Page 27
Mira
With the welcome ceremony gradually coming to an end, and the mating season fast approaching, the palace was brimming with activities. Mates were announcing their weddings and those of them yet to find their mates were putting extra efforts into finding them.
It is believed that if one should find their mates at this time, there was a special blessing reserved for them, as this was the moment the goddess was considered closest to us.
My wedding to Victor was to be held after the next full moon to close the mating period, and every day that brought us closer to the date left me with cold feet and a parched throat.
I constantly reminded myself that the mission outweighed every personal feeling I might have.
I owed this to Mary. She brought me joy in my darkest hour.
She risked her life to free me from the dungeon, and she never let go, not even when she realized the dangers associated with me.
My phone pinged with a message from Ella, requesting that we meet at a spot in the garden.
She hinted that she might have something that would help with exposing Mary’s murderer.
The text had my heart racing with anxiety and hope.
I wanted to send a reply, but I caught a glimpse of Victor through the mirror, so I settled for a thumbs up, immediately deleting the text and tucking my phone into my purse.
“You look ravishing,” Victor complimented, watching me with hungry eyes through the mirror.
His eyes raked all over me, starting from my classic chignon to my strapless blue dress, lingering briefly on the necklace that rested between my cleavage before trailing down. His eyes glowed with approval.
I stared at our reflection, noting how we looked like the perfect couple. His height towered over my petite frame, creating an illusion of protection, and his light features complimented my dark ones. Still, somehow, the idea of us raised an army of goosebumps on my skin.
“You don’t look bad yourself,” I replied, and his face split into the most charming smile. Why couldn’t I love this brother?
He dipped his head, his lips moving from my shoulder to ear, eyes locked to mine in the mirror while I fought the urge to put a safe distance between us. He nibbled softly on my skin. “We need to leave for the banquet now, or I won’t be held responsible for what happens next.”
I whirled around so fast I almost tripped over my dress, snatching my purse from the nightstand and making a beeline for the door. What should’ve been a romantic statement to set the mood felt like a death sentence to me .
The banquet was already in full swing by the time we arrived, and Victor’s soft nibble left a mark on my skin, making me the subject of wiggling eyebrows and low whistles from the women.
I didn’t want to imagine what the situation looked like from their point of view—me sporting a hickey while arriving late to a royal party with my mate. The picture was quite obvious.
Subconsciously, my eyes sought Griffin, and I found him sitting alone at the head of the table, his eyes drilling holes into the hickey on my neck.
Guilt washed over me, and I felt a sudden urge to cover the mark, but with my hair in a chignon and my dress having no strap, I had no choice but to brave the situation.
“This way, my love,” Victor said, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he steered me into a gathering of elders and a few nobles.
Pleasantries were exchanged, and we took our positions at the table, with me next to Victor and Lilith across from me. I poured ninety percent of my focus into pretending not to notice Griffin’s eyes. I almost missed Lady Sheila’s greeting until she tapped me.
“You look beautiful as always, Mira.”
“You’re far too kind, Lady Sheila. I could only dream of looking half as good as you do,” I replied, and she bestowed me with the brightest smile.
“How are you finding the place? I trust you’re comfortable and settled in this time?”
I needed no help to catch the meaning behind her question— I hope Lilith is not giving you any problems.
“I’m fine. Thank you. It’s been the most beautiful experience.”
“That’s great. The ladies in the court won’t stop talking about how spectacular you are, and I wanted to make sure we are impressing you as much as you impressed us. ”
A deep feeling of pride and acceptance seeped into my chest, swelling in the cavity until I felt close to exploding. The ladies of the court were on my side. I had feared Lilith’s influence on them, seeing as they’ve known her longer, but it appears some of them have a mind of their own.
“Thank you, Lady Sheila.” I flashed her a grateful smile, and she waved it off like she had no idea what I was talking about, moving her focus to the stage.
I followed her gaze to find Elder Gideon holding up a golden statue of a small wolf, giving a brief speech about the importance of the hunt and how the ability to capture a prey without harming it displays one’s ability not to act on impulse regardless of the situation.
“…with that being said, I’d love to call on the winner of this season’s hunt, Prince Griffin, to receive his prize for his noble display.”
A roar of applause erupted amongst the audience, and Griffin stood, waving at the crowd with a smile. Something seemed off about him, but I couldn’t place a finger on it.
“Thank you, Elder Gideon, for the honor, and thank you all for gathering to celebrate me tonight. I greatly appreciate it, but there’s something else I’d like to call your attention to,” Griffin said, his eyes taking a somber look.
“You see, my father used to say that more important than the man who won the prize is the man who risked his life for the purpose, and on that note, I’d love to pass the award to my brother, Victor, who I’m certain would’ve won if he hadn’t tripped over a branch. ”
Surprised murmurs swept through the crowd briefly before it was replaced by cheers and whistles, the audience commending Griffin for his selfless act while I sat still on my chair, trying to figure out why Griffin would pass on his prize.
I watched the hunt, and he won by a margin.
Victor wouldn’t have stood a chance without the branch .
“Once again, the prince has displayed not just compassion but also selflessness. I hope we all learn a lesson from this,” Elder Gideon announced, ushering Victor to the stage.
The ceremony proceeded to the dance, but Victor remained at the corner of the stage, talking with a few Elders and some nobles, while my mind was occupied with Ella’s message.
I wondered what she had to show me. At the beginning of our alliance, I could tell she was a bit careful around me, but now she was slowly relaxing, more trusting, and compliant.
I willed the hands of the grandfather clock to move faster.
As always, the sharp bolt of tingles running down my spine preceded him.
“May I?” Griffin stretched out his hand to me.
I looked around the ballroom, and everyone seemed to be on the dance floor. Victor was still with the elder’s so I took his hand.
“Every woman in the room pales in comparison to you,” He said as he walked me to the dance floor, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me flush against him.
I was momentarily transported to our dance at the at Kelvin’s gala, the way he swayed and moved my body like it was his, the way his hands traced every curve with certainty, and the thudding of my heart in my ears.
Only this time, in place of the hard punishing look he wore at the gala, he had a soft look of adoration.
He looked at me like I was the last woman on earth.
I cleared my throat, dislodging the lump forming in my throat. “Are you okay? I saw you bleeding at the hunt,” I asked, switching the conversation to a safer topic.
Griffin smiled, his eyes growing softer, if that was possible. “I thought you never noticed. ”
I felt my heart drop at his admission. If only he knew I had eyes for only him the entire time and that even when I ran to Victor, I wished it were him instead. “You make it difficult to ignore you, Mr. Thorne.” My reply earned me a chuckle from him.
“You’d make a wonderful Mrs. Thorne, Mira.
” His voice was raw and strained, pulling at the foundations of every wall I’ve built to keep him away.
There was something different about our conversation today, and it scared me.
It was easier to deal with him when he was all domineering and arrogant.
This side of him wasn’t good for me. It wasn’t good for the plans I had, and it was pulling me back into him.
“It’s too late for us, Griffin. You always said the moon goddess made mistakes. Maybe we’re one of them.”
“I was wrong, Mira. I was so wrong about all of it, and I don’t think I can put into words how sorry I am for everything that happened.
I shouldn’t have brought you to the palace to be a maid, and I certainly shouldn’t have thrown you in the dungeon.
” He took a deep breath, pausing our dance.
“I should’ve gone after you when you disappeared and done everything to bring you home, but I was stupid and arrogant, and I couldn’t see past my own prejudice. ”
The lump in my throat tightened, and I looked around the ballroom to see if anyone was watching us. Everyone seemed to be in a world of their own.
“Griffin, we’re in public. People can see.”
He pulled me closer, his hands trailing from my back to grab the top of my hips. “I don’t care if it’s the goddess herself watching us. I love you, and the only thing that matters to me is how to win you back.”
His words stole the air from my lungs, and the crowd disappeared as I stared into his eyes. I would never get used to how everything paled in comparison to him or how he always managed to steal the air from me .