Orphaned from Love

Chapter 9

"We loved with a love that was more than love" - Edgar Allen Poe

I've had a headache all morning. Sybil and Fiadh haven't spent a single moment silent. They keep arguing who is better.

'Just because you can turn into a flappy mammal doesn't mean your much help.' Fiadh bites back.

'At least I'm not an untamed puppy.' Sybil says. Her voice stays the same always, so it's pretty distinct from Fiadh's yelling.

Ryker has been out all morning. The coronation is tonight. Leila did drop off multiple dresses. I choose a deep red satin dress that billows at my feet. She also dropped off many heels. I choose a pair of low, white heels.

A maid came in not too long ago and did my hair. She pinned it up and curled the bottom. I had a braided bun with black tulips in it. Apparently, black tulips are a royal werewolf thing.

'We look sexy. Our mate will mark us tonight!' Fiadh beams.

'And maybe Selene or Nyx might appear.' Sybil sighs.

'Wait, you know who the others are?' I ask.

'Only those two. I don't know what creature they belong too or the last one.' Sybil says.

There is a knock at the door and I open it. A male servant is dressed in a suit.

"You're majesty," he bows, "I've been sent to escort you to the ballroom."

"Thank you." I follow him down winding corridors. Other servants rush past us with trays of food and drinks.

I don't think I'll every get use to people calling me majesty. I've been called a bitch and brat but never a name so elegant.

He pushes open a pair of grand doors to reveal a ballroom pack with people. Tables with red cloths have trays have delicious food. People are dancing to the quartet playing in the corner. In the middle, above everyone, is a diamond chandelier. It sparkles from the light and the intricate gold designs make them pop out more.

A hand is placed at the small of my back, causing me to flinch. "Such a lovely sight to see on a man's coronation day." Ryker says, dipping his head into the crook of my neck. He takes the time to inhale my scent. I don't dare move. I stand there, frozen in place, afraid of what might happen if I moved.

"Why so tense?" He asks, removing himself from my neck.

"It's a lot of people." I whisper. And it was. At least hundreds of people were down there, drinking or talking or dancing. What would they do if they found out I was to be their queen?

'They'll love us.' Fiadh says, trying to cheer up my negative thoughts.

"You don't have to meet anyone." He turns me around so I'm looking at him. In those stormy eyes. For some reason, when I looked into those shades of gray, I felt like I was betraying him for not telling him things.

"That's not the only reason." I say. Our faces are inches apart. I don't want it to end, but he breaks it when I say those words.

"Come, we can talk in private." He ushers me to the balconies where all the other kings and queens sit. I spot Queen Mia and King Ambrose. They seem to be having a good time, sipping the finest wine made in the five kingdoms.

We reach a far back part of the balconies. So far back, that the ballroom is barely audible.

"Tell me everything." He says, cupping my face. I try not to wince at the contact. He is pulling us closer until my body is almost onto his.

My heart is racing at a million miles per hour and it only seems to get faster.

"I was never able to shift into any of my five... personalities," I start, choosing my words carefully, "recently, when I had that seizure, it was like a trigger. I got the ability to talk to my werewolf."