Page 14 of Masked Fate

I know I come across as confident, strong, and powerful. No one would have thought I was untouched. I’ve learned to wear that mask, to own it. I have to as queen. Sometimes, I wonder if I wear it so much that it’s just me now.

“I wasn’t told about any charity dinner,” Ebony sulks, crossing her arms over her chest. “I am still a princess, you know. I should be kept up-to-date on all the events at the castle. You aren’t even here half the time—”

“I don’t have time for this, Ebony. Kainan plans my schedule. If you want to know what’s going on, then find out,” I reply, standing and turning my back on her to leave.

Soren mentioned bad blood, and the truth is I have that with my sister. We will never have a normal, loving relationship, and I’ve long accepted that.

“You know, if you want to step down and go live with the fae, I can take over as queen,” she calls out.

She fucking wishes.

I would never leave my kingdom with her brand of evil.

***

A few hours later, I’m dressed in a purple silk wraparound dress, sitting on my throne, with Kainan standing next to me. His dark eyes narrow as he spots Ebony amongst the crowd.

“There goes the good vibe,” he mutters, crossing his powerful arms over his chest. He’s dressed the part in a perfectly tailored black suit, his dark hair tied back. He’s tall, well over six feet, andbuilt like a warrior. “I wonder what she has up her sleeve this time.”

“She’s so draining,” I reply, smiling when a small child runs up to me, pulling on my gown. I lift him to sit on my knee. “Hello, little warlock.”

He flashes me a toothy grin. “Hello.”

We invited the children from the orphanage for dinner since all the money from tonight will be going directly to them. “Did you enjoy your meal?”

He nods, snuggling against me. My heart melts. Although I have to keep my guard up and can’t exactly relax when I’m here, these moments make it all worthwhile.

It hurts to know that I will never have my mate sitting beside me as king.

But it is what it is.

Even if Soren knew what he was to me, he’d never want to sit on the throne of the kingdom that once tortured him.

The fates must hate me to send me such a path.

Forcing a smile, I step down and mingle with my people. When I’m away from Aravelle, my heart hurts, but when I’m there, it hurts too.

There’s no saving me from this.

But at least this way, I’m saving him.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Pandora

I’ve never seen anything sexier than Soren riding his horse.

Shirtless.

His ripped abs tense with his movements, a slight sheen of sweat on his chest. My mouth is suddenly dry, and I want to look away before he catches me staring, but I can’t seem to find the will to do so. Returning to this sight of masculine perfection after a few days away reminds me why I always come back. His body is immaculate—bare of any tattoos or runes, just a whole lot of corded muscles and tanned, smooth skin on display, not an ounce of fat to be seen anywhere. My eyes dip to the V that trails down toward his…

“You’re drooling.” Astrid smirks, playfully nudging me with her shoulder, pulling me back to reality.

“Why is he so fucking perfect?” I groan, swallowing hard, suddenly thirsty. “That body should be illegal.”

Astrid laughs, playing with the end of her braid. “You know, if you told him the truth, that would be all yours. Every… single… inch.”

“Yeah, or he’d just reject me,” I whisper under my breath, rubbing the back of my nape. “You know it can never be.” I notice the other females surrounding the stables, their eyes also on his body, and a sudden dash of jealousy hits me.That warrior is mine.How dare they stand there and admire him? “And why does he have to show it off like that?”

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