Chapter 4: Haunted by The Past Sierra Valium

The study was warm and quiet and Kairo was waiting for me behind a desk that looked like it had been carved from a rare woody material. 

He gestured to the chair opposite him and began coldly without any form of greeting or welcome, but I wasn't expecting that either. “Sit. Read this and sign it immediately.

I picked up the document and began reading until my hands started shaking halfway through. "I have to bear you an heir within a year of our marriage or I get executed?"

“Yes.” he said without flinching, without an iota if emotion in his voice. "In clearer terms, you will be beheaded if you don't give me a child. It's all written there."

“That’s not much time.” I let out a shaky breath. Was one year going to be enough to save Aurora from Darius' hand? I needed to plan carefully and get Kai on my side, and one year didn't seem to cut it, especially when I knew I was currently sterile after giving birth to Aurora. Wolfless Omega females could only give birth once.

“It’s more than generous. Most royal contracts require conception within six months. I gave you a year because I’m feeling optimistic.”

“Optimistic? You just met me yesterday. You told me I’d be dead within a week. Now you’re giving me a year to produce a child or die trying?"

“Do you want to negotiate the terms? Because I should warn you, I don’t negotiate. The contract is what it is. Sign it or leave immediately. You came here on your own accord, and if what is at stake scares you, then leave."

I thought about my daughter in the arms of another woman, claiming to be her mother, whole Darius continued to be a menace. After Darius had killed my family while I lay in pains inside that tent birthing our child. There was no way I was going to give up now. I would sign my soul to the devil if it meant that my child was back home with me, and Darius was punished. I picked up the quill and signed my name immediately. 

"There. I’m now your problem for the next year. Congratulations, husband.”

“You’re very casual about your own potential execution.” Prince Kaius stared at me as if he was trying to figure out why I was so reckless in signing my life away to him just like that.

“There won't be any execution when I bear you a child, so why should I bother about that?" I held his gaze with a small smile touching my lips. I wasn't going to let anyone know that I had already given birth and I couldn't bear another child again. Instead, I was going to turn the tables on him.

Kairo took the contract and set it aside before giving me one last look. “The mating ceremony is tonight. You’ll be given appropriate clothing, and you'll be brought to my room immediately after to consummate our marriage." Something in his eyes glinted, and I tried so hard not to think about it.

I was still in pain from giving birth, and sex wasn't on my to-do list. I had to try my best to escape today's consummation until I was entirely healed. 

*

The ceremony was a blur of ancient words and ceremonial blades, and the way my body pulsed hard with different feelings all at once when our blood mingled in the chalice. Kairo’s eyes met mine and for a moment he looked almost afraid.

Afterward, I was led toward my chambers, exhausted and overwhelmed and trying to process everything that had happened. That was when I heard the voice.

I stopped in the corridor. The door to my left was slightly ajar and I could see movement inside. I peered through the crack and my blood turned to ice.

Liriel. 

Liriel was standing in the middle of the room with her arms wrapped around Kairo’s neck. She was laughing and then she leaned up and kissed him and I watched her lips press against his and I couldn’t breathe.

No, there was no way this could be happening. I was probably hallucinating. There was no way Liriel could be here too. There was no way Darius' mistress could be here out of everywhere, but when I opened my eyes, she was still there. Kai's hands were wrapped around her waist loosely and they were speaking in low tones.

Then, her eyes shifted toward the door and she saw me. Our gazes locked and I waited for the recognition to dawn, for the accusation, for the screaming to Kairos that I was the Omega who just gave birth and was accused of stealing her child. But nothing of the sort came on her face, instead, she looked surprised and confused. She didn’t recognize me.

“You must be the new bride,” she said, pulling away from Kairo and walking toward the door. She pulled it open and smiled at me and the smile was sharp enough to draw blood. “I’m Liriel. Kai’s oldest friend and his most trusted confidante. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I’ve heard nothing about you,” I lied. “Kairo didn’t mention he had a friend waiting in the palace.”

“Kai doesn’t mention a lot of things. He’s a very private person.” She looked me up and down, and I could see the judgement in her eyes, the same way everyone in the ceremony had looked at me. “You’re not what I expected. I thought the Valium family would send someone more… polished.”

“I’m what was available.” I responded sweetly, trying so hard to ignore the jab and insult she threw my way.

“Evidently.” She turned back to Kairo. “I’ll let you two get acquainted. Congratulations on your marriage, Kai. I hope she lasts longer than the last one.”

She walked away and I stood frozen in the doorway until Kairo spoke. “Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to come in?”

“She kisses you. On the lips. In your private chambers.”

"So?" He turned towards me and folded his arms across his chest. "Why does that bother you?”