Sitting like a marionette princess in the banquet hall, I remain silent beside the Queen Dowager, who uses my presence to entertain herself and others. Unlike most Weres in the Kingdom of Ice and Claws, Deyanira has dark hair and eyes, a common trait among the Southern Weres. Only her pale skin and known noble background have stopped those in the North from questioning her heritage.
Nobody would ever question that heritage now. She was the former King's second wife, a woman that holds a lot of power. Since taking in and caring for the First Queen's daughter, Deyanira has also been praised as a benevolent woman—I can confirm she is not.
"So." Deyanira begins loud enough so others will hear her, covering her malicious grin with her hand as she shrewdly assesses me. "How was the Moonlight Masquerade?"
Her question causes many to chortle along the two long wooden tables before ours, where cutlery, candelabras and pine leaves are used as décor. Deyanira glances in their direction, feigning shock, but the glimmer in her eyes and the slight tug at her lips betray her as she orders the guests to quiet down.
"Please. Not all of us are fortunate in our looks or in the way of love. The masquerade was perfect for someone like our princess here." One nobleman I do not care to remember comments, looking down on me as he swigs on some wine while stroking his rounded belly. Looking at him makes me cringe to think who his mate is.
"Looks she certainly has. It is within her that is unfortunate," Augustus, an Alpha of a small pack to the east, states haughtily.
I bite my tongue, refraining from glaring at Augustus. He was in the Queen Dowager's pocket and a powerful ally. He never liked my mother and aided in her downfall. Over the years since, I have learned patience under Deyanira's cruelty.
Father allowed this behaviour from his second wife and the courtiers, turning his back on me, his firstborn, and since his death, it continued. Deyanira controls the court and social scenes as easily as a spider weaves its web.
The Queen Dowager nods along. "Yes, her blood is most unfortunate," she agrees and turns to me. "So, I do not see a sparkle in your eyes. Were you…" She gasps dramatically, eyes widening before placing her painted red nails on my shoulder. "Were you rejected, my dear? Did nobody deem you worthy as their partner?"
"There were-"
"Do not worry!" Deyanira continues before I can respond somewhat gracefully, her hands now placed atop mine and squeezing a little too aggressively. "Wolfless you may be, but I am sure someone out there has low standards."
"Your optimism gives me hope, Your Majesty." Deyanira squeezes my hand so hard my bones rattle. "I mean… mother."
Deyanira releases me, smiling smugly. And I feel sick. I reach for my wine and swallow down my disgust right when the doors at the other end of the hall swing open, my brother striding into the hall. The only colours added to this otherwise gloomy hall are from the iron-clad chandeliers, the oil lamps, and blue tapestries hanging above the tables, the royal emblem stitched in silver. But Alaric's radiance brightens even the dullest rooms full of scheming aristocrats.
Everyone stands and bows their heads in respect to their King.
Alpha King Alaric nods and smiles at the nobles. He is almost the spitting image of our Father; his hair shades darker than gold, yet his eyes a clear blue, symbolising his royal lineage. With furs wrapped around his upper torso, he looks larger than life.
It isn't until Alaric nears the table that I realise he did not enter alone. I inhale sharply, my lips parting as my gaze meets his. How I missed him, I do not know.
He is the biggest man in the room, making my brother look tiny in comparison, and Alaric is not a small man. With tanned skin and dark locks, full sinful lips, strong jawline with stubble shaping his cheekbones, and striking green eyes, the Southern Were from the Moonlight Masquerade stands before me, a smirk tugging on his lips.
"This is my guest," Alaric announces. "Alpha Prince Eryx Solarius from the Kingdom of Sun and Fury."
The nobles gasp and grumble at the tables behind the Prince's imposing form, but he does not care to look. I, on the other hand, cannot tear my gaze away from what could quite possibly be described as a beast in a man's skin. Power radiates from him, primal and raw. My body prickles with awareness, every nerve ending attuned to the sheer force of his presence.
Alpha Prince… Yes, those pale green eyes… I'd recognised them. Alpha Prince Eryx, the barbarian Were who less than six months ago sent a chest full of beheaded Northern guards to Alaric. I was there when my brother dropped the box, and some of the heads rolled along the rug between us. I was sent away before I could read the note left behind.
The Alpha Prince was a notorious figure. Even so, it wouldn't matter if it was the Prince or any other Southern Were; the nobles would still act outraged by their mere presence.
I'm certain greetings between the Queen Mother and the Alpha Prince have been exchanged, but I didn't pay attention to them, especially when those green eyes found mine again.
"Princess," he greets, his accent smooth, deep and sinfully dangerous. His hand reaches for mine, and I almost combust on the spot where his skin connects with mine, and a tingle flourishes up my arm. His gaze is so intense, yet his lips on my knuckles draw mine down, forgetting anyone else in the hall, especially when those sensuous lips smirk.
My body wars between fight and flight. Prince Eryx was very dangerous, yet I felt an irresistible pull to lean closer, to breathe him in. Like a moth to a flame—I would only get burnt.
Deyanira clears her throat, scowling between the Prince and me, snapping me out of my strange daze. Pulling away, my cheeks warm under his stare. Prince Eryx's eyes glittered in amusement. Releasing my hand as he rose to his full height, making me feel like an ant in comparison.
"Alaric, Prince Eryx," Deyanira begins, her voice dripping with false sweetness, lips curling as if she's savouring every word. "You are just in time! We were just revisiting Idalia's eventful night."
Alaric frowned, looking between his mother and me while the Prince tilted his head, intrigue settling in his features. "Oh?" My brother finally answers, gesturing for Prince Eryx to sit at the other end of the table beside him.
My head snaps in his direction. Does he not know where I was last night? From the blank expression on Alaric's features, he does not.
"Our precious Idalia is four and twenty and shockingly still without a mate."
Snickers nearby were swiftly smothered by drinking or fans as the Alpha King glared in their direction.
"So, it was only right she went to the Moonlight Masquerade in search of a mate," Deyanira continued, a breathy laugh in her voice.
"What a coincidence," Prince Eryx drawls, raising his glass in my direction, his gaze smouldering. "So was I."
Is it just me, or does he sound like he's insinuating there's more between us?
I involuntarily blush and nervously glance at Deyanira. Anger simmers behind those coal-like eyes. She is not used to anyone standing up for me besides Alaric, let alone showing interest in me. She watches the Alpha Prince with an upturned nose, and like he was a pest needing to be dealt with.
"Eryx, is my sister the woman you fell in love with at first sight last night?"
Prince Eryx's eyes flick to mine. "She is."