Proving A Point

Stefan

I don’t know what to do; I walk out of the room and look for my mother. I find her with the guests.

“There you are, you’re late.” Diandra looks at me, and I push her hand off me.

“Not now!” I snap at her and turn to my mother. “I need you.” I walk out, and she follows me.

“What is going on?” She stops me and looks at me, waiting for my answer.

“I think Harlyn is under a spell.”

She laughs at my words.

“Don’t, Mother, I mean it. How do I stop it?” I need to know.

“That would depend. What sort of spell?” She sits on the small sofa and waits for me to explain.

“I don’t know. One where she hates me, especially if I talk, but if I get close to her, if I touch her, it breaks the spell, as long as I don’t speak.”

She looks at me like I’m crazy.

“I mean it, she is like a hurricane, screaming, hitting me, then if I grip her chin and make her focus on me, and I stay quiet, she’s calm and kisses me. Something isn’t right.” I just need to break it; then I can stop this.

“A spell like that can’t just be undone; you need a warlock. A strong one, by the sounds of it, and there’s not one close to here, Stefan.”

“So I’m stuck?” That’s what she is telling me, I’m stuck, I can’t break it.

“Maybe not when it comes to that, yes, but here.” She moves and hands me an envelope; opening it, I stare.

“Your little princess was happy to play doctors. There’s proof the pups are yours, Stefan. She can’t leave with them, so she has to stay.” Jumping up, I hug her.

“Thank you!” I need to go see her.” I walk around the corner and see the maid.

“Where is Harlyn?” I ask, and walk towards her room.

“She’s getting married, Your Majesty.” I stop at her words.

“What?” No, moving, I rush through; I didn’t think they would. Hell, how hasn’t she thought it was weird of Wayne to agree to marry her after what he caught us doing?

“Mother, get the guards.” I watch as she nods and orders them to follow; as I step into the room, Harlyn turns and looks at me. Samuel’s head shakes, but it’s pointless. Legally, he can’t marry her.

“Arrest him.” I point to Wayne and watch the guards walk towards him.

“What?” Harlyn shouts and steps in front of him. “Why, what has he done?” She glared towards me, and I thought he would be smarter to realise this wouldn’t happen, not here.

“This wedding can not happen.” I insist, and Samuel looks at me.

“Why not?” He looks between me and Harlyn.

“What? Why?” Thorin looks at me. “Why won’t you let them marry.” His face becomes fierce.

“Harlyn is mine, and Wayne, I know you saw it.” I move forward and pull Harlyn’s hair away from her neck. “I claimed her.” The gasps are loud, and my mother’s eyes widen.

“Stefan, what did you do?” She stands shocked.

“What I said, something stupid and crazy.” I smile at her. “Harlyn bears my mark!” I announce.

“What did you do?” My father stares at me. He has no idea she is my mate that her pups are mine, or anything else.

I smile as I stand, watching Wayne look defeated. Yeah, in this kingdom, if she bears a mark, she can’t marry someone else.

“Son, she isn’t your mate. Why would you mark her? Diandra, is your fiance, and you do this?” Father steps in front of me. “You’re meant to be king, not a fool.”

“Harlyn is my mate. I just never told anyone,” I shout, and the room goes quiet.

“I think my daughter may have tricked him.” The Earl steps forward. “You silly little girl, what did you do to the king?” He grabs her, but I stop him.

“Don’t touch her! Don’t you dare call her names?” I won’t have it.

“Why not? It’s what she is. You’re meant to be marrying me, and she seduces you and uses you, then marries another man!” Diandra screams, and I watch as she pushes fake tears into her eyes.

I roll my eyes at her.

“You already kissed her, and today, I saw you again in that room with her wrapped around you. Now you’re claiming you marked her!” Diandra steps closer. Her hand swings, and she hits me. I deserve it. I was too focused on Harlyn to forget about her. “Come on, Your Majesty. The gracious king, tell us what this is. Let’s get rid of the trash before I become queen.” She turns and glares at Harlyn.

“Diandra, you were merely a stand-in; you weren’t going to be my queen through my choice. You’re not exactly worthy to be queen, and you would rot the kingdom from the inside out.” She’s vile, her hurting Harlyn is proof of that.

She was a stand-in until I found my mate or someone I felt was worthy.

She laughs and turns to face Harlyn. “So she’s worthy? Do you really think she won’t rot the kingdom from the inside out? She’s already doing it. Making you fight for her when she wants someone else.”

I go to reply, and she continues.

“Such a great kingdom; I’m sure they would love to have a whore as a queen who has bastard kids.”

“Harlyn is my mate!” I shout, and everyone looks at me like they don’t believe me. She is, and I don’t care what I need to do to prove it to them; I will. I stand looking at her. If I can get close enough to her, if I can just touch her and not speak, it would be fine. I can carry her out, and this is partly solved.

“How can you say that?” Samuel looks at me, shocked. “Your Majesty, she isn’t your mate. Wayne is.”

Sighing, I nod. “It’s a fact; I knew since we were young that something stopped me from accepting her, but I’m ready to now. Harlyn is my mate, and I love her.”

I hear gasps of shock from around us, and Harlyn glares at me harder. I’m in trouble again. At least there aren’t any knives close by.