Chapter 46 Daughter of the Witch of the West.
Amarien’s POV
“Amarien…” Daevir called as he buttoned his shirt. I curled my toes as I watched him, desiring him even more. I wanted him to stay a bit longer.
“You will be my queen one day. I promise you that.” With his uniform back on, he pulled me in, planting a kiss on my forehead.
I bowed, I smiled. “Your highness…you're not mad at me anymore?”
He grazes my chin with the back of his hand. “I can never, Amarien. Being angry with you is like being hostile against my flesh. I can't get enough of you.”
My lips quivered. “I only want to spend the rest of my days making you happy, your highness.”
Daevir nodded and smiled. That dimpled smile that lit up his eyes. That smile reminded me that no matter the beast that comes out of this man. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is kind, and he loves me.
“You already make me happy, Amarien. Every time I look at you, I'm filled with happiness.”
I smiled back, blinking tears from my eyes.
“When you're my queen, no one dares try to touch you. They'll have to come through me first.”
I nodded. Yet, my heart gave a little protest.
This is where I want to be, your highness. I want to be the apothecary serving you all my days.
But I thought against saying that. The last thing I wanted was to anger Daevir like I did the last time. He wants me to be his queen, but I want to serve him with my skills.
“You're so beautiful.” Daevir leaned in and kissed my lips.
“You need to go, your highness.” I chuckled. “You're keeping royal physicians waiting outside.”
“They should wait,” Daevir leaned in again, kissing me even more tenderly. “I wish I could whisk you over to my quarter and make love to you every single day…”
“You'll only get me in trouble…your highness…”
Daevir scoffed, “The emperor will soon be dead, and you'll be mine forever…” he locked his lips in mine.
“Your highness…” I gasped as his hands roamed my breasts. “We can't do this again…not here…”
Daevir's nose trailed my neck. He lowered his head into it in surrender and gave a final kiss.
“You're right.” He said as he pulled back slightly and touched my lips with his thumb. “We should take things slow.”
I nodded.
Daavir turned to leave but stopped mid-way. “Oh, I forgot. Amarien. It's a full moon tonight, and there is a royal banquet for the Princess of the West and me…”
“Princess Catherine?” My face lowered in a frown.
“It's just formalities. I promise.” Daevir assured. “I want nothing to do with her. It's when I have you.”
I nodded, though my mind wandered.
“I'll need the Alpachipa roses, Amarien. I need to kill any… urges. I have to be as human as possible tonight.”
Why did he refuse to say the word Werewolf? Like saying it was a curse. Like saying it will activate the curse.
I nodded again. “I understand your highness.”
Daevir smiled. “I know you would.” He turned and walked out.
I shut my eyes, hating myself for agreeing to that.
Why am I trying to suppress Daevir's werewolf urges when they shouldn't be suppressed in the first place!
I curled my hands over my face, saddened that I just agreed to that.
I had no idea, right there in the Royal Apothecary was a shadow hidden. A person who had refused to leave the room when Daevir commanded. A figure who has hidden in plain sight and has seen everything happen before their eyes.
Catherine's POV
I remained hidden in the corner, looking at Amarien bury her head in her palm.
You dare feel guilty after an act of adultery with your husband's son, Amarien?!
You dare!
I had to hold myself back from lunging out of the corner and pulling her by her hair. I wanted to strip her bare and throw her outside so everyone knows the adulteress that she is.
But I thought in haste. My witch mother had taught me haste wastes.
I mustn't make haste.
Otherwise, I'll miss the opportunities to get everything I've always wanted. And by everything, I mean this kingdom.
I must remain hidden and pretend I saw nothing.
I had believed Amarien was far from being my rival. And even if Daevir gets to keep her as a second wife or concubine, she still has the power I want to crush her anytime I please.
But I was wrong.
My greatest threat isn't that Daevirsleeps with her like the whore she is. My greatest threat is that they share a secret.
What keeps a man tied to any woman is their shared secret.
What does Amarien know that I don't?!
What does Daevir mean by ‘...urges’? What urges does he need Amarien to quench?!
As the girl the West thought would conquer the Eastern Empire and bring the Warlord prince to his knees, I went through gruesome training and exercise to know everything there could possibly be about the prince.
I learnt the magic of the darkest art and subjected myself to torture and pain to kill any impulse of haste.
I haven't gotten this far to be fooled and swindled by a lowly concubine with no rank or power.
I swear on my mother's blood that I will get to the bottom of this.