His beloved witch

Chapter 22: Fair warning

-Blanche-

A minute ago, Andre looked so vulnerable while talking about his mother and his work for the Lycan Kingdom. He means well, and he is honest. And passionate about what he does.

“You are more, Blanche. So much more than an ally.” Andre told me against my lips.

The walls around my heart began to melt as if they were made of chocolate on a hot day. Goddess, all those sweet words!

“I am not ready to be your mate, but I can be your ally, Andre. This is my promise to you.” He needs help and if there is something I am good at is helping others.

"I can take it for now," Andre replied with a grin. “We are together now.”

Yeah… This is a chance for both of us.

I do not particularly like palaces, but the Lycan one is huge. Honestly, it is bigger and older than the palace of Stefan. How many rooms does it have? Regardless of the luxury and exquisite design of the four-story construction, the severity and color reminded me of the factory of Witchy Witch. The flags and banners were black, grey, and gold. It was dark and so depressing…

"There is something else I need to tell you since we are almost there. And I promise this is not how I meant to tell you.”

“Why the suspense about telling me? On our way here, I sensed you tried to hide something…” Considering his reaction when I mentioned Leon before… “Is it about Leon?” Andre blushed. “Am I right?”

“Yes.”

We were almost at the entrance of his palace after a long ride thru the garden behind the tall walls and the golden gate. “Leon is in prison. He committed a serious crime and will be judged accordingly.”

I gasped, shocked by the news. I could not believe it.

“What did he do?” Then I remembered that time. "Oh, no! Did someone find out he did not say where Clara was?" Andre looked at me, astonished.

"Did he hide the location of the werewolf princess?" This time, Andre was getting red in anger.

Oh crap!

“No one knew by then she was Stefan’s daughter… It was just Josh looking for her.”

“My father gave that order." He stated, and he got redder.

“Leon just…” I am making it worst for Leon. Blanche shut up! “He did it for me. The bad guys were after Clara, and Leon was helping me to protect her, hiding her.”

I sensed a new wave of anger in him.

“I could have met you by then.”

Oh… Mmm…

“Maybe or maybe not.” Impossible to know now. “Besides, I was in a relationship with Leon. Things would have been different by then.” I would have not broken up with Leon even for a King in that time despite our problems or this pull with Andre. “Things happen for a reason. It is better this way.”

“Yeah. Perhaps.” Andre did not sound convinced.

“When possible, I would like to visit him. Does he have a lawyer? I am sorry, how do you call them here? Defenders like in the werewolf’s territory?”

“We will about it talk later.” The expression of Andre was sour; he avoided my eyes.

“Andre…” I made him look at me, holding his face between my hands again. He needed the contact. “I see Leon as a friend, and nothing more than that. If he were in my heart, I would have accepted nothing to do with you.”

“You are loyal.”

Children of the Moon call loyal to what we call faithful.

“I expect the same benefit, my King..." I am in this relationship with him, giving me and him a chance. But he should reciprocate, although a fated Lycan does not cheat. If Andre does… I will leave him without looking back.

“You have my word.”

I was kissing Andre while sitting on his lap with my arms around his neck when someone opened the door of the limousine.

If I were a decade younger, I would have blushed, but I am Blanche Lebrun; so I smiled and combed my hair with my fingers before stepping out of the limo. Andre can be embarrassed for the two of us. He is the one with a hand under my blouse.

Again, a red carpet from the limo to the door’s palace. No surprise, the wood door was black with details in gold. A line of servants wearing black, white, and gold as uniforms was on both sides of our way in. All of them were bowing to us.

It was impressive the view of the sunset falling on the sad palace.

Inside the building, there was a gigantic golden chandelier. However, it seemed a little closed up despite the high roof. There was a big stair to go to the second floor. Damn it. I saw stairs and more stairs… f*****g stairs. I hate them. Did I mention I have short legs?

They covered the walls with paintings of portraits, conquests, and battles. Representations of blood here, blood there, fire… The biggest painting had a gigantic black Lycan stepping on the head of a vampire, crashing it, while others were shredding more creatures... humans, werewolves, and witches. What a way to receive visitors!

Andre was holding my hand when we found Cara and Eleazar beside three females. I doubt any of them are Andre's sister. They look around his age, and so does Cara.

The old Eleazar has a type, young female with dark brown hair, green eyes. Cara has that type besides being tall.

"Dear daughter-in-law…" She dared to call me. “I have summoned these three ladies here to be your entourage. They represent the best families of our Kingdom. And they will assist you. You can even name one of them as your personal assistant.”

“Adela can assist Blanche.” Andre growled and narrowed his eyes at one of them. The one with a hateful smirk on her face.

It is funny, but they looked more interesting to Eleazar than to Andre. What is the plan, Cara? I am older than her parents; there is no trick she can play on me.

“Cara, I have warned you. Andre would want to choose himself the ladies that will serve his Queen.” Eleazar said to his mate. But beyond that, he did not say more. The old king looks tired.

Father and son share some resemblances. Although, Eleazar is blond like Richard and Josh. Besides, Andre is taller and more handsome than his father. I would say that Andre looks more masculine, with sharper and perfect angles on his face. And I am not talking yet about his body. He can open a coconut with those arms.

Getting back to reality.

Andre was pressing his molars so tightly that he could break them, yet his hold on my hand never changed. I could not allow him to ruin his perfect teeth, so I intervened.

"Since I am not the Queen yet…" I added the last word to spite Cara. She has the best expressions ever when it is mentioned that I am or will be the Queen. "I do not need neither request staff."

"It is traditional. The future bride should be accompanied everywhere by her ladies, until the day of the mating ceremony."

“Blanche will have guards, not ladies.” Andre interrupted Cara. However, there was no reaction from her.

I hate to be discussed as if I were not present. And there will be no mating ceremony in quite a while, I will not accept assistants or whatever. I do not want strangers following my tail. Especially when those come from Cara.

“Blanche decides what she wants here or anywhere.” I raised my voice. f**k, I am in unfamiliar territory, but… "Something to be clear about -from the start- is that I am an individual. No one -and I repeat, no one- will make me do something I do not want to."

“Darling…” Cara sounds so fake. “We must protect your virtue.” I wanted to laugh. This wench! What does she expect me to say? Well…

“Dear mother-in-law…” I used my sweet voice on her. Let’s see how that sets on her.

Goal achieved; Cara did not expect me to join her game.

"I respect your traditions and your territory, but I decide when Andre will be welcomed in my bed… before and after any ceremony." Since she is not blushing red enough, there is more I can say. "And if protecting my virtue -as you call it- is the reason for three ladies to follow me around, you should not worry yourself about it. That ship sailed long ago." The red I wanted on her face was there, making me feel satisfied.

Mute. I wanted to laugh, but it is not the moment, and I am tired. I could use a nap.

“Andre, I am tired.” I used my dove eyes on him. Andre’s grin changed to a sly smirk.

“We will be downstairs in an hour and ready for dinner!” Andre lifted me in his arms and carried me upstairs.

Eleazar was red, but he looked like he wanted to laugh, too. Interesting. He might not be so bad if he laughs at the expense of Cara. She did not know what to reply and looked at the ladies standing there, while embarrassed and angry when she got out of the shock.

“Where am I?” I asked him when he closed the door.

Perhaps I should thank him. I did not use the stairs this time. My mortal enemy.

“Your room... Am I welcome to nap with you?” He purred at my ear, and I slapped his chest to put me down.

“No.” I giggled. “I would like to take a shower and…”

When I looked around, I marveled at the beauty of my room.

"It has everything you asked. You have a spacious balcony to see the internal garden. If you open the door to the right, there is another room with a laboratory. I am sorry it is not at one hundred percent. Adela will ask you about what ingredients you want… And behind the door of the left, a room with paint, canvas, and all things you need to paint… Also, with a view to the garden.”

“You did everything so fast.”

“When you have resources or power, everything is possible. And I have both.”

“You are so humble.”

“And handsome.”

I laughed.

"I'm serious. I want to take a shower."

"Adela told me the closet is full. I leave you for now."

I will not even fight it.

“Sure.” Since Adela contacted my favorite designers, I will contact them and pay directly. I do not feel comfortable wearing things I have not purchased.

"And… Thank you." Andre pulled me to him. I kept my hands on his muscular arms, refusing to hug him. However, I felt his strong arms under my fingertips. “You do not have to call her mother-in-law. Just Cara.” I nodded at him.

“Please, do not kick her out. It is so much fun to irritate her. I will torture her even further.”

Andre laughed, and the sound was amazing.

“Moon Goddess is so wise. You are perfect for me.”

“Go to work, Lycan. I am where you wanted me to be.” I gave him a soft peck on his kissable lips before closing the door.

I was drying my hair when someone knocked on my door. When I opened it, I found Cara. She used her size to push and get inside my room.

"Little witch…" she started, while I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "I will teach you some manners. I am the Mother Queen of this Kingdom. You do as I say. The ladies stay. You do not sleep with Andre until the mating ceremony, if that ever happens. I will not let you drag our family name into any scandal. And never pull a stunt like that to me. Are we clear?"

I laughed, and I laughed.

“What is wrong with you? What is so funny? I am warning you!”

“Damn! Here, I thought I would face an expert in intrigues and deception, but you are nothing but a stupid brat.”

“How dare you? I am your future mother-in-law!”

“You are nothing to me, and if you were nothing to Eleazar, Andre’s father. I would punish you for your spoiled behavior. However, I will give you a warning…”

“Andre is rotten spoiled…!” She tried to raise her voice to me and offend Andre.

Oh, sweet mistake. I have wanted to vent out my frustration, and here she offers me a release.

She can be tall, and I can have a weaker body than most of my witch sisters, but I am not a pushover.

“Listen, Lycan…” I had the hair of her nape in my fist, and I pulled her to my height. My nails are long and can harm her. “And listen well…” The speed I used to imprison her shocked her and gave me the upper hand. “I forgive you this time because you are nothing but an ignorant brat. Never insult Andre, or I will curse you to s**t yourself whenever you stand from a chair. I am an eighty-two-year-old witch, not some little witch, as you call me earlier.”

Cara whimpered.

“Are we clear?”

“Yes… But…”

“What?”

"Please, allow one lady to stay."

“Why?”

"Andre should not harbor more enemies… He is changing everything, and the nobles are mad." Cara was at the border of tears. I released her, pushing her away from me.

“How mad are they?” I asked.

“I think they are planning to kill him.”

I did not want to come here. I did not plan to care about him, but the moment Cara said Andre’s life was in danger, I felt the ground I was standing on disappear.

"Not in my watch," I said, more to myself than to her. "Now, tell me more…” I need all information I can get to help Andre.

“And Cara, if you are lying to me… Be ready for my wrath.”

“Because you are a witch?”

"No, because I am Blanche Lebrun, and I always make pay those who wrong me." Fair warning, I guess.