The Alpha King and His Human Queen

Female Garments

Alexandra

“I must say… “ my father’s embrace is tight, he must have missed me as much as I did, but it’s surprising for him to show such affection in front of others. “Alexandra, you finally look like a real lady. You should have come to the Infernia Kingdom years ago.“

The snort that comes from Nathaniel is inevitable but I don’t look at him.

“I love my dress, “ I say, “It’s from Nathaniel. He has been constantly buying me presents and making sure I have everything I need. “

I smile at Nathaniel and he smiles back, managing to hide his confusion very well.

“You will buy me this bracelet I told you about, won’t you? “

“Of course, my love.“ he says, “ Anything you want. But only if you come for a ride with me one of these days. “

I try to force another smile and wonder how Nathanil knows I don’t like horses very much.

Lave told him, of course…

Once we start talking about riding, my father gets busy eagerly discussing the palace, the journey here, and how things are back home. I close my arms around Nathaniel and he stiffens- he didn’t expect this and I feel the slight content of doing this- of being one step ahead of him.

Earlier I found Mave and asked her for help. I didn’t explain the situation to her- but she was the only one I could go to.

She was the only one I was sure wasn't working for Sirius. The castle is full of servants, but Nathaniel’s betas are my only safe bet that they don’t report everything to Sirius.

I feel a pang of guilt as I look at my father talking to Nathaniel… Where is Eliot now? He will never find out about any of this, and still…

Nathaniel glances at me and I turn to him.

“Maybe we can proceed to dinner?” I smile at him and he nods, distractedly.

Sirius is glaring so hard at us that if he could bore holes, we would have become empty space by now.

I smile widely at Sirius.

“How are you, uncle?” Sirius’ face blanks even more at the way I called him, “You look tired? Perhaps you could lie down for a bit?”

I feel the muscles of Nathaniel’s body shifting as I said it. But when I turn to look at him I notice he is trying not to laugh.

“I am fine, “Sirius hisses, “I wouldn't miss this evening for anything in the world. Dametri is a very special guest to us. “

“Of course, “ I continued smiling at the older man, “After all, you did organize everything. Nathaniel and I are so grateful to you. “

We have dinner and I try to act casually and not as if I am going to explode because sitting opposite Nathaniel makes it very difficult for me. I also try not to drink too much wine because if I get dizzy I will get more careless and no one wants that.

Nathaniel doesn’t even try his food but I watch him as he wraps his hand around his glass and there’s something so seductive in the way he does it. His beautiful fingers play with the rim of the glass, and then I think of those fingers on me and I look away.

What makes it more difficult is knowing we have to spend the night together. Because if we are expected to act like a couple, we should sleep tougher. Right?

Sleep together. In the same bed.

The thought makes me stiff. I look back down at my plate and decide to continue eating to distract myself.

Nathaniel and my father talk to each other as if they have known each other for years and I can tell Sirius doesn't like this. Not even one bit.

“Uncle, “ I said to him, “Are you sure everything is fine?’

The man’s eyes fix on me and I notice the change in them. If we were alone Sirius would have ripped me to pieces in the blink of an eye.

But he can’t so he has to pretend he wants to be here and I didn’t just ruin all his plans.

And Sirius is smart enough - he has figured I don’t trust him anymore.

Last night when Opal came to my room and took me to one of Sirius' studies I heard him talking to someone. The raven and I didn't approach much because the potion could hide my scent but not any noise I would make. Yet again- I didn’t have to approach too much because Sirius was yelling. He was definitely mad- because Nathaniel had come back from the South without telling anyone he would be here. And of course- he expected me to tell how poorly I was treated here.

I don't know if Sirius’ companion was a human or wolf, one of his advisors or a servant he was using but they were talking about my father’s visit and Sirius' plan to use me to start a war with my kingdom.

I plunge my fork into the meal and taste food, still smiling at Sirius.

How sad he can no longer deceive like he did. I fill my mouth with food and this time I don’t even think about my mother’s words - a lady doesn’t eat like this, because I don’t care how a lady eats. I feel victorious.

***

Once dinner is over my father retreats and Sirius storms out. Everyone leaves until the candles start burning down and the fire almost dies in the fireplace. The shades they cast over the table and the walls are dim and the few servants left don’t show up as often.

There’s only me and Nathaniel left.

“You are free to go get some rest, “ he tells one of the servants and the man bows his head.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. “

Once we are alone, Nathaniel places his cup on the table slowly and looks at me. The candles’ shadows dance on his face and the dark clothes he is wearing even tonight, make him look impossibly attractive.

“What do you want?” he says and I lean back in my chair, mirroring his position.

“I could have another glass of wine but you already sent the servants off. “

Nathaniel squints his eyes at me.

“What do you want in exchange for helping me tonight? “

“I didn’t do it for you. “

“What are you playing at?”

“A spoiled princess. “ I say, “This is what you said I was, right?”

“I didn’t know you listened to me so carefully.”

“I listen very carefully.”

I hold his eyes. Nathaniel is beautiful even when he is mad. And I can tell he is mad- because he doesn't have the upper hand now.

“I told you - you underestimated me. “

“I never said that. “

“But you’ve been thinking it- that I am just a woman who knows nothing. You can’t trick me into anything. “

I remind him. I don’t tell him I know about the way he’s been trying to influence me, or made me see things - like that black wolf I saw in flames- and that it worked. That’s something I will never admit to him.

“Why did you change your mind?” he asks and I consider my response.

“I don’t want another war. “ I admit, “It would be a disaster, for all of us. “

“I am surprised you finally saw my point. “

I lift my eyebrow.

“I still don’t trust you. “ I tell him and he shifts in his seat.

“I don’t trust you either. “

“That’s a good start, I guess. “ I shrug, “But don’t expect I will take your side from now on. “

***

We are standing opposite each other, with only the bed between us. I must be crazy for doing this. At the same time, it has to be done- we should act like a real couple.

“I told you I’ve already seen you. “ Nathnaile says as if my presence doesn’t disturb him at all.

I clench my teeth and hiss at him.

“Really?”

“Well, yes. “

“Fine. “

I start pulling my gloves, then the jewels from my ears and neck.

“Fine. “ he says too and starts opening his coat, forcefully. If someone was watching us they would think we were fighting. Although neither of us says anything, we just keep tugging at our own clothes.

I hold his gaze as I remove my shoes and kick them to the side. Nathaniel does the same. Then I proceed to the ribbon, holding my front.

Nathaniel is watching me carefully as he removes his coat and starts opening his shirt.

I try to reach the ribbon at my back and discover it’s too far up.

“Do you need help?” he asks and pauses to watch me fight the delicate cloth.

“No. “ I say through my clenched teeth, “Thank you. “

I keep struggling but can’t reach it, let alone unfold the knot.

“It was made to be tied or untied by another person, “ he says.

“Oh, I am surprised you know so much about female garments. “ I keep fumbling with the damned back of my dress.

“Maybe I do. “

Nathan says in a lowered voice that makes the hairs on my skin rise. He moves past the bed and stands behind me.

“Wait, “ he says, voice lowered to a growl and I feel his chest against my back. Then I feel his hands on my back, exactly where my dress ends and its rim touches my skin.