When Worlds Collide

Seven

Brietta and I decided that perhaps being surrounded by villagers was probably the best idea and headed back the way we came, past the giant spiders on the wall, to which I could feel shivers up my spine again, and around the corner to enter the village hall like we should have done the first time. I could feel dread poking its way into my mind, Jared had told me that the King was here for a reason...

To find his fated partner. His mate. 

I chewed on the inside of my cheeks as I realised that there was no way he would find what he was looking for on the outskirts of the village beside the forest. No, he would have to venture inside the walls. I frowned at the thought, did King Callan he seriously think he'd find his future Queen in a little village? 

Or was he just desperate? 

At the door, I grabbed Brietta's hand and spun her to face me, her face, worry written all over it, mirrored my own. 

"Not a word," I hissed quietly to her. "If everybody knew the Royal Lycans' were outside our village, there would be chaos."

Brietta nodded firmly, her mouth set in a grim line, "Do you think they'll enter the village, I mean, what on earth are they even doing here?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, I wasn't sure why I was lying to my best friend, but somehow the truth was stuck in my throat. "We may have to stick to the sidelines," I suggested.

Brietta groaned, "I was so looking forward to dancing." 

"We may still be able to if we blend in, I just do not wish for any of the Lycan's to take an interest in us tonight. I pray that they do not think us to be spies," I reply, goosebumps appearing on the back of my neck as I imagined all of the horrible things that the Lycan King probably did to those who dared to spy on him.

"Oh!" Brietta gasped, "I had not even thought of that. Surely they would not think two young human girls were capable of spying on them?" 

I shook my head with a sigh, my stomach twisting into knots, "I just do not know Bri, we just have to hope and pray that perhaps the King does not think us important enough to bother with. Come, let us go inside."

I took Bri by the hand and we entered the village hall, as we should have done the first time. I silently cursed Bri, but I knew that I would not be able to stay mad at her for long; she was only doing something I had initially been too afraid to do. Sometimes I did wish that I had more of her carefree nature. As we entered the hall, we had not even stepped through the main corridor before we were immediately stopped by two of the village's biggest gossiping ladies. 

"Oh Josephina!" 

"Josephina dear, do come and talk with us a moment!" 

I squeezed Brietta's hand and let go, clasping my hands together in front of my dress and plastering a sweet smile upon my face.

"Mrs Sandham, Ms Owen, how lovely to see you both," I greeted politely. 

"I hear there are to be church bells ringing soon!" Ingrid Sandham trilled as she waggled her fingers in front of my face. 

I lightly blushed and looked down at the ground coyly, "Oh, I do hope so," I replied, my voice delicate and soft, the way I had been taught to speak to my elders by my mother. 

"Oh I shan't think it will be long," Ms Patty Owen said, "Look up child, you should be beaming with excitement." 

"Sorry ma'am, it is all rather new to me I must admit," I uttered, "Please excuse me, I promised Mr Maloney that I would find him in the gardens." 

"Shoo Shoo," Patty flung her hands at me, "You mustn't keep a suitor waiting." 

"I expect an invitation shortly!" Ingrid called after me as I grabbed Brietta's hand once more and pulled her away from the two ladies, waving my hand in response as I dragged her through the growing crowd of villagers.