(Raya’s POV)Kaan steps protectively forward, shielding me from the newcomer’s uncanny sharp eyes, but I tiptoe to look over his shoulder, eager to see our visitor.“Hmm…this must be the human mate I’ve heard so much about.” The silver-haired lady drawls, her voice spine-chilling in its apathy.Human mate? She must be another lycan, but unlike Sylvana, this one doesn’t look very friendly. She stands tall and straight, almost military in her stance. Her short silver hair seems to be spun from moonbeams; they shimmer as if with a light of their own in the dark. She looks to be around her early sixties, but I’m not really a good judge when it comes to age so I could be wrong.Just like Kaan, the cold doesn’t seem to bother her because she is wearing only a simple black leather outfit with a fur overcoat.“Lady Cordelia,” Kaan says, his tone guarded. “We welcome you to Eldra Systir.”“Why do you hide her, Prince Kaan?” The lady asks, almost sounding amused. “Do you really think I would off

(Raya’s POV)My hands are trembling. Probably out of excitement but there is unease as well.“It’s not gonna bite…you know that, right?”That he can still tease me when my poor nerves are frayed gives me the push I need. I snap the button open.Of course he’s wearing underwear. I’m almost disappointed. Almost. But only because I was already mentally preparing myself to see the real thing…that is, as God intended it to be before mankind was cast out of the Garden of Eden.Oh, but would you look at that!? I wanted to whistle—he might as well have not worn anything at all. That poor fabric, stretched to its limit…begging to—I look up. He’s watching my reaction with such intensity but my brain seems to have stopped working for a few seconds.I clear my throat. “I might need you to get insurance, you know—just in case we break something,” I tell him, trying to sound casual.He blinks, confused. “Break something? What do you mean?”I pointedly glance down before looking back at him again.

(Raya’s POV)I have goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes at this point. I know the story is a tragic one, but hearing the words still hits you hard. “Oh no…she died!?”Tilda sighs. “It's called ‘hamferð’. I believe in English you may call it as some sort of a vision, but ‘hamferð’ is specifically a Faroese term for seeing the dead and ninety-nine percent of the time it’s because one of your loved ones had drowned while at sea and they would show themselves to you in ‘hamferð’. The dead ones almost never speak. Most often they just show up, look at you or point at something, maybe even do some chore they always did when they were alive, but then they’d disappear and would never be seen again.”“That’s so sad…what happened to the little sister?” I’m so invested now and I stare at the little island with different eyes.“Little Eva knew that this probably meant her beloved big sister had fallen off the ferry and drowned. Overcome with grief, little Eva wailed, full of grief, waking up

(Raya’s POV)Eldra Systr island—or even the surrounding ones that would be hosting human astronomers and enthusiasts of eclipses—has probably never seen such a traffic of private helicopters going to one tiny island before.Despite our fear that the sons of Fenrir will snub the event as planned and encourage others to do the same, it would seem meeting the elusive future king and his odd choice of a queen makes for a more alluring option.Kaan and I stand side by side on a make-shift pavilion which is adorned by thick creamy white curtains blowing in the wind. Should it start to get very cold, it could be used as a makeshift cover to shield us as well.These last few days, the ever-efficient Elijah has brought with him everything money can buy to give the event all the simple elegance and discreet pomp possible in such a small island. All the comforts that can be offered to the guests, anything they might ask for, Elijah tried to foresee and made sure that they will be provided.The e

(Raya’s POV)I stop walking, carefully thinking of the words to say. Having met her already, I opted for honesty instead of flattery. “I was hopeful at first…but then you disappeared,” I respond cautiously. “Sylvana said you left. That perhaps you weren’t interested enough. I didn’t really know what to think anymore after that.” I take a deep breath, looking her straight in the eyes. “But when I saw you just now, I must admit to a little bit of hope again.”“Very diplomatic. I like it, just as I liked what I heard you tell the prince’s secretary. And I did tell Lady Sylvana to keep mum about my whereabouts. Who doesn’t enjoy a dramatic entrance…or in this case re-entry? You should have seen your face.” She chuckles and resumes the walk again. “If you must know, Your Highness, I went to the mainland to meet with someone. That email I told you about reached the right people, hence the numbers you see today. You are right to walk around a little, away from the prince’s side for a bit. I