Keeping Her

Stefan

Something made me want to find Harlyn; I know the pups are safe, but after seeing Lucy, I know Harlyn is alone. As I walk down the hall, I hear the raised voices.

“You used some kind of spell, right? What did you do to the king to make you think he loves you so much that he threw away a perfectly good future queen for nothing more than a whore!” The Earl’s words echo around the hall, and I move more quickly to her room. Stepping in, I see them, his body almost pinning hers against the wall.

“Do you think we’re blind? No one is, so whatever spell you used, you can just undo it and disappear forever and never return!” Moving, I drag him back, my hand throwing him against the wall.

“Do not raise your voice at her again!” Moving, I push him out of the room and close the door.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but she wouldn’t listen to reason!”

“Neither would I if you spoke to me in that way! I am not under a spell. What will it take for you to finally realise that everything I said is the truth?” I stayed leaning over him, my hand wrapped around his neck, my nails dug into his throat.

His head drops slightly. “I apologise, Your Majesty, my behaviour was inappropriate and not what you requested.”

“You were meant to fix things, make her realise you were sorry and make her stay. Not abuse her, not call her names, blame her or try to shame her!” He’s just screwed up my entire plan now.

“Now she won’t stay, not after you just throw more abuse at her.” I step back and release him. I need another plan. The warlock should arrive late tomorrow night. I just need to keep her here until then.

“Stay at the end of the hall. Ensure that Wayne does not get into this room.” I turn to walk back in, and his hand stops me.

“Your Majesty, I do not think it’s wise that you and her are alone.”

Is he joking? “Your view no longer matters,” I explain. “Considering you messed up the order I had already given you, you need to stop talking like you know things when you don’t.”

“I need to keep her here. I’m willing to do just about everything to make that happen, and you will ensure no one steps foot in this hall.”

“Your Majesty, could you not just arrest her?”

My eyes widen at his words. “No! She has done nothing worth being punished for.” I feel like strangling him. “If you can’t do a simple task like ensuring no one enters this hall, especially Wayne, then you can say goodbye to your title and hand it down to your son.” Turning, I walk back into her room not giving him a chance to reply, I don’t even know what I’m going to do.

I can’t exactly talk to her. I hate that, out of everything that could be used to bring in that hate, it’s me speaking, the thing we did every night as children. I wonder if she told him that? Is that why he picked it that way? He could have picked when I got too close. Instead, it’s speaking.

He’s basically silencing me, and that just pisses me off. Sitting away from her, I consider what to say; if I’m away and keeping the conversation off certain topics, surely she will speak to me and not want to murder me.

“You mentioned my eyes before. I’m guessing it’s because they are like the pups?” I ask, hoping that maybe talking about the pups is something that will keep her mind in a safe place.

“I’ve never seen eyes like it before; Wayne hasn’t either, so we didn’t know what it meant.” She looks at me, clearly waiting for me to explain.

I want to tell her Wayne knows; he’s just playing dumb. I can’t, though, because that topic will undoubtedly create hate.

“Werewolves typically change into lycans around the age of eighteen. For years before, though, their strength and appearance grow and show signs that they may be lycans.”

“So they are lycans?” She stares at me.

“They are, but they aren’t typical lycans. As I said, that change doesn’t usually happen until they’re eighteen, and...” Shit, I stare at her. Why do I feel Wayne used black magic to make them change quicker than they should have? How hadn’t I ever realised and connected the dots?

“What?” She looks at me.

“They are different. They shouldn’t be lycans at their age. They shouldn’t be able to shift into their wolf form until they are thirteen, let alone have enough control to draw out their paws but stay in human form.” I explain, hoping she can understand what I mean.

“Harlyn, when did you notice their eyes?” I ask, wondering how quickly the change happened.

“They were about four when I saw the eyes change.”

I nod at her words; I hope that I’m wrong and that he didn’t use dark magic to draw it out quickly. I’m still shocked they are lycans; I’m the only one, or was. It’s rare, but then all three pups are lycans?

Moving, I sit on the bed with her, and I wonder... She sits staring at me. Would our mating bring back the bond? Would it make his mark invalid? I want to look into it just to find out if it’s possible.

I don’t have time, though. Leaning forward, I capture her lips with mine. She kisses me back, her arms wrapping around my neck as she pulls me closer to her. I hate that he marked her. I can smell him all over her body. Pushing it from my mind, I continue kissing her as her hands roam across my body.

She moves, removing her clothes, and I find myself getting dragged into her more, my hands feeling across her body, and it’s just like that night again. I feel myself getting lost in the feel of her, not wanting to stop or lose another moment