Chapter 42: Chapter 42

He motioned for them to wait and they stopped their approach as I asked my next question. “What was her name?”

“Azalea,” he replied just as the men stepped closer to speak to him.

The King stopped to talk to one man, and I wandered around before stopping at the door. The song I used to love pops into my mind, and I hummed the tune as I stepped inside. It was the bedroom, and I knew I stumbled into the m****r scene by the forensic tape.

“Where did you hear that song?” The King asked, spooking me and making me jump; his footsteps were silent behind me.

The King stepped in, and I looked at him. “I don’t know, I just know it,” I told him, and he watched me curiously.

“Do you know it?” I asked and he nodded.

“Yes, it was Queen Tatiana and King Garrett’s wedding song. It then became the castle anthem the Queen used to sing,” he told me, and my brows furrowed.

He eyed me suspiciously, which I thought was strange before he started looking around the room. He stopped by the bed, and the old sheets were covered in blood. Old stains and stab marks were on the mattress.

“Come, you shouldn’t be in here,” he said, showing me back out. The King led me away, but he seemed distant and deep in thought.

“Your parents’ names. What were they?”

“My father’s name was Jordan and my mother Della,” the King nodded.

“Do you know their last names?” I shook my head, unsure.

“Why?”

“No reason, just odd. You know that song. It was only sung by the Queen and townsfolk; it was a ceremonial song,” he said, and I noticed Gannon and Damian had come over to listen to our conversation.

“My King, I know we were planning on staying the night. But…” Beta Damian said when the King waved him off.

“No, it is fine; I want to get Ivy home, anyway. You also need to ring that Alpha; I need her paperwork. I believe she is closer to shifting than we believe,” they both looked at me, and I blushed. I know they didn’t miss the two bite marks on him that his shirt didn’t cover.

The King hardly spoke on the way home, and we only stopped for fuel and continued driving through the night until we reached home late the following day. Abbie was waiting out the front for the luggage, and I bounced excitedly, wanting to go see her.

“Go on, I have a few things to do, anyway,” the King said, climbing out of the car.

“Remain with Ivy,” I heard him tell the guard that usually followed me everywhere. He nodded, and I rushed to lvy’s side. She embraced me and helped her carry the luggage to the laundry room. Clarice was in there when we entered.

Clarice smiled warmly at me while Abbie gushed excitedly after telling her the King wanted to claim me once I shifted on my birthday. Seeing her excitement put me more at ease. Reaching for a tunic of the shelf. Clarice cleared her throat.

“Ivy the King has told me you are no longer his servant,”

“But I want to help Abbie with her chores,” I told her. Clarice looked at my guard, who also didn’t know what to say, and frowned.

“I’m sorry, Ivy. But unless the King allows it, I can’t let you put on that uniform. Those here would treat you like a servant in that uniform, and I don’t want any staff k****d for that mistake,” Clarice explained. I looked at Abbie, and my shoulders sagged.

“It’s fine; I can just wear this, I guess; I will speak with the King later,” I told her. Clarice glanced at my guard, who shrugged, and Clarice sighed.

“Very well, but you make sure you tell the King you wanted to help. I don’t want to be scolded for making you work.”

“But what else is there to do if not work?”

“Live” Clarice answered, squeezing my shoulder gently. For hours, I followed and helped Abbie. When it became late, the guard stepped away from the wall.

“Ivy, the King, is looking for you; he wants you back to your chambers,” He said. I pressed my lips together, wanting to spend time with Abbie, but she shooed me away.

The guard led me to the other side of the castle. “What is your name?” I asked him. He glanced at me but said nothing.

“Come on, you follow me everywhere, I feel weird not knowing it,”

“Dustin, my Queen,” He said, and I scrunched my face up, and he chuckled.

“Please don’t call me that. It sounds wrong given I am rogue.”

“But you will be,”

“Even then, I don’t think I want to be called that.”

“It cannot be helped; it will be your title,” Yawning as I climbed the stairs, I stopped halfway down the corridor when I noticed the forbidden door open. Stepping closer, I peered inside, and it appeared to be a baby’s room.

“Miss Ivy, I don’t think you should go in there,” Dustin whispered, and I went to step away just as the King turned the corner into the hall. He stopped and his eyes moved to the door.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he snapped, becoming enraged.

“Nothing, I was,” he came over and slammed the door shut before pointing at me.

“You do not go in there, never,” he snarled, and I shrunk away from his anger.

“My King, she was merely closing the door. The wind must have blown it open,” Dustin says, and the King looks at him. The guard nodded toward an open window I hadn’t noticed. King Kyson looked at me, and I quickly nodded, going along with Dustin’s story, thankful he saved me. I would not go in there; I just peeked inside.

The King sighed, “I apologize, Ivy, that room is just off-limits. I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” he said, scrubbing a hand down his face. Kyson placed his hand on my lower back, leading me to the bedroom, and I glanced over my shoulder at the guard, who nodded to me.