Prologue

Prologue

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

The sound of the clock's hands slowly moving was the only sign that time was, indeed, moving forward.

I bounced my knee up and down anxiously under the long dark oak table as my father and the council continued their debate. My thumb twirled the ring on my middle finger. The last gift my mother ever gave me - a gift she had made from a bracelet she received from Selene herself.

I didn't want to be here, never wanted to be here. But today, my presence was necessary as it was a meeting about the kingdom.

The debate continued. It had continued for the last half hour now.

A debate I had no say in, really.

Which was funny, considering it was about me and my role as future King of Gardenia and all realms.

I couldn't stop my mind from wandering for the hundredth time, thinking of all the other things I could be doing right now.

Anything was more important than talking about whether or not I should be wed before I am crowned.

I let out a long sigh, sinking further into my chair. The wooden arm dug into my side, adding another distraction. My future continuing to be discussed as if I wasn't even there.

"-Damon should be wed before he is crowned King. It will show a unified front. With a Queen by his side, it will show solidarity. A King can't rule without a Queen. It is unjust and unbalanced," Lord Folic continued. I watched as my father's jaw tensed.

He was at the end of his patience with the council. His emerald eyes darkened as they narrowed at the old Lord of Elves.

"I don't see why him being married determines whether he will be a good ruler or not," My father mused, his voice now an unnatural calm.

"You don't understand because you were mated with our late Queen before the ceremony. Its tradition, either he finds his mate or finds a suitable suitor to accompany him on the throne," Lord Folic continued.

"Are you calling me daft, Lord Folic?" My father asked. His voice held an icy tone.

Lord Folic straightened in his seat, swallowing hard, his skin paling, his eyes widening as he shook his head.

"No, not at all, your majesty. I-I'm just stating facts. It's custom-" Lady Ophelia cut in before Lord Folic made matters worse.

"I think what Lord Folic is trying to say is that before you and Queen Athena were crowned. The predecessors selected a Queen best suited to benefit our kingdom. Fae rarely find their mat-"

"I know how you used to run things, Lady Ophelia. But times have changed. If Athena were here, she would," My father paused, leaning forward, placing his hands on the dark oak table. The table groaned with the increased weight. The pain in his eyes as he spoke of my Mother, his mate, made my stomach turn in recognition of that pain.

She should still be here, still be ruling our world. But instead, she wasn't, and now I was forced to rule a kingdom I had no interest in ruling, especially not one that required me to be forced to marry someone I didn't know or care to know.

Lady Ophelia sank in her chair as my father locked eyes with her, continuing to speak.

"Athena would have suggested a change and enforced a new ruling to allow Damon the freedom to choose. He was never meant to rule this Kingdom, not so soon anyway. He is still so young compared to most magical rulers. He needs more time to get settled before having to marry. Or at the very least let him try to find his mate,"

"Unfortunately, ruling a kingdom does not allow such luxuries. Especially with your Queen now gone, you need the advantage that marrying another royal bloodline would give you," Drake, my father's best friend, Beta, and Royal Advisor added.

I could see the fire in my father's eyes. His magic rose to the surface in response to his irritation showing just how close his wolf was to the surface. Another word from one of the council members and he would snap, which would be suitable for anyone, no matter how the council was for an outburst from their king.

I sat up straight, leaning my elbows on the excellent wooden surface. I cleared my throat before speaking.

"Don't I get a say in all of this? Considering that I will be the one getting married after all." I said, cutting in before my father could snap.

Everyone turned their attention to me as if forgetting I was even here.

Lord Folic cleared his throat, nodding.

"Of course, Lord Damon. Your input is always appreciated," I resisted the urge to scoff at him. My input never seemed to matter before now. The older council members always seemed to know better than my father or I.

I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the clock. If I got out of here now, I could still make the end of training and blow off some of this steam I had been building while sitting here.

I turned my attention back to the table, all eyes on me. I rested my chin on my hand.

"If I am to marry, to better the kingdom, I want to have fun with it. I want one night. One night, one giant ball with all the eligible heirs. No courting, no visiting other kingdoms or realms. Whichever heir gains my interest, I will marry them. No questions asked, no arguments,"

"But, Lord Dam-," I held my hand, shaking my head.

"You said that it was important for the kingdom. What kind of king would I be if I didn't take the kingdom's best interests to heart? I have six months before I am to be crowned King. So you have one month to make the arrangements," I paused, leaning forward.

"Considering how much you have pushed the matter, I am positive that will be more than enough time," I stood from my seat, speaking to no one in particular as I  straightened my black jacket.

The jacket itself was another annoyance. It was itchy and uncomfortable, suffocating, unlike my fighting leathers. The gold embellishments were also tacky. Everything about this was restricting. But in a world of royals, you dressed nice, smiled when necessary and only showed the people what they wanted to see.

"Now that that is settled, I have a matter regarding the new Royal Guards Captain that needs to be dealt with," Before anyone else could speak, I turned from my chair and walked out of the council room. I resisted the urge to run as their voices grew loud, trying to catch my attention before the doors closed behind me—a heavyweight settling on my shoulders.

In one month, I would have to face the truth that I had been avoiding these past three years.

In one month, I would have to accept that my mate was never coming and that I would be forced into a loveless marriage to please the council and my people.

"Your father would understand. He could sway the council into buying you more time," My wolf muttered as I walked towards the training grounds.

"He's already had to deal with the loss of his mate a year ago, Helix. So why should he have to deal with the death of ours too?"