The Forgotten Heir

Chapter 3

    The car ride was not at all awkward. Despite it being a couple hours long. We spent the time getting to know each other. Favorite colors. Mine was blue and his was red. Favorite movies. Mine was a toss up between Back to the Future and the Breakfast club, and his was Rocky. We both were fans of classics. August was the son of my father’s former captain, Jacob. I knew Jacob pretty well growing up; he was constantly around me and my family. But I didn’t remember August. 

    “I’m not surprised that you don’t remember me. I was a teeny little thing in training to be a knight,” he chuckled. “I was scrappy, I struggled to keep up with the other boys. I embarrassed dad,” he confessed.

    “I doubt that,” I objected, glancing over at him. He tightly gripped the steering wheel, his face suddenly looked pale. “Hey,” I said gently, reaching over and touching his leg gently. 

    “Nienna he was,” he said flatly, glancing over at me. “I’ve changed a lot since then. I changed for him. To make him proud, to honor him. Because I’m the one who got him killed,” he admitted. But I didn’t believe it. “When I was twelve, I got into some trouble. I was trying to prove myself, I went hunting alone. I wandered into a rogue’s territory, and he did not have it. He attacked me and tried to kill me. Dad came out of nowhere and tackled him. Trying to protect me. He was winning. Until the others showed up. There was a group of them. At least four more. I tried to help. But they tossed me away like a rag doll. My vision went blurry, I couldn't move. I had to sit there and watch them tear him to shreds," he growled. 

    I didn't know what to say at first. This was a sensitive topic for him. A single event changed his entire life. “It doesn’t matter what you think,” I finally said. He looked at me like I slapped him in the face. “Your father did what he did to protect you, because he loved you. He pushed you because he saw the potential to be the man you are today inside you. Just because he was trying a little tough love with you doesn’t mean he was disappointed in you. You were a kid, August. No one expects kids to be the best warriors. But they do expect them to grow into the best men,” I said, giving his leg a gentle squeeze. 

    August said nothing. His eyes were fixed on the road. I saw this was a very sensitive topic for him. 

    I pursed my lips, “I know what it’s like to feel like your father is ashamed of you. My dad took my title, ripped me from his line of succession, and banished me from his kingdom. And he couldn’t even look at me when he did it. He came into the room and he told my mother we were being removed, and his eyes never left her face. He never looked down at me. He never hugged me, he never said goodbye. My mother had to drag me out of the palace as I kicked and screamed for him,” I said as I looked out onto the road, the memories flooding my mind. “I grew up thinking he was ashamed. That there couldn’t be a hybrid Princess, let alone a Queen. Word got out that he had Marcus, and I felt like he was replacing me. Not only was he a pureblood werewolf, but he was a son. The ideal heir,” I rolled my eyes. “He moved on with his life as though I never existed. Your father kept you by his side. He tried to teach and train you in everything that he could. And he saved you. He tracked you down in the forest and came to your rescue. If he truly was ashamed and his wolf felt like you were too small, or too weak he would have let nature run its natural course. His wolf would have sat there and watched survival of the fittest. But he didn’t. He jumped in and defended you. Because he hadn’t given up on you. He believed in you. And he would be proud of you,” I said, looking back over at him with a small smile. “You rose above all obstacles and followed in his footsteps. And now you’ve found your mate, who just happens to be a princess,” I grinned as I shrugged innocently at the last part. August finally cracked at that. A small smirk spread across his lips and I smiled triumphantly. 

       “Thanks,” he finally said, glancing over at me. “My mother has been trying to tell me to stop beating myself up about it for years, but I just can’t help how I feel. If I had done better, or if I wasn’t stupid enough to go into those woods alone,” he said, shaking his head. 

    “Hey,” I breathed as I reached over and gave his leg another squeeze. “You can’t change it. No matter how much you want to. So quit thinking about what could have happened. It doesn’t matter. You have to focus on you now. The past is set in stone, but you’re here now and your future is moving.” 

    He smiled. 

    “What?” I asked, chuckling. 

    “Nothing,” he said as he shook his head at me again. “You’re going to make a great Queen, that’s all.” 

    My eyes fell to the floor. That was not something I looked forward to. My mother was a great Queen. Following in her footsteps terrified me. “Thanks,” I said with a forced smile.

    We were entering the Elven Kingdom, and August was in awe at the sight. The moonlight reflected off the palace and the rest of the village, making the buildings look like they were glowing. The forests were also lit by the amount of fireflies, fairies, and the gentle glow of the moon moths. “Welcome to the Elf Kingdom, Captain,” I smiled. 

    “Gotta say this is not what I was expecting,” he chuckled as he glanced out the window at the children running, playing with a group of fairies.

    “And what were you expecting?” I asked. 

    “I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “Not this,” he chuckled as he drove up to the palace. After putting the car in park, I unbuckled my seat belt and reached for the door. “No, I’ll get it,” August objected. 

    “August, I think it’d be a good idea if I got out first,” I warned. 

    “Don’t be ridiculous, what kind of gentleman would I be if I let a princess climb out of a car by herself in her own kingdom,” he shook his head and got out of the car. As soon as he did, there was a loud crashing sound, and I knew exactly what was happening. With a sigh, I got out of the car. 

    “CYRA!” I roared, tearing the elf captain’s attention away from August, whom she had pinned against the side of the car, a blade at his throat. 

    “Princess!” she said in surprise, not loosening her grip on August. 

    “Let him go,” I said calmly. 

    “But-” she started. 

    “Let. Him. Go,” I repeated, and Cyra removed the dagger from his throat and backed away. August regained his balance and rubbed his neck. 

    “I don’t remember bringing one of them back with you being part of the plan,” she hissed at me.

    “What plan?” August joked. “You mean the nonexistent plan?” 

    I shot him a hard look. 

    “Sorry,” he apologized. 

    “The wolf has a point. I told you your plan was moronic,” Cyra chimed in. 

    “See?” August said. 

    I shook my head. “Cyra this is August. He’s the Captain of my father’s guard,” I introduced. “August this is Captain Cyra. She’s a dear friend.” 

    “A friend you ignore on multiple occasions.” She said crossing her arms. 

    “Where’s my mother?” I ignored her.

    “Inside pacing around like a madwoman,” Cyra responded. 

    “Maybe I should go,” August offered as I began up the steps.

    I stopped. I didn't want him to go. But I couldn’t think of a real reason for him to stay… Father ordered him to make sure I got here safely, and he did that. I had nothing but what my heart was screaming. “Please stay,” I uttered as I turned back to him. His piercing blue eyes met mine. “At least see the palace and my mother,” I added quickly as Cyra was staring in confusion. 

    “Of course, Princess,” he nodded. The way he said that word killed me. It was like electricity running down my spine. It made me want to be closer to him. His lips to be just inches from mine, and his hands in my hair. 

    God, this was frustrating. 

    I forced these thoughts from my head and gave August a smile before heading into the palace. 

-

August’s P.O.V 

    “Please stay.” 

    Nienna’s sweet words kept ringing through my ears. The way she said that made me want to take her in my arms and kiss those sweet lips. She was killing me. The longer I was with her, the more I never wanted to leave. I wanted to take her away where it could just be the two of us. No feud. No need to fight. Just peace. We could be together, I could mark her as my mate, and we could start our own pack. But I knew she’d never go along with that. Her people were too important to her, and the answers she needed about what actually happened between her parents. 

    The palace was beautiful. The amount of white and silver should be illegal. They obviously worshipped the Moon Goddess more than the wolf royal family. At least they showed it more than the wolves. The pale walls and luminous silver made the place almost look like an ice castle. The floors were made of almost water, like blue tile. Nienna was definitely the most colorful thing in this place. Her red gown made her stand out like a sore thumb. But yet in Wolf Kingdom she blended right in. Well, other than her scent, of course. That was probably the intent. She dressed to blend in. This made me want to see her dress as she normally would. What did Princess Nienna usually wear? What was the Elf Princess actually like?

    “Oh, thank the Goddess!” I was pulled out of my thoughts as Nienna’s mother came running down the stairs and pulled her daughter in her arms.

    She was just as beautiful as I remembered her. Her snow white hair cascaded down her back, several braids running through the style. She wore a light blue gown that trailed behind her, and her silver crown elegantly twisted around her head. I couldn’t help but smile at the mother-daughter reunion. 

    “Your father was in such pain!” The Queen gasped as she pulled away from her daughter and looked into Nienna’s face. Her silver eyes frantically looking over her daughter’s face to see if she too was hurt. “I was so worried!” Tòra exclaimed. 

    Nienna was right. The Queen could sense his pain. She more than likely claimed Kaiden as her mate. So someone is lying. We just have to figure out who and why. 

    “Mama, I’m fine,” Nienna assured her, giving her mother’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. 

    I felt entirely out of place. I tried not to stare, looking around at the intricate designs on the ceiling.  

    “Tell me everything over dinner,” Queen Tòra said. 

    “Mama you haven’t eaten?” Nienna scolded her mother, and a smirk spread across my lips. It was sweet the way they took care of each other. 

    “I was far too anxious,” the Queen objected. “Now, who’s your friend?” This snapped me back to the world down here on the floor. 

    “Mom, this is-” 

    “Little August?” Tòra asked after seeing my face, stepping closer to me, her silver eyes scanning my face. 

    “Your majesty,” I smiled at her kindly. 

    I couldn’t believe she remembered me. But I was glad she did. She was always kind to me, and consoled me when I was angry at my father. Or when the other boys bullied me. She was really good with words. Nienna was just like her. 

    She made her way over to me and pulled me into her arms, “It devastated me when I heard about what happened,” she breathed. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she said as she pulled away and gently touched my face. 

    I nodded. “Thank you, your majesty.” 

    “August followed in his father’s footsteps and became dad’s Captain,” Nienna chimed in as she stepped beside her mother. 

    “He’d be so proud,” the Queen smiled. “Now let’s eat,” she said, turning to head toward what I imagined was the dining hall. 

    Nienna nodded her head in her mother’s direction and held out for me to take her hand. A small smile spread across my lips and I took her hand. 

    We made our way into the dining hall, and I took a seat beside Nienna. “So,” Nienna’s mother began. “How did you two find each other? I’ve always heard when wolves find their mates it’s like electric,” the Queen said as she took a sip of her wine. 

    “How did you know?” Nienna asked. 

    “Oh, please sweetheart you came in here holding his hand for one, and two I know that look,” she shrugged. 

    “What look?” Nienna and I both asked in unison. 

    “I don’t know how to describe it,” Tòra shrugged. “A look of longing?” She suggested. “It’s like you’re drawn to each other with your eyes and your expression. It was the look that made me realize I lost your father.” 

    “Mom-”  The Queen cut her off. 

    “This is about you two, not me. I want to hear all about it.” She insisted. 

    “Well, August was guarding the palace,” Nienna began. 

    “I suddenly smelled an overwhelming smell of Moon Elf and went to investigate the car that just pulled up,” I added. 

    “He looked like he was going to cut out my driver’s throat for a second,” Nienna laughed. 

    “I was only doing my job,” I defended myself with a chuckle. “Then Nienna stepped out of the car and as soon as I saw her face I knew.” 

    “It was like we were frozen. I couldn’t move, my heart stopped and my wolf wanted nothing but to be with him.” 

    “Your wolf is being active again?” The Queen’s eyes lit up. 

    “She was very active at the palace,” Nienna nodded. 

    “I don’t understand what happened to your wolf?” I asked her.

    “Ever since we were banished I haven’t been able to shift,” Nienna confessed. “But my wolf is still with me. She’s just, well, I’ve always called it hibernating. Sometimes she wakes up and is a little active, but until today I have had little activity from her.”

    “What?” It dumbfounded me. “You can’t shift? That doesn’t make any sense!” I insisted. 

    “We know. Our healers can’t explain it. I’ve tried sending messages to Kaiden to allow Nienna to see a Wolf doctor, but he wouldn’t open my letters,” Tòra said, shaking her head.   

    Now my wolf was angry. Nienna would see a wolf doctor when she arrived back in Wolf Kingdom. The way she should have years before. It was going to take some serious restraint to protect Kaiden and not kill him now.

    “Well, you can see a doctor when you get back,” I said.

     “Back?” The Queen asked. 

    “Father has invited me to stay in Wolf Kingdom for two weeks,” Nienna said, finally cutting into her steak.

    “Two weeks? I don’t know if I can handle you being gone that long. I almost died from worry tonight,” Tòra shook her head. 

    “I can promise you your majesty, she’ll be perfectly safe. I’ll see to that,” I promised her. And the middle-aged woman held my gaze for a moment, studying my face, and finally nodded. I’m hoping she saw just how much her daughter’s safety meant to me. I had only known Nienna a few hours, and I already wanted to constantly be by her side. To protect her from all harm. 

    “I can also take care of myself,” Nienna interjected. 

    “Of course you can, dear. August is just telling an old woman what she needs to hear,” the Queen said. “Now tell me about your father. What happened? Why was he in such pain?” 

    “So dad couldn’t stand that he treated me like complete garbage so he had these witches perform a memory spell on him so everyone, including him, thought I was dead. And that you and dad were never together,” she explained. 

    The Queen shook her head. “And seeing you caused the spell to weaken, and he was being driven mad by the two realities,” she guessed. 

    “Exactly,” Nienna nodded. 

    “Your majesty!” Cyra barged into the dining hall. Just out of habit, I was instantly on my feet. My wolf alert. 

    “What is it, Cyra?” The Queen asked, rising to her feet. 

    “There’s been another wolf attack,” the elf captain replied. 

    “What?” I interjected. 

    “Don’t act like you don’t know, Captain.” Cyra fired back at me. 

    “That’s enough!” Nienna roared. The room went silent. “Where was the attack?” She asked Cyra.

    “The farms,” Cyra replied. 

    “I’ll get changed and I’ll meet you down there,” the princess said calmly, and headed upstairs. 

    “I've got my eyes on you, Wolf Boy,” Cyra threatened. My wolf was growing impatient with her, but I fought him back. 

    “Cyra, that’s enough,” The Queen fired. 

    What the Hell happened? There was no need for an attack. Kaiden would never put his daughter in danger now that he remembered that she was here. Just one more thing that didn’t make sense……