The Return

Keira's Pov

"Your plan worked, your majesty. Arina and her father believed that King Conrad turned against you and wishes to have a mate bond with her," Allen gladly informs.

We smile in relief as we are now halfway into getting rid of the vixen and her foolish father. As long as the mate bond between her and my other two husbands is broken getting them to recognise who the real Keira is won't be as hard as the first time.

According to the text I read about the identity spell, Arina must carry my blood everywhere she goes or my mates will discover that she is not me. Her father was left with only a few drops after suspending my mate bond with the angel kings before I returned to Lunacrest. Arina will only have a little of that blood as her father must have used some to lift my mate bond with my husbands again. Finding the tiny amount of the blood she is carrying will be hard but not impossible.

"Did she mix the blood?" Conrad asks.

"She asked that you return to the palace, your majesty. "The spell can only be cast in your presence, otherwise it will not work," Allen answers.

"The blood we sent was Luther's. That means he must be there for the spell to work," I say.

"She will recognise me," Luther points in a worried voice.

"Not if you dress like one of the palace guards. Their uniforms hide their faces," Conrad responds reassuringly. "We must go back to the palace before she or her father figures out out our plot," he adds.

Everyone nods in agreement.

"Let me come with you. I am this pack's best warrior," Allen requests.

He really is passionate about proving his skills, just like I was once. One feels almost unstoppable after the tough training. I am sure he will be of great help.

"You are free to come of course. You will not have to dress like a palace guard since they already think you're my messenger," Conrad answers.

"I will have my servants prepare a carriage for you," Alpha Aleric offers.

* * * * * * *

The magnificent spires and gleaming domes of Lunacrest palace come into view as our carriage picks up speed along the dusty road.

Inside, the atmosphere is tense. Luther and Allen sit rigidly in the back, their hands clenched around their swords, and I again get the sense that they’re afraid of things going wrong, which is a high possibility.

Angel Conrad slips his arm around my waist. “It’s going to be alright,” he whispers, brushing my hair aside and planting a gentle kiss on the nape of my neck.

This isn’t how it was supposed to be. We should be basking in the warmth of our honeymoon, not fighting a wicked witch.

I nod and squeeze his hand, unsure of what to say. I want to be reassuring, but deep down, we both know how slim our chances are. If our plan works out, I’ll make sure that wicked woman pays for everything she’s done.

“We'll take the armours and helmets of the guards at the gates,” Conrad says as the carriage rolls to a stop at the palace gates.

The guards stationed there freeze, their eyes widening in surprise.

“Your Majesty!” they exclaim, dropping to one knee in reverence. It’s a relief to see they still recognize him as their king.

Conrad steps out confidently. “You two, strip off your armor,” he commands. The guards exchange confused glances but quickly comply, shedding their heavy gear.

Conrad strides back toward us, two sets of armor draped over his strong arms. He hands one set to Luther before turning to me.

“Here,” he says softly, helping me into the armor.

As he secures the final buckle, our eyes lock for a fleeting moment. “If things go wrong,” he says, “you have to promise me you’ll run.”

Run? Where would I even go? I will be wearing a helmet, Arina will not guess who I am until it is too late.

“We’re in this together,” I reply firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. Conrad sighs as the carriage jolts forward again, heading deeper into the palace grounds.

Minutes later, it comes to a sudden stop at the main entrance. The heavy front doors of the main palace swing open almost immediately. Two guards step aside as Arina steps out and descends the stairs in a beautiful black dress and a joyous smile. She looks every bit like she’s been waiting for this moment. I wonder where under that gown she is hiding my blood.

“That witch!" Luther mutters from the back, his voice low and filled with disdain. I notice his knuckles turning white around his sword hilt.

I turn to my husband. “You have to pretend to be in love with her, be convincing,” I urge.

The thought of him flirting with Arina twists painfully in my gut, even if I know it'll all be just an act.

Conrad’s expression hardens for a moment as he meets my gaze. Then unexpectedly, he leans in and kisses me softly.

When he pulls back, I see determination etched on his face. “I’ll do what I must,” he promises before stepping out.

We follow as she cannot see through our helmets. She wasn't expecting him to bring me or her old mate with him anyway.

The guards step aside further as Arina reaches the bottom of the stairs. Her father follows closely behind, his expression unreadable.

"My dear King Conrad!” Arina calls out in a flirtious voice as she approaches Conrad.

“I am glad you came to your senses. Your brothers and I have been having such great fun. But it wasn't perfect without you," she says.

Conrad straightens up, masking his discomfort behind a sweet smile.

Arina steps forward, her hand outstretched towards him. A sly smile curves on her lips as she gazes up at him. “Are you ready to love me forever as your wife and queen?”

Conrad doesn't hesitate, he takes her hand, leans down to place a soft kiss on the back of it. “What’s not to love? You’re as beautiful as the morning sunshine, my love,” he replies.

Arina flicks her hair seductively, exposing the pale white skin of her neck. I notice a strange pendant hanging from the thin, shimmering necklace around the neck. The pendant has the shape of a tinny bottle with a top, and the inside of it is blood red!

That might be where my blood is. And once I get it off her neck the identity spell will break, allowing my other mates to notice that she is not me.

“I have everything ready,” she says to Conrad sweetly. “We will cast the spell to create a mate bond between us, just like I did with your brothers.”

She takes hold of his hand before turning to lead the way inside.