5. Their Bargaining Chip
1119 Words
The date of the arranged mating was growing nearer and nearer – only six weeks remained – and Tatiana started feeling caged at the ancestral werewolf castle that she once viewed as home.
Hell, she felt caged in her own skin, unable to forget the memories of that one-night stand all those years ago, and yet in a tight position because of the damned alliance with the dragons.
She remembered Adrian’s touch and shivered, almost as if it was only yesterday she was in his arms. His addictive kisses, his sweet lovemaking, his ravaging good looks… everything about him was memorable – hell, unforgettable! – and not even his leaving her at the hotel made her resent him.
She wished she could find him somehow. She wished she could move earth and heavens to find him. As it was, and because of her obligations, they stood no chance.
Did they ever stand a chance really?
We can find him. And we can be happy together too, her wolf told her once the reminiscence became too much for her to handle.
Don’t be foolish. You know we cannot risk it. Another war just won’t do, Tatiana retorted almost bitterly.
Her wolf whined and then growled out her displeasure.
Tatiana could only ignore her.
She knew the situation wasn’t a pleasant one. Quite the contrary, it was pure torture – hell incarnate.
Getting mated to a dragon when her mate was out there doing heavens only know who – that was hardly ideal!
But she’d have to live with her choice, and she was choosing her people. She was choosing to spare them the hardships of another war, and all it could entail.
She wasn’t there for the third dragon-werewolf war, but she intended to prevent the fourth one – or at least not be at the core of it if it must come to be.
Her trail of thoughts was maddening, and she couldn’t help but release a heavy sigh.
It wasn’t long before she decided to take a soothing bath. Only six weeks remained.
It’s now or never if you want to back out of the arranged mating, her wolf supplied.
You know how much I want that but I can’t, Tatiana responded in a sad resigned tone.
She was still in the bath, trying to enjoy it despite her depressive thoughts, when there was a sense of unease at the palace, and a powerful aura that was hard to ignore came to be.
She couldn’t help but wonder who it belonged to, but wasn’t curious enough to go seek that person out.
She was much too engrossed in her thoughts when a servant entered, announcing to her that her father wanted to see her for an urgent matter.
It was then Tatiana decided to ask, “Who is visiting the palace?”
The servant raised her eyes, and as her dreamy and yet frightened gaze met Tatiana’s, this latter couldn’t help but wonder if the person was dream or nightmare material.
“It’s Theodore King,” the very name made Tatiana’s blood run cold. “And I don’t believe he’s here for a visit,” the servant went on.
What can he possibly want? After the humiliation he subjected me to, he dares to come here! She inwardly growled, but didn’t allow her annoyance to show on the surface.
Nevertheless, some of said annoyance seeped in her words when she told the servant, “Help me by setting up an outfit that’s fitting of a princess.”
The servant nodded, and Tatiana then left the bath and dried herself with slow measured movements.
What was the revered god of war, Theos, doing here in the palace? His presence and impromptu arrival didn’t bode well to her. Tatiana couldn’t help but allow a sigh out before heading to her bed chambers.
She found the most elegant and refined dress on the bed, waiting for her. It was simple and yet it screamed chic at the same time. Just her style!
Within a few minutes, she was ready to have a talk with her father and the great Theos.
She walked at unhurried pace towards the king’s bed chambers where he awaited her presence.
As soon as her father saw her, he began without even allowing her the time to greet him properly, “Prince Theodore has made us an offer, an offer we cannot refuse.”
“I am all ears, father,” Tatiana nodded, her heart heavy, her head swimming with the possibilities and endless scenarios.
“He said he was ready to give up the throne to his brother should the coronation ceremony take place tomorrow,” he told her, not beating around the bushes. “That would make Prince Liam king and you his queen.”
“Tomorrow?” Tatiana gasped. “Is he insane? No! No!”
“We don’t have much of a choice,” her father said on a sigh that was as fake as his rueful smile.
“What do you mean?”
“He claims you have had an affair with someone four years ago, and that should Liam want to break things off, consequences could be dire.”
Tatiana’s heart started thudding wildly in her chest, and she closed her eyes in dismay.
They knew about Adrian. Could they – would they – hurt him? The very thought of him hurt troubled her.
What a powerful bargaining chip they had!
“Tatiana dear,” her father began in a soothing tone, mistaking the reason behind her distress, “I am sure Prince Liam has had his fair share of conquests as well, and that he won’t be resentful toward you for having an affair or two.”
She nodded stiffly at that.
Be still, my heart. We have to do everything in our power to protect Adrian. He is no match to the despicable dragons, she told herself.
“So, will there be a war or will my daughter become queen of the dragons?” Her father asked sweetly.
She could almost taste the greed behind his words.
The offer was almost too good to be true. And it almost felt as if he couldn’t get rid of her quickly enough.
“I will become queen,” she said in a resigned tone, steeling her resolve.
It wasn’t just about her people anymore. Now, it was about her own fated mate. The dragons were all but threatening to have his head, and possibly hers, for the one night stand they had four years ago. And not only could she not allow a war to happen because of her foolishness, but she also wouldn’t allow harm to befall her mate.
- Writer
