Queen Midknight: The Wolf's Bride
Due to an ancient curse, anyone that wears the crown of Aradale becomes a cursed wolf. To live the rest of their lives separated from the other half of themselves. To be both human and a wolf but separated forever. In a world where werewolves are almost extinct, King Alexander of Aradale, must find a way to unite his wolf side with his human side. And at the same time stop his Queen from escaping or killing him. Will this wolf king achieve the impossible or will he die trying? This is a story of love, lost, curse and betrayal but most of all it is a wolf story like never before. Excerpt from the book. "Do you think Sir Judd and Queen Eileen are alright?" Jamie asked him. "Judd won't let anything happen to his wife. Western men are protective of their brides, Monisha" Alexander reassured her. "I know that but are they alright? Did I destroy two lives today, Alexander? I can't believe I did that to Eileen. I can't believe I trapped her with a man that doesn't feel anything for her" Talking about the marriage binding that took place that morning made Jamie sad. "Or maybe, you did them a favor. Maybe he will wake up to realize his imposed bride was the best thing that could ever happen to him. Maybe he will be willing to spend the rest of his life convincing his bride the same. Maybe it was meant to be" Alexander spoke in whispers to her. His voice was smooth and hopeful. But Jamie couldn't shake the feeling that he might be talking about himself not Judd. She decided to answer him. "What if his wife wants to feel the same for Judd but she can't. Because admitting she felt anything other than hatred and resentment for the man that stole her first life from her, might be too hard for her to imagine. Maybe she wants to relax in his arms every night and allow herself to feel something and she wants to feel it but she can't. Not without betraying everything she stands for. Not without knowing that everyone she left behind to start a new forced life was okay. Maybe she wants to feel it too but...maybe not. She has no choice in the matter" Alexander knew Jamie was talking about herself too. He felt the little happiness that always seemed to originate from the abdomen and slowly to the rest of the body. She wanted to feel! Alexander kissed her hair. It was the best news he has heard all day. "What if everyone she left behind was okay? What if they gave their blessings to our union?" Alexander was done trying to pretend they weren't talking about themselves. Jamie sat upright and turned to look at him. Her eyes glittering with unshed tears. "Don't you get it! My father would never give you his blessing! You are the reason he lost two of his daughters and you are the reason I lost my kingdom, my sister and my inheritance. Even if I wanted to feel something, I couldn't. Because that would be too painful, Alexander. Hating you is just easier" Jamie felt the tears run down her cheeks. Alexander sat upright. Using the back of his palm, he wiped the tears from her face. Then he kissed her lips. "I understand, Jamie" He whispered to her. Credit for the cover goes to its rightful owner. P.s if you are the owner and wants me to take it down, contact me on discord
Chapter twenty six: What did papa say?
Chapter twenty six: What did papa say?
"Bella, what did father say?" Jamie asked as soon as Arabella entered the room.
"Have you been crying, Jamie?"
Jamie quickly wiped her face as she sat upright to hear the verdict.
"The council voted exile, Jamie. I am sorry"
Jamie felt faint and she was suddenly thirsty.
"I understand, father's hands were tied. He couldn't do anything to help me without looking weak in the eyes of the council" Jamie wanted to sound brave but she was actually terrified.
"When shall I leave?"
If she knew her father well, he would make arrangements for her to serve her exile in her mother's kingdom. Her grandparent, lord and lady Willard will take her in.
"You are not going anywhere, Jamie. Father overruled their decision. You are to stay back in Namura"
"Then I am no longer in line for the throne after Elliott and you?"
Give up her claim to the throne of Namura might be worst than exile for Jamie. When girls her age dream of expensive dresses and tea party or whatever normal Namurian princess should be dreaming about. Princess Jamie only wanted two things in life, to be a knight of the realm and rule of her kingdom as Queen. Now, being a knight was out of the picture and the only way to achieve both her dreams is if she was crown queen and overrides the age longer tradition that prevented her from being a knight and just goes ahead and dubs herself knight. But Jamie reckoned it will be difficult to touch her shoulders with the sword as the unveiling takes place. Well, she would just order sir Zadok to do. He has to obey his Queen, right?
"Why is it important to you if you are in line of succession to the throne or not? Elliott will be king after father and so will his son after him" Arabella looked amused.
"I always assume Elliott will fall from the horse during his first war as king and abdicate. An..."
"But then I have to be Queen not you Jamie"
"Oh, we all know you will give up your rights to the throne to marry a certain black haired duke one day. I know you like the Duke's son. You are a romantic and for you to follow your heart, you have to give up your claim to the throne. Then I will be Queen" Jamie said and roll her eyes.
"Well, that's true. I do not want to be saddled with the responsibility of catering for a kingdom when I could just be a Queen to a certain black haired duke to be without the responsibility" Arabella said and smiled. "You are still in the line of succession to the throne, father made sure of it. Please don't stab Elliott and I in our sleep" Arabella told her sister and she was serious.
"What then is my punishment?" Jamie asked in frustration.
"You will not be seen in public with the rest of the royal house until further notice. You will be assigned a slave girl to serve as your maid but every other privilege you've enjoyed as a princess has been revoked. You will leave the palace per father's suggestion"
Arabella watched as her sister struggled with her emotions. She was hardly an emotional girl and Arabella knew that.
Arabella knew that Jamie had always been an unusually child. It wasn't easy for a toddler to grow up without her mother but not Jamie. At six months old, she woke up one morning and she ran, just skipped the whole business of learning how to walk altogether.
At two, she was skillful at interrupting council meetings or any other gathering that happened in the king's court by sneaking inside and climbing into father's laps. King Jared has never been able to resist her big green eyes or chuckles. She followed him everywhere like a shadow. Jamie has always been papa's girl and princess, always trying to be like their father.
"You will be fine, Jamie"
"Bella, I am going to live the rest of my life as an outcast in my kingdom. I think I am the furthest thing from fine"
The two sisters heard a loud knock on the door and both turned their attention towards the door.
The knock was too bold go be a servant girl or any of the numerous servants that waited on the royal household.
"Jamie, it is your papa. Open the door"
"Why is father knocking? Father doesn't knock. He just stands tall and wait to be announced" Arabella said in funny voice.
"Arabella, I can hear you"
"Sorry Father. You can come in, the door isn't locked"
The king entered without his lead knight which rarely happens. Jamie was sure that sir Zadok was sulking in a place within hearing distance. Duty was everything to sir Zadok and the king safety was his utmost duty.
"Bella, it's time for your history study. Go on, child" king Jared urged his eldest daughter.
"Why do I have to study something as boring as history?"
Arabella stood up begrudgingly and kissed her father's cheek before she left.
When the princess left, the king and Jamie looked at each and they laughed at Arabella's apparent hatred for history.
Jamie's laughter only last a second or two before she remembered she was in trouble with the king.
"Bella told me you overruled the council's decision. I am sorry you had to, papa...and thank you"
King Jared had no time to react when Jamie jumped into his arms for a hug. Among his children, it pains him to say Jamie was his favorite, maybe because he raised her alone when everyone expected him to pass the responsibility to a nursemaid or a governor. Fathers weren't supposed to have favorite but King Jared couldn't help but love the daughter that was his exact replica more. Jamie was brave, stubborn, kindhearted and a warrior.
Jamie held her father for a minute more before she pulled away with a curious eyes.
"Bella said I am not allowed in public or entitled to any privilege as your daughter, papa. I just wanted to be Knight. I fought bravely, you saw didn't you?"
"I saw. And that was why I made my decision to cut off all royal appearances in public..."
"That seems rather cruel, don't you think Father?"
"Don't interrupt me, Jamie! Let me finish. If you don't have to worry about what people think about you then you get to be whatever you want to be dear child"
"Like a knight of Namura!" She had excitement in her eyes. She jumped to her feet with a broad smile on her face.
"Definitely not a knight of Namura" King Jared watched as the excitement his daughter felt drained away "but you could learn how to be a great warrior. Be a master in archery, sword fighting, hand to hand combat and horse riding. You definitely need to work on your horses riding skills. And let's face the facts; you don't want to be caged in these walls doing princely duties, now do you?"
The excitement returned in full vigor. Her eyes dim as she daydreamed of all the things she could be without constricts of the society.
She turned her attention to her father and said "You have to promise me father. I can be whoever I want to be"
"You can be whoever you want to be princess Jamie of Namura"