HIS QUEEN
Chapter 23

I donned my white dress angrily. I suddenly felt like I was entertainment for the guests. Why did they have to add these games. We could have just had the goddamned sword fighting and let it end there.

As I was walking, I bumped into a guard. I was about to let my frustrations out when he spoke.

"A gift from the king" he opened the cloth that covered the gift. The white arrow I had practiced with lay in his arms. I smiled and took it from his arms. He handed me a flask of arrows and left.

I continued down the stairs, a smile on my face. The gift had lifted my spirits. I arrived at the centre before Gardenia. She came moments later in a green gown, a crown of flowers on her head. I must say she looked ridiculous. Green was not a good colour on her. She walked as if she counted her steps. A smug look on her face. I couldn't wait to wipe it off her stupid face. We stood facing the target.

I set my arrow in the bow and took the stance Thane had taught me. I drew the string back. I let go of the arrow and it flew through the air and landed on the board, the blue cloth waving in the air. Through my heightened sight, I could see that the arrow had not landed on the bulls eye but it was fairly close.

Gardenia took her shot and it was nowhere close to the bulls eye. I stifled a laugh as she scowled. I took another shot, it landed behind my first arrow. I squealed and Gardenia took another shot.

We continued until the arrows were exhausted. The arrows were inspected. No one landed on the bulls eye. Most of my arrows landed close to the bulls eye so I was declared the winner. I retired to my room with a large smile on my face.

The door opened and Lily and Althea walked in. She hugged me tightly. "You're killing me"

"Sorry" she muttered with a blush. "You were great out there"

"Thank you" the door opened and Valdus stood with his mate, Nala. Noir entered behind them.

"We came to congratulate you" Valdus said.

"Thank you" we looked at Noir after he growled loudly. His dark menacing gaze was fixed on the cowering Lily behind me. He muttered something under his breath and stormed out of the room, slamming the door in his wake. "What the hell crawled up his ass" Althea said.

"Althea" Lily chided.

"Oh...oops" Valdus chuckled.

"We'll leave you now" I smiled at him. He gave a small bow and exited with his mate.

"I didn't know you had it in you"

"What?"

"Archery" oh.... Thane was the best teacher.

"I'm going to get some rest" they left the room as I slept off.

*********

Something was tickling my face as I woke up. Jairus stood over me a large grin on his face.

"You've been asleep for too long" I rubbed my eyes and sat up. Eridian sat at the foot of my bed with a bored look on his face.

"You were absolutely horrible at archery during training"

"I got better"

"You don't just get better"

"I practiced with Thane"

"I see" Eridian nodded his head in thought.

"We came to take you out for lunch"

"Sure. Let me get dressed" they left the room and I showered quickly and donned a dress. I met them outside the door. Eridian walked in front while Jairus walked beside me.

Eridian got into the black car waiting outside. Jairus opened the door for me to get in when I heard a loud chuckle. I turned to the sound and saw Thane with a woman. A very beautiful woman. Surprisingly, he was the one that chuckled. I'd never seen him laugh. The woman placed her hands in his arm and leaned in to whisper something.

Jairus muttered under his breath and helped me into the car. He closed the door and went over to where his father stood. The woman pulled him into a hug. He said something to them and they turned towards the car.

I turned away and caught Eridian looking at me through the rearview mirror. Creepy much? I looked down and played with my fingers. The door opened and Jairus joined us. The driver started the engine and we drove out of the castle.

All through lunch I kept quiet. Nibbling on my food and not paying attention to my surroundings. I suddenly wished I had declined Jairus's idea for lunch. The food was good but my heart was troubled.

As soon as we got to the castle, I thanked Jairus and rushed to my room. I tried to stop my wandering mind but I couldn't help but be worried.

A part of me felt scared about the woman I saw with Thane. They seemed close. A former lover perhaps? I sighed in frustration. I decided to get some sleep.

I tossed and turned for a while but I finally settled into sleep.

I followed the sound of a familiar voice down the hallway. I heard his voice and a feminine chuckle behind the door. I opened the door slowly and saw them cuddled together on the bed.

"Why" I whispered breathlessly. They looked at me with malice in their eyes.

"She's the one I want. Someone similar to me. Not a stupid helpless half-breed" my heart shattered at his words. I held my chest tightly as he kissed her. Her face full of joy.

We were now in the grand hall. They stood together above us. Her stomach full with child. A crown on her head.

"You thought he was going to pick you" a voice sneered.

"She's not even beautiful"

"A common slave"

"Stupid to think he'll settle for less" someone spat at me. Others hurled curse words at me and some threw things at me. I looked to familiar faces in the crowd for help but they turned away from me. I tried to hurry out of there but I tripped and fell on my face. The crowd got violent with their abuse. Some pulled my hair and others kicked me. I curled in a ball as the pain became unbearable. I screamed as someone shook me roughly.

"Help me" I kept chanting it until I was screaming.

"Hellllpppp meeeeee"

"ESMERALDA!"