The Fae King's Darling

Here comes the King

King Orion’s POV

The ride was long, but I enjoyed the scenery. It had been a few months since I visited the Moon Princess and I had missed her. Over the past few months we had sent correspondence frequently in regards to the new peace treaty between our kingdoms. Princess Sadie was the only wolf, former human, I would trust. Her aura was pure and calming, which got her in so much trouble since she met her mate. Every male wanted her, luckily, she had one of the strongest males of the whole Bergarian realm as her mate.

Since I rarely left the Light Kingdom, not many people knew or noticed me. Instead of wearing my royal robes, I donned just plain, tan riding trousers and a loose white tunic. My chest was bare to bring in the sunlight to give me energy for my power if we were ever stopped along the way by bandits. I made sure that we carried lightly, even forgoing the usual royal carriage. It was nice to be out and be among the norm, not worrying about what the Fae court or Parliament was saying. 

Even though I wasn’t wearing my royal attire, many would look at the small riding caravan. We were riding the best bred horses, expensive and highly trained, was written all over these mares and stallions. Our kingdom was known for our horses with a slight sheen to them, it was in the special bristled brushes we used. The finest bristles were made by a special tree that grew on the Eastern ocean, the Melloway tree. 

Aslan, my white stallion, reared a bit as we entered the Warrior Pack territory. It could sense the strong shifter, Alpha Seth and it was on edge. It wasn’t often he was met with an animal more ferocious than he could be at times. 

Patting his neck lightly to calm him, I heard a small gasp from up the path that led into the large mansion. Princess Sadie, soon to be Queen, skipped down the stairway with her rounded belly. I gave a smile, something I didn’t often do but when it came to her I couldn’t help it. It wasn’t anything remotely romantic, just another close friend that I would entrust my life with. I dismounted my horse and gave it to a standing omega waiting.

“Orion! You came!” Sadie continued to waddle/trot to me as I quickly bent down and gave her a hug. Alpha Seth wasn’t too far behind, scowling as he saw me. Werewolves were still leary of me, and with good reason. Until the treaty was signed they would continue to be that way. 

“Alpha Seth,” I nodded and pushed my long hair to my back. Reaching out and grabbing his forearm we both shook vigorously while I gave him a smirk. His wolf was on edge and it was great to taunt the wolf. “It’s great you could make it. Sadie hasn’t stopped talking about it.” He rolled his eyes. “Always about other men,” he grumbled. Sadie pushed  him to the side playfully and gave him a kiss. 

“I have you and your men staying in the royal cabin, to the right side of the pack house,” she pointed to the large cabin, which wasn’t really a cabin at all. It was 3 stories high and made of some rich, dark  wood from the Vamparia Kingdom. The lights covered the outside and several whisps came around looking into the windows. “It’s perfect, Princess. Thank you for accommodating me. My men and I are ever grateful.” Sadie’s eyes shone brightly as she clapped her hands playfully. 

“I’ve had dinner delivered to you and your men. There was a disturbance in the dining hall today and I think you would much rather take a rest in your quarters.” I gave a smirk, “trouble in paradise already?” Seth looked annoyed, meaning it was dealing with his warriors.

“Yeah,” Seth continued. “Some visiting wolf tried to stake claim on the adopted human daughter of my cousins’ family. It’s been taken care of.” Seth ran his hand through his hair.

“A human?” I questioned. “Has the law finally been passed by the Supernatural Council?” The Supernatural Council was a panel of a large mix of different species in Bergarian, that decided what was best as the realm as a whole. They had talked for years to let trustworthy humans visit and it looks like it has been granted. 

“Yes, but a thorough background check has to be done. This girl has lived with werewolves all her life, unbeknownst to her though. She just found out just yesterday we exist and she took it quite well,” Sadie bragged. “She’s such a cute thing. I finally have someone the same size as me!” Seth chuckled as his mate. 

“I’ll have to meet her, I’ve never met a human. You were changed by the time I met you.” Sadie nodded in agreement. “Oh you will meet her alright,” she giggled and winked at Seth who rolled his eyes. “Anyway, enjoy your dinner. I still have to help with preparations for tomorrow. Please make yourselves at home!

Sadie and Seth left and my men had already walked into the cabin. The horses were tended to by a few omegas that wanted to help. “Be sure to give him extra oats, this was his first long journey.” The omegas smiled and bowed several times before leaving. 

Resting my hand on my sword and checking out the surroundings, I decided to head out for a walk. The men were inside taking care of a few things and the restless beating out of my heart made my chest quake. I felt a rush of adrenaline, the flow of my magic inside me. It could very well be the thought of our kingdoms finally being at peace and bringing more light to both of our kingdoms. Our kingdoms would be unstoppable being the largest companionships of them all. 

The Light Kingdom and the Moon Kingdom were the largest, followed by Vamparia which was under a complete renovation of their court and parliament. Queen Diana demanded it and being born half witch she could accomplish it. Then there were several smaller kingdoms, those with elves and ogres and witches. 

The last of the light sources had fallen across the horizon, and now the light pixies started to light  the edge of the forests. All was quiet except for the natural sounds of nature. Many wolves had retreated back to their homes and some were just now going out for the nightly patrol. 

There was a small melody of music that led me to the complete opposite side of the pack territory, there was a lake and a few lights glowed around in the middle of it. The soft voice was hypnotising. Gripping my sword with one hand and the sheath in the other I began to come closer. The singing became louder and the sound made my ears tingle. Sirens stay close to the coast line, not unless they have started to inhabit large lakes now. She would be out of her territory and would have to be removed. 

Several bushes lay near the water side, creeping down and looking through the brush I saw a girl. She was laying on her stomach on the pier. She wasn’t a shifter, a fae or even a fairy. I continued to stare at her while I finally heard the words she was singing. 

“If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Sink me in the river at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Oh-oh, oh-oh”

The music filled my ears and I felt the sorrow as each word left her lips. Her fingers continued to dance on the water’s surface and pieces of her hair fell in. A few drops of tears left her face and dropped into the water. Why was I so captivated by this creature, what was she?

“Your highness!” A large voice boomed from across the courtyard of the territory. 

“s**t,” I whispered and I peered through the bushes again to catch a glimpse of the woman. I couldn’t see her face and in my heart I knew I had to see her. “Your Highness!” The voice boomed again and as I looked again, she had started running back to the pack house. 

“Dammit, what is it Annan?” Annan looked at me confused and raised his arms in question.

“What the hell?” His long braid got caught in the wind and a nearby fairy grabbed it and gave it a tug. “Not now, Lydia! I’m working!” He swatted his hands in her direction. 

“She followed you all the way to the Moon Kingdom territory? She must have it bad,” I chuckled lightly. 

“You have no idea,” he groaned.

“I told you not to mess with a faerie, they get obsessed until they have had their fill then they will leave you alone.” 

“Yeah, Yeah. At least she can’t grow to fae size for another 24 hours.” 

Slapping him on the back, we headed back to our cabin. “The men were waiting to eat until you arrived.”

“They could have eaten without me. I’m here on vacation, away from the political s**t. You should have told them.” 

“They refused, you know your most trusted guards worship you, you know.” 

“Just because I saved their village and families doesn’t mean they need to follow me around all the time,” I groaned. 

I was just a small fae when it happened. Vamparia wasn’t always as secluded as they are now. Rogue vampires invaded several villages across the Light Kingdom, luckily I was visiting my aunt when a small band of them entered. That was the first time I had to use my sword and magic to fight off against an enemy. I’d saved the village and earned the title of “The Fearless,” because I was only 80 years old. Not near enough time for the full training of a king or knight.

“Eamon, Brenden and Fionne, what ails you? Could you not feed yourself and expect your dear King to feed you?” They all laughed, drinking a large pint of fae wine they had carried with them from home. It wouldn’t last the night. “Nah, dear King. We just wished for ye to enjoy our spoils before the party tomorrow. There are to be many unmated women coming across to the territory, hearing of your arrival.” I groaned. 

“Pass the flask, Brenden.” A loud cheer came from the group. I could only be myself around Annan and Sadie, my guards had pledged their life to me but I could not let them in. There were too many dangers around. I had to keep the entire “Fearless King,” facade in place for as long as I could, until I found my mate that is. I wanted her to know the real me and with that, I’ll have to let everyone else in too. I was just scared of the results, if I could fight with her by my side it would be all the better. I just hope she can trust me enough to understand the dealings we will have to go through together to change a nation and rid the court and parliament of its oppression.

“Are ye ready for the ceremony tomorrow? The wolves do it quite differently from us, so I’m excited to watch,” Eamon spoke. His fiery red hair along with his brothers was always up in a bun as their beards grew long. It was uncharacteristic for faes to wear long beards but it suited the brothers just fine. They had grown up in the village, away from the courts and away from the stupid mannerisms one had to have if growing up royalty. Most of his village sported them and the women preferred them. 

I took the pad of my finger and traced the flask. “Yes, I’ve been to one before. Sadie and Seth’s were quite interesting. You can see the love in their eyes, it makes one quite jealous,” I lowered my eyes and took another sip of the strong ale. The men were quiet, not sure what to say. 

“We will all find our mates one day. Goddess Selene has promised,” Fionne slammed his pint down. He was the more dramatic of the group. “I just pray I don’t have to share a mate, I don’t think I could handle seeing my other brothers’ c***s in my woman.” Brenden let out a boisterous laugh while Eamon spit some of his ale on Annan. Laughters invaded the table and I let out a small chuckle at the antics. 

“It doesn’t work that way, i***t,” Annan spoke. You aren’t identical triplets, you don’t share a soul. It’d never work.” 

“Never say never,” Eamon laughed. The Goddess just put humans on the supernatural mating list. Things could change.” Eamon took a sip. This conversation was going from fun to ridiculous theories. I excused myself and went up to my quarters. 

The room was large, the king size bed looked inviting. Taking off my belt with my sword and dagger, I laid it in the chair next to me. Taking off my riding boots and untying my trousers and linen shirt, I threw them to the chair as well and sunk into the large bed.

Beds always felt alone but this night it felt even more lonely and cold. Very cold. 

My thoughts drifted to the little siren by the lake. Her voice was calming, it reminded me of Sadie. Her hair was dark that cloaked her face just enough to where I couldn’t see her. The thought crossed my mind that if she had only looked up, so I could see if she was mine. I had not ever been so captivated by a woman. My heart continues to race at the thought of her. 

Putting a hand on my chest, to calm my heart, I think nothing of what she sang to help me get to sleep.