4. The Prince

I looked out of the carriage that Zion and I have been traveling in for the past four days. It was snowing outside, and snow is a common thing here in the North. Sunlight however is a true rarity in these parts of the world. I looked over at Zion, he had been silent for most of the ride which was starting to stress me out.

“Have you received your punishment from father, yet?” I curiously asked Zion and he briefly glanced over at me.

“I have not but I am sure I will receive it in due course,” Zion said, and I frowned lightly.

“I am sorry for telling on you. Had I known this would have escalated so drastically I would simply have kept quiet.” I told Zion and he smiled at me.

“You would have told Lady Iris for she is your friend,” Zion said, and I silently looked at him. “You did the right thing. And I must now own up to my mistakes.” He added under his breath.

“Why did you do it?” I carefully asked my brother and his green eyes settled on my face.

“You wouldn’t understand, love.” He said before cupping my cheek with his hand.

“This is far more complicated than you think. And I need you to respect my silence.” Zion said and I nodded at him. The carriage that we were sitting in came to a halt and my eyes widened.

“Hold your head up high Mia. You are here as an honored guest of the prince.” Zion told me and I gently relaxed my shoulders. I climbed out of the carriage with the help of a royal coachman who was neatly dressed in a blue uniform, one of his gloved hands held mine in his until my feet were firmly planted on the ground.

                                      

I waited for Zion to make his way out of the carriage. While I stared at the open field in which we were standing in wonder. Flowers sat on golden fences and birds were lightly chirping above our heads. And in the center of the field stood a small pond that held beautiful golden fish in it. I smiled broadly and my eyes wandered over to the large palace in front of me. It is by far the largest building I have ever seen, and our house back home is quite large. There is a path that leads up to the palace and beneath the path lies a lake filled with blue waters. I was tempted to dip my feet in the water as we crossed the bridge, but I came back to reality when Zion placed his hand on my back.

“Focus, Mia.” He told me and I nodded at him before I confidently looked up at the palace. The coachman from earlier along with two ladies younger than him escorted Zion and me to the palace.

Once we reached the large doors of the palace, we were stopped by two guards dressed in navy blue attire.

“Identify yourselves.” One of the guards spoke in a clear voice and Zion stepped forward.

“Lady Mia, daughter of Zander and Melony Arcadius, Alpha and Luna of the sapphire moon pack and the superiors of house Arcadius, escorted by her brother Alpha Zion Arcadius,” Zion spoke in a clear voice and the guards bowed before us before they let their swords down and without hesitation, they opened the doors to the palace for Zion and me.

I curtsied before the guards before I entered the palace and Zion along with the king’s servants followed behind me. One of the female servants took the lead and she led us into a large room with marbled floors, the ceiling was covered with beautiful paintings and the room was filled with expensive furniture. I spotted two thrones against the left wall of the room; they must belong to the king and queen.

Zion and I were seated across from each other on two comfortable chairs at a beautifully decorated table. These things do not impress me and that is their sole purpose, to impress people. After a few minutes had passed a throat was cleared which in return caused Zion and I to look over at the door.

“Presenting Prince Alcander Gartreides. He is the prince of all werewolves, son of Draven Gartreides king of the north, and king of all werewolves. Our sire will reign with grace one day and lead us into greatness.” An unknown voice said, and I got up from my chair. I curtsied lowly before the prince, his footsteps were slow and steady, and they stopped in front of me.

“Mia.” He spoke in a gentle tone, and I kept my gaze on the floor. “You may stand up.” The prince said so I raised back up to my feet. “And you may now look me in the eyes.” He added and I blushed, I looked up and into a pair of icy blue eyes. His eyes were not white they were exceptionally blue and yet they made me think of snow. The prince gestured for us to sit down so I gathered my skirts before I sat back down on my chair. I looked over at Zion and he gave me a nod of approval.

Zion who earlier bowed in front of the prince was now watching us in amusement. Zion is always amused at the things I do so this does not come as a surprise to me. “Mia, you are allowed to address me as Alcander, and I shall call you Mia. Does that suit you?” The prince asked me, and I looked over at Zion before I turned my gaze back to the prince.

“I do not mean to disrespect you, your grace,” I said, and he smiled at me.

“You will be if you continue calling me your grace.” He said and I nodded at him.

“Very well, Alcander.” I said and a smile tugged at his lips.

“Very well, Mia.” He said while holding eye contact with me, Zion cleared his throat, and the prince averted his gaze from mine and onto my brother’s.

“You are your sister’s escort if I am not mistaken.” The prince said and Zion nodded at him.

“I am, indeed, your grace. And I must protect my sister.” Zion said and the prince nodded his head at Zion.

“You are a brave man. I admire that.” Alcander told Zion and Zion blankly looked at him.

“And a good fighter I hear,” Alcander added, and Zion smirked at him.

“I have been defeated in battle before, your grace,” Zion said shortly.

“So have I but defeat does not mean that you have poor sportsmanship. Defeat simply means that you are willing to get back up and fight. Only fools believe that they have nothing more to learn.” Alcander told Zion and I was intrigued, to say the least. It almost sounds as if he is speaking of Eros and the fact that he has never been defeated in battle before. But why would he care about my mate?

“I have met over a thousand people in my life and each one of them was different, and my judgment of character is always accurate.” He said before he looked over at me.

“I wish to have a private conversation with your sister, you may watch us from the next room,” Alcander said, and Zion smiled over at me before he silently made his way into the next room, the only barrier between us was a glass wall which made me feel a bit more comfortable in the prince’s presence. For I am not alone because my brother is watching over me.

“Tell me about yourself, Mia.” The prince said and I nervously tugged a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“Well, I am an alpha’s daughter; I am eight and ten years old. I love reading and I am a writer. In total, I have read three hundred books, and I have written forty. I was taught to play the piano, the violin, and the guitar all through growing up. And I must admit that I am not the best chess player, but I am determined. I can also speak ten languages, fluently.” I told Alcander and he smiled at me.

“Excellent.” He said with a fascinated look on his face.

“What about you if I may ask.”

“Well Mia I am a simple man; I only pursue the things that catch my attention and you have so easily managed to do just that. You are beautiful. You are perfection from your head to your toes and from your eyes to your lips, you are truly imperfect, Mia. And you have a mind like no other.” He said and I couldn’t get past his wordplay. He must be a writer himself.

“I want you to become my wife, Mia.” The prince said and my eyes widened.

“Begging your pardon but I have already found my mate,” I said in shock.

“So have I, Mia but she is not the one I want. You are. Think about it, I do not seek an immediate response from you, but I will ask you again at the alpha conference, which is now being hosted by your pack.” He said and I was speechless.

Egad, mother was right. The prince’s only intention in meeting me was so that he could propose marriage to me- but why me?

“Come, I have something I want to show you,” Alcander said, and I nodded at him. He stood up before he came walking over to me, he stretched his hand out to me, and I noticed that it was without any calluses or cuts. He probably has never worked a day in his life, I placed my hand in his before I got up from my chair, I then followed him outside of the castle, and Zion along with a guard followed behind us.

There’s a spark, an unexplainable feeling that I get through Alcander’s touch, and all I know is that I have never felt this way in the presence of any man before.