I wanted to earn that trust, not by force, not by the authority of my title, but by consistency. By staying. By showing her, every goddamn day, that I wasn’t like him. That not every man looked at her with hunger or cruelty or possession.
Some of us looked at her like she was made of constellations and fire. Some of us just wanted to be worthy of sitting near her flame.
My queen.
My cursed salvation.
I rubbed a hand over my face and exhaled.
I stared at my reflection in the fogged-up mirror.
I dragged the towel over my face and sighed, forcing myself back into my skin and padded barefoot outside the bathroom.
I saw her curled up on the couch with the colorful glow of the TV painting her skin. Kaguya-sama, her latest flavor of the week, apparently. The bowl of candy sat in her lap, and every so often, she’d reach for a gummy and pop it into her mouth without looking away from the screen. Her lips twitched at something one of the characters said. That tiny glow of amusement hadn’t been there before, not when she first arrived, not even in the garden. But it was here now.
I leaned against the wall and watched her for a moment.
I cleared my throat and padded into the living room. Her body stiffened when she noticed me, but didn’t flinch.
“Want some more milk??” I asked casually, nodding at her empty glass on the side table.
She blinked, then nodded slowly, clutching the bowl of candy closer to her.
I retrieved the warm milk from the kitchen and poured another glass, returning with it carefully and setting it in front of her.
She whispered a shy thank you again.
I didn’t answer this time. Just sat beside her and turned my gaze to the TV. We watched in silence. She slowly leaned into the cushions, with her knees tucked under her.
I had canceled everything for the day.
Meetings. Audits. Pack inspections. Even a private audience with a neighboring Alpha who had traveled three days just to grovel at my feet.
And still, I couldn’t decide if it was because I wanted to be with her… or because I couldn’t stomach being anywhere else, not knowing if she was okay, if she was slipping again. If she’d scream in her sleep and I wouldn’t be there to hold her through it.
We sat in silence, side by side, sharing the bowl of sweets I didn’t even like. I’ve never been a fan of sweet stuff like two teenagers on a lazy afternoon.
Narine didn’t say much. Not that she ever did. But the silence between us wasn’t awkward anymore. It had started to feel… warm. She idly dipped into the bowl of candy between us, and her eyes were transfixed on the TV.
She even let out a little laugh at one point.
I leaned back, draping one arm across the back of the couch, letting her exist as she pleased in the space we were beginning to share.
Almost five hours later, season one came to an end. I watched her stretch out her muscles and yawned like a pixie, and smiled.
Then, I suddenly remembered that Maravek had slated a routine checkup for her.
“Narine.” I called softly.
She turned toward me and gave me an expectant look.
“Maravek wants to see you today for a quick checkup but that’s only if you’re up for it.”
She nodded once, flicking her eyes away from me.
“Would you prefer he come to the room? Or would you rather go to the medical wing?”
I could see the thought turning over behind her eyes, weighing what it would mean to choose either option.
“I’ll go to the medical wing,” she whispered after a beat.
“All right,” I nodded.
I quickly grabbed a t-shirt and pulled it on. I grabbed my phone and gestured to the door. She stood up and made her way toward it, and I followed closely behind.
The elevator gave a soft ding on the second floor, and the doors slid open. I paused mid-step the moment my nose picked up the scent. A delicate rosewood.
Shit.
My mother.
The Alphamaja never moved through the palace without purpose. Though her purpose on the medical floor is unknown to me at the moment. And if she was here, she’d undoubtedly pick up on my scent too.
I turned just enough to glance at Narine.
Her face was pale, but calm. She exhaled slowly and stepped out on her own.
A part of me, an entirely rational one, considered turning back and escorting Narine straight to the room because she wasn’t ready for my mother.
Not for the scrutiny and the court had teeth, and my mother wore them like pearls.
But it was too late.
I followed her into the corridor of the medical wing, nodding at the guards as we passed while she timidly walked beside me.
The medical wing doors swung open, and there she was my mother already poking her impeccably styled head out, and her sharp eyes landed on me like a hawk sighting its prey.
“Oh!” she gasped, her voice a note too high. “You must be Narine!”
Before I could block her path or even issue a warning glare, she was already sweeping across the marble floor with all the elegance of a royal storm.
“I’ve been dying to meet you, dear,” she gushed, cupping Narine’s hand with both of hers and leaning in far too close. “Such a beautiful young thing. And to think, fate would lead you right to me!”
Narine stiffened immediately, her entire body recoiled so subtly no one else would’ve caught it.
The way her spine tensed under scrutiny.
The way her breath faltered now as my mother invaded her private space.
“Tell me, are you aware of the ceremonial rites we observe here? What colors do you prefer for a coronation robe?
Narine’s throat worked around a response that never came. Her eyes darted toward me.
Enough.
I stepped forward, placing a firm hand on my mother’s shoulder. “Mother,” I called, “you’re overwhelming her.”
She blinked, affronted for half a second before schooling her expression into one of passive grace. “Overwhelming? Don’t be ridiculous. I’m simply making conversation. She’s going to be queen, isn’t she?”
“She’s recovering,” I deadpanned. “And she doesn’t need to be introduced to the Court like this. Not by you.”
Narine flinched at the word queen, and the slight motion did not escape me.
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