Page 77 of Royal Lies

On the other hand, that new boy, my so-called brother, didn't seem the least bit fazed by the whole situation before he left with Everetta. He even dared to command me, the great King of the Wolves, or soon to be in this life. The balls he had on him, he dared to fucking call me weaker than Everetta?

He sure hasn't changed.

His love for her has always blinded him to the truth, thatIwas far stronger.

Turning back to the unassuming crowd, I smiled back at my mate, my bond, my love, "I sincerely apologize that you had to see all that. Nevertheless, you should have told me you were coming. I would have put on a better outfit.” I whispered against her ear as I led her out for a dance.

If her magic had worked and it seemed like it did as everyone quietly went about like nothing had happened. Of course, I also fixed up any of the damaged structures using my magic. I evenplaced a little flare of my own onto the columns and floor. After all, this placewillbe mine. Still whatFletchersaid had irked me, if only a little. I wasplaying pretendso he claims. I just needed a little more time. Fine, yes perhaps I wanted more time with my father, I hadn't seen him in so long I just wanted to get to know him in this life, was that so wrong of me to do?

I suppose it all happened so quickly that no one was able to escape the ballroom. I should know I scanned the area, only servants were walking about. They would simply think it was another show we noble’s put on. I won't have to wipe any memories. Quite frankly I’m a bit drained. I don't think I could do another memory wipe on such a large scale and defeat my father, at least not without a little recovery period.

Akasuki's light laughter filled my body causing me to lift my head from my musings. I swear her laughter was like the chiming of bells, tugging against my heartstrings each time she smiled. Pulling her closer, I eyed the man leering at her back. Giving a soft warning growl, I dared him to try anything. I'll rip his throat out here and now.

"Oh, please, who in the whole realms would know if you had your memories back or not? I couldn't just barge in and claim you as my mate if you hadn't remembered me. Besides, I couldn't think of a better reunion than a ball." Her words were like the lyrics to my favorite song as I let it soothe my rage into nothing.

Rolled my eyes, I knew that wasn't the complete truth. I knew of what she had to go through, of her troubled upbringing. How her father would always beat her into submission, and how she, the cunning woman she was, ultimately outmatched him and took back the throne in the Spirit Realm for her brother. If you ask me she should have just kept the crown. But that wasn't who she was. Her excuse was always so that she could come backto me, and I will always love her for doing so. It took a lot of willpower to give up on such power.

Giving me that look she does when she knows I was way too deep in my thoughts, she sighed, shaking her head, "I swear your narcissism knows no bounds. But I suppose that's why I like you."

Lords, someone end me now; how could someone be this cute all the time?

"I've missed you, you know," I whispered, pressing our foreheads against one another. If only I could pull her closer, alas formal etiquette for bids such public affections, especially that of a Wolf.

"Besides, I believe your brother just asked you for a favor?" I rolled my eyes once more, all the affection sucked right out of me, like how the sands of Phoenix Court sucked up all its water.

"A favor is that what you call it? It was more like a damned demand.” I breathed out the last of my frustration and ire at the past hour's events.

“If he is my brother as you say, then I'd better do as that brat wants."

Lords know what he would do. Speaking of do, what could he have meant by already knowing who- poisoned? Wait, did he say Everetta was poisoned? I was half tempted to turn back round but as always Akasuki read my mind.

Gripping onto my arm ever so slightly she smiled up at me ignorant to my true worries. “We should leave them be for a while. They've just reconnected, it would be rude to interrupt their reunion." She suggested, a small tilt of her lips though her eyes told me a completely different story. She was pissed at me. Great.

For a brief moment, I saw the look of betrayal and hurt cross her eyes before she beamed back up at me.

I tried not to think too hard lest I give away more of my secrets than I already have today. Never mind her subtle warning, who knows what that brother of mine would do to me if Iwereto interrupt them now.

My mission here was more important. Still. "Eli,don'ttest me now. I know you care much for her, but you need to act like a king; I didn't fall for a coward, now will you or will you not do it?" Akasuki's words were like a slap in the face.What?I was no coward; I was merely worried about Everetta and Fly-Fletcher. But she was right. Fine, I'll just have to finish this quickly.

Straightening my tie and suit with help from Akasuki as the song slowly came to an end, I managed to somehow seem presentable again.

Despite already having arrived earlier, all that chaos must have halted his announcement into the room. That and to him and every other fae in this room only a few minutes had passed.

Odd.

Why did he come in so late before?Another thing to ponder for later.

“Here yi, here yi. All hail the king-” The king’s squire began.

I cleared my throat, coughing up all my worries and bottling them into a jar, “King of the Winter Court." I made sure my voice was as loud as the thunderstorms that were about to strike this court, I made my way toward the bottom of his balcony. I smirked a little at the glee from cutting his squire's speech in half.

A sudden halt in gossip and false smiles came to an abrupt end as my voice made its way to the king. No doubt they were dying at the seams for a good beheading at my audacity for interrupting the almighty Winter King, my father.

Those frozen blue eyes stared down at me, his cool indifference and blazing anger could be spotted a mile away as it met mine.

Smiling like I should, allowing for all my pearly white canines to shine against the chandelier light, I made my way forward, letting go of my one true mate’s hand. “I, Eli Scalivander Lusivous Gillian Avalar Vallian Lion Wolf, challenge you, Oberon Kinard Avalar Vallian Wolf, current King of the Winter Fae Court to a challenge. A challenge for the throne." As my words processed all around me, I could hear the rise of whispers and gossip buzzing like mosquitos against my ears.

Silence fell once more as all eyes gazed upon the king who was seething in ice. They were all waiting to see what he would do next. For a moment, the king seemed to think that this was nothing but a joke to him. Roaring with laughter, the king looked down on me as if I were some ill-informed peasant. "My dear boy, only those who have my blood could ever challenge me-" The king bellowed down as if to inform me of a rule that I hadn't memorized to heart, of laws I hadn't read over and over every night since he took me in the first lifetime.

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