Violette POV The gardens are magnificent. The gardens at home aren’t quite as lovely as these. And all we have at home are white roses that match our family's rather distinct white hair. But this garden.. has flowers off all kinds. There’s even a section of fresh fruits and vegetables that looks absolutely delicious. “Do you enjoy your time outside?” The guard named Loren asked. I noticed he looks at me every once in a while, debating to speak or to just let me walk in peace. “Yes, it’s been a very calming time,” I said. I felt the petals of a flower between my fingers before continuing on down the path. We mainly stayed in silence, that is until I was approached by a woman I’d never seen before. “So, you’re the Kings slave?” She asked. I looked at Loren who spoke for me. I think at this moment, I’m grateful for not being able to speak to anyone besides Loren. She seemed disgusted and irritated with me. “Yes, miss Minerva.” He said. “Mind if I have a small chat with her?” she a
Viktor POV Yet another night I find my mind racing with thoughts of her. Thinking about earlier today had my skin on fire. I should’ve never let Richard touch her. The look on her face tugged at something deep inside me and it made my head feel like it would explode. I found myself walking towards her room to watch her, I don’t know what it is.. but being around her calms the voices I was cursed with. A long time ago my family was cursed by a witch hired by Violette's family. She cursed us to live without our mates. From what we know.. we don’t have mates anymore. Or they’re just well hidden from us. My father found his mate before this happened.. so it was just my siblings and me who were cursed. And if we were to find our mates by some off chance, our children would be cursed as well. It was a sick joke that caused a lot of pain and suffering. A life without a mate is a life worth nothing. The curse makes us go crazy the longer we’re without our marked mate, and I’ve already be
Viktor POV “Please! I’ve been waiting for weeks. Why was I brought at all if I wasn’t going to be able to see her?” The girl cried in front of me to Beatrice. “She is unwell. The King said she needs rest.” Beatrice tried to explain. “If she is truly unwell then I must be there for her. She is my best friend, even if we do have drastic differences in rank. I should be there to care for her. I can help. I’m good with medicines. I know how to sew, clean, and cook.. I can do anything if you please just let me be with her.” She begged. She was now on her knees pleading up to me. “My king if I may, I do believe having a friendly face around might help miss Violette get better quicker,” Beatrice said. “Fine. But Beatrice, Violette is only allowed to speak with you two and Loren. No a single soul else. Understand?” I asked. “Yes, my King. I will make sure of it. Thank you.” Beatrice replied. “Thank you! Thank you!” The girl cried. “Get her to Violette. And let me know when you find out
Violette’s POV “I don’t know what he’s talking about! You must be wrong Beatrice. There’s no way I found my mate and didn’t realize it!” I cried into my hands. Did I miss the chance to run away and be with my mate before everything fell to shit? “He doesn’t like lies, Ms. Violette. He is very upset with you.” Beatrice said. They didn’t believe me.. I don’t understand how this can be possible! I’ve met several men in these last couple of months. None of them I felt the bond towards. That instant connection that every wolf feels. “I’m not lying! I have not found my mate! I wouldn’t be here if I did, I’d be with him! Your tests must be wrong. There’s no chance!” I cried. “The tests aren't wrong, Violette. You might as well just drop the charade. We know you've found your mate. You may just be lying because you're fearful the King would punish him.” Beatrice said. My eyes widened in complete shock. Everything they’re saying is absurd! “I'm not lying, Beatrice. And I hope one day I g
Violette POV My mind was lost just thinking about the past several weeks. And I also couldn’t stop trying to come up with reasons of how Ms. Beatrice might be wrong. She did a thorough exam of me.. I knew something was wrong the moment she stopped speaking during the examination. I searched and searched and searched my mind, but I never came up with anything that might explain this “Oh, Princess. Isn’t it a fine day outside?” Lillian asked as she looked out of the castle windows. I stared along with her, watching the servants tend to the rows of flowers. “It truly is, Lillian. I do wish I was allowed out more. I feel my mind is paying for it, staring at these same walls every day.” I said. Today my fever has gone. But Beatrice told me to expect flare-ups at least twice a month. I asked her if she’d ever heard of a female wolf going into heat without finding her mate, and I was truly disappointed when she said it doesn’t happen, nor has it ever. I searched my mind for any ideas. If
Violette POV We spent an hour picking weeds and grooming the plants. We removed all the dead flowers and leaves, watered them, then finished by sprinkling something on them that Ms. Beatrice told us to. The feeling of being watched never went away.. it’s like every move I was making was being watched closely. It made my heart race fast, and I’d find myself at several moments having to stop to take deep breaths, slowly looking around to see if I could spot anyone but I never could. “Lunch is ready.” Ms. Beatrice called. Lillian and I stood up from the floors and made our way over to the servants eating area. I dried my hands against my uniform and was handed a plate by the kitchen staff. I nodded my head and smiled gratefully and he smiled back. Once Lillian got her food we took seats by the far back of the room. I didn’t want to sit near many people. “Is that the King's slave?” I heard one of them whispering to the other. “Yeah, I hear he caught her being broken in by another ma
Viktor POV “I’m saying, Arthur’s second in command was seen around the borders yesterday. He’s snooping around.” Loren said. “Do you think he’d be stupid enough to sneak in?” I asked, though I think I already know the answer to that. “Yes, I do. You know how Gregor is. I say we have a team of warriors searching for him. We’ll find him in no time and you can decide what to do with him.” He replied. Could he possibly be coming for Violette? Try to steal her away? “I want guards at Violette’s door at all times starting now. I don’t want her escaping, or thinking she can try.” I growled. Her name left a bitter taste in my mouth. “Get a team ready, show them pictures of Gregor. Have them search every square inch of the castle, the yard.. I want him found and held in the dungeon until I’m ready to question him.” I said. He nodded his head and waited to be excused. “You may go,” I said. He bowed before turning around and leaving the room. Out of nowhere, I felt the sudden need for ai
Violette POV “What happened?” I asked Lillian as I lay in bed. “I don’t think we should talk about this right now, Princess. You need to get better.” She said nervously. Something about the way she was acting told me I wasn’t going to like whatever it was. “I remember lying in the tub, and then you came back in, and then it’s blurry from there. Did I fall in the bath?” I asked and she shook her head. I was trying to piece together whatever happened.. it’s there on the tip of my tongue but for some reason I couldn’t remember it. “No.. and I didn’t come back.” She said. “Yes, you.. you were massaging my scalp then.. then you.. shoved my head under the water..” I looked at her warily as it slowly came back to me. “No, Princess! It wasn’t me, I would never! It was Gregor!” She shrieked in horror. “Gregor? But he would never do that to Father.” I shook my head. I felt a sharp pain in my chest and held my hand to it, Lillian noticed instantly and got up to make my herb drink. “Violet