floor, causing it to sparkle. There is one large chandelier in the center of the ballroom casting a beautiful, warm glow over the entire room. I recognize most of the people in attendance, which is not surprising considering I’ve spent time in the East, the North, and the human world. From the corner where we are standing, my eyes search for Vivian, and I see her next to Xavier. His arm is around her waist, and the way the two of them are huddled so close together makes me wonder what’s really going on between them.

Royal families are always announced, and they are to formally greet the royal family of the hosting kingdom. Erik walks past us and gives us a nod. My hands tighten on Finn’s shoulders, and I whisper to Cedric, “It feels like I’m readying myself for battle.”

“I’ll be right here with you.”

His words are reassuring, but the fact is that I’m about to come face to face with people who have tormented me endlessly and whose cruel eyes will land on my son. I’ve always vowed to myself that I will protect Finn no matter what, but right now, it feels like I’m throwing him into the hands of the enemy.

“The king and queen of the Northern Kingdom!”

Cedric and I step forward, and Finn moves in behind us as he was told to do. I see Vivian excitedly walking toward the center of the three-tier, winding staircase, where Erik is standing. She must have known that Cedric was here.

She hasn’t seen us yet as we come to stand in the spotlight at the top of the staircase to the right. But others have noticed. A hush falls over the ballroom, and the announcer says loudly, “King Cedric Raine and Queen Leanna Avery!”

Vivian, who has nearly reached Erik, freezes. My eyes are fixed on her as she lifts her head and looks directly at me. I see shock enter her eyes when she meets my gaze. The announcer is not done, however.

“And the crown prince to the Northern Kingdom, Prince Finn Raine!”

Hushed whispers break out among the attendees, but my eyes are on Vivian. The color drains from her face when she sees Finn, who is a carbon copy of Cedric. Her lips part, but she can’t seem to utter a word. I see movement behind her, and my eyes dart to a figure heading toward the staircase.

Bella.

A wave of rage and protectiveness moves through me. I don’t know which one of them is the biggest threat to my son, but my fight is with both of them.

Bella’s eyes meet mine, and I see both shock and fury in them.

Holding her gaze, I give her a smug smile.

I survived.

I gave birth to the heir of the Northern Kingdom.

My mate is standing beside me.

She did her best to get rid of me, but she failed.

I won.

We reach the bottom of the staircase and walk toward Erik. Vivian is standing at the edge of the crowd now, and Bella comes to stand beside her. She’s whispering to Vivian fiercely.

Erik meets my gaze and gives me a small smile.

Cedric nods at Erik. “The North greets the king of the Human Wolf Kingdom.”

Erik reaches out and shakes his hand. “The North has been a great ally to our kingdom. It has given me great pleasure to host your queen and the crown prince here for the past eight years.”

The whispers grow louder, and Vivian is unable to control herself.

“What are you talking about?!” Her voice is tinged with hysteria. “I am the queen of the North, not that woman!” She pushes Bella away and strides to the front where we are standing. “The queen of the Northern Wolf Kingdom is me, Vivian! Not her! That woman is a slave and an imposter! She deceived the Northern Kingdom, pretending to be me—”

“Leanna is my fated mate.” Cedric puts his arm around my waist, his voice calm. “You are not and have never been my queen.”

Bella chooses this moment to come and stand beside Vivian, her voice tense. “Your Majesty, you are well aware of that woman’s status. Everything Queen Vivian speaks is the truth. The noble families don’t recognize this woman as our queen. Why are you dragging our personal matters out in front of all three kingdoms?” She looks at me, and I see the anger and disgust in her eyes. “If you wish to take this woman as your mistress, we will overlook the matter, but you cannot claim this bastard child as your heir.”

Her words are carefully chosen, each barb aimed to draw blood.

I open my mouth, but Cedric doesn’t give me the chance to speak. “Princess Vivian was always meant to be nothing more than a political prisoner. My intended mate was always Leanna. You are well aware of this. And since when do the noble families interfere in the king’s personal matters? You are crossing the line, Bella Asher. Step back.”

Cedric’s voice is icy cold and filled with warning.

However, Bella refuses to back down. I begin to wonder if she has any self-preservation skills at all. Harriet once told me that Bella, when angry, will go to any length to get her way. That was a long time ago. I thought that over these past eight years, after losing Cedric’s favor, she would have changed a little bit, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. She is not heeding her king’s command.

An older man rushes forward, whispering urgently to her, “This is not the time, Bella. Don’t make a scene.”

But Bella shakes him off, her eyes flashing with an almost manic rage. “Her blood is dirty! We will not accept a queen of dirty blood. That bastard child of hers should have his head torn off by wolves—”

Unable to stop myself, I snarl at her, but Cedric steps in front of me, roaring, “You have gone too far! For threatening the crown prince of the Northern Kingdom and my son, the Asher family has committed an unforgivable crime. Every member of the Asher family is to be arrested and slated for execution. There will be no trial!”

The older man who had rushed to stop Bella goes white in the face. “Your Majesty! You can’t do this! She was merely concerned—”

“Guards!” Erik raises his voice, and the palace guards enter the ballroom. “Arrest Bella Asher and her father.”

Finn clings to me now, shaking. Bella’s father throws himself on the ground at Cedric’s feet. “Your Majesty, please reconsider! She was wrong! Spare us!”

But Bella is quivering with rage. She darts toward me, her claws extended. Before either Cedric or I can react, somebody else grabs her from behind, forcing her arms behind her back and shoving her down to the floor.

It’s Derrick.

When Bella sees him, she grows even more furious. “Let me go, Derrick! This bitch ruined everything! I’m going to kill her! I should’ve killed her and that bastard child when I had the chance! She took you from me, and she took Cedric from me! I’ll kill her! I’ll kill her!”

Derrick grabs her by the neck and twists.

Bella’s body goes limp, the life draining from her eyes.

Her father looks on in horror as I shield my son from the sight. Harriet appears behind him, and I quickly hand Finn over to her. She leads him up the stairs and away from the ballroom.

Derrick’s jaw is tight, and he mutters, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn’t want the young prince to hear anything further.”

The palace guards remove Bella’s body and her horrified father. Amid the terrible hush that has fallen over the room, a familiar-looking man steps forward, disapproval written all over his face. “King Cedric, what is the meaning of this? My niece is the reigning queen of the North. The Eastern Kingdom has been assisting you because we made a deal that if Vivian was the queen—”

Cedric cuts him off. “Your niece has always been a political prisoner.”

“You are insulting us,” the current king of the Eastern Kingdom spits out. “Leanna Avery was Vivian’s shadow. She was Vivian’s servant, no better than a slave. How do you put a slave above my niece? Vivian is revered in the Eastern Kingdom. You promised to protect her—”

“I made no such promise. I told you she would stay alive for as long as you cooperated.” Cedric steps toward the older man, who flinches. “And don’t forget that I put you on the throne. Besides, why would I choose Vivian as my mate when I already had a fated mate?”

The man refuses to budge. “Vivian is a princess of royal descent. This girl is of unknown origin. You must know that no noble family would accept her kind as queen.”

“I accept Leanna as queen of the North,” Erik interjects, raising a brow at him. “I believe she is well suited for the role. In fact, not only will my kingdom recognize Queen Leanna, we will also support Crown Prince Finn’s claim to the throne. The boy has grown up within my kingdom and in my palace. He is beloved by us all.”

Vivian’s uncle’s expression turns ashen. “You cannot do this, King Erik. This is a deeply personal matter—”

“I agree,” Erik shrugs. “It is a personal matter. And since I have watched the child grow up into a confident young boy, I am deeply and personally invested in this matter.”

“You can’t—You can’t do this to me!” Vivian hisses, seemingly having found her voice again. Her hand goes to her stomach. “That bastard is not your heir. I’m the one carrying your heir! The heir to the Northern Kingdom is in my womb! That slave was little more than amusement for me! I had her spread her legs for every man I knew. She was the palace whore! How can the palace whore of the Eastern Kingdom be the queen of the Northern Kingdom?! You don’t even know if that’s your son! She could be passing off any man’s child as yours!”

I feel the rage building within Cedric, and his anger tempers mine.

“Do you have proof?” I demand. I know I told Cedric I wouldn’t speak, even though I knew Vivian would do anything, including assassinate my character, to antagonize me. But the words come flying out of me. “My mate would never touch you. He cannot stand you. And whoever’s child you’re carrying, Vivian, it is not Cedric’s. He has been loyal to me these past eight years. But I can prove that my son is indeed of royal blood. Cedric himself conducted a blood test, and if that’s not proof enough for you, just look at the boy. My son looks exactly like his father.”

“How dare you call me by my name?!” Vivian raises her hand, her eyes flashing. Cedric grabs her wrist, twists it, and shoves her away from me. She falls into the arms of Xavier, who steadies her.

I feel his filthy gaze on me, and he sneers. “King Cedric, I can testify that this woman was my lover. And I can also testify that she was indeed passed around in the palace—”

“Are you willing to take a vow?” I ask quietly, staring at him. “Are you willing to put your family’s lives on the line for that statement?”

His eyes tighten. “I was speaking to the king—”

“And I am his queen, and I am replying to you.”

Cedric shrugs, gesturing with his head toward me. “Answer her question.”

Taking a vow with somebody’s life on the line is a serious matter. It is not simply words. A vow is made using one’s own wolf, and if a life is placed on the line, that individual’s wolf is also involved. A vow that is untrue results in a terrible death for the individual whose life has been used.

“You have a sister, don’t you?” I take a step forward. “You and Vivian referred to me as a promiscuous whore. And in a public setting, no less. Make a vow right now and prove to everyone, using her life, that I was the palace whore.”

Xavier’s expression wilts. “I—I don’t need to make a vow. I am a noble in the Eastern Kingdom. My words have weight—”

“Not for me and my mate. Your status as a noble has nothing to do with this matter because I outrank you! You accused me, the queen of the Northern Kingdom, of being a whore, didn’t you? Well, prove it.”

Xavier takes a step back now, his face pale, but Vivian clutches him. “Make the vow, Xavier! Do it!”

Xavier tries to shake her off. “I’m not messing with Selene’s life—”

“She’s not here! They won’t know!” Vivian is starting to sound more and more unhinged, and I see Xavier blanch at her whispered words.

He pushes her off of him. “She’s my sister!”

Vivian turns around to look at her uncle. She hurls herself into his arms. “He can’t do this to me! I am the princess! How can she be the queen? How can she be of higher status than me? I am more beautiful than her! I have royal blood while she is—”

“If you insult my mate again, I will forget that you are a political prisoner,” Cedric snarls at her. “Leanna is now the queen of the North. Her status is above yours. One more word, and I’ll rip you to pieces myself!”

Vivian pales, and her uncle shields her. “She may be a political prisoner, but she is still the princess of—”

“She is nothing but a bargaining tool. Once she has the child she claims to be carrying, I will send it to your kingdom to be raised by your family.”

“It is your child!” Vivian screams. “I’m carrying the heir! The true heir! That bastard child of hers is not—”

“Enough!” Cedric roars, striding over and grabbing her by the throat.

“King Cedric!”

Ignoring her uncle’s cries, Cedric growls, “It seems that you want to share the same fate as Bella Asher. Why don’t I send you to her?”

I don’t want to intervene. Why should I? After everything she did to me? After all the trauma she put me through? She and Bella conspired to separate Cedric and me. She would have killed me. And if she had known that I was carrying Finn, she would have been even more vicious about it.

But my hand touches Cedric’s shoulder. “If she is pregnant, you are talking about taking an innocent life. Don’t do that. Let’s check first whether she’s even expecting or not.” I can feel my mate’s shock and pain, and I instantly realize my mistake. My voice low, I say, “I don’t believe it’s yours. I know you never touched her. Most likely, she’s taken a lover—”

“She’s taken plenty of lovers,” Cedric says harshly. “All of them from the noble families of the North. No doubt, she conspired with them to pass off the child as mine. They very conveniently forgot that only my bloodline can sit on the throne or the North will collapse.”

His words are loud enough to be heard by everyone in the room, and I can detect some unease among a few of the attendees.

“Either way,” I say quietly, “let’s confirm whether she is expecting before we do anything. I don’t want to hurt an innocent child.”

Vivian is gasping for air, and I sense my mate’s displeasure as he drops her to the ground. Her uncle rushes to her side as she begins to cry. She opens her mouth to say something, but he hushes her, helping her up and taking her away.

I feel a strange sense of relief. Vivian will be dealt with, and Bella is gone. I feel sorry that Derrick had to be the one to kill her, but I know that if she had lived, she would never have stopped going after Finn and me. Her hatred for me is something I may never be able to understand. I can’t comprehend hating someone so viciously for no reason.

If Vivian truly is pregnant, then she will have to be isolated till she gives birth. It doesn’t matter who the father of the child is; it will have Vivian’s royal blood. That means it would be considered a potential heir to the Eastern Kingdom. This may prolong Vivian’s life, or perhaps she will be sent back to the East with the child.

I don’t care. I just want my family to be safe now.

Cedric glances at me. “Are you alright?”

I nod. “I didn’t think there would be such an explosive reaction.”

“Well, that was to be expected.” I nearly jump out of my skin when Erik’s voice comes from behind me. He sounds oddly cheerful. “It actually went much better than I thought it would. While you two are here, why not have a mating ceremony? An official one, using Leanna’s real name, in front of everyone? What better way to cement your position?”

“Let’s just focus on getting the ball back on track,” I mutter. “I understand that this was necessary, but I really hate making a spectacle of myself.”

Erik gestures at the musicians, who begin playing. The guests take the hint and begin milling around, deliberately staying away from us.

“You should go check on Derrick,” I tell Cedric.

My mate looks at me. “Why?”

I frown. “You know why. Just go check on him, will you? Or should I go? I also want to look in on Finn. He heard everything Bella and Vivian said. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”

“You should both stay for a while,” Erik cautions us. “It would not look good for the two of you to immediately disappear. Meet a few people and then go.”

Against my better judgment, I agree to stay. The nobles of the North avoid us, as do the Eastern ones. I catch Xavier watching us from a distance, and when I look at him, he immediately turns away, his face white.

“I don’t think some of them will ever truly respect me,” I realize.

“Do you want them to respect you?” Cedric asks bluntly.

I think about it and then shake my head. “No. I don’t care. Together, we will make our kingdom thrive. Any respect that I need, I can earn.”

Cedric smiles. “Spoken like a true queen.”

After an hour, he goes to check on Derrick while I head off to see if Finn is alright.

“He was a little upset, but I told him a few stories, and he fell asleep. He’s a child; he’ll bounce back. Don’t worry about it,” Harriet comforts me. “I’ll help you out of that dress if you’re ready to retire.”

“No.” I touch her hand, looking at my sleeping son. “Just stay with him. I can get changed by myself. If anything, I’ll get Cedric to help me. I don’t want Finn to be alone.”

I leave Harriet with my son and retire to our suite. Cedric isn’t back yet. I change out of my dress and into a more casual shirt and pajama pants. After wiping off my makeup, I wash the glitter out of my hair and stretch my arms, feeling tired.

It’s quite late now. The ball is probably over.

After the excitement of the day, both the Eastern and Northern attendees will be on edge. I walk over to the window, wondering if I will get a glimpse of some of the guests walking around. To my surprise, I don’t see any guests, but I do see two familiar figures: Cassian and Maya. They’re walking together in the direction of the cottages. Maya is leaning against Cassian.

I smile. Jerry is going to lose his mind.

My smile fades in about two seconds.

Why didn’t Maya message me? She was supposed to get the test results today and tell me about them. I try calling her, but she doesn’t answer. I suppose I could wait till tomorrow, but…

Sighing, I check the time. I’ll just go talk to her. There is no way she’s going on a date with Cassian at this hour. He was most likely just walking her back to her cottage. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep without the long-awaited results. Also, after everything that transpired today, I need to talk to her. More like vent to her.

I leave the suite, wondering where Cedric has gone. Maybe I should stop by the lab first. Jerry might have the results. I know the older healer has a tendency to work late, especially these days.

In keeping with the late hour, the hallways are empty. I make my way down the staircase toward the lab. I’ve just turned the corner and am about to knock on the door when I hear something move behind me.

Maybe it’s because I’m tired that I’m too slow to react.

Before I can move, I feel five claws pierce my back.