Orb of the Night (#1 of the Resolution of Royalty series)

Chapter 17

He chuckled. "I'm King Aiden."

She blushed slightly and bowed. "I'm sorry, I.."

"Oh its alright. I just wanted to ask about King Edward. Do you where he is fair lady?"

She forced a smile. She hated being called fair lady and always preferred people calling her Alpha. "I do not know. But I think he might be in his room."

"I do not think we have met before. From where do you hail?"

"Oh, I actually live here. Not in the palace but yes."

"Oh. Then shall we get to know each other?" He smirked slightly as he took her hand and kissed the back of it.

She was awkward. "I actually have a mate."

"You're a werewolf?"

"Yes, An Alpha actually."

He looked confused for a minute. Then he burst out laughing. "That can't be possible."

"What can't be possible? Me being an Alpha or a werewolf?"

"A werewolf. Werewolf women do not look as beautiful as you. They are very bulky and very short-tempered."

She smiled. "Well, I'm flattered that you think I'm beautiful but I'm a werewolf and I'm more than capable to tear you apart from skin to bone. But you don't see me getting angry at you for insulting us." 

His mouth was slightly open but his face suddenly lit up."Ah brother." She turned around as Edward came walking down the hall. His expression remained stoic as Aiden stepped forward and hugged him. He gingerly hugged him back. "You still haven't changed have you?"

"How are you brother?" He asked, his voice lighter now.

"Oh I'm fine. But can you tell me who is this fair lady?"

Serephina shrugged her shoulders. He raised an eyebrow at his brother. "Aiden, she hates being called fair lady. She only prefers being called Alpha Black."

He stepped towards her and put his arm around her shoulders. Aiden's mouth was hanging open the entire time. "Meet my sweetheart brother. Alpha Serephina Black."

He burst out laughing again. "Sweethearts are extremely rare. There is no way she can be your sweetheart. At most, she is a part of your cocubine."

She raised her hand and it slowly changed into claws. Her blue-grey eyes glowed with a bright light. He stopped laughing and she changed back, as if nothing had happened. "Next time, please do not challenge an Alpha. Its not good for your health." She walked away, tossing her head back, her face proud like an Alpha.

Edward quickly caught up with her. "I apologize on my brother's behalf. He is a good person. Just stupid."

She smiled. "Its alright Edward. Now, will you show me around the palace?"

Turned out, he knew the palace like the back of his hand. He showed her the servants' quarters, the huge kitchen, the rooms where other guests were staying, and the gardens where the gardeners were at work.

"You do not have a library?" She asked.

"Of course there is. I shall show you." The library was humongous with book shelves divided by their genre. The library had everything ranging from classics to educational and children storybooks. There were lamps lining each side of the room and two couches and tables.

"Its not available to everyone is it?"

"No. Its my private library." He turned to her who was eyeing the books with wonder. She looked like a little baby lost in a candy shop. "You really like books don't you?"

"Oh I love books. Maybe more than I love you."

"Oh no. That is not acceptable." He stepped in front of her, blocking her vision of the books. She tried to look past his shoulder but he stepped into her line of vision.

"Hey!"

"No." He dipped his head down and kissed her lips. "Do you like music?"

"Do you have a piano?"

Turned out he did have a piano and he was very good at playing it. His fingers smoothly glided over the keys, playing them like a professional.

"You really are very talented."

"Thank you. My only solace are books and music."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"What happened in your life that made you...cold?"

He remained quite for a while. Then, he finally said,  "My father was a cold and evil man. He committed a lot of sins and many a times, we were forced to witness it. I had two brothers and a sister. One of them always took my father's side and ran away as soon as I killed our father. He was a horrible man."

"What kind of sins were you forced to watch?"

"My father loathed me as a child. I was most of the time forced to witness him kill innocent humans, werewolves and fair folk. He would also abuse my mother because of us."

She was speechless. He had a distant look in his eyes and he stared fixedly at his piano. "I loved music as a child. He thought it was sign of weakness. So he would abuse my mother even more because of me."

She scooted closer and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault Serephina." He hugged her back and they remained in each other's arms for a long time, breathing in the other's warmth and strength.

Hey guys. Sorry for the late update. Hope you all liked the chapter. Do vote, comment and share. Apologies if there are any grammatical errors.