Next chapter after one hour. Lisa Salman-author
Lola Bennett’s pov“Why are you here?” he asked in a deep resonant voice.“If you are planning to sit here and daydream then you can do it outside this room,” he said in a clipped voice and stood up, maybe to exit the door.“Stop!” the word was out before I could hold it back.He halted in his tracks but didn’t turn around.“Why are you doing this to me?” I asked him, bringing as much pain in my voice as I could. I wanted him to see the hurt he was causing me.I went to him and placed my hand lightly on his back which seemed to go stiff under my touch. We might be ex-mates who rejected each other once but I could still feel the sparks. Five years back he asked me the same question, “Why are you doing this to me, Lola?” I tried to push back the unexpected tears that quickly welled up in my eyes.“Alex! I …”“That’s Lexi for you.” He said and turned around slowly pinning me with that hazel gaze.“Sorry?” I tried to blink back the wetness in my eyes.“Only my mate is allowed to call me
Rayna’s povMy mark was no more burning, my fingers were just fine. So, this time I didn’t lose the chance to drink in the scenery on my way to the palace.I was all excited to start my new life with Alex. My heart skipped a beat when my carriage started to ease its pace. We were in the middle of the dense forest, and I couldn’t see any building or a motel where we needed to take rest.The towering trees seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. As we went deeper into the woods, the trees started thinning out, allowing sunrays to reach the ground.“Attention! The Royal carriages are here. Stand up to welcome the King!” I heard an announcement and then was amazed when the carriage slowly left back the trees and now there was a sudden clearing appearing before us.The transition from dense forest to this open space was so abrupt that it almost startled me.I could easily see the walls of the palace that looked more like a fort.The vehicle had stopped, and I silently observed the warr
Rayna’s povThere was pin-drop silence for a moment. I could feel their eyes fixed on me, their gazes were sharp and judgmental.The tension seemed to hang in the room like a heavy fog and then the in charge who seemed a bit bored dissolved into mirth. Several women followed her, and the room erupted in a fit of laughter. Their voices sounded like a mocking chorus ringing in the air. I wasn’t ready for it and felt humiliation washing over me like anything.“Are you all also thinking what I am thinking? Ha-ha.” The plus-size in charge managed in between her giggles and they all nodded at her while holding their tummy.I didn’t know what was so funny about it. I was standing there feeling exposed and vulnerable.“Sorry, girl. I think you are trying to fool us.” When I didn’t say anything, the lady said further controlling her mirth, “There is no Lexi here, love. Nor do we have any Alex except one.”She then again started laughing, “That dame sitting into that corner. She is the mate of
Rayna’s pov:“Alex!” I screamed his name when the cold water made contact with my face skin. I squeezed my eyes and wiped the wetness off my face with the back of my hands.The lady from the previous day was standing there, placing a hand on her hip, “So you thought that we would spare you? Didn’t I ask you to do some work because we had extra guests coming for dinner?”Dinner?I realized I was hungry, I hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s breakfast. “I… I’m …” I tried to speak but the woman finished it for me,“I’m what? Sorry? You are sorry? We don’t serve the people who think that they could get away with laziness.”“No… I didn’t mean that… I am hungry… yeah. I’m sorry too. But right now, I’m really hungry.” To give this lady the proof my stomach chose to make rumbling sounds. The skin between her brows pinched and for a moment her eyes turned sympathetic, “Y… you are hungry… umm. When was the last time you had your meal?”I got up from the bed and stretched, “I had breakfast yesterda
Rayna’s pov“Man! What you did out there was so fascinating!” Megan said rubbing the counter above the fireplace. This morning I definitely made enough fans in the kitchen after I tackled the bitter woman.She had quietly left the kitchen in embarrassment and the maids there had clapped for me. “Girls! Make it quick so that we can arrange the breakfast here.” Ameera asked the two maids who were arranging fresh fruit baskets on the Royal table.Everyone was working hard to make the hall sparkle clean yet there were no snarky remarks, no threats. Ameera’s tone remained firm, but she was not that bad.At least she was better than that malicious Rasia.“Today is a special day. Like last night beta Brian will be joining the table. There will be more meals once King Alexander returns.” “Beta Brian?” I smiled fondly while wiping the chairs around the table, “he is the gentlest man I have ever seen.” Megan who was drinking water choked on it.“Megan!” Ameera was close by to slap her back, “
Rayna’s pov:For some reason, Queen Savannah’s face was beaming. I quickly bowed to her and bobbed my head not knowing what to tell her.“Why are you wearing maid's uniform?” Beta Brian started noticing me and then turned to the queen,“No, your Highness. She is not my girl but someone very important to me.” He bent his head in submission and the queen walked to me taking small steps.“What’s your name child?” She asked me, pinching my chin gently to look up. Her eyes seemed to be searching my soul. “R…Rayna… your Highness!” I quickly bowed to her and then did the same to the girls standing behind her. They all nodded acknowledging my respect. “What a beautiful name. Who are you, love?” I tilted my head to look at the beta for approval. I didn’t want to tell her that I was here because of Lexi. As their special warrior, he should be the one announcing our relationship to them.“I belong to the Black Stone pack, ma’am… your highness…” I again bowed not knowing what else to do.“You
Rayna’s povI wasn’t aware of why I was doing it. It felt like someone was pushing me to do it. Someone wanted me to leave my seat and go to her.“It's an old problem, my dear. With time it’s getting worse due to my growing age.” I threw my hands up in the air and gestured with my eyes towards her foot.“If you don’t mind, could you please remove your foot from your sandal?” She passed a confused look first to her daughters and then to Beta Brian.“Brian. Honey!”“It's ok, my queen. I just need to check it.” I assured her. With great hesitancy, she took off the sandal and placed her foot on the floor.“With your permission ma’am?” I wanted her consent to it.“I… I am not liking it, Rayna but… ok,” she said with uncertainty. I held her foot and placed it on my knee. The stinging in my fingertips was now becoming too much. And then out of nowhere, I saw a purple light surrounding every tip of my fingers.With great care and gentleness, I caressed her foot with my fingers and then held
Rayna’s pov:“You must be mated to an elite warrior then,” Megan said sitting down opposite to me. We were having our late dinner on the kitchen floor in peace.A square dining cloth was spread, and we had placed a big Ramen bowl along with a few Coke cans.Most of the palace had gone quiet by now. Everyone was in bed sleeping peacefully while we were chatting like old buddies.Beta Brian wanted me to either have my meals with him or in the privacy of my room. And I didn’t want to obey him blindly on anything unless he gave me a reasonable explanation for everything.He couldn’t come up with a rational answer for Lexi’s secrecy.Was Alex even a warrior or was he someone else?“What’s an elite warrior by the way?” I asked Megan, filling my bowl again with the Ramen noodles, my comfort food. “An elite warrior is supposed to protect the king. In the future, the King will show himself once he gets a mate, but the elite warriors never show their faces. They stay close to the king keeping