Chapter Fourteen

[P.O.V. Riley Woods]

I have decided that after today I will leave the Kingdom for a little while. I'm not leaving because I regret my decision to give up the crown or because I have anything against Jared because I don't. But I believe where Jared and I have to accept our new roles, we could use a little time apart from one another. I'm only staying today because of my brother's wedding to his mate and his coronation is today. Just because we are not really talking doesn't mean I don't want to be there for him. I would regret it if I didn't go today.

It's my brother's wedding reception right now and during this entire time some guests here have been giving me this pity look. Some have even come up to me telling me how sorry they were that I didn't get the throne and other things like that. It was irritating me, but I did my best not to snap at them. Just getting done talking to another guest. I roll my eyes as they walk away and find a server serving champagne. Taking two glasses and gulping both down, a woman speaks to me.

"You look like you 're not having a delightful time." The woman says looking behind me there Lexi stood all dressed up. She didn't look as beautiful as my little rejected mate. But she looked gorgeous.

"Wow, look at you..." telling her in awe. Placing the champagne flutes down, then closing in the distance between us. "It's been a while, Lexi.."

"It has only been a week since we have seen each other. I'm glad though that you're excited to see me." She says as a blush comes upon her cheeks. "Are you going to respond to what I said earlier?"

"Not as much as I want to. Everyone here thinks it's an enormous loss for me to lose the throne. So they think they have to kiss ass to me." Taking a deep breath and letting it out, letting out some of the irritation.

"Is it?" She asks flirtatiously. Giving her a slight smile and looking down at her. I place the tips of my finger on my right hand on her arm and lighting rub them against her skin.

"No." Telling her bluntly, then I look back up at her face. She was smiling an enormous smile.

"Well, if that's the case then I guess I don't need to make you feel better." She says as she grabs my right arm as gives me a lustful look.

As she did, I spotted Venessa not far away behind Lexi staring at us with a deadly glare. Even though our bond is broken it doesn't mean it's completely gone, it's just barely even there. So I understood why she was glaring at us. Lexi places her hands on my chest and rubs it all sexily. Pulling my attention back to Lexi, I try hard to pretend Venessa wasn't even there.

"I never said I didn't want you to make me feel better. If you have something in mind, I'm all game about it. Just be gentle with me I still hurt from yesterday's fight." Telling her seductively.

"Well, in that case, then I guess we should leave this party..."

"With your lead, my mistress." Lexi grabs my right hand and leads me away from this party.

While she did, I looked towards Venessa, and she looked angry. Deep down, I felt I should've rejected Lexi. But the biggest part of me told me we needed Lexi to distract me from everything that has been going on. Giving Venessa the cold shoulder, I continue to follow Lexi.

Waking up after having sex with Lexi in my bedroom, she was no longer in here. I could feel my head pounding all I could wonder was what in the hell was in that drink? Before Lexi and I got familiar with one another, we had a bottle of champagne brought to my room to celebrate my loss in the fight. The only thing I remember after having that drink was having sex with her. I know she must have put something in that drink because it is a lot to get a half-breed like myself drunk. The reason I know she did is that Lexi is half a werewolf and witch. The question is what and why did she put it in my drink? Looking at the time it was evening, my brother's coronation will start soon. I will have to question Lexi later. Getting out of bed, I quickly get ready and head down to the throne room where the coronation will take place.

The coronation was like any other coronation. Very fancy, sacred words and oaths. Father and Mother giving their crowns and placing them upon Jared and his mate's head. There were quite a few people there to witness it. Now everybody is in the ballroom celebrating the new Higher King and Queen. It is almost like Jared's wedding again, with people glancing at me and giving their sincere apologies. The only difference is the place and the Alcohol. At least here I can gulp a whiskey down to take the edge off my annoyance and irritation.

Everybody was having a great time, that was until my father collapses to the floor. Some backed away while others were surrounding him. Kneeling on his hands and knees as his right hand clutches at his heart. He mumbles something and looks up at everyone with a serious and deadly look.

"Where is the previous Queen!?" He yells. Everyone whispered and look around. "I said where is my Queen!!?" Nobody responded. " I want every guard right now to look and find her!!" My Father grabs his chest in pain again. Everybody scrambles to look for my mother, including Jared and me.

[P.O.V. King Zyston Woods]

Having every guard on the look for my Queen, for I knew she was in danger and hurt. I could feel it in our bond and it's a crushing feeling. Looking for her myself, going everywhere I could think of. Heading to the greenhouse, it's one of her favorite places to think. Entering the greenhouse, I could smell a metallic smell and I knew instantly what it was. Following the scent, I could smell Adriana's scent mixed in with it as it got stronger. Hurrying with every step, I found her laying on the cold cement floor with a puddle around. Her hand covering her stomach as her blood stained her clothes and covered her hand. She was hardly even breathing.

Kneeling down next to her, it was like finding her in that basement again when Lang took her. My heart broke looking at her as tears sprung to my eyes. Picking her up into my lap, she gives me a small smile as the mate bond of sparks touched our skin.

"I knew you would find me.." she says quietly and breathlessly.

"I will always find you." Telling her tenderly while I tuck I piece of her raven silvered hair behind her ear. Alerting the royal medic team through mind link where we were and the situation.

"Zyston shes... Shes..."

"Don't talk you can tell me later after you 're taken care of." A few tears slip from my eyes.

"Zyston... Eva... Evanora is still alive." Hearing that evil witch's name has me and my beast in protective and cautious mode.

"Well, damn I guess the cat out of the bag." A sinister of a woman's voice says. Looking in front of me, there she stood. The woman I despised so much. She held a dagger covered in Adriana's blood. I couldn't help but glare at her I could feel and hear how upset my beasts were. They wanted to rip her head off even more now we know she is alive and hurt our mate. I couldn't help but feel the same way. "It's been a long time hasn't it kid?"

As she says the last line of her sentence, that's when my sons walked into the building. Slightly looking behind me, they stopped behind me at a suitable distance. Turning my full attention back to Evanora.

"My, now the entire family is here it's the first time I have never seen your kids in the flesh Zyston and I got to say they are splitting image of you. One of them reminds me of you while the other reminds me of Vincent." She says vixen-like. A deep growl rumbles through my chest, giving her the warning to stay away from my family.

"Who in the hell are you?" Riley asks.

"I'm curious as well," Jared says bluntly.

"Oh Zyston, you didn't tell your sweet boys about your dear old friend Evanora?" She asks sarcastically. "Well, boys, I'm Evanora Lexington I'm an ancient acquaintance of your Father and Mother."