Chapter 19
Tve wanted to do that for a long time,” King Miroslav breathed out when they broke apart, their lips swollen from how long they had been kissing. They had given in to the passion the sparks they were feeling and they let their emotions get the best of them. In that moment they were just two souls bound by fate under different circumstances and yet they ah managed to make it seem like the best thing that ever happened to them.
The mix of rainforest and lavender filled the air around them as the Lycan King pulled his crasthai into a hug. He had. someone, finally. She chose him for him, even though he still didn’t believe that anyone would ever choose him. Perhaps he was broken too but in their brokenness, they had found each other and made cach other whole.
1-
“You don’t have to say anything, Ralph. Having you stay is more than enough for me, I won’t ask for more,” the Lycan king said. and Ralphine just chuckled as she held onto him tighter. She knew he needed the reassurance more than she did because he had let his guard down when it came to her. He had let her in despite the risks that came with that and Ralphine one it wasn’t an easy thing.
“Actually. I do, Ibrahim,” Ralphine said and the king pulled back from the hug, releasing her to look into those beautiful eyes while his purple eyes sparkled so beautifully because of her. Ralphine could see the happiness in the king’s eyes and was glad that she could impact someone’s life positively. The both of them were the perfect match for each other and no matter what happened, they would work it out, right?
“Okay. What is it, my beautiful?” the King asked softly, his eyes staring into the delicate ones before him.
“Thank you for having me. I know I never said it out loud, but I always wanted to let you know I was glad you came for me. A lot could have gone wrong that night, seeing as I was beaten and bruised- Ralphine began and at the mention of how hurt she had been when Miro first saw her, he let out a growl, like that was one of the most horrific things he had
ever s
seen.
Well, he couldn’t be blamed really, given he had sworn to avenge his woman whether she accepted him or rejected him. That much was certain and there was not a soul that could get him to change his mind about it, not even the queen he had come to adore so much. Maybe it would take some time for the King to get over that, even though there were chances that he wouldn’t, not until he got his vengeance for her.
“Ibrahim.” Ralph said and Miro just stared at him with doe eyes that had a glint of danger in them, like he was telling her that he would fight anyone and everyone who tried to hurt her again. She was his bane and he knew it, and maybe she knew it too. but was that going to be an issue to the both of them?
“Okay fine, continue. Just know that I will burn him to the ground and give him a death that will get the undead unsettled,” the King said with determination and Ralphine just sighed.
This wasn’t new to her and she had already accepted that this would be her reality with him. He may have been the most feared man, but bit by bit she was slowly learning that he just cared too much for what he had and always wanted to protect them. She couldn’t fault him for that, because if she had the power, she would have easily done the same.
“I don’t doubt it. Anyway, as I was saying. Thank you, for not leaving me out there and for keeping me safe through and through. I would say I will do whatever you want me to, but I have a feeling that won’t sit well with you. So, I hope that I will be the partner you wished for, even if you never expected your Erasthai to be a rogue wolf with baggage.
“However, I hope I match up to your expectations and those of your people. I am new to all of this, Ibrahim, so I might falter, but I choose to trust in your guidance and that of the fates,” Ralphine said earnestly as she stroked the King’s huge arms. She knew it was the only way to calm him down, and make sure that he didn’t leave and go hunting for people again.
Ralph knew there were so many things that this man couldn’t tell her, but she was okay with that. She wasn’t expecting to be deep into the Asmoria ruling system at this point, but whatever the Lycan King decided, she would be there to support him, at least that much she was sure of and would make certain of. Regardless of what the universe sent their way. They would be fine. right?
“In that case, let me introduce you to what I do, Ralph,” the Lycan King said and for a moment, Ralphine wondered what it was that the deadly King would show her. Granted, she had just wished for his understanding but goddamn, was it too soon for an introduction to a hell she had desired herself?
“Okay, lead the way then,” Ralph said.
With that, King Miroslav entwined his hands with those of his Erasthai as they walked back to the palace. There were so many
yes on them, and it was like every step they took was leading them to something else. Then again, the Lycan King was used to the stares, maybe Ralphine would get used to it too eventually, after all, she had decided to stay when he gave her the chance
20 make a run for it
“You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about the stares,” King Miroslav said, though Ralphine wasn’t exactly bothered by the fact that she was once again at the centre of attention that she hadn’t even sought in the first place.
Back in Kosloy, she always found herself in the middle of all that because she was the daughter of quarry workers and an outcast. She never had friends or even someone she could rely on. Instead, she had been completely and utterly alone in her rankless life while her parents toiled day and night for pennies in the quarries.
“I have you, I’m not worried, Ibrahim,” Ralphine said as she squeezed the King’s hands. She wanted to tell him she had been in such a state, but then she couldn’t deny the fact that the Lycan’s unsure eyes were scaring the hell out of her.
She felt like a social experiment and she knew if she failed to be a good queen to them, then they would forever use her as the worst example for rogue mates. She didn’t want that, not that it was her responsibility, but she didn’t want to be that cruel. She had endured a lot over the years and she wouldn’t try to ruin it all for others who would come after her.
“You will always have me, Ralph,” King Miroslav said as he held her hands tightly yet gently before leading her through the place to what he wanted to show her.
Every step Ralphine took as she walked alongside the King and deeper into the darkest sections of the huge palace, made her realize just how much she had gotten herself into. She was headed to the dungeons and by the endless screams she was hearing, she knew he was truly introducing her to his world, the one he had protected her from in the past five weeks. All the factions knew Lycans were barbarians and yet in the time Ralphine had been here with them, she hadn’t heard a little commotion not even for the Lycans themselves. There were no random fights that she had read of. No people were calling each other names and no drunk Lycans were trying to get through the impossible barriers. No Lycans were casting magical spells just because they could.
Hell, the entire Asmoria had changed in those five weeks. It was almost like the Lycans sure did have a change of heart and decided to play by the books of humanity, a concept that even they didn’t grasp so well. They had to have wanted her to feel safe, seeing the circumstances she had come to them. But maybe now that she was getting to see this side of their mado maybe there would be no more hiding, right?
“If this is uncomfortable for you. Please let me know, Ralph,” the King said when they reached a large door, huge enough to fit three fully grown Lycans at the same time. It was a crazed place, with the blood stains on the door, the stinking walls, and the stench of death and hopelessness that lingered in the air.
They hadn’t even opened the door and yet Ralphine could really sense that what was behind the huge stained and clawed door, would be a pandora for her. But she wanted this, right? She still wanted to be part of the Lycan family, yeah? Or was he about to change her mind at the cruelty that was waiting beyond the closed doors?
“I’m fine, Ibrahim. Open the door,” the King’s Erasthai said while he looked at her a second time, as if to tell her that she didn’t have to be here if she didn’t want to. It was almost like King Miroslav was protecting Ralphine’s sanity and innocence, but then the deities had to know her better when they paired her with the devil himself.
“Okay. Remember what I said,” King Miroslav said when his hands touched the huge door knob, before turning it.
There was no going back now.
“Welcome to the real Astoria, Ralphine Belyaeva.”
