Chapter 4

Leonidas POV

I would never admit to such a thing as being nervous, but there is a strange feeling in my stomach as I wait for Alora to come down to dinner. When I first laid eyes on her three years ago, I expected her to be beautiful. But her beauty is beyond compare. Even as she slept, she was exquisite. I have never seen anyone as ravishing in my two hundred and fifty years on this earth.

I did not think it was possible for her to be more lovely than she already was, but then she opened her eyes. Her icy blue eyes seemed to stare right into my soul. Even though she knew me as her enemy, she did not look at me with anger or malice. I knew at that moment that I would never be good enough for her, but that would not keep me from trying to win her heart.

The scent of lavender fills the air, and I do my best to look annoyed at her presence. That witch sitting at the other end of the table can never know Alora is my mate. Evanora knew as soon as I touched her, but the other must remain in the dark.

Sabrina shuffles into the dining room and wipes her hands nervously down her skirts. She knows better than to look in my direction in the presence of other people, but her eyes flutter in my way. When I don't return her gaze, she clears her throat.

"Princess Alora," Sabrina says loudly and clearly. "From the Fae Realm."

As hard as I try, I cannot keep myself from looking at her when she enters. She is dressed in a golden gown that glitters like the sun. Golden flowers are weaved in and around her raven hair. Much to my surprise, her head is held high as she enters the room. I expected her to be afraid, even though Evanora claimed that she would be trouble.

The room is silent as she approaches the table, and I suck in a sharp breath as she stands behind the chair beside mine. Her scent is overwhelming, and I am doing my best to keep my inner lycan under control.

My Beta is not trying to keep his cool. Alfred hops up from his seat so abruptly that the chair falls over behind him. I do not turn to look at him. I keep my eyes on Alora as Alfred rushes to her side of the table and pulls out her chair. A deep blush spreads across her cheeks and down her chest. She delicately sits down on the chair, and Alfred pushes it in.

"Thank you," she says in nothing more than a whisper, and her face turns redder than before.

I cock my head as I watch her, wondering if her whole body would blush that color under the right conditions.

Her eyes dance around the table as she takes in every face. Her eyes narrow as she looks at the witch at the end of the table. I move my eyes from Alora to the witch, wondering if she will look up from her plate and speak to the child she stole from the Fae Realm.

The witch does not speak or look up from her plate. Though her head is down, I can see tears forming in the bitch's eyes. I wonder if maybe I have misjudged her. Perhaps she does care for Alora.

"Alora," I say her name and her head turns slowly in my direction. "I believe you are not a stranger to everyone at the table. Are you not?"

"I have met Evanora," she replies curtly.

Before I have a chance to ask her about the other witch at the table, Alfred speaks up. " I am Alfred," he smiles stupidly at her. "I am the King's Beta."

A wrinkle forms on her brow, and she looks different. It is like she is ashamed. "You will have to forgive me," she whispers. "I am not educated in the ranks or duties within the Lycan Kingdom."

"Strange," I reply. "Did the witches who stole you not teach you about the world?"

"I was taught a great many things," Alora replies. "Like how to care for a garden, how to mend clothes, and how to cook."

"Can you even read?" I laugh out loud.

Her icy gaze turns on me, and her lips are pressed together in a thin line. "Yes," she says abruptly. "I can read quite well and in several different languages. You will have to forgive me," she says as she gets to her feet. "I would like to return to my room."

"But you haven't eaten," Alfred says. His voice is laced with concern for my mate.

I wave my hand in dismissal. "Let her leave. She can starve for all I care."

I wait for tears to form in her eyes, but they don't. "I have waited three years to eat," she replies in a clipped tone. "I am sure another night will not kill me."

Gracefully, she exits the dining room and leaves me staring at the door. A growl comes from the other side of the table, and Alfred is on his feet. "Was it necessary to tease her?" He demands to know.

I shrug my shoulders and stuff a piece of steak in my mouth. I chew with a smirk on my face as Alfred glares at me. He tosses his napkin angrily on the table and storms toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" I call after him.

"To make things right," he snaps at me. "She needs to know we aren't all monsters."

"Go then," I tell him. "But don't come whining to me in the middle of the night when you are hungry."

Alfred chases after Alora, and the witch at the end of the table finally looks up from her plate. Evanora is grumbling under her breath.

"If you have something to say, Evanora, then fucking say it," I spit at her.

"Do you think it is wise to let him go after her?" She chastises me. "There is no telling what might happen between the two of them."

"I raised Alora better than that," the witch finally speaks.

My eyes dart in her direction, and I choke on my wine. "You haven't spoken in three years, and those are the words you have chosen."

"I will not let you poison her mind with lies," the witch hisses at me.

"There will be no need for me to lie to her. Tell me, did you even teach her about her own word or is she clueless about it as well," I shout at her.

"She learned what she needed to," the witch shouts back.

A silent anger is coursing through my veins. I lean my elbows on the table and cross my arms. "Tell me again," I say in an even tone. "How did the fae princess come to this side of the veil?"