Page 87 of Finding Love with the Fae King

Even though Tulip was my best friend, she had always been the pushy one in the relationship we had. She would argue she was just the leader, which she was. I followed her around like a helpless puppy when my parents left because I had no one else, heck, she even wanted it. She took me under her wing gladly, even had me be with her pack which I greatly appreciated. There were times, though, she would push too hard for something.

Like the time at a birthday party when all the wolves were playing spin the bottle. I didn’t want to play, didn’t want to give away my first kiss to some random person. I remember running to her mother crying because she made me sit there and when the bottle landed on me, I wouldn’t play the game. “Come on Melina, it’s just a kiss,” she taunted in front of her friends. I couldn’t handle it, so I ran. When my parents left, I knew I couldn’t live with Tulip because I still wanted my independence, but the small thought in my mind was also fear that Tulip would push too far again.

Even with her mother’s pleading for me to stay in their house, I think she knew. She knew I loved her daughter like a sister, but Tulip just had too strong of a personality, and I couldn’t say no until I was pushed to the edge.

Last night, that was too far.

“You could have died, Melina,” Lucca broke the silence. “If you were fully human, the potion would have been too much. Hell, it was still too much, and you are only half-siren. It knocked you out cold and left you in pain. The only reason you are standing now is that father sent some siren healing potions.”

Lucca looked terrible. Father had left this morning, but he was still here. “Lucca, why are you still here?” The light blue tint to his skin was now a dull gray. His eyes were red-rimmed, and he had dark circles.

“I wanted to make sure you were safe,” he breathed. He came and gave me a kiss on my cheek again. “I must go, though. I wanted to stay to see you wake up. I’ll be back for the binding and coronation ceremony. Don’t fuck up, Osirus,” he glared and left the room with the door slamming shut behind him.

Alaneo stood up and straightened his tunic. “Now, we can’t have her go unpunished, so what is our next move?” Alaneo threw his hands behind his back and started pacing the room, no longer the funny friend, but the adviser of the King.

I sat on the couch in silence as they went over options on how to handle the situation. Tulip continued to sit on the couch with her hands clasping Alec’s. It was brought up that she could be a traitor working for the other side of another rebellion brewing since she found the potion in the marketplace. Tulip screamed and cried that it wasn’t so, but Alaneo had refused to let it go. “My lover told me that, and do you know where she is? The prison!” he shouted. My heart clenched hearing him speak those words.

Osirus kept me on his lap and held me tightly, never wanting to let go; and I didn’t want him to either.

She remained quiet as Osirus racked his brain for what to do. I really didn’t want to see her get punished, but my father knew and had already threatened Osirus with a note that was delivered right after he arrived home. He wanted the girl punished. That made his little girl lose part of her mind for an hour.

I didn’t think I would regain the other memories that were told me about the night. I used my voice to sing to Osirus and called upon many unmated wolves. Embarrassment flooded through me as I tried to conceal my tears. I never knew my voice influenced people. Had it always been there?

If it had, I could remember singing around my cabin when I would plant flowers, but I always made sure no one was there. I hated the thought of someone hearing me sing because I didn’t know if I was good enough to sing out loud. There could have been so much more damage if I had sung around people, and I wouldn’t have even understood it.

My head leaned back on the couch as I pondered my thoughts of Tulip. What could I do? It had to be announced that she had poisoned my drink to save my reputation as a queen. Osirus had been drunk himself and my singing, it only made it worse. Letting out a heavy sigh, Alaneo spoke of the master plan.

“We’ll make an announcement tomorrow.” He grabbed a glass of ambrosia from the desk filled with our dinner. “The future Queen was slipped a seduction potion and was under its spell. The culprit has been captured and will receive twenty lashings and one month in the prison with no contact with their mate.”

Living without Osirus for just a few days was torture, and I wasn’t marked. I couldn’t imagine how that would feel once mated. “Isn’t that a little harsh?” I spoke up.

“It isn’t. For poisoning the Queen, they’re lucky the punishment isn’t death,” Osirus’s voice was firm and determined he wouldn’t be moved. “You are lucky you are her best friend, Tulip. Otherwise, your actions would have cost your life and your mate’s.” Alec held onto Tulip and hugged her tightly.

“I will not announce your name to shame you unless they beg for a name,” Alaneo spoke solemnly. “If the people ask, I must give it. This was the worst time to do this since we are starting over on our government. We must give the people what they want so they can trust in the system again.” Tulip nodded and held onto Alec.

“Guards,” Osirus spoke loudly, so they would enter our room. “Take Tulip to the level one prison cells.” Looking up in question, Osirus answered, “It is one of the nicer cells. It has a bed, desk, and a small window.” Giving him a small smile, I saw Tulip stand up and choke back a sob.

“I’m sorry,” she choked again, looking back at me. I nodded my head at her. I don’t know if I had the courage to forgive her. Tulip had been there in many times of need, but she knew I didn’t want to give myself up wholly to Osirus while my father was there, yet she drugged me, hoping I would seal the deal with him.

Alec stood in the same place Tulip left her. His fists were balled up in anger, and he let out a low growl. “You wouldn’t do anything, Melina? You just sat there?” I didn’t look at Alec. I didn’t even know him, just that he was my best friend’s mate. I knew her better than he did. I’d known her since I was three.

“Osirus, can you at least take away the twenty lashings?” The thought of her being whipped turned my stomach in knots. She might have slipped me a drug in my drink, but she didn’t mean for it to get out of control. It was a series of unfortunate events.

“Your father will have my head. He specifically requested it,” Osirus pleaded into my eyes.

“I’ll take care of Dad. Just keep her away from her mate for a month. I’ll figure out a replacement punishment.” I gave him a small smile while he sighed heavily. Alaneo shook his head in disagreement.

“You know I can’t say no to you, darling.” I buried my face in his chest at his understanding.

Once everyone left, Osirus led me to our room. I had slept all day, but the thought of us being alone together soothed me. I needed him, and not just for cuddling. No, I needed so much more. Osirus shut the door behind him, and when he turned to look up at me, my arms immediately went around his neck as I pulled myself up to his lips. Osirus’s arms wrapped around me impulsively and pulled me to his toned chest.

It wasn’t a kiss of love; it was lust. He took care of me all day. He peppered me with love and affection. Now, I needed something more. Something we haven’t had in too long since my departure to the Isle of Dragons.

“I want you,” I said, breaking the kiss while both of us were panting. My mouth hovered over him as I continued to nip his bottom lip.

“Darling, I don’t want you.” My kissing stopped, and I looked up into his golden eyes, darkening into a deep whiskey brown. “I fucking need you.”

Chapter Forty-One

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