His beloved witch

Chapter 19: Until you are ready

-Blanche-

I feel tricked. I am a freaking mature witch, and this… this boy tricked me into an engagement!

Anger was about to burst out of me when Silvia hugged me to congratulate Andre and me.

“Do not ruin this!” Silvia hissed at my ear.

All my anger evaporated just to be replaced by guilt. My old companion.

Shit!

Silvia and Clara must be mad at me right now. I wanted to apologize for stealing Clara’s moment. This was her party! Damn Andre! Even Maggie must be upset. She worked so hard to pull out this event for Clara and Josh. I must find a moment to ask for their forgiveness.

"It is official now," Stefan shook hands with Andre. I wanted to smack out the radiant smile from Andre's face. However, the concern on Adela's face made me feel a little better. At least she knows Andre did wrong and that I will make him pay eventually, since I cannot make a scene right now.

“Welcome to the life of the taken Kings,” The King of fairies told Andre and offered his hand for a shake.

Andre stiffened and looked at him, barely covering the disgust he felt. However, he had to accept and shake the hand offered. I dislike the life of those in power or politics.

"Blanche!" Flora called my name, and I walked towards her, leaving Andre with the representative of the Vampires, the King of Fairies, a representative from the Council of Magic, and King Stefan. All males.

I did not want to stay there any longer. Silvia excused herself to deal with something at the party and took Maggie and Misha with her. Clara understood I was not in the mood and went to Josh after hugging me.

I left them to approach my friends, calling me and crossed paths with a female walking towards the group. When I turned back, I saw her holding the arm of the King of fairies. I did not like her; something about her was off.

That female tried to touch Andre to greet him, but he frowned and moved on time. With grace, I must add.

My witch sisters and fairy friends were talking happily and congratulated me, too. If they only knew… Although, Morgana might.

“I cannot believe it! Blanche, you are going to be the Queen of Lycans!” Flora shouted.

One of those bubbles would be helpful now to contain the sounds of happiness and excitement from the fairies.

“If I survive until that date.” Or if I do not kill Andre before, I wanted to say.

“I warned you about talking with Elias.” Morgana was enjoying the taste of victory, while I tasted vinegar in my tongue. I hate it when someone else is right.

"Did you tell him?" I asked her.

Paige smirked, knowing what Morgana did. She did not even look in the way of Mason, who was still entertaining a conversation with Amelie under the watch of Lorraine and Dominique.

“He was about to murder everyone here.” Morgana defended herself. “Be glad I arrived on time to explain. The ass rat of Elias! He used his shadow to distract Andre's guards, driving them away. And he even hid your scent with help from a third shadow!”

“A third shadow?” Oh… Crap, I thought Andre would sense I was around and not worry.

“He is gaining more and more power over the decades," Circe added. “His family linage after all.” I did not realize when they started talking about him.

"Excuse me, but what are you talking about?" Flora asked, with an interest in her eyes.

Andy recognized the look and warned her. “Do not gossip around, fairy. The truth is more complex.” He declared.

“Fine. Whatever. It is only that this announcement is going to hit headlines everywhere, instead of what our King is doing right now.” Flora explained. “He has that female next to him in an official event when our Queen is giving birth.”

Neither my witches nor I follow gossips about other kingdoms. But we paid attention to this one.

“Our King wants to activate an ancient law. He wants to have concubines inside the palace. It is said that he might even choose a second wife!" Anjara whispered about the female next to the King of Fairies.

“He has only daughters with our Queen, but the throne only passes to a male.” Flora explained. She was also uncomfortable and sad about the news. “Our population is unhappy, while all the media keep telling us to be glad since our King will secure his bloodline with a little prince in a concubine."

“Poor Queen.” Blair pitied the female. Fairies and witches discussed the new topic.

If Andre thinks I will allow him to have a second wife to provide him a child, he is out of his mind… What am I thinking? I make little sense! But he said he has sisters, right? Damn it! Well, Andre has done anything wrong… No! He did. f**k!

I do not know what I feel or what I want right now. That is why I need time alone! Andre does not give me space to figure things up.

"A Child of the Moon would never do that," Clara said, reading me like a book. And obviously after hearing the conversation between witches and fairies. She just pulled me out of the group. Josh was in a corner listening to Marcus while his eyes were focused on his mate.

"I did not say anything." I gave her a small smile and helped her to keep her balance.  

“You did not have to. Your face said it for you… and you openly glared at Andre when that female approached him.”

“I did not notice someone next to him,” I lied. Of course, I saw the fairy. Andre should move further away from her. She has a taste for taken males. Oh, no! There I go again…

"Please, can you accompany me? I want to change; Josh and I will leave soon." It is one of my duties as a maid of honor to help her.

We left the others still talking about the King of Fairies, and the asshole that he was by taking that female just to have an heir. One of his daughters can take the throne and do a good job, too.

Fuck, every Kingdom has its own reality and s**t going on. I do not want to be a judgmental person. It is their lives, and preferences… whatever, it is not my ass. I should not think about it. Yet, the idea of sharing a lover does not settle well inside of me.

When I entered the room to help Clara, I felt ambushed. My werewolf friends were there.

“I am sorry, I had to use a harsh tone before, Blanche,” Silvia explained. “I know you… You were angry and about to make a scene. I felt you were very close to reject Andre in front of everyone.”

That was not far from the truth. If I allow my anger to take over, I am not sure of what I am capable of.

“I am sorry for taking the spotlight from you, Clara. You all should be mad at me.”

“Silly!” Clara scoffed and hugged me awkwardly considering her big belly.

Misha and Maggie also chuckled after hearing me.

“On the contrary, everyone will talk about this event for generations now! Hugo found Rose, and you found your Lycan mate. It is all a blessing!” Maggie chirped like a child. “I am helping Moon Goddess with this party!” I guess she does not know about the King of Fairies and his mistress out there.

"This is more like an intervention, Blanche," Silvia explained.

“Excuse me?”

“I heard the way you were going to reveal your curse and how you got it to Andre. That only help to push someone away.”

“What is wrong with the way I said it? It is my truth, I…”

“Andre is your soulmate, a gift from your Goddess and ours.” Misha interrupted me.

“We only want you to be happy, but you have to give yourself a chance, too. Do not push him away.” Maggie intervened.

“Unlike Elias or even Leon, Andre is more vulnerable to what you do or say. He is the weak link in this relationship with you.” Maggie kept on.

“Blanche, you have lived among us enough to know this. A mate is a treasure for werewolves, yet some werewolves can reject that part of themselves.” Silvia said, and Misha blushed.

“You have no idea how we feel towards our fated mates. No other species could understand that better than Lycans.”

I began to sweat.

“Rejection of a fated mate does not exist for Lycans. A mate is absolute for them.” Maggie explained. “Even if you kick or push him, Andre will not let go. You will only hurt him.”

“Maggie, it is not like I plan to…”

"Please, listen. My mother-in-law was a Lycan, but my father-in-law never allowed himself to love her properly. He only hurt her.”

“He was a coward!” Clara yelled.

“Yes. He was afraid of her Lycan… She was Andre’s aunt.” I have forgotten about that story. “She died of a broken heart, Blanche. Her beast did not understand why her Alpha mate did not want her and stayed away from her. The time he spent away from her is what ended up breaking her poor heart.”

I remember the story Clara told me about Josh’s grandmother.

"A second chance is rare for werewolves and must be earned," Misha said, still blushing. I know that, but I guess Misha wants to say it out loud.

“My son learned his lesson.” She looked at Clara and Silvia. “And Moon Goddess granted him with Amelie. Yet, it is part of his punishment is to know who she is to him… who she will be to him and wait until the time comes.” I think he was just lucky, but I will not say that to my friend.

“That is the issue. There are no second chances for Lycans.” Maggie insisted. “Richard looked out for information about rejection, and there was none because they do not reject fated mates. He could not save his mother.”

"So, I accept him, or he dies. Is that what you are saying?"

"Pretty much," Maggie said.

"I dislike this." I feel anxiety rising inside of my chest. Pressure. So much pressure on my shoulders. I do not know what to believe right now.

“Blanche…” Silvia took my hands, and I breathed. "It is not only about him, but you."

I looked at her, confused.

"Andre is someone you can trust. He is not Damian, Elias, or Leon. He is yours." Silvia said.

"How do you know? All males are the same." I cannot hold my tongue when I am with Silvia.

“He is not just any male. Andre is your fated mate.” She said and my heart jumped in my chest. “I know you have agreed to move to Lycan territory, and I am guessing it is because Andre tricked you into that." He threatened me with war, but I cannot say that. "Just like he tricked you into wearing that necklace of engagement…" I looked at Silvia, surprised.

That s**t does not come out!

"The Blanche I know would never leave our business just like that," Clara added. "And you prefer to keep things in your territory. We are sure he did something, and you are angry."

“I have known you the longest…” Silvia called my attention. “You know how much I love you, Blanche. You know, I will never want you harmed or hurt.”

I nodded.

“I know you said you are giving him a chance, and that was all you, without tricks."

I nodded again. I made that mistake. s**t! How much did she hear?

“Alright! I cannot lie about it. I like him. But that does not mean that I will accept bullshit from him.”

“The King of Lycans would never betray his fated mate. Learn a little more about him, and you will understand him… Even support him. I am sure Moon Goddess and Mother Nature decided not only for the greater good but because you deserve the love only a soulmate can give you." Silvia said.

Clara changed into a more comfortable dress. She looked beautiful in her new dress; fairies do wonderful work with the fabrics produced by witches. That boutique is my favorite, too.

My friends hugged me and promised to visit me in Lycan territory. I promised to come back. I know they want the best for me. So, I did not complain about this "intervention".

Silvia stayed a little longer.

“Do not make the same mistake I did, my friend. I hid and had my baby girl without her father, then I lived in fear for almost six years, only to lose another fourteen years of my life frozen in a block of ice because I could not trust Stefan… Be better than me, Blanche.”

I bit my lower lip to keep the tears inside.

“Even if you do not trust Andre now, trust yourself.” She said, leaving me with my thoughts. “You are strong, you can do this.”

But what if I am not Andre’s fated mate? What if Elias is right and my grandmother had something to do with this strange mating? What if this turned to be a big lie? What would Andre do, then?

Fuck, what am I thinking?

When I came out of the changing room, Adela was there.

“Please, Miss Blanche… Forgive us. Andre was…” She bowed before me, and I rolled my eyes at her.

"Morgana told me my scent disappeared, and that almost triggered Andre's Lycan at the party."

“Yes. His Majesty is a wonderful male, and he wants to be a good King. He does not want to force you but… Please, forgive his recklessness and listen to his explanation. I beg this of you.”

Adela is very loyal to Andre, and she cares a lot about him. No one can buy that kind of loyalty. Andre might be who he seems to be.

“You do not have to apologize to me on his behalf. An apology is something personal, Adela.”

“Miss Blanche…”

“Just Blanche.” I cut her explanation.

“I am sorry, but I would prefer to call you Miss Blanche since you do not want me to address you as a Royal.”

I wanted to roll my eyes at her. But held it back.

"Fine, but you call me Blanche when you are ready." She gave me a small smile.

The words of Silvia were sinking slowly in my mind.

But what if Andre betrays me or mistreats me? All males do. What if I show him all of me and then he is the one rejecting me? He is a stranger to me, and we have not started on the right foot either.

Adela was escorting me back to Andre, who looked at me with an emotion I am not ready to acknowledge.

Every step closer to Andre became more difficult than the other.

I could hear my own sped-up heartbeats, warning me about the danger Andre represented for me. All my senses were screaming at me to take the hills and run!

Fear. I must recognize it, I am afraid…

Falling is just what the word says, and it hurts when you do it and there is no one there to catch you. But it hurts more when the arms that held you once drop you out suddenly.

I am not ready to trust.

Andre is offering me his hand right now. He looks so confident, so sure of what he feels, even though he does not know me. How so can he trust so easily in this? What if I am a traitor? What if I am the reason he gets killed? Why he is not afraid?

There are still a few steps away from each other, but I could not make myself walk towards him.

Everyone around us is cheering for Clara and Josh as they leave together for their honeymoon, but I do not move. I stubbornly stay where I am standing, prettified in my spot while Adela stays next to me. I saw how his hand falls after waiting for me to take it... Yet, I cannot move.

I lowered my gaze, ashamed of my cowardice. I hate this… It is so much easier to be alone.

Andre lifted my chin to look at me. I tried to avoid his heated gaze, but he took my hand and placed it over his chest.

The beating of his heart is so fast.

"I will go to you until you are ready to come to me, Blanche."