Page 146 of Finding Love with the Fae King

“Melina is hurt. Where is she?” The guards stood confused as I brushed past them. Running up the stairway, I found her room to be closed and locked. Pushing it forward, it wouldn’t budge. Banging on the door with the butt of my sword, I called for her. “Melina! Open the door!”

No sound.

“Break it down!” I roared, my wings exploded from my back, and black sludge dripped down my claws. Once we entered, the room was not disheveled, and there were no signs of life. My heart continued to pull in pain as I felt a sharp prick in my neck.

“She’s here, in the palace. Split up andfind her!” Wolves started howling while Clara and Kane approached me outside.

“Melina is missing. She is here on the palace grounds. I feel her!” Clara’s calming aura swept over me as the grip on my sword became light.

“We’re on it. Let’s go, Kane.” Clara shifted, ripped her nightdress to pieces, and began running in the small red fox form of a wolf. I followed not far behind her as Kane turned into his half-form to secure the perimeter.

Another flame of pain ripped through my arm, and I gripped it tightly. Clara looked back, only to beckon me to follow her. Clara must have her scent if she is this determined.

My heart became heavier, feeling Melina’s emotions of hopelessness. She was giving up. She was going to leave me if I didn’t get there in time. I spread fury through my feelings, praying she could feel it. My desperation to find her, take her with me, and never let her out of my sight consumed my soul. I would reach her, and whatever the hell took her from me will pay dearly.

Clara stopped at the stairway to the dungeons.Fuck no.

We both ran to the bottom, now fae and wolf warriors behind us. Snarling, growls, and angry men clogged the hallways. Passing by Cosmo, he only let out a low laugh as I passed his cell.

“Good luck,” he sang.

Chapter Seventy-Four

Melina

Afterourbriefnap,the servants grabbed a few of our bags of clothing we had brought and packed them up to be taken back to the Golden Light Kingdom. There was a particularly large bag hanging in the room's corner that I wasn’t there before. Sitting up from the bed, Evelyn stirred and woke up to cling to Clara.

“Let’s get you fitted for your dress,” Elaine popped in, holding Cricket’s hand. “Your father is eager for you to try it on. He had it made specifically for the binding and coronation ceremony.” Slowly rising from the bed, Amora and Tulip gathered around me and helped me take off my clothes. All the extra attention had me wanting to cover up my body, but they all scoffed.

“We were naked before. Why are you shy now?” Amora patted my shoulder. Cricket was turned around, eating a giant lollipop Elaine had brought him to keep him occupied.

“I’m just nervous. I know I’m already mated, but now it will be official I will be a queen. I just hope to live up to the expectations.”

“You will.” Clara came over to squeeze my hand. “Don’t forget what I told you. You are strong. You are a warrior.” I nodded, still not believing it entirely.

The dress was gently pulled out of the bag, and the giant mirror was covered, so I couldn’t see the dress until it was on my body entirely. Stepping in from the top, it slid across my body. The silky-smooth feeling cooled my body as it finally reached the top of my chest. It was strapless, and the back was a corset, so it would be easy to adjust the waist size. It fit like a glove, holding in all my curves yet still giving me ample room to breathe.

The dress was covered in sheer white tulle and shaped into petals. It held a hint of blue at the bottom that gently faded as it rose to my waist. Tiny blue pearls outlined my breast area while diamonds twinkled in small clusters.

The mirror covering was removed, and I stood in awe. I didn’t look like myself. This dress was made for a queen, and I certainly didn’t feel like one. As I walked, the layers of the dress swayed. The diamonds twinkled. The headpiece was a small coral crown with tiny shining shells that held a large sapphire in the middle. It was gorgeous. It was all too much.

My emotions caught up with me as I clutched my stomach. My father walked in behind me and smiled as he put both his hands on my shoulders. “You look stunning, Melina, my daughter.” He kissed my cheek, and Elaine handed him a small flat rectangular box. Diamond teardrop earrings and a teardrop necklace with a diamond and a dolphin wrapped around it. “My mother wore this on her coronation day.” His breath hitched as I clutched the pendant.

“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered.

“You are so beautiful, Melina. I’m so proud of how far you have come and so grateful to have you in my life. Just promise me you won’t forget about your old man and visit often.”

“I would never forget you.” He pulled me into his embrace as we both sobbed quietly. I had just found my father, but I had almost lost him, too. We would have time to be together, but we would never experienced him raising me as his daughter. Once I had children, I was sure he would want to help raise them to get a piece of me to raise.

“I’m glad it fits.” He stepped back, wiping away a tear. “But we need to get you back. We don’t need your mate throwing a fit because you are too tired in the morning for the ceremony.” I acknowledged and quickly undressed.

The ride back was uneventful. We all rode back in the magical sphere carriage for which I still didn’t have a name. Several times I nodded off, only for Lucca to wake me up. Sean always had a hand on Lucca, and Lucca always looked at Sean so lovingly. Their bond was already so strong, and I was exceedingly excited my father was so accepting.

Many human adoptive parents would be upset, especially in the human world. However, with Selene doing the matchmaking and Bergarian being so adamant about listening to the goddesses’ matchmaking abilities, no one ever questioned it. If only Earth could accept of all kinds of love.

Once we arrived at the shore, we stepped out of the carriage. Many wolves from Clara’s pack were there and were ordered to take her immediately to Kane. The girls started giggling and waved goodbye as Clara rolled her eyes.

Tulip and Amora led me down the hallway where Osirus and I stayed. We had to travel down this hallway to reach another part of the palace grounds that held royal suites and the bridal chambers. I stopped at Osirus’s door. I could feel him in our room on the other side. I wondered if he could feel me too? My heart called out to him as I put my hand on the door. I wanted to walk in and just curl up in his arms, and we could prepare for the day together.

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