The Bastard Princess

18.

-HIM-

"Her majesty is in grave danger," It was Cynthia who spoke. Her words made my blood run cold. I was frozen at my place, processing her words. The people around me seemed to be in the same state.

It was my father who moved first, looking for his mate. I followed him, leaving the ceremony hall in a rush. I chose to go to the courtroom while father chose to search the other end.

Others joined us too but I was too busy dealing with my wolf and the conflicting emotions in me to focus on my surroundings. I wanted to reach the courtroom as soon as possible. My instincts were telling me that something was there... waiting for me.

The floor shook beneath my feet as I stepped into the hallway that led the courtroom. Violet light flashed through the creeks of the closed door of the courthouse followed by a growl that I was very familiar with.

Mother!

I clenched my jaw and ran towards the door before kicking it open with all the force in my body. As soon as the doors flew open, my eyes found my mother laying on the ground while a hooded figure hovered over her with a dagger raised high above its head.

I knew straight away that he was going to drive it straight into her chest. My chest vibrated with a growl, making the hooded figure to look up. A pair of wide vibrant blue eyes looked into my silver ones. They had the intensity to look right in my soul.

My wolf stirred into me and it did not take me long to realize who it was.

Mate.

Before I could do anything, the owner of those eyes collapsed over my mother. I gasped before looking behind me. Celeste stood with a bow and arrow.

Some of my tension released when I saw the color of the arrow's tip. It was green, hinting away that the arrows used to make people unconscious.

Mother moved the unconscious body of my mate before she got up. I was instantly by her side, aiding her but my eyes remained on my mate.

"Nefret!" My father growled before he rushed towards us. He held my mother's face firmly with his hands while he searched for any injuries. My own hands ached to do the same but I couldn't.

"I am alright," My mother assured him while I was still silent, looking at my mate. Slowly, the courtroom filled up. Everyone's attention was on my mother while my mate laid unconscious.

My wolf was already feeling very protective and concerned for our mate but I knew better than to act on my feelings. I hadn't claimed her yet and judging by the situation we were in, I doubted that if I said anything then things could go wrong.

When no one was looking, I went on my knees to look at her. I pulled out the arrow from her shoulder gently. My heart stuttered in my chest and my wolf paced impatiently. I now understood why I was experiencing all those things since morning.

It was because of her.

Holding my breath, I slowly pulled the hood back. In the process, my fingertips brushed her skin lightly, sending very subtle sparks that sent a shiver down my spine.

When I removed the hood, I was frozen by a huge wave of disappointment and betrayal. I couldn't believe that Inanna played me like this.

Before me, laid my mate.

Him.

It was a boy, not much older than eighteen. He seemed to be a mortal. I couldn't help but stare at him in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Inanna had blessed me with a boy? I needed a queen, not a fvcking boy to help me rule my kingdom! Was she playing a joke with me? I tried to recall her blessing from the ceremony. As far as I could remember, she had said 'her', not 'him'.

"Who is he?" Celeste muttered beside me, taking me by surprise. I schooled my features before answering her. He is my mate.

"I don't know,"

~

"How did he get in?" My father growled. Lyco was standing with his head hanging low. He had been in charge of security. It was surprising for everyone that Lyco had failed in his work. He was the best amongst all the ministers and no one had ever expected a blunder like this from him.

"He had been sneaked in by a guest," Lyco muttered with his head low. His jaw was clenched. I could feel the humiliation that was clawing at his skin.

I couldn't imagine how he had gotten in with the strict security patterns that Lyco himself had designed and installed. It was unbelievable.

The seers had predicted that something bad was going to happen. They had talked about evil. Were they talking about my mate? Was he capable of vile things?

I did not know and I couldn't know. Heck, I didn't want to know. I'd be rejecting him if all the things come true. I did not want a mate like this who was capable of doing harm to my people. I'd rather be mate-less than have a mate like that.

My wolf was not very pleased with these thoughts but to some extent, he understood. I had a feeling that there was more to him but I couldn't find the interest to plow his secrets.

The whole place was in chaos for only a mere mortal. My mate. That fvcking boy.

Meanwhile, the boy had been locked in prison. He was still unconscious.

No one knew yet that he was my mate. I didn't want to believe that he was my mate.

Though I had commanded Celeste to keep an eye on him due to my wolf's concerns. She would be keeping me updated about him.

"Who is he? How did he dare to even think about harming my mate!" My father roared, making the walls of the courtroom shiver.

"We do not know anything about him, your majesty. But what we know is that he had stepped into Zaeris with no good intentions,"

"I cannot believe that he is the evil Cynthia warned us about. He is just a mortal boy," Haestus, my father's second in command spoke.

"Looks could be deceptive sometimes," Father commented.

...

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-Benita