This book is about to end. So, ready for a teeny tiny twist? ;-)
Lola’s POVToday I was waiting for my meal in my cell. The dungeons almost felt like a home to me now. I closed my eyes when I heard the familiar footsteps.As usual, I waited for them to place my food on the floor when something unexpected happened. They made me stand by holding my sleeve causing it to tear a little and started unlocking my silver shackles. The chains dropped to the floor with clanking sounds.Was it the time for punishment? Was it the end?Were they here to take me to the spot that was named ‘hanged till death’?“Stand on your feet damn it. We know your feet work just fine!” The guard shoved me twice. My feeble body did not have enough energy to stand properly.All my doubts seemed to be true when I was taken outside the dungeons and the sunlight directly hit my face. I wished they could let me meet my kids before sending me to the Goddess.I was sure Liam and Grace would be taken care of in the best way.This punishment meant that they could not find Rayna in those
Rayna’s POV Since the time I had expressed my love to Alexander, I felt happy and light. I not only told him that I loved him but also asked him to mark me.The moment he heard the words, I was rewarded with a soul-crushing kiss. And we made love then and there in the office.According to him he never did any such thing there, but I was exempted from all the rules. Later lying on the carpet with my head on his arm and his shirt covering me, he told me about his past.How his mom trained him within the limited means and how brilliantly she managed his education. He confided in me and shared with me the conflicts Orion and him shared.He gave most of the credit to Queen Savannah who never let him feel that he was an outsider. Even Stella and Ruby remained friendly with him from day one.“Once I will bring Nora then I promise I will mark you. I just owe this much to Orion. No matter what he did seven years back, but his family always treated me like their own. And you just told me,” he
Rayna’s POV:Brian took up the duty to show me around in the palace. Alexander was still not back, and I needed something to kill my time.I was already missing him. Brian took me to the back quarters of the palace where there were kids of different ages, and they were being taught in groups.Some were learning sword handling by using those fake wooden swords, some were busy making science projects, and a few were sitting in the reading corner holding books.“I never got the chance to see this part. Where did you hide them all this time?” I said in pure fascination, “Who are these kids?”“Majority of them are orphans. King Samuel started the construction of this building because he wanted a separate place for such kids who had no parents or were growing up under single parent's care. He wanted them to live with like-minded kids so that they could share their ideas, imaginations, and the feelings they had after losing a parent.”There were teachers taking rounds, helping t
Rayna’s POV:“YOU sent Lola? Why would you do that?” The question was not out of curiosity, it was more like an investigation.“I'm sorry for making you upset, my queen. She was sentenced to prison because of me. That's the reason I asked Brian to free her. When I am safe… sound and standing here in front of you then there was no reason to keep her imprisoned.”This time instead of responding to me her eyes flicked to Brian, “Rayna doesn't hold any position in this palace to pass such orders. Do you know it, Brian? I can easily send you to the same dungeons where Lola was residing. As a beta, it's not your duty to tell anyone when the orders should be passed or who is supposed to pass it.”“I'm sorry, my queen," Brian addressed her politely, “with due respect, Lola's condition was not good and she needed to be out of there before anything serious could happen to her.”“You should have come to me then…”“I came … I came to you, my lady… but you said Alexander is not listening to you…”
Rayna’s POV:“I usually do that, Rayna but today I needed some privacy with you,” Lola reached for the tea bags and dropped them into the mugs, the aroma of vanilla and rose filling the air.“Sugar?” I gave my head a subtle shake as I saw her stirring the spoon in her cup, the clinking sound echoing softly in the room, “I like my tea with sugar. I can have black coffee without any sweetness but not tea.”As she handed me the cup, I wrapped my hands around it, feeling the warmth through my fingers, “you wanted to talk to me? Is it something important?”Instead of answering me, she took a seat by the study table and started sipping her drink. For a few moments, I thought that maybe she didn't hear me.We kept drinking our tea in comfortable silence.“If you can make it quick, Lola then that would be awesome.”“Why? In a hurry to join him in the room? He hasn't even returned yet, Rayna.”“I know,” I smiled softly, “I want to sleep,” my nostrils flared when I tried to suppress the yawn.
Lola's POV:I was humming with happiness and had another cup of tea to celebrate after Rayna left. I owed this to myself. What did he think when he sent me to those dungeons?I was young and ambitious, and that was the reason for my rejection. It was nothing personal. How dare he thought, he could punish me for helping Rayna as if she were a small baby and couldn’t make her own decisions? I didn’t want that crown now. Not anymore.Revenge was the only thing on my mind. When there was a knock at the door, I hummed to let the person in.“Ma’am. You called?” a maid came inside and bowed her head.“Please arrange a meeting for me with the queen. It will be best if its early morning BEFORE breakfast. But if that isn't manageable then after breakfast will also do.”She nodded gently, “Sure. I’ll let you know when it’s confirmed. Anything else?” I thought for a moment and then my lips curled up, “Can you please bring me some beer cans?” she blinked as if I had lost my mind.I was already d
Alexander’s POV:“What …” I trailed off when I saw her face.“I am asking, who was your fated mate, Alexander?” the words that came out of her mouth were unexpected for me.She didn’t look like her usual self. The panic and this fear …. A feeling I never knew I would ever experience started making its way into my heart. I didn’t know a thing about this emotion. My mom raised me to be a fearless warrior. But she never mentally prepared me to avoid this emotion… this fear that my beloved … my Rayna might leave me.***Rayna’s POV:The silence from his side was giving me heart palpitations. Why was he taking this long to answer me? Please, Alexander! Say something.Don’t stay quiet.At least lie to me.“Rayna… I… this whole … I mean…” I had never seen him this uncertain. Was Lola winning again?Her sister got mated to my fated mates, and now she did the same to my second chance chosen mate. Just when I admitted my love to him, she told me… they used to be fated mates.“I … I w…wanted to
Rayna’s POV:“Not exactly a plan… it was never done intentionally. I liked you and I started enjoying her facial expressions whenever I used to give you extra care or show you affection.”I nodded and started heading towards the door.“Rayna…”I reached the door and twisted the handle, “Right now I can’t stay with you in this room Alexander. I need to get away from you. I need some time… Please.”I wanted to be alone so that I didn’t have to show him my tears. However, his hand covered mine and he didn’t let me open the door, “If that’s the case, I’ll leave the room, Rayna. You stay here.”I tried to push him away, “No need. This is your room. You should stay.”But he didn’t even budge from his position, “Take your time, Rayna. Don’t worry about me. Nobody from the palace will know about it. I’ll use the guest quarters.”I was still rooted to the spot when he picked up his phone and scurried, “Would you mind telling me what difference it makes?” he asked me before stepping out, standi