Alpha King's Healer

10 - Daelum

Trumpets were blaring at our arrival, hurting my ears and cutting through my head harshly. At least, the journey was over. Watching Thaddeus give me a warning look to follow through with his plan, however, made me tense once again.

I chew on the inside of my cheek while he opens the door.

Once out, he held his large hand for me to take as assistance. I hesitantly do.

I couldn't help but glare at the step I had smacked my head on that caused a pounding headache during most of the travel before the blinding whiteness blocked my view. By the time my eyes finally adjusted to the sunlight, I swallowed hard.

Before a graveled pathway stood servants and guards, lined on each side. They led to a beautiful white castle. It was large, however smaller than Thaddeus's, but all the more beautiful.

It was vivid against the green grass and gardens surrounding all around. Vines lined the bricks walls, each blooming with leaves and flowers I had never seen before. My jaw was dropping in awe at the luscious sight of colors.

I inhale deeply. The smell in the air was clean and floral like, something sweet lingered from the fresh pollen.

The trumpets sang loud again, echoing harshly in my ears, drawing my attention back to the pathway. A man, no younger than forty, revealed himself at the opposite end as us.

The trumpets rang once more, and from a side came a younger man. He was about average height, and his hair was a golden color.

The younger man turned his back to us, leaning over King Martell's shoulder.

"What are they doing?" I whisper to Thaddeus.

"They are talking about Prince Demios. King Martell is wondering where he is," Thaddeus whispers back, his wolf being able to hear farther than my ears could.

I nod slightly, acting as though I understood who the young man was that talked to King Martell.

The two men came towards us, inching closer and closer in the middle of the path. As they walked, the servants lining the way bowed their heads. I felt the urge to do so myself, but I knew that acting as King Thaddeus's mate meant I was seen as a potential queen, not a healing servant.

I kept my head up, feeling awkward the entire time as I shifted the weight on my weak feet in the tiniest bit.

When King Martell reached us I could fully see the elegant amber stitching on the cloak that hung loosely over his shoulder, attached together by a silver crescent moon pendant. His crown was large, and looked quite heavy as it pushed his grey hair downwards in front of his wrinkled eyes.

"King Thaddeus of Lodestar, Daelum welcomes you." King Martell bows his head.

"King Martell, thank you for having us." Thaddeus responds, returning the bow, showing respect to his equal.

"We are glad you have arrived safely," King Martell's tired eyes look Thaddeus up and down. "Although it looks as though you had some trouble along the way."

I glance to Thaddeus. Only in the bright sunlight could I see he was still covered in crusted blood from the attack. An off-putting sight honestly. I knew Thaddeus had plenty of time to clean himself before the arrival. He left some on himself on purpose, to show his strength and victory. To show King Martell that this land is not foreign to him, he knew this land all too well.

"Bandits, looking for a complicated steal," Thaddeus admits.

King Martell nods, "Ah, yes. A real taint in the road. Glad to see you got the best of them." King Martell's eyes then land on me. He tilts his head slightly, "And this must be your new mate?"