Chapter 50 Olivia
The lady he'd called Olivia laughed.
Despite the hate burning in her heart, Isabella couldn't help but admit that Olivia sounded like a goddess. Even her laughter sounded like music to the ears.
“Ohh, pardon me. I didn't realise she isn't your mate already,” she said, as her eyes swept Isabella again.
Isabella had never felt more conscious. She could hear what the woman was saying.
How ridiculous that she was not yet his mate.
“But I'm not wrong, am I? You're here in the blue walls, because you want our help.”
She turned back to Lucien. “Your about-to-be-mate has made you come back to us. I can't believe you're here because you're fighting for the throne. Did you fall off, Lucien? Has she made you weak?”
Isabella gulped. They were actually talking about her as if she were not in the same room with them.
“Olivia,” Lucien grunted her name in warning.
The woman opened her mouth to say something then closed it as if she'd just thought of something better.
“Forgive me, what a bad host I am.” She exclaimed. “The guards will show you to your quarters. When you're well rested, we'll have this conversation.” She waved her hands before snapping her fingers lightly as some guards appeared.
Lucien grimaced. “How thoughtful of you.” Hos voice dripped with sarcasm as he followed the guards out.
“You're welcome, don't mention.” Her laughter ringing in Isabella's ears escorted them out.
Isabella could feel her eyes burning with unshed tears, but she wouldn't cry.
“Are you okay?” Lucien asked the moment they'd been shown the room and were alone. “You've been quiet.”
“I was not spoken to.” She retorted, the words coming out harsher than she intended.
Lucien sighed. “That was not intentional.”
“Wasn't it?” Isabella spun, her voice raised. “This is Isabella Thorne. She's about to be my mate.”
She mimicked him, forcing open the boxes as she brought out a towel, heading for the bathroom.
“Where are you going to?” Lucien held her. “We're having a conversation.”
“Are we?” She boiled. “Because the last I remember, I was so insignificant, that you couldn't bother having a conversation with me. What has changed?”
She couldn't help the jealousy in her heart, seeing the way Lucien and Olivia had bantered and now, she was taking it out on him.
She pulled her hands out of his. “I need to freshen up, Your Majesty. So I can at least feel good about myself.”
“Your Majesty?” Lucien groaned. “We've gone back to that now?” He couldn't believe his ears.
One moment they were having a lot of fun with her screaming his name and begging to orgasm and now, she was calling him by his title.
“Aren't you the king?” She fired, challenge brimming in her eyes.
“I am.” He affirmed. “But you barely call me that.”
“Well, let's just say that I have just been reminded of my place.” She said slowly, her voice breaking.
“Isabella,” Lucien reached for her, drawing her closer to himself. “I didn't mean it. She didn't mean it.”
“I didn't say it was you, nor did I call her?” The sob was heart-wrenching.
“I can hear what you're not saying, Izzy. Olivia and I have been long-time friends, and let's just say that she's a bit overprotective.” He explained calmly, as if he were speaking to Elias.
“But you haven't mentioned her before.” Isabella protested like a baby.
“That's cause there's nothing to say,” Lucien said exasperatedly. “We had our history and a little bit of falling out, but it's nothing serious.”
“Really?” She raised her head to meet his eyes.
“Really.” He said as he kissed her forehead. “I can't believe you're jealous of Olivia.” He muttered, still holding her close to him.
“She's pretty,” Isabella admitted. “Who wouldn't be?”
Lucien rolled his eyes sighing. “You're prettier.”
“Don't patronise me.” She protested, pulling herself away from him.
“I'm not.” Lucien sighed. “You're prettier than Olivia. Even a blind person can see it.”
Isabella grunted. “She wasn't going to be fooled. “Nothing is going on?” She asked again, hopeful.
“Nothing.” He was sincere. “I love you Isabella Thorne. You alone and I'm sorry I made you feel small.”
“Insignificant.” Isabella corrected immediately.
“Fine. I'm sorry I made you feel insignificant.” He accepted.
Isabella nodded.
“I think I like the jealous Isabella you know,” Lucien teased. “Well with the exception of the tears.”
Isabella giggled.
“Travelling with you has exposed you to some parts that I didn't think you had. The naughty Isabella and now the jealous Isabella. I wonder what's next?” He joked.
Isabella shrugged. “That makes two of us.”
“Seriously though, I do not want Olivia's action bothering you. She's counting on the secrecy to make it work. It's not gonna happen.” Lucien's voice was serious.
“Isabella nodded. “I'll take that into consideration.” She said as she walked into the bathroom.
“You sent for me,” Lucien said as he walked into the tower. He'd showered and was having his rest with Isabella when a knock had sounded on the door.
“Yup, I did,” Olivia said simply. “Sit.” She motioned at the chair behind him.
“Isabella should be here. She needs to be abreast of all our plans.” Lucien said as he looked around. “Nice office you have here by the way.”
“No, she shouldn't. You want our help, not hers. And thank you. I designed it myself.” She said referring to the compliment he'd just given her.
“What do you want?” Lucien said pointedly.
“Always been straight to the point. I like that.” She smiled.
“Anyways, called you here to know your plans.” She crossed her legs effortlessly.
“How?” He scrunched his brows, confused. “What are you talking about?”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Don't act daft with me, Lucien. The only reason you're in this mess is because of her. Why not give her up?”
“Is that why you asked to have this meeting?” Lucien's voice was calm. Too calm for the rage he was feeling within him.
“Isn't that enough?” She asked innocently, shrugging.
“I spoke to the elders about you and they agreed to help.”
“But,” Lucien grunted. “There's always a but with you, Olivia.”
“They wanna help you. But you can't have tainted blood as your mate and the queen of the kingdom. C’mon Lucien, you're bigger than this. I can't believe you're grasping for straws just to claim your throne.”
“You think I'm weak?” His smile was bitter. Bitter and knowing.
“I don't think you're weak, I know you're weak.” She pointed out squarely. “I've heard the news. Really, Lucien? Damien Hale? How did you not see this coming?”
Lucien curled his lips. “Finished?”
“Nope, I'm barely starting. “The Lucien Blackthorn I knew before, would have wiped him out. Taken him and his family and put them to death. Every one of them.” She said in irritation.
“Instead, he's moving from province to province, seeking alliance.”
“I wanna do this the right way,” Lucien said tiredly.
“Since when have you ever done things the right way?” Olivia taunted. “You've only ever done things your way. What has changed?”
“Her.” He said quietly. “She makes me want to do things the correct way.”
“And see where that has landed you.” Olivia's voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Nobody wants to help a weak king, Lucien. Everybody wants to throw their weight around a ruthless king. One who they know is not afraid of battles.”
“I am not afraid of battles,” Lucien said indignantly.
“Then prove it.” Olivia challenged. “Damien Hale has half of the region at his back, Lucien. He's going to take you out.”
“He won't.” His voice had something to it. Determination.
“Oh really?” Olivia mocked. “It's only a matter of time, Lucien. You don't want the battles, then give her up. Give her up and take your throne.”
“What are the elders saying?” Lucien changed the subject.
“Still as cowardly as ever. Always avoiding uncomfortable conversations.”
“Are we still talking about this, or has this moved to something else?” He asked, even though he knew there was no need to. He had the answer to the question already.
“As always, the elders want to throw their weight around you. Their only reservation is the moonlit blood.”
Lucien groaned closing his eyes momentarily, opening them as she continued.
“They've brought up a solution that they think can benefit you.”
Lucien could sense where this was headed. “They want a pure blood as your mate. You can have the moonlit blood as your side piece…”
“Isabella,” he interrupted her. “Her name is Isabella.” His voice was controlled.
“They want a pure blood as your mate. You can have Isabella as your side piece, but she will not be queen.”
Lucien's lips curled into what seemed to be a smile. “And I assume the pure-blooded lady they want as my mate is you, Olivia?”
Olivia shrugged. “They made the choice, not me.” She was however smiling.
“I want you to do something for me.” He said as he leaned in. “Tell them to go to hell and fuck themselves.”