3. Nightmare

Nicklaus looked at the woman in front of him. She looked so scared and timid. He wondered if she was scared for the obvious reasons or if she was scared because she had heard the rumors about him. Either way, he didn't blame her. Most people feared him, even his own father the alpha. He never dared to look his son in the eyes. Nicklaus always wondered what he had done to make his father fear him.

He knew he was different. He had even scared himself when he was a little boy and had discovered what he could do. When he, for the first time, moved an object with just a thought, or when he had wished his brother could burn, and then suddenly his brother's clothes were on fire. Everyone ran to help him get out of the flaming clothes.

That day he had been so scared he ran to his room where he sat in a corner crying, wishing he could talk to someone about it. But who? His father feared and hated him; he would just scare him even more, and his mother was dead. He wondered how she would react.

His brothers used to play with him at first, but then when they got older and they started their training, they noticed he was faster, stronger and a better fighter. He was also a very skilled swordsman; his teachers always praised him. But his brothers mocked him, telling him to stop cheating. "Cheating is what the Devil does," they would say.

The maids had mixed feelings about him. They were as attracted to him as they were scared. Some of them liked the thrill, the danger. The young ones would give him seductive glances, but the older maids would warn them. "Be careful," they would say, "tempting people and making them sin is what he does." Some would listen, some wouldn't.

The only people who didn't fear him or hate him were his men, his soldiers. They were tough men who didn't believe in rumors. They respected him. Still, they weren't his family; he could only talk business with them.

He looked at the woman now lying beside him. The woman who was his family now. She was lying so far out on the edge he was afraid she would fall down from the bed. She didn't even move; she looked so stiff. Even though he told her to sleep, he could still hear her heart beating wildly.

She had surprised him earlier with her bold questions. He liked her so far; she amused him. He remembered the look on her face when he told her he had mistresses. She was probably the jealous type.

‘I guess I like jealous,’ he thought, smiling to himself. He also liked when she played the clarinet, and when she had whispered his name. But now, she was as timid as a rabbit. That, he didn't like.

That night Tiana had a dream. She was running, terrified. She was running for my life, and something was chasing me. Something dark, something with intent to kill. She couldn't see it but she could feel its presence. It wanted me. It was hungry and angry and it wouldn't stop hunting her until it caught her.

She ran so fast that she stumbled on her own feet and fell. It was close now; it would catch her. A dark figure slowly appeared from the shadows. It had red eyes and horns, skin of a reptile. Black horns curling like the devils. It stretched its hands toward her. Tiana could see its nails that looked more like claws. They were coming closer. She squealed a high, panicked sound. It had caught her, and now it was shaking her.

"My Lady! My Lady!" a gentle voice urged.  Tiana’s eyes shot open with a gasp and found Nicklaus looming over her.

"You're okay," He assured, brushing something away from her face. "It was just a dream." 

Tiana was panting and sweat dripped down her face. She was scared and confused. Nicklaus pulled her to his chest. He held her in his arms and stroke her hair.

"It's alright." He whispered softly. "Relax and sleep."

Eventually, as she lay in his arms, her heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm and fell asleep once again.

When she woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Nicklaus. Tiana remembered last night while the maids helped her get prepared. She was surprised at the fact that she was still untouched. He hadn't even tried.

He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape. Maybe she should talk to him and tell him that she wasn't ready yet, she thought. The question was how.

Getting out of the bed and the maids helped her bathe and get dressed.

"His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady," One of the maids informed when she was done with Tiana’s hair.

"Lead the way,” she said.

The maid led her to the garden just outside the room. There Nicklaus was standing with his back toward her and his arms crossed behind his back.

"Your Highness?"

He turned around and she couldn't understand why her heart skipped a beat. "My Lady, did you have a good night's sleep?"

"I did, Your Highness. How about you?" He probably didn't, but it felt courteous to ask. She must have disturbed him with her nightmare.

"I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?" Tiana didn't expect him to be so polite.

"I would love to," she answered with a smile.

The breakfast smelled and looked delicious. There were several dishes and the food wasn't much different from the food back home. But because of the knots in her stomach that still refused to go away, she couldn't eat much.

 Instead, she would glance at the garden now and then. It was beautiful. There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, tulips. Carved hedged depicted strange shapes all around the space.

Suddenly Nicklaus stood up from his seat and walked over to Tiana, holding his hand out for her to grasp.

"Walk with me," he said and she blushed. He must have noticed her ogling the garden, but how could she not. Back home she rarely went outside because of her fathers' strict rules and now she was walking through the most beautiful garden she has ever seen.

"You never go out?" he asked, with a curious expression.

"No, my father would not allow it."

"So you have always been at home?"

"Yes," was her short reply.

"Well, you can walk around here anytime. It's our personal garden" He said with a charming smile.

"Really?" Tiana’s voice was colored with excitement and surprise. He nodded.

After walking for a while in silence, she decided now was the best time to bring up the consummation.

"Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

"About the wedding consummation, I... I’m not ready yet." Tiana looked down quickly, afraid to meet his gaze. her heart pounded in her ears as she waited for an answer. A laugh, an angry exclamation, anything.

"I know, it's alright," he said gently. she looked up in surprise and breathed out in relief.

"I could just go to one of my mistresses to satisfy my needs." He added.

The smile on her face died and she clenched her fists. Why was she getting angry? He could go wherever he wanted and fool around with whoever he wanted. He could go to hell. Suddenly he laughed. What was so funny?

"If you don't want me to go, then tell me." He said leaning closer.

"I don't want you to go!!" she repeated. Shocked at her own outburst, Tiana put a hand over her mouth. He laughed again.

Eventually, he stopped laughing. "Tiana," he said stepping closer and gazing into her eyes. He knew her name.

Of course. Men got always more informed about their spouses than women. Unfair.

"I promise you one thing and I will stand by my word. I will treat you well." He then took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, his flaming eyes never leaving hers. Tiana’s heart fluttered inside her chest.

Dropping her hand, "I have to go, make yourself at home." He said before walking away.

***

A maid showed her around. The castle had several quarters. Every prince and his family had their own quarters and their own household staff, including servants, cooks, and guards. she had already looked around their personal garden and she especially liked the swing with a ceiling, surrounded by red and white roses.

They then went through the halls that led to several smaller halls. The smaller halls had several doors that led to different rooms. One hall led to the kitchen, the pantry, and the storeroom. Another hall led to the guest room and the dining room, and another one led to the library and study.

There were several other halls, but they went through the hall that led to her and Nicklaus private chamber and the bathrooms.

Inside their chamber, there were doors that led to other rooms. The maid opened one of them and she went inside. It was the dressing room from yesterday.

"This is the boudoir. It's your personal room when you want to be alone, My Lady." She explained. That personal room was in most house of werewolf as they will visit I once a month during the full moon.

"His Highness has one too." She continued gesturing to the door at the other end of the room. Tiana decided to take a look once the maid left but the door was locked. Why did he lock his room?

As Tiana walked out of the chamber, a little boy bumped into her leg and fell backward. He stood up quickly. "I am sorry, My Lady," he said, wide-eyed.

"It's Alright" Tiana smiled. He had short brown hair and his big brown eyes stared innocently at her. "Who are you?"

"I am Prince Ezekiel’s son. My name is Mathew, My lady."

Tiana couldn't help but smile at his cuteness. "I am looking for uncle Nicklaus." He called him by his first name. They must be very close Tiana thought.

"His Highness is not here," she said with a gentle smile. "Do you want to leave a message for him? I am his wife."

"Can I wait for him here?" He asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Yes, of course. Come," Tiana said and led him to the garden. "I am having lunch soon; are you hungry?"

He nodded.

"Sit down," she advised. The maids served them lunch

"Please don't tell my father I have been here, My Lady." He pleaded. "Father doesn't like me being here."

"Why not?" Tiana asked curiously.

"He says Uncle Nicklaus is a bad man."

Bad man? Why would his brother say something like that about him?

"Then why don't you listen to your father? Why don't you stay away?" she asked, treading carefully.

"Because I like being with uncle Nicklaus. He is nice to me even though he's not nice anymore." He said timidly.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, he just tells me I shouldn't be here, he tells me to go away." He looked hurt.

"What about the rest of your uncles? Why don't you accompany them?"

"I just like uncle Nicklaus."

"Mathew!" someone shouted and shortly after a woman barged in. The maids behind her wore an apologetic look on their face.

Tiana stood up from her seat, and the woman looked her up and down.

"Mother," Mathew said stiffly, standing up.

"Come here!" She ordered, and he walked up to her. She put a hand on his shoulder. "I told you not to come here," She scolded him. "Go now."

Mathew left running away quickly. Poor child, Tiana thought.

The woman then turned to her. "I am Princess Amaira, the Crown Prince's first wife," Amaira said straightening her shoulders and neck as if challenging Tiana with her superiority.

"It's nice to meet you, Princess Amaira. I am Princess Tiana," Tiana replied courteously, trying her best to not offend her. she didn't want conflict this early on.

"My son won't disturb you anymore," she said, with finality. "Feel free to visit if you ever feel alone, my quarter is next to yours."

"Maybe I will," Tiana said, and then Amaira turned around elegantly with a high chin and left.

After having her lunch, Tiana went to the white swing in the garden and lay down while looking up the sky. She had many questions and thoughts that bothered her. Why would Nicklaus’ brother say something like that about him? Yesterday, they looked as though they were willing to attack each other. Though she was sleepy, she remembered the menacing look in Nicklaus’ eyes, so different from the soft look he gave her today when he kissed her hand. Her heart fluttered at the memory.

"What makes you smile so?" A familiar voice came from nearby.

"Your Highness." Tiana inclined her head. He had surprised her. she moved over to create a space for him on the seat. He took a seat beside her and put one arm over the seatback.

"How was your day?"

"It was fine Your Highness...I mean Nicklaus." she corrected herself. He just smiled.

"Your nephew was here," she added.

“Hmm.” He replied curtly.

"He said his father wouldn't be happy to know he was here."

"Yes, my brothers don't like me," Nicklaus replied, devoid of emotion.

"Why?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors? that I'm the son a creature that should not exist.'"

"But you're not...?" Tiana trailed off, confused.

He just looked at her for a while before finally replying; "I don't know."