He gave me a mischievous look and I knew I was done with him.
"If you leave, I'm throwing you in the dungeon, " He said as I took steps to leave.
"I don't care," I replied, walking away.
That must have hurt his ego because he came up to me and stopped me.
"Did Isolde tell you that we made love?" He asked gazing intensely into my eyes.
I raised my eyebrow and smiled lightly.
"I don't care if both of you….
"We did nothing." He interrupted, but that did not change my mind. He can lie all he wants but I was not convinced.
"The bruise on her lip?" I asked and he placed both of his hands on my shoulders.
"That was a mistake, I can explain….
"Ohh fuck you and your explanation!" I yelled and left his front.
He must think I was born today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lorien's POV
I went back to my chamber and thought about Seraphina's reaction. She was hurt but I did nothing with Isolde.
If she was smart enough, why didn't she ask me first?
Why was she so jealous?
I felt guilty and immediately ignored the feeling, I did nothing wrong. Kissing Isolde was not a crime, even I am not married to Seraphina.
I can kiss any girl I want as long as I am not married.
I tried to convince myself with these thoughts but I was not calm. I needed to talk to Seraphina.
Alistair came in and bent to her.
I acknowledged his brief greeting.
"I just came to clear things up. I remember falling, and Seraphina helped me up, but I think I lost my balance. Whatever happened yesterday was not her fault, it was mine." He stated.
I was not amazed. "I don't want you near Seraphina's chamber ever again," I commanded and he nodded.
"Take your leave." He obeyed and after a while, I headed to Seraphina's chamber.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seraphina's POV
I let down my hair and dropped the pin on the table.
I just got free from a bad experience and I hated it. What did he think? He'd lie to me just like that and throw me in the dungeon? What nerve!
I sat in front of my mirror and placed my head in my hands. I was frustrated.
I felt a hand combing through my hair, it must be a maid. I still had petals in my hair and it must be stuck. I relaxed as the hand started massaging my head.
I brought my head up and looked at the mirror, I stood up immediately and gave him a stony stare.
"Get out of my chamber."
"I'm the Alpha, and I own everything in this castle. Including you." He said authoritatively.
"Why are you even here? Are you here to tease me about whatever you guys did? Or to cause me more pain."
"You have to understand that I had nothing to do with Isolde. She lied to you! That's how she plays her game." He said as he moved closer to me.
I took steps backward slowly.
"The bruise?"
"She gave me a portion, a honey portion."
"That was the reason you guys smashed?" my back eventually touched the wall, and I froze as it stood before me, monitoring my every move.
"The portion makes one too sexually active. She offered me a drink yesterday and unknown to me, she poured half the portion in it and drank the other half." He explained softly, staring deep into my eyes.
I believed him, Isolde was capable of such.
"So I guess I have to leave?" I asked, lowering my tone.
"We had nothing together. I admit I kissed her, but we did nothing more. I had the cure in my chamber and deceived her to use it."
I felt relieved as he said those words. My jealousy vanished; Isolde must have said that to make me feel bad; after all, that's her specialty.
"You could have said so earlier….
"I'm sorry." He interrupted as he closed on to me and placed his lips on mine. Surprisingly, I did not resist.
And the apology. It seemed weird to me, Lorien never apologized. Whatever he did now melted my heart, and I placed my hand on his chest gently.
He leaned onto me, leaving no space between us; the kiss became aggressive as he pressed my body to the wall.
I became breathless and broke the kiss for space. He immediately shifted back.
"The honey effect still affects the body slightly even after the cure. That was the reason I came to you last night, so I don't make any wrong decision with Isolde in the room." He explained.
That sly Isolde!
"Are you okay now?" I asked.
"I'm fine, I just needed that." He replied grinning at me mischievously. I hate his mischievous smile.
"Stop that," I said as I went back to my mirror.
"You're getting used to this kiss of a thing."
I gave him no reply as I adjusted my hair.
"I've to practice my sword skills with Alistair, wanna come?"
"I could use that now." I retorted as I got on my feet and we strolled down to the the training ground. Alistair was seated, obviously waiting for Lorien.
"Here comes the Alpha and his mate." He announced as he bowed. I sat down on the long bench and watched as they picked their fighting gear.
"I was with Seraphina; we had something to talk about, that's why I came late," Lorien said, holding the long shining sword.
I blushed.
"I see," Alistair replied rushing towards Lorien.
The duel was brief but interesting, Lorien moved with such swift action and avoided Alistair's attack.
Alistair was impatient and forgot to defend himself, so Lorien's sword landed on his neck, and they ended the fight.
If Alistair was patient and focused, he wouldn't lose to Lorien but Lorien was more skilled and focused than him.
"My king!" A guardsman shouted as he bowed before Lorien swiftly. He looked disturbed.
"What is it?" Lorien asked as he put the sword back in place.
"A letter…. A war letter has been sent."
My heart skipped a beat, a war?
Who preferred war to peace, I immediately remembered the era I was in. King challenges each other just to gain fame and fortune. War was like a simple game with them. But who would dare challenge Lorien?
He was known for his ruthlessness and his success on the battlefield.
"Go back to your chamber Seraphina."
He then looked at my maids sternly. "You've to keep her safe, even if it means losing your life in the process."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I saw his lively expression turn into a deadly one.
"Lorien…..
"Obey my words Seraphina, leave!" He interrupted and I stood up then paced to my chamber, my maids behind me.
I got on my bed feeling mixed emotions.
"Don't feel bad ma'am, we must protect you with our life…
"But why? Why can't I join in the fight? Because I'm a woman?" I asked angrily.
"You have to understand the alpha. It's for your good." One of them said gently.
"I know it's for my good, I hope he stays safe," I said calmly, rocking myself.
"The Alpha has never lost a battle, it's just that most rivals use their mate against themselves."
I was baffled.
"Why? Why would they do that?"
"They believe their mates are their weaknesses. Some alphas even kill themselves after learning about the untimely death of their mate. Some even rape their mates in front of them, causing them to surrender in shame. That's the alpha who told us to guard you with our life."
I understood clearly. But Lorien doesn't show any affection towards me. He killed me the time he learned I was a traitor even though that was untrue. I could hear the war supplies taken out and vigorous training.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lorien's POV
The war supplies were ready. My warriors warmed up, dueling each other.
The Letter sent to me contained a message of war coming. I had always tried to make peace with my rivals, but whoever wants war surely gets it.
I was overseeing the preparation when a maid came up to me holding a cup. Her face was covered in a veil, and she wondered if maybe that was her religion.
She bowed respectfully and held the cup to me.
"I've brought warm water for you my king." She said softly, her eyes glued to the ground.
"Return it, I do not need for it," I replied.
"Prince Alistair!…prince Alistair asked me to bring this to you, to calm your nerves." She said nervously.
I became cautious but stayed calm.
"That's unlike Alistair, drink up." I retorted.
She froze and then brought the cup to her mouth. After taking a sip, I collected it from her hand and drank the water, it was indeed warm.
"Are you new here?" I asked and she nodded gently.
"Yes, my king." She replied then bowed and left.
I watched as she paced off in a hurry.
Newbies.