Eleven

Day of the Ball

I sat anxiously waiting for Caspian in the drawing room. I could hear guests arrive through the front door as the halls had become a bustle of noise and laughter. It seemed to have been a long time since anyone was last allowed into the Alpha King's castle.

That just made me all the more nervous. What if people didn't like me? What if they thought I wasn't worthy of all this praise and affection? I had already heard the rumours circulating that the Alpha King's new wife was a witch in disguise and she had bewitched the king into loving her.

How else would anyone explain how the cold-hearted Alpha King suddenly turned into a caring and devoted husband, after he supposedly slaughtered all his previous conquests?

"Are you ready, m'lady?" the butler asked.

I nodded and waited as he opened the doors. I joined Caspian at the bottom of the main hall stairs, and we walked together to the ballroom. I wondered how all the girls in the room would react once they saw how well Caspian cleaned up, with his hair slicked back to better reveal his beautiful blue eyes and chiselled face.

If it weren't for the gorgeous gown he gifted me and the pretty hairstyle the maids put me in, I would've felt like a sack of potatoes next to him.

"Now arriving, Alpha King, Caspian Eros and Luna Queen, Aurora Eros. All rise and greet the moon and star of our land."

I felt my nerves jolt as all eyes turned toward us as we walked down the steps. I tried to focus more on my footing than the many eyes that peered at me and just hoped I made it to the end without falling.

As soon as we made it to the bottom of the stairs, everyone rushed toward Caspian, and all started speaking at once. I was soon lost in the sea of people until a hand reached out and grasped mine. I looked up to see Caspian smiling down at me with a look in his eyes that said everything was going to be alright, as long as I stayed by his side.

I gripped his hand and forced a smile as people introduced themselves and asked a slew of questions, their words blurring together until I couldn't understand, but Caspian seemed to have no problem answering them all back.

There was a large bang as the doors opened once more.

"Now announcing, her Majesty, the Queen Mother!"

Everyone instantly bowed as a woman in stark comparison to Caspian entered the room. Her eyes, which looked exactly like Caspian's only much colder, scanned the ballroom as if she was picking out her next prey.

"Welcome everyone, to this joyous celebration. My son has found a mate befitting of the title Luna Queen. Lady Sevika Emery, please come forward so I may greet you properly," she said and took her place on the Alpha King's throne.

A few people gasped and others muttered, speaking of how the Queen Mother was already stirring up trouble. It seemed to me that this was a regular occasion at celebrations, and maybe one of the main reasons Caspian stopped having them.

"Mother, this is my wife, Aurora Eros."

I curtsied with a bow. "A pleasure to meet you, Queen Mother."

"Aurora? I was told your new wife's name is Sevika Emery from the Rafina Pack." Her voice was sharp with an icy tone.

"I felt this name better suited her as the Luna Queen and newest addition to the Eros family. The name bestowed upon her by her former family was rather crude for a royal member."

Although his words suggested that my name wasn't fit enough, I knew that wasn't the truth and tried not to smile at his deception.

"Well, her name matters not, as long as she understands her duties properly. Go, enjoy your celebrations, I won't stand in the way." She stood up without so much as a smile goodbye and left the room. As soon as she was gone, so left the tension and everyone went back to their chit-chat and dancing.

"Would you like something to drink?" Caspian asked and I nodded. "Wait here, I'll get them and come back." He disappeared into the crowd and a few people followed after him. Something told me he was going to be a while, and I didn't want to attract any attention myself, so I wandered over to the balconies where Caspian could still see me, but I was out of major view from everyone else.

The night air was crisp but there was a warm breeze every so often. The sun was just setting over the horizon which turned the sky into a beautiful pink and purple swirl of clouds that reminded me of cotton candy.

As if on cue my stomach growled and reminded me that I had not eaten anything since breakfast this morning, and it wasn't a whole lot even with Caspian still testing my food, I had little appetite knowing what possibly awaited me at the celebration.

I heard footsteps approaching behind me, confident in their stride and thought that could only be one person and turned to smile at Caspian. "What took you so –"

Only it wasn't Caspian. It was Magnus.

He smiled maliciously. "Hey, sis. Long time no see.