Chapter 22 The Ball
"Ball?" I question, looking over to Ryker who stood rigid at the door way. "What ball?"
Glancing back at Faye she let's out a long sigh, walking over to the fridge she pulls out a cup and fills it with water before returning. Sliding me the cup she encourages me to drink. Confused but still curious I pick the cup and bring it to my lips. The cold liquid slides down, wetting my dry throat and settling my insides in its path.
"The ball is an arrangement Darius made to welcome the council to the Royal courts" Ryker informs, his hands folded infront of him.
"Council?"
"Yes. They are a group of wise people carefully selected to help make important decisions alongside the crown. They have been inactive for years but now something has come up and they are needed to be assembled back in the castle estates" Faye chimes in.
"Why do I have to attend?" I ask, my brows coming together as I look between Ryker and Faye who seemed to have better things on their minds than the current situation. They looked lost in their own worlds.
"Audrey, my lady" Faye began, taking hold of my hands in hers. Ryker walks out, giving me one last look before shutting the kitchen door. I look back at Faye to see fear and uncertainty dancing in her olive green orbs. "I am not certain but I have a feeling it is you that would be the topic of discussion"
"Me? Why me?" I ask almost impatiently, my eyes wide and my pulse quickening. I never knew of any council and now they we're most likely here to discuss my mate bond with the king which would lead to the next thing. Our marriage.
Not everyone knew about the requirements of royals or Alpha bloods but once their life mate was found, no matter the age they were expected to get married as soon as the bond was acknowledged in front of everyone. Which Darius did at the Mating ball. This meeting must be to discuss it and that meant I was running out of time to escape here. I needed to speak to Darius and make him see reason.
"That, you will find out soon enough my lady but for now I have to prepare you for what that would mean" Faye said, her hold on my hands growing tighter and her looks softening. "As the lady and the crowned queen you would be assigned ladies in waiting, they would take care of you and over see everything you do. I wasn't supposed to tell you but they will be coming here tomorrow from foreign lands. "
I snatched my hands away from her hold, my face a contortion of anger and confusion, "I don't want any of this Faye. I can't be here I want to leave, please" I beg, tears pricking my vision threatening to spill.
I could see the regret and shame that flashed in her eyes as she gazed away. Pushing myself off the stool I stormed off in the direction of Darius's office. I could hear rushed footsteps following closely behind me but I didn't stop. Fat tears dribbled down my cheeks as I hastened my steps. In a matter of seconds I was at his large wood doors with two guards standing protectively in front of them.
"I want to see the king" I announced, my eyes blurred from all the tears that were yet to pour.
"His highness will have no visitors right now my lady. My apologi-". I didn't let the guard finish before I rushed past them, pushing the doors open and stumbling inside. Immediately my eyes met a pair of dark onyx ones, the darkness in them making my chest tighten.
He stood from his position behind the desk, his chair flying straight into the wall at the speed he used. His brows seemed to furrow and anger settled in his hardened gaze.
"I'm sorry my king, we couldn't stop her-" the guard started but stopped midway when Darius began taking slow steps towards him.
Something about the way he walked, the look in his eyes and the energy that surrounded him made my pulse quicken and my palms clammy. His gaze seemed almost carnal his steps predatory.
"How dare you try to stop my mate from coming to see me" he all but growled, the sound so terrifying it had me shaking in fear. I looked over to the guard in question to see his face had gone pale and his gaze shifting from me to Darius and back to his king. He dropped down on his knees and clapped his hand together in begging.
"Please your Highness I apologize sincerely for my misdeeds" he begged, his whole body trembling. He lowered his head to Darius's feet and I couldn't help but stare in fear, my whole body went rigid at the darkness I could see looming over Darius.
"Let this be a lesson to all of you" he said, his eyes meeting the second guard's. "Never and I mean never stop my mate from coming to meet me. She will be your future queen and I expect you accord her that much respect"
He looked down at the guard that still lay trembling on the floor. It was unnerving seeing such an able bodied man on his knees. "Now apologize to my queen" Darius commanded, his tone serious and his gaze cold. "If she sees fit she can pardon you but if she doesn't then you will be hanged" he finished making my eyes go wide.
The guard rose to his knees, his hands clapped in front of him and his body on full tremors as he turns to me. His pleading gaze meets mine and I inhale sharply, the fear in them unsettling me. He dropped his head, sobbing "Please forgive me my queen. I beg of you"
I gaze up at Darius to see him looking expectedly at me. I dropped my gaze to the guard, using every ounce of self control not to run away and hate Darius for this later. A life was in my hands at the moment, I had never felt so scared and utterly disgusted. "Please get up, you are pardoned" I managed to say, careful not to let my anger and fear reflect in my tone.
The guard looked at me with gratitude as he turned back to Darius. He wore a smile on his face as he looked down at the guard, "Your queen has pardoned you but I won't" I felt all the air get stuck in my throat. The audible gasp from the guard was heard. "You are released from your duties and as such you would be sent back to your home" he turned away, letting his back face us.
"You are dismissed"
I watched the guard get up with his gaze still fixed to the ground. It was like I could see the feeling of disappointment dripping off him as he walked out accompanied by the other guard.