The Fae King's Darling

Naked Fairy

King Orion’s POV

I’ve been sitting here for the past hour watching the unmated fae maidens dance with barely any clothes on. Their thin material was being caught in the small breeze coming from the large balcony window. It was tradition that every few months they send in dancers from across the fae country to try and woo me into picking one of them for a queen. The parliament was a pain in my wings.  Little did they know I had no desire to pick any of them. Not ever.  

For the past 800 years I’ve built up a reputation for myself, only to protect the throne and to appease my parents. I’ve been told I was heartless, conniving, a womanizer, and a trickster with some of the things I had supposedly done. Some of them are true, I was a trickster with parliament. That is in a Fae’s nature, to trick and play games, I was just only enhancing it a bit more than others. 

I smiled to the center of the room where the women danced, remembering one of my tricks. We had gathered for a large banquet in honor of the sun. We were the light kingdom, so celebrating the Second Sun Season was expected. The food was laid for all to see, many delicacies from around our nation. Lotus flower candies, chocolate sponge cakes, strawberry soufflés and ginger tea amongst others sat around the tables. Everyone had seated and was waiting for me to raise my hand to begin the feast. Before I could begin you could hear a large scream from across the garden, several faun were chasing a woodland fairy sprite who was completely naked and in an enlarged form. She was laughing and playing and as she jumped and fluttered over the table, the fauns going through their rutting season stepped on all the food and cutlery causing the entire feast to be ruined. Once the trampled food laid in a giant heap of trash, everyone looked up at me in shock, waiting for me to be angered. 

What was funny was, everyone thought if I lost my temper I would end them. Being the largest Fae as well as King could give you that assumption but it was quite the opposite. I hated these ceremonies as much as the sleezy concubines I had to keep stored away in a harem on the other side of the castle. Pointless. 

I waved my hand, stood up and put my hands behind my back and trailed off with Annan, my advisor and best friend by my side. He was the one I put in charge of making them think of me the way that they do. That way there was no threat, no one dared to stand up to me and the throne. To be heartless. That was what my father wanted of me not just to protect the throne but for our family as well.

The one thing they never pushed for me was finding a queen.  Faes are more lenient with mating with non-mates or chosen mates. Faes crave companions as well as power. Many nobles mated with those that would give them more power or status in the court but it never worked. I stopped accepting chosen mates' unions into the court for that reason. It has helped with corruption greatly. The Moon Goddess choose our mates for a reason, why not honor it?

The girls were still dancing, a good hour later and I was growing bored. I haphazardly leaned on my elbow on the throne and threw my leg over the armrest, my signature sitting style for when I was getting impatient. The music stopped after the chorus and I waved my hand for Annan to make the announcement. He knew the drill. 

“Thank you all for coming this year. His highness has to regretfully inform you that he will not be taking a chosen mate this year. If you will please exit the throne room and we will see everyone at the Winter Ball.” There were groans of protest but I ignored them, putting my arm over my forehead and staring at the ceiling. 

The ceiling was made of marble tile and painted with the most skilled painter over 1200 years ago. The painting was called, “Meeting of Mates.” Several women were dancing in scantily clad clothing and male fae reaching for their mates. Their eyes locked on one another and they were smiling. The way a fae could find one’s mate was by staring into their eyes and looking into their soul. Taking a large sigh I heard Annan clear his throat. 

“Yes, Annan?” I rolled my eyes. 

“Still pouting?” Annan sat beside my throne in his appointed chair and leaned on the arm rest nearest to me. 

“I’m just tired of waiting. 800 rotations of the sun and I still haven't found her. Maybe my reputation to scare off enemies has also scared her too.”

“I don’t think that is the case. You said so yourself that Sadie claimed the Moon Goddess was giving you one soon.” Annan was always the voice of reason, only he could lift my spirits. 

Sadie or also known as Princess Sabrina became my second closest confidant besides Annan. She could see right through the facade I put on for my kingdom. To appear strong but on the inside I was a weak man waiting for his beloved soulmate to grace his life. She brought a message of hope that my love would be graced to me soon but would be like a little wisp that tries to defy anyone that tries to take control of her. 

The last few hundred years I had become depressed and my usual entertainment had bored me. There was a time I had a few favorite concubines but I hadn’t laid a finger on them for the past 300 years. The Goddess must have been punishing me. 

Before I could reply with a response, Sebille walked in the throne room without knocking. Annan and I both groaned in annoyance. You sleep with a woman one time and she thinks she owns the place. Hell, it was well over 350 years ago, but who's counting? 

“Yes, Sebille? How can we help you?” Annan said in a groaning tone, not acting professionally. I gave him a smirk and light chuckle so she couldn’t hear. 

Overall, Sebille was decent in her looks. She was naturally slender, medium sized breasts that were always on display. Her red lips were a bit overdrawn and her eyes were an alabaster grey that matched her dull personality. We grew up as friends a long time ago but as she grew older she realized what influence her family had over the parliament. She wanted to get into the laws and tax some of the people more heavily to give a bit more money in her and her family’s pocket. I saw right through her greediness right after I slept with her. She started bossing my servants and trying to dock their pay all within one night of sleeping with her. Sebille was quickly thrown out and put back in her spot as dutchess. I never planned on keeping her around anyway, it was a one time deal just like all the others. 

“Your highness, I come bringing news of the Fae Council regarding the Peace Treaty of the Moon Kingdom,” she said sweetly. Upon hearing the news I sat up. This peace treaty and alliance with the Moon Kingdom would greatly benefit both of our nations. Protection for both of us as well as seeking justice for those who cannot do so alone. That was Princess Sadie’s ultimate plea and immediately drew me to her. To help those that couldn’t help themselves. 

“I see,” I spoke with no emotion. Standing up from my throne, my robes danced across the marble as I started down the stairs. “When does she want the treaty signed?” I stopped in front of her, glaring. 

“There is a mating ceremony tomorrow at the Warrior Pack. She said she would have time to do it afterwards. You are welcome to come to the ceremony and enjoy the festivities.” Sebille said, fluttering her eyelashes. 

“Tell her I’ll be there,” I turned and waved her off. 

“Would you like an escort your highness? I am actually free tomorrow?” I stopped in my tracks and turned my head so I could lay one eye on her. 

“No.” I continued to walk out of the room while I heard a large huff come from her lips as she stomped to the door. 

Willa’s POV

I groaned as Violet and Alexo continued to suck faces beside me. Violet always made sure I didn’t feel like the third wheel when she dated before but I sure do feel like one now since she found Alexo. Many times I thought about licking the window just to feel like I was doing something instead of hearing lip smacking to my right. 

“How are you doing back there, Willa?” Alpha Remus spoke. 

“Just peachy,” I rolled my eyes. Remus laughed with River. River was sitting with Remus in the passenger seat talking about pack duties that I had no clue were about. Something about rogues, witch enchantments and meeting some conniving faes in the Bergarian world. 

We came up to our destination pack house about 30 minutes ago, they let us through once our caravan had shown proper pack ID’s. I had my special permission slip form from our elders and was let through. There was a pack that guarded the portal to the other world, the Pineville Creek Pack, they had their own operations here. Small shops, bakeries, hotels and the like were here and if a human stumbled into this area I don’t think they would know the difference, it was just a small town full of werewolves living their daily lives. 

We continued through the town and drove to a dirt road that took us farther into the woods. The path was quickly covered with brush and trees so no one could really see unless you were looking for it. A large two story garage was beside a large double tree archway. Nothing looked particularly special about it. If someone wanted to get married there it would be nice though.

Alpha Remus had everyone get out of the cars and had us carry our one bag each. The cars were taken away and Remus was given a ticket for each car they brought. They were parked on the second floor and we would get them back once we were done with our business in Bergarain. Sports cars, SUVs, Jeeps and a few motorcycles littered the garage. Some people must be insanely rich. 

Violet grabbed my hand and pulled me with her and Alexo and Mom kept a close eye on me. She gave me a smile as we came to the tree archway as we listened to the Pineville Creek’s Alpha.

“There are many of you that have not gone through the portal, so I will let you know the instructions:  Once you step foot through the portal there will be a silver path of stones. Do not step off the path or you will be stuck in darkness forever and not be able to find your way back. Continue to follow the path until you will arrive in Bergarian.”

Those that hadn’t been through the portal looked at each other worried but Mom came up to me and held my hand tightly. “Don’t worry Willa. I’ll be here with you alright?” I nodded at her. Violet has such a wonderful mother, it almost makes me jealous. 

Carlos was now walking up, just exiting the large passenger van he rode in, he gave me a wink and walked up to me. “Hey there doll!” he nudged me with his shoulder. Mom looked at him warily, she wasn’t a big fan of Carlos or his friends. “I forgot to ask, what color dress are you wearing?”

“Um, teal. Why do you need to know that?” I asked. 

“No reason. He smirked and gave me a shoulder-side hug. I never let my hand go from Mom as he walked away. 

“What was that about?” Mom asked worriedly. 

“Carlos asked me to be his date to the mating ceremony. Violet says that Carlos is telling everyone I might be his second chance mate,” I rolled my eyes. “How would I even know if I was a mate to someone? I’m human?” Mom hummed in response and looked at her husband and smiled. 

“I am not sure about humans, but I do know with werewolves we have an undeniable attraction to each other and when our touch touches another part of our mate’s skin tingles erupt all over our bodies. Then there is a pull when the bond traps you in its web and makes you inseparable, it's beautiful.” Mom continued to look at River as she spoke. Smiling at the thought I looked back at Carlos. 

He was an attractive guy and I could see the appeal but I didn’t have that attraction or pull that she was talking about. I wasn’t sure about any tingles because I had never touched his skin before. Shaking the thought, our line moved for us to pass through the portal. 

People started to line up, Violet and Alexo were first and Violet eagerly looked behind and saw me, waving her hand childishly to me. I waved my hand back and gave her a small smile. Two at a time we went through, Mom and I were next to go through and I felt the butterflies in my stomach. Just yesterday I found out about werewolves and the supernatural, now I’m going into a world full of fantasy creatures from fairy tales. Who knew so much could change in just twenty four hours.