Lycan King's Royal Mate

Great Loss

GREAT LOSS

Aeris's pov

My breath hitched when Caspian shortened the distance between us. His intense gaze fell on me. Maybe he was trying to make me uncomfortable with his presence. I could have moved out and avoided him with my strength, but it was of no use. Instead, I glared at him and raised my eyebrows. His chiseled face was lit by the torches around us and he looked no less than a god. But why do I feel it in a way?

"You are right! I am an animal." He said.

"What kind of an animal are you, King Caspian? You are mysterious but I am curious to find out!" I snapped at him and tilted my head to the left.

"It made sense why you were in the library. My star, what you are looking into on the crisp pages of manuscripts isn't available in the library you explored. You could have asked me." There was a smile lingering in the corner of his lips.

"I would appreciate your kind gesture, but pardon me, I have issues to resolve." I rolled my eyes and tried to leave, but Caspian clasped my wrist and pulled me back.

I turned my face to glare at him and waited for an explanation for such behavior. "You are forgetting something!" He reminded me about the promise I made earlier.

I believed he had forgotten about it too. I fluttered my eyelashes and looked straight in his eyes, "I wasn't! I am tired and wanted to take a rest."

"This moonlight walk won't be long, Aeris." He didn't let go of my wrist. I sighed and nodded my head. Then we walked to the royal garden.

To be honest, I felt awkward because his presence around me kept my mind stirred with unwanted thoughts. Moreover, he carried a significant smell and my little nose loved it. No matter how much I try to keep him away, something has kept us together since he stepped into our kingdom. We walked deeper into the garden and till now I didn't realize Caspian was holding my hands firmly. I felt something strange when he touched me. Electrifying sensations burn my skin, but I would be a fool to say I didn't crave it.

"Are we going to stay quiet like an owl?" I asked, breaking the silence barrier between us.

"Sometimes silence is better than saying anything, Aeris. I know you don't like me and feelings are mutual on both sides, but since we are together in this, we must stay together." His words sparked something in my heart.

He was a stranger to me, but his words gave me better hope than someone who carried the same blood. I was speechless and pressed my lips firmly.

"I have my reasons, but why do you hate me?" I jabbed while gritting my teeth.

He appeared blank with no emotions swirling in his golden eyes. Those mesmerizing orbs shone brighter under the moonlight. He made me breathless.

"I never said I hated you. I don't have feelings for you. However, I will always protect you because you are my possession. You are something far more valuable to me. You are my star! Aeris, the luminous star of the south." His eyes made a strong bond with mine. "Never ever thought you were just my wife or a queen to a kingdom. You are Aeris, the shining star of my world." We kept walking to the small pond in the middle of the garden.

I gulped the thick saliva down to my throat and opened my mouth, but no words came out. How can someone be so rude but attractive at the same time? He was a walking red flag, but why does he make me feel intimidated only through his words?

Suddenly, he grabbed me by my shoulders and looked right into my eyes. Slowly, he leaned forward and I saw him parting his lips. Was he kissing me? I never let Izel touch me without consent and this man who called me his possession, crossed all the limits. I was ready to slap him but he passed my lips and whispered in my ear, "Aeris! You are so naive! I would love to ruin you."

I gasped and stared at his face like I had seen a ghost of my past. He let loose his hold on my shoulders and intentionally pushed me into the water body behind me. The water splashed and the surface tension broke, drenching me with soiled water. I got up and glared at Caspian, who had an amusing expression decorated on his face. The guts he carried, I swear I wanted to rip that flirtatious smile from those lips.

"What the hell was that, Caspian?" I yelled at him.

Once he recovered from his laughing fit, he offered his huge hand to me. As proud as a peacock, I refused his help and got out of the pond by myself. The guards came rushing towards me and the maid handed me the towel.

"Queen Aeris, are you alright?" The kind maid asked me and I gave her an assuring smile.

"Yes, I am fine but I am certain someone won't be fine for long." My eyes burned holes in Caspian's numbnut head. What did he think when he pulled this act.

"I won't let you get away with it!" I stared at him before passing by.

"Aeris! Thank you for keeping the promise." Caspian said while I walked away from the garden with fury dancing over my head.

I returned to the chambers and picked a nightgown to change into my soaked outfit. My hair was soiled with dirty water and tomorrow I have to wash it. Such a nasty prank. Of course, he doesn't hate me, but he doesn't love me either. Oh well, like I was waiting for him to get down on his knees and show the love he carries in his heart. The place is full of cobwebs and knucklehead spiders who kept itching him and kept him on his toes to annoy the s**t out of me.

My eyes were drooping. It was a tiring day and I was extremely exhausted. When I reached bed, I fell and saw the moon peeking through the windows. Caspian hadn't returned and I hoped he had got lost on his horse, and left this place. I don't remember when I fell asleep, but I am sure I didn't sleep for long.

There was a loud knock on the door which disturbed me. When I opened my eyes, I noticed the sky was dark and there would be time for dawn. The bed was empty and my first thought would be Caspian knocking at the door. Reluctantly, I got up and opened the door but was surprised to find the guard outside the chamber. It must be something urgent.

"Your highness, Your father… He is no more. Please follow us." The guard broke the news and my entire world collapsed in seconds.

"What? My father?" I gasped and fell down on my knees, shocked by the news.

"You're the first one to be informed. Other royals would be informed and they all rushed to King Aramus's chamber."

I shifted and grabbed my cloak before heading downstairs and running to my father's room. My heart was beating like a drum and I prayed that the guard lied to me. My father cannot leave me. Wasn't he good in the morning? I heard loud moanings and recognised the voice. Arabella and others were there.

"Father!!!" I cried when I saw he had no longer responded.

"No… no… no… Father, please! Get up! You cannot leave us." Hot tears poured down like rain from my eyes.

The father remained cold and still but he surely broke my heart. It was the great loss this kingdom would have. Someone entered the chamber and my gaze went to him.

His words rang in my ears and my knuckles turned white when I clenched my fist in aggression.

"You killed him!" I gritted my teeth while glaring at him.