From The Ashes

Chapter Fourteen

The next fey days seemed to fly by in a blur. My routine consisted of: wake up, train with Valen, eat, learn from Von, eat, explore pack lands with Aislinn, dinner with the royal family, and then sleep. Then I'd wake up and do it all over again the next day. I was beginning to get very comfortable here. 

It was brought to my attention that night at dinner that the ball was only three days away. 

"Are you excited for your birthday?" King Ruben asked me. I nodded in return, my mouth stuffed full of delicious roast pork. 

"That's very good Indigo. I have some other news for you as well."

The room grew silent as everyone stopped to listen to him. Queen Stella didn't seem surprised at his announcement, but both Von and Valen looked like they had no idea what he was talking about. 

He cleared his throat. "The council would like to meet with you tomorrow. They've been watching you during your time here, and they are ready to make a decision on your status in the pack." His eyes roamed around the room before landing on me. 

"Whatever they decide may change, though, based on what happens the night of the ball." I slowly swallowed the food I had been chewing. 

"Can you give me a hint on whether it's good or bad news?" I asked him. He smiled back at me. 

"I cannot. I'm not permitted to do so at this time." 

"I understand, your majesty. Thank you for giving me a heads up about the meeting. I'll make sure to be prepared." 

"Not a problem, child. Aislinn will be helping you tonight to prepare for tomorrow. She'll get you an outfit appropriate for the meeting and will make sure you're presentable." I frowned and looked down at myself. 

I guess you couldn't really meet the royal council in workout clothes, now can you?

I nodded. 

"So basically, she's going to be my stylist?" 

"Yes, dear," Queen Stella replied. "Think of it as a spa night for you. Aislinn is very good at what she does." I nodded my head in agreement. Valen cleared his throat. 

"Father, why haven't you told us about this?" He looked between his father and his brother. 

King Ruben's eyes left me as he stared at them directly. 

"Because, son, there's no promises that if I had told either of you, you wouldn't have let it slip to Indigo too early. Even a fool could see that you both have a soft spot for her. She's the first she-wolf to ever crack through your defenses Valen," he said while looking at him.

His gaze them shifted to Von. "And as for you, Von, you've taken up things I haven't seen you passionate about in years. You're smile is genuine these days and a dark cloud no longer looms over your head every morning. It's safe to say there is no doubt you would have given her the answer she wants, as well."

Both princes flushed and looked down to their plates, but didn't comment further. 

I was stunned. Sure, we'd been getting along really well recently, and I definitely had some complicated feelings to wade through, but I had assumed they were like this before I came here.

I couldn't believe that they had changed enough for King Ruben to notice it in just a short time, because they never seemed to give away what they were really feeling around me. Panic began to rise in my heart. 

They both have feelings for me. I have feelings for both of them. How in the world will I ever be able to choose one mate and simultaneously break the other one's heart? My fists clenched under the table, and I began counting my breaths in order to calm my racing mind.