His beloved witch

Chapter 25: Terror

-Andre-

“I have heard about your interest in doing commerce with our Kingdom, Your Highness.”

Charles Reyes arrived before the time scheduled and requested immediate attention. I should have not cut short the interview to Octavio Mongrut, but the warlock is a member of the Council of Magic. I do not want to offend him unless it is necessary. Fortunately, Octavio wanted the position and understood my expectations for our army and from him.

"Yes, Mr. Reyes... Even from when my father was on the throne." Charles's eyes shone, and a smug smile appeared on his thin lips.

The warlock was tall and sturdy, yet he dragged his large tunic on the floor when he walked into my office. I do not understand why he is wearing it over his expensive suit, or why he came without bodyguards or any assistant. He just showed up alone.

“It is possible, Your Highness. Everything is possible in this life.”

My assistant and head of guards were by my side. Both were wary of this guest. There was something off about him. Regardless of that, what I found disturbing was the color of his eyes. They had almost the same shade as my witch. Is that a common eye color of witches?

“My Kingdom has requested this treaty only to be denied, again and again. Why would it be different this time?”

“I am involved now, Your Highness. I can open a route for commerce between our kingdoms. And for a wide range of products, not just for those your Minister requested.”

More commerce means more markets where my Lycans can sell their products, ergo more jobs, more income, and a step closer to improving the life's standard of the average Lycan. But…

“I do not understand such generosity, Mr. Reyes.”

Charles Reyes is the youngest member of the Council of Magic. He is head of the most prominent family in the North of the Magic Kingdom. He is also a rewarded lawyer in ascension. According to Adela, Charles wants to be Head of the Council. He is an ambitious politician. Why would he be involved in one deal with my Kingdom? What is in it for him? Why are you here? I wanted to ask straight to him.

Suspicious. Very suspicious

The smugness in his face is annoying me. He stayed quiet and evaluated me, trying to read me.

“If we can talk alone, I will explain, Your Highness.”

Intriguing.

"Your Highness!" Dereck complained since I did not reject the idea.

“It is something confidential.” Charles raised his right hand to make his promise. “I, Charles Reyes, promise not to kill you or harm you today. If I do not fulfill my promise, then I will drop dead not long after. Mother Nature takes seriously the promise of their children.”

I did not move from my seat, deliberating about the offer. Why would he want to raise an incident between our kingdoms?

"Leave," I ordered to my team. Lycans have a thick skin against magic attacks. Let's see what he can tell me.

Dereck and Adela tried to fight my order, but no one can disobey. She left, closing the door with a frown on her face.

“Why are you here? What do you what?”

He smirked.

“Kassandra Lebrun is a dangerous witch. She is currently on the run. We have passed an order to capture her in all Kingdoms." Is this only about Blanche's grandmother? “Your fiancé and Kassandra are relatives.”

“I am aware of that.” I did not know who Kassandra was to my witch before I signed the decree. But it is not like it matters. “My mate has not requested special treatment for her grandmother. She feels Kassandra should pay for her crimes.”

“Kassandra created a potion to create fake love.” He said with resentment.

“I have read the reports.”

“Your Highness, it is pretty obvious that Kassandra bewitched you to fall for Blanche. Because fake love, false passion is her specialty!”

“Blanche is my mate. And that is my last word." I want to grab him by the neck for implying my bond with Blanche is fake, but I had to remember our status.

 “I can help you see it, Your Highness.” Charles changed and looked kind of crazy. “Would you like to test it? Would you like to know if your bond with Blanche is real?”

“I do not need it. If that is all…” I was about to stand up to dismiss him when he spoke again and waved a hand at me.

“Your Highness, you will win regardless of the result. If I test you and you are not under a spell or the effects of any potion...” Charles was nervous and looked at the clock on the wall. “You will know for sure your bond with the witch in question is real. And you will get the advantageous treaty you want... as a bonus.”

“But if you are bewitched… I will give you the antidote.” He pulled out of the sleeve of his tunic a small black box with two white pills. “Besides, you will get the treaty as compensation for your sufferings…" I want to laugh at him. "And I will take Blanche with me. She will never bother you again.” His eyes shined with hate.

                “Blanche is mine!” The Lycan inside of me disregarded the etiquette and shook in anger. "I do not need a test to prove it," I said, trying to calm down. I could hear Adela worried in the mind link worried by my aura's display thru the door. I blocked her so I can focus and avoid killing a guest.

                “This emotion you have is the product of a false passion, Your Highness. Once you are free, you will see things from another perspective. You will even despise Blanche.”

“No. Period," I stated firmly.

I tried to stand up, but I could not. What the hell!?

“You care now, but if you hate her… Who knows? You might even use your big claws to tear her apart…” He dared to smile!

“What?” I tried to move from my chair and go to his throat this time. But I could not move! When did it happen?

“You promised!”

“I do want to harm you, Your Highness. I just want to prove they bewitched you. The truth will avoid a bigger conflict and collateral damages for Charles. I mean, me.” He pulled a dagger from his sleeve. “You will even forget this incident when it is over.”

“How far do you think you can go with this?” I can f*****g mindlink. What is wrong with this warlock?

“I just need a drop of your blood for the test.” He pulled the blade closer to my hand.

Blood is used for evil magic. I do not trust him with my blood at any expense!

“This means war. I am warning you one last time."

"But..."

"Even if it is a spell, I want the witch. I do not care. I am keeping her. Fated or chosen, she is mine."

He stopped and hid the dagger.

To my surprise, he pouted like a child. What is going on here?

“Why males always act this way when a Lebrun is involved? Kassandra, Miriam, Blanche! They always get on my way!” That was not a male voice. "Blanche cannot be Queen of anywhere! Not even of dogs!”

Dogs? I am the f*****g Lycan King, anger run thru my veins, and I broke the spell, or whatever s**t was tying me to the chair.

The warlock shrieked and waved both hands in a circular motion. I pushed easily over the invisible force that tried to sit me down again. He threw a small bottle with yellow content on the floor where I was standing. I expected some pain, but it did nothing to me.

“s**t! It is not working! Why do you not cooperate?"

I was ready to kill him, shifting my hands in claws.

Hurting Blanche, he said? I am going to show him how much damage can do the hate of a Lycan!

My pride was wounded to call my guards or Adela. I wanted to reduce this piece of s**t before handing him over to the authorities of his Kingdom.

However, he moved faster than I expected and pulled out some hair from his head. I did not understand this f*****g warlock! Then I saw the hair in his hand turn into a net that shined like silver.

Charles was ready to throw the net at me with a sick smile on his face when a bulky warlock with short, dirty white hair pushed through my door, breaking it. The blades of the door flew away and broke the windows, ending in the garden.

Blanche, Adela, and my guards were behind the bulky warlock. However, my eyes fixed on my witch. I am almost sure the ground shook at every step she took inside the room.

Her eyes were larger, and the amazing amber of her eyes was gone… Blanche looks so hot in freak mode.

Charles jumped away from me and pulled the dagger from that freaking tunic! He launched himself at my witch at a speed impossible to match.

I was stupefied. Everyone there was!

My witch was prepared, though. She moved out of the way just in time, making Charles land on the wall behind her. Blanche used the chance and pressed him against the wall, pulling his hair by the nape, making him drop the dagger with her other hand.

Charles screamed like a female. The voice was female!

“She got her. Do not worry.” The bulky warlock smiled at me. “I am Francisco, by the way. Nice meeting you, King Andre.” He offered me his hand for a handshake.

 “Do not ever f*****g touch my male, b***h!”

I was going to get a boner very hard to control with a cold shower. Blanche called me her male! Not mate, but close enough.

The face of the warlock was turned to one side awkwardly while Blanche shook his head, pulling down his hair in anger.

Everyone could see tears streamed down Charles’s eyes.

“Show yourself, b***h!” Blanche screamed and hit the forehead of the warlock against the wall, again and again, making him bleed. “Show your face!”

Wait, what? The bulky warlock and Blanche referred to Charles as a female!

“Your Highness! I was too startled to tell you before, but Mr. Charles Reyes arrived, and he is here with four guards.” Adela informed me.

And who is this impostor?

“This one is not Kassandra Lebrun, right?” I asked, pointing at the witch, now landing on her stomach on the floor. I saw the change in her face… Female, one with brown eyes.

"This one does not have her level," Blanche answered me. "Francisco, a little help here, please?"

I straightened my back as Francisco smiled at me before going to sit on the back of the witch to keep her down.

She was now reduced and restrained with her own long hair on the floor. Blanche did that.

Amber eyes assessed my body for any injurie. Blanche then looked at my hands and fingers. Then she hugged me, and I hugged her back, burying my nose on her neck. My mate smells heavenly.

Blanche, my perfect Queen.

"The King is bewitched!" My attacker cried from the floor.

“It is a shame that you are so ignorant despite your wealth and status, witch," Francisco replied with a snicker. “Even I can sense the purity of a protection spell. Are you telling me you do not?"

“Who is she?” Dereck asked.

Charles Reyes, the real one, showed up at my office threshold, followed by his guards. He was not wearing a tunic. Yet, again, the color of his eyes was the same as my witch.

“This witch is Sabrina Brooke. The daughter of the Head of the Council of Magic.” He answered. “Guards!”

"Charlie! It is not what it looks like! I…" Sabrina screamed when two guards picked her up from the floor after Francisco stood up.

“The engagement is off.”

“No! Please, let me explain! I was protecting you! If she did something wrong, then my father…” Sabrina cried.

“Sabrina, do you not realize what you have done? You have just caused an international incident! And above all, you tried to harm my daughter! Unforgivable!"

Daughter? Does he mean... Blanche?

“Charlie! No! You cannot do this to me. Not again!”

Again?

“Take her to her father.” Charles waved his hand for the other warlocks to take Sabrina out and away.

 "I apologize. This should have not happened, King Andre." He said, but sat comfortably, gazing at us.

This warlock was smugger than the fake Charles.

Blanche took a protective stand before me, looking straight in the eye at the warlock.

Goddess! I see more resemblances between them. The way Charles frowns. I remembered it then. Morgana said the name of Blanche’s father. And it was Charles!

"Father."

Blanche greeted Charles, raising her chin up.

                “Despite your shortcomings, I see you got better at fighting. Your friend Morgana taught you well how to face a Northern witch."

                “Sabrina is a psycho. You never believed my mother or me about her. And look at what she did now. She almost hurt Andre.”

"No, I was about to break his neck... her neck." I was truly mortified, although glad that Blanche called me her male, and fought someone for me.

The animal part of me did not like it, but my human side appreciated the gesture. She cares... that necklace will open up sooner than expected.

My expectations of a proper introduction with her father flew thru the window.

“The dagger was a bit dramatic from her. But I doubt Sabrina would have done anything harmful."

“I do not care! I want her to be punished, and severely! I do not care who her father is, Charles. Do something!”

I hide a smile.

“Blanche, you know how it is. There will be consequences, but…”

"What an asshole you are, Charles!" Francisco exclaimed.

“You invited this warlock and not your father?” Charles complained, looking at Francisco with hate.

“I called her! I always call Blanche because I care! Why do you always have to be a stuck-up muttonhead with your own daughter? And you wondered why Miriam did not want to go back with you? You are nothing but a big fool!"

“How dare you, raven? I did call her, but she changed her number! I was keeping tabs on my daughter. I was going to her rescue when King Stefan kidnapped her!"

“Stefan did what? When?"

Blanche looked at me and whispered that we would talk about it later.

"Raven? Raven, you called me! You know what, I am proud to be a raven and not a spoiled motherfucker, piece of trash like you!” That was colorful. Did Blanche learn from him? "You do not deserve her as your daughter!"

"You are a nobody without power! Lower class, worthless piece of…!" Charles had his own share of curses.

“Your Highness, what are we doing to do?” Adela linked me, concerned.

"Enough!” Blanche yelled at them at the top of her lungs, and again the ground shook, disappearing her iris. “Both of you! You are giving me a headache." She panted. "Where are your manners, Mr. Reyes? This is the Kingdom of the Lycans, and your fiancé tried to harm the King.”

“Former fiancé. At least, I will get rid of her now.”

"Francisco, you should know better! My mom would be very unhappy." His nose crinkled.

“You both should say peace and end this fight! You promised to mom!”

The warlocks glared at each other one last time before sitting on opposite chairs, crossing their arms, none of them say peace.

Adela looked around the mess, and a couple of maids walked in to clean. Dereck and his team did not leave. Fortunately, my office is big enough.

"Don't you have manners, Mr. Important fuckwit? Get the door fixed!" Francisco insulted Charles again. He did not look at Francisco, only waved his hand, and the door got back to its place.

"I am sorry. This is my mess.” Blanche apologized to me. “My family issues followed me here, and you almost got hurt.”

"No. Not at all," I said, cupping her face with my hands. Her hands were on my chest. Blanche’s skin was warm. A little too warm, I thought.

“Again, with the drama! Sabrina’s skills are terrible. She tested me once, and it came out negative even though I knew I was bewitched. A total failure. Kassandra's magic is undetectable.”

"Miriam never bewitched you, asshole! Who were you by then? You alone drank from a glass that was not for you. And that was not even Miriam's fault, but Kassandra's. You..."

"I have had enough of you, Francisco!"

"Shut up, damn it!" Francisco yelled.

"If I did not promise her, I would never hurt you, you will be dead by now! And look at the scene we are playing before strangers."

"And why do you get mad? This is your fault!" Francisco yelled at Charles.

I have so many questions for Blanche.

"They are at it, again." Blanche was tired and relied on me. I helped her sit on my lap. I could not care less what others would think. I just wrapped my arms around her.

I ordered the maids to leave, along with my guards, but Adela and Dereck stayed.

“You have a fever!” I screamed after I kissed Blanche’s forehead.

She was burning, and her pulse was accelerated.

Francisco and Charles rushed to us, and again my instinct made me hold her against me. To protect her, keep her with me. Blanche laid her head on my shoulder as I wrapped my arms tightly against her feverish body.

“Are you feeling sick?” I asked, concerned. The witch did not touch her… Or did I not see something?

"That is not a sickness! This is magic. f**k, I did not realize sooner. It is a curse!" Charles said, looking at her, worried. "Let me see!" He ordered her, trying to grab Blanche's hand. I growled to keep him away while I sniffed her.

"I am fine!" She blurted out at him, annoyed, hiding her face in my chest. But I felt Blanche was not alright. "I just need…" she was telling me, when her face lost color, despite her rising temperature. Her eyes fought to stay open but lose the battle. She was unconscious… But terror engulfed me when I noticed my mate was not breathing!