CHAPTER TWENTY‐SIX: VENUS
As we walked back to the castle, the guards escorting me made their disapproval of a witch ruling over werewolves evident through their conversations. Despite my reluctance to assume this role, I had no choice but to accept it, as the fate of my people depended on it.
Strangely, these guards seemed unaware that their own king was the one who proposed this idea, and it wasn't a decision made by my people.
"You know, instead of whining to me about not wanting me here, why not go directly to the king and share your opinions? I'm tired of listening to the two of you bitching behind me," I retorted, turning to face them, my annoyance and anger evident in my voice.
With disdain in his eyes, one of the guards sneered, "Your opinion was not solicited, witch."
"Calling me a witch in that tone isn't much of an insult because I am actually a witch, you bloody idiot."
"Watch your mouth!."
"And what are you going to do if I don't?" I challenged him.
"You need to be taught a lesson. Then, maybe you'll think twice before running that smart mouth of yours again." the older guard threatened, brandishing his baton.
The possibility of him using that baton on me is as likely as hell freezing over. I'd scorch his ass before he even gets the chance.
"You really don't want to go up against me, I'm quite angry right now," I said, but they didn't take me seriously. The older guard swung his baton at me, but I deftly avoided his attack; he was far slower than the wolves I faced at war.
"You're talking too much, just say you're scared that's why you're trying to psych us out by talking," the younger guard stated, and a little smile appeared on my face; I didn't need to psych them out when I had my magic.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," I said as I recited a spell in my head, conjuring two balls of fire in my left hand. Fear flickered in their eyes momentarily, but it was quickly replaced by false bravado.
"James, take the left, I'll take the right. She can't attack both of us," the older one instructed, and his companion, James, moved into position, ready to attack.
"Do you really believe that I can't take the both of you on? If so, you must be fucking delusional, mustache," I taunted, causing his face to turn a deap shade of red.
"Don't call me that, my name is Trevor, witch," he spat back.
"Nah, I like 'mustache' better, suits you," I retorted, turning my attention to James, who looked terrified as he stared at the fireballs in my hand. "And I'll call you 'Pansy'."
"Attack!" Trevor commanded, and they both lunged at me, but this time, I was prepared. I jumped into the air, causing them to collide with each other and fall to the ground. I then threw the fireballs at their heads, setting their hair ablaze.
Their screams filled the air as they desperately tried to put out the flames on their heads. After a few moments, they managed to extinguish the fire, but their hair was mostly gone. They looked ridiculous, and I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. How could these idiots be the castle guards?
Before I could do anything else to these bloody idiots, the king, Dana, and a guard holding on to a half-conscious Michael arrived on the scene.
As the king and Dana assessed the situation, their displeasure was evident. However, their opinions held little significance to me; seeking their approval was not my concern.
My mind briefly wandered to Xavier, hoping he was okay after the events at the cemetery, his family had ruined his day with his mother.
"What is going on here?" the king inquired "Long live the king," Trevor and James said, bowing before him. I remained standing, refusing to pay respect to a coward like him. It infuriated me that he held such a title while showing no concern for his late queen.
"You may rise. Now, tell me, what happened here? You were only with her for a few minutes," the king asked the guards.
"While trying to escape, she attacked just us, King Leon," Trevor claimed, trying to distort the truth.
"We both know that's a lie, I wasn't trying to escape. They attacked me first and I was just defending myself," I interjected, feeling my irritation intensify.
"By burning their hair off," the king remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," I replied matter-of-factly, not willing to sugarcoat my actions.
"King Leon, she is a lying wretch. We did no such thing. She was the one who attacked us out of nowhere," James chimed in, supporting Trevor's fabricated story.
"Princess Venus, I'm growing tired of this acting-out phase of yours. You're destined to become the next queen of Verna, and yet you still behave like a child," the king scolded, further fueling my anger. Who was he to lecture me about behavior when his son Michael was the way he was?
"With all due respect, sir, please kindly shut the fuck up". I said as a shocked look crossed his face
"You cannot talk to the King in such a manner," James scolded, his hand reaching for his baton.
Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Oh, spare me the lecture, Pansy. I will speak to him however I please."
"Have you no manners? How dare you speak to me in such a manner? I am the King!" he exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh please, you should have had the courtesy to inquire about what happened first. Instead, you chose to assume it's all my fault without even hearing my side of the story," I retorted, struggling to contain my anger.
"I don't need to ask; my guards would never lie to me," the king insisted, trusting his guards blindly.
"Righttt, so I'm the one lying then because you haven't known me too long," I scoffed, angry with his biased judgment.
"I'm not surprised. You've been hanging out with that freak too much, and he has become a bad influence on you," Dana said, glaring at me.
"Don't bring Xavier into this; he did nothing wrong, and he's not a liar, unlike the two of you," I defended Xavier, refusing to let them tarnish his name.
"Honey, can you believe this girl? She's defending another man when her husband is right in front of her," Dana taunted, attempting to provoke me.
"Only on paper," I replied boldly.
"What?" Dana asked, confused.
"Michael is only my husband on paper, so I don't owe that bastard anything."
Dana's voice shook with anger as she lashed out, "How dare you, you tramp! Who do you think you are to call my son a bastard?"
"I'm the princess of Khandra, Dana. So let that sink into that dumb brain of yours because it seems like you've forgotten that I'm royalty and you've to speak to me with respect," I asserted, trying to remind her of my status in case she forgot.
"Honeyyyyy!" Dana screeched, turning to King Leon for support.
"I won't allow you to disrespect the royal family any longer. Get on your knees and apologize," Trevor demanded, reaching for his baton again.
"If you touch me with that baton, I will burn you alive," I threatened, causing him to recoil in fear.
"She needs to be punished, honey, so she can learn her lesson. We've been too accommodating with her," Dana insisted, as she clung to King Leon.
"Bite me," I replied, a defiant smirk spreading across my face. The king, clearly angered by my response, turned to me with a stern expression.
"Princess Venus, for your disrespect towards the royal family, fraternizing with your husband's brother, and attacking the guards of the royal court, you will receive ten lashes and be confined to your room without food or water until your husband is satisfied," the king declared, signaling the guards to grab me.
The guards closed in, their eyes determined to subdue me, but I wasn't going to be taking down without a fight. In a swift, fluid motion, I called upon the power within me, conjuring a fierce gust of fire that sent them stumbling backward, creating a temporary opening for myself.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I encircled myself with a protective barrier of flames, its intense heat warding off any attempts to breach my defenses.
"You think a mere barrier can stop us?" Mustache, their leader, sneered, brandishing his baton in a futile attempt to break through the magical shield.
A smirk played on my lips as I said, "You don't want to get too close, mustache, or you might end up losing more than just your hair."