THE CONFLICT #2

CHAPTER 19

Huntley

Novena. I’d give anything to hear her say my name. Turn and find her standing close to me like she used to. Before all of this - before the Regius family took more from me. I watch her leave with eyes that only long for her as Selene’s angelic face appears before me. Her appearance blocking Novena's fleeing form, I'm forced to give her my attention. Selene’s canines are visible in anger as she snarls. Her undisputedly lovely face no longer holds the wonder it used to. I know the twisted soul that lies beneath. She’s the one that seduced me when I was first imprisoned here at the palace. She tempted me with her beauty and false charm, only to show me later what a snake she really is. But still I fell for her at a time when I was vulnerable and defenseless. She took great pleasure using my emotions for her twisted entertainment which later turned to an obsession I still cannot fully comprehend. I trusted her. I thought I loved her. A mistake I’m still paying for and not only me but Acheron too. It’s a mistake I never wanted to make again, until I met Novena. I don’t know if it’s because she appeared like my saving grace to take me away from my reality or because I didn’t believe she was real to begin with, but I couldn’t help falling for her.

“Princess Novena Mace is my mate.” Zelus’s voice is laced with venom, settling over the crowd, hushing them instantly.

He’s words hold a chill that leaves the crowd still. His voice is like ice, cruel and unforgiving. A side of him I’m sure he would never allow Novena to see. Nervousness runs through his court and present pack.

“By disrespecting her,” He says calmly, “you have disrespected me.”

He turns his head and nods at his warriors standing to his right. They transform into the warrior-grey wolves. I look back at Zelus to find Valour standing proud in his place, Zelus’s fine clothes shredded at his wolf's feet. His mouth drawn back in a snarl exposing his impressive canines. I have only moments to admire the Alpha of all Alpha’s before he launches his attack, followed by his guards on three of the individuals that so loudly growled and snarled at Novena’s passing. They have only a moment to realise what is happening. Only a second to turn into their wolf forms before the vicious attack begins. Selene smiles sadistically as the pained howls fill the hall while the rest of the pack looks on in fearful silence. The mates of those being attacked stand dangerously close. Their clear distress does nothing to satisfy their angered Prince. Valour rips the head off the male beneath him causing the males mate to foolishly attack in anguish. This is not just a lesson in respect, this is a killing. A way for the prince to vent his anger.

Selene leans closer to me as the unfortunate wolves stop struggling against Valour and his warriors, “Let’s leave now.”

“I wouldn’t if I was you, granddaughter. You can’t keep protecting him forever.” Her grandfather says from his seat.

Rolling her eyes and blatantly disregarding her grandfather's warning, Selene pulls at my arm. I follow her dejectedly, knowing that her help is never charity. We reach a joining room - a library filled to the painted ceiling and more books than any single person has ever read, when the doors behind us slam open.

“Where do you think you are going?” A harsh voice snarls from behind.

I turn just as Zelus is upon me. Vengeful and merciless. His hand closes around my neck as a clawed hand raises above me. Claws long and sharp are inches from my throat. I grimace at the sight of blood adorning his chin and chest. I'm almost relieved that my end is so near.

Selene appears at our side, “Zelus, let him go!” She commands forcefully.

Her words are followed by a punch in the face that sends me flying into the long table behind me. The wood breaks under the force of my weight crashing into it. I’m quick to my feet, quickly wiping at the blood in my mouth and leaking through my lips, to find Selene blocking Zelus’s path. Few people would stand in Zelus’s way; Selene is one of them – confident of her own authority and power. I take the moment to hide the evidence that my blood betrays.

“You gave him to me as my charge. You insult me by touching him without my permission.”

Zelus smiles widely, cruelly, his white teeth stained red, “You are right my precious cousin,” he says, stroking her pale cheek with the back of his fingers, leaving a trail of blood to mark her pale skin, “It is not my place.”

Selene smiles back at her cousin warily, her nose twitching at the feel of blood against her skin, “I will deal with his insult to you appropriately I swear.”

“And I believe you, because disobeying a command given by your Munditia is a death sentence.” Selene’s eyes go wide in response as Zelus continues, “Death will be his punishment, I believe it’s long overdue.” He says, delivering his sentencing.

“Zelus, you can’t! His parents rule the largest territory in North Continere. They own a large part of our forces! They could cause us a lot of trouble if they found out we executed their son! We cannot afford that after you started a war with the South!”

“Then their pack and the packs in agreement with them will die too, if they wish to challenge me and my authority! Be done with it Selene!”

I feel the blood drain from my face. It was inevitable I suppose. I should feel shocked or angered but there’s nothing except still calmness in me. My only regret is that I won’t get any more time with Novena. Selene opens her mouth again to say some keen remark when the doors open behind us. I hadn't even realised how tense my body had been until I laid eyes on my adoptive parents. Their eyes snap straight to mine, lingering only a second or two at the blood bleeding over my face, before shifting to take in the broken table and then the Royals. They bow elegantly and in sync to the Regius’s. Zelus's face is almost comical in its rage.

“Zaire, Rehan,” He says to them both, “your timing is unequivocal.”

My father, Zaire smiles charmingly, ignoring the blood coating Zelus’s upper body that would have surely unnerved a weaker male.

“It does appear that way.” Zaire says.

I marvel at both my fathers’ ability to remain calm and smiling in the face of a man who has just killed mercilessly. Their only tell-tale sign of wariness is Rehan’s constantly shifting eyes. Watching, noting weaknesses, identifying threats. It seems they both believe Zelus to be the greater concern as they focus their attention on him. Subtly dismissing Selene.

Zelus watches him too, with keen knowing eyes. “What do I owe this pleasure to, Legatus’?”

“Unfortunate timing as it may be, I shall require rooms beside my son’s as I intend to prolong my stay. Your hospitality granted of course.”

I hold my tongue knowing very well I do not have rooms, I have a room, more of a dungeon where Selene sends me when she has had her fill. I could almost feel Selene’s rage at the thought of having to move me from within her personal chambers – out of her immediate reach. I could sing.

“And this has nothing to do with your son’s lacking judgement when he opened his mouth to my mate?”

Zaire's smile stays steady, undeterred by Zelus' underlying promise of pain. Although one misplaced word, one overconfident gesture could end with his death – with ours.

“As I said, unfortunate timing. Still, his wholeness,” My father emphasizes, “is of great importance to my mate and I as our son and sole heir.”

Selene smirks at the word heir. She knows as well as I do that the royal family will never let me rule my fathers’ pack, not when I pose a direct threat to them. My fathers’ suspect as much. Although they keep placing an air of importance on me, repeatedly reminding the royals of my social standing despite my adoption - reminding them of what killing me without good reason would mean. And to name me a threat to their throne would weaken them tremendously.

“More on the business side, we are hosting an Autumn festival of celebration. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for you to show your beautiful mate some of our beloved country and culture.” Zaire says, sweetening the offer.

Zelus only glares murderously.

“Our court always welcomes its Legatus’.” Selene finally says diplomatically in her cousin's stead, “My family would also be honoured to attend such a spontaneous occasion. When will it be?” She asks.

Zaire says without a hick, “In two weeks.”

“Short notice isn’t it, Zaire?” Zelus seems annoyed.

“Not at all, it is Huntley's birthday after all.” Zaire smiles. “We have never missed celebrating it or the opportunity to show our heir to our pack. It is becoming increasingly difficult to assure them of his continued health when he never visits.”

Clever father, I think, knowing that he has placed Zelus in a difficult spot to refuse.

“Very well.” Zelus finally concedes.

Casting one last disgusted look my way, not minding the presence of my fathers’, Zelus leaves the room. His steps echoing with his massive strides. A heartbeat later Selene speaks into the lingering silence.

“You may leave now. I'll send servants to assist you to your rooms in a moment. In the meantime, go back and enjoy the dinner.”

Selene smiles pleasantly, it almost makes her appear beautiful. But I could never again see past the snake sitting just below the surface.

Zaire chuckles, "The dining hall is a bloodbath at the moment."

"Then go somewhere else." She insists. "Perhaps a stroll through the gardens. The night roses are truly a sight."

Rehan speaks for the first time, “In the company of our son?”

“No.” She draws sweetly, “I think I would like to have a word with him, but of course you will have as much time as you like with him during your stay.”

Zaire and Rehan barely keep from snarling, but that would be a dangerous move. Their hands are tied and well they know it, no matter what they do. Rehan, the softer natured one of my fathers, places a quick gentle hand to my cheek. His clear blue eyes will strength into me, promising me his protection - his love.

They have barely left, close enough to still be able to hear when Selene snaps, “You i***t!” She rages, slapping me across the face sharply, the force burning my cheek. She’s breathing hard as her face turns red and her eyes fill with tears.

“Come now Selene, we both know you don’t care that much for me. All I ask is to see Acheron before you kill us.”

“This is all your fault, I do so much for you, and this is how you repay me!”

“All you care about is what I can do for your body when you’re bored. The moment your mate arrives, god's help him, you’ll be more than happy to be rid of me and you know it.”

My words get me another slap to the face. I can’t contain the heat in my words or the disgust in my voice. The truth is that all she’s done is the least she could have after her cousins dragged me from my home and imprisoned me for simply having the same white hair and silver eyes as they do. Finding out about Acheron made me an even larger threat to Zelus’s throne, to his empire and his ambitions. Not only is my wolf a separate entity but is physically separate from me as well. The Regius keep their wolves a guarded secret. If word ever got out about me, the Regius would have more trouble on their hands than just a competitor for the throne. Because of that, Selene keeps Acheron locked away. Seldom do we get to spend time together and only ever away from prying eyes. Her eyes show a sadness I have always thought she is incapable of feeling, because that sadness tells me that she might care if I die and if that is true it would make hating her that much easier. To feel for me and still commit what she has done to me makes her more twisted than I care to think about. The truth is – death would be an escape from her that I would gladly accept. If not for my parents and Acheron, I would have sorted an escape long before now. But my parents can lie to themselves all they want; they know what I am here. A prisoner and they’ll never let me leave because I’ll never stop being a threat to Zelus’s throne and the Regius as a whole.

Her voice still my thoughts, cold as ice, she asks, “What do you believe are the truest assets to power?”

I consider her words half-heartedly, willing this conversation to be over, “I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

Her white hair flows around her like an aura, her pale skin milky and smooth. Her very image is engraved into my head, into my memories forever. There was a stage where I would have given anything to kiss those pink lips and have her silver gaze focused entirely on me.

“Image. The appearance of seeming powerfully. It is also a weakness, especially when you rely so heavily on that image. He can call himself Munditia all he likes, he’s not King yet. His orders only rival the authority of mine. However, it's best you keep your head down and out of his way until he cools off. Still, we have to appease him somehow.” Selene remarks cruelly, as the tip of her sharp finger slides down my chest, cutting into my tunic suggestively already considering how best I can make it up to her.

“And how better to do it than with spilled blood.”