His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 160: Palace of Sol (2)

Beta Malrik continued speaking in Isa for my benefit. My cheeks heated at my lack of knowledge of the Solfyran language. Malrik returned his attention to Eryx.

"His Majesty will want to see you. He knows of your return."

’Father can wait.’ Eryx’s voice rumbled through the mind link as we remained in our wolf forms. I had become accustomed of shifting and being naked after on our travels but we weren’t in the middle of a desert, the beach or an oasis to hide among the trees. This was the palace and I had to make a good first impression.

My wolf may be smaller than everyone else’s but nobody had golden-white fur like me, no Were that I know of has the crescent moon of being ’Chosen’ on the middle of their forehead in this form. In Sun and Fury, Eryx had informed me that we weren’t ostracized by society here. In fact, I noted the awe on the people’s expressions.

"No, he cannot. He isn’t well-"

’When has he ever been?’ Eryx clipped, his tone steely and clearly did not leave room for debate.

Still the Beta insisted, going against an Alpha Prince’s tone and authority. Did the Alpha King order this of him?

"It’s different this time," Beta Malrik finished quietly, his gaze locked on Eryx, imploring him to heed his advice. I could sense Eryx waver through the bond. My attention remained on the Beta though. He held some sway over my mate and I hoped it was from good intentions.

’Alright,’ Eryx relented with a long sigh through the mind link. ’Once I have shown my mate to our quarters.’

Beta Malrik bowed his head, fist on his chest again. "Thank you, Your Highness. He will be... pleased to see you." His gaze fell on me again. "Both of you."

Eryx stiffened. ’Not yet,’ he growled protectively.

The Beta raised his hands in surrender, stepping back, head lowered. "Of course. But Val will want to meet this kingdom’s future Queen, and soon." That was the last he spoke on the topic before looking to Cohnal. "We have much to discuss. Bathe and eat then report to me."

Cohnal dipped his head. Then Beta Malrik bowed again to us and stepped back, allowing Eryx to pass.

’If you need me, I’ll be bathing and resting in my room.’ Kharis said tiredly, his brown wolf strolling ahead down another open-space corridor, the columns casting shadows along his body on the way.

Faidon also appeared out of nowhere in his human form, staring at Eryx, no doubt speaking to him in a private mind link before he nodded once and slipped back into the shadows.

’This way,’ Eryx bumped his face into mine and started leading the way, going down another corridor, opposite to where Kharis went, yet it was identical with columns lining beside us, the sun beaming down between them. I tilted my nose up a little, inhaling the scents of the flowers and enjoying the wind and warmth on my fur.

The open space felt so much more freeing than the enclosed spaces of the palace in Ice and Claws. Of course it was absolutely necessary in the North due to the weather conditions but I found myself more at ease here. My wolf was even more relaxed, like the space worked better for her—it was probably because as a wolf she wasn’t meant to be constricted to four walls.

I looked up at the high arched ceilings, still in awe of my surroundings, taking in the sights as we wound through corridors adorned with opulent paintings, lush foliage cascading down some walls, and elegantly placed vases until Eryx halted before a pair of grand, gilded golden doors etched with intricate patterns, glittering with a few red gemstones. At the top of the doors was the Sun and Fury symbol.

’Salihn, guard the door until I return. I have sent Faidon on another task,’ Eryx commanded, looking past me to the she-wolf.

’Already? Doesn’t he ever sleep?’ Salihn muttered then shook her fur out. ’Of course, Alpha. I will stay guard.’

The doors opened automatically after Eryx took another step forward. I peered around but there were no guards opening them. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’The gems,’ Salihn informed me from behind, a smile in her voice like she knew I was still getting accustomed to the idea of such magicks—I was. Everything, including my newly formed powers, was so new to me. The gems seemed to hold more magick in them than the ability to heat a room or act as a hand warmer.

As soon as Eryx stepped into the room he shifted back into his human form and waved the doors to close behind me just as I started my own transformation. In one long stride, my mate closed the distance between us and he pulled me into an embrace. I didn’t have a chance to look at the room as I melted in his arms. He was so large, my face rested on his chest, his chin on the top of my head.

"I don’t want to leave you here," he sighed, and I could feel his irritation through the bond directed at his father, at the Alpha King.

"It’s okay, you must see him. I will make myself more presentable," I murmur into his chest.

Eryx’s hand cupped the back of my head and his fingers tangled through my hair, stroking it as he put his nose in it, inhaling deeply. "I know you want to explore," he says quietly. "Until I return, please keep it to our gardens, Salihn will show you."

"Is it unsafe for me?" I ask. It was more from curiosity. The environment was different from Ice and Claws but it was still a palace, one that had seen plenty of bloodshed—from their own family members killing each other.

The idea of there being any threats didn’t shoot fear down my spine like it might have once, no, it merely made my savage wolf hunger for more. The more we’d travelled across these lands and to Eryx’s home, the more my wolf seemed to want to prove herself. Show why we are Eryx’s mate.

The wolf inside me also gave me more confidence. It was more than likely because my physical capabilities had heightened and since fighting those bat-winged creatures with little to no fighting skills, I still felt at ease even with any potential threats. My wolf wanted the challenge though, that was the difference.

"It will never not be completely safe, my love. You are my mate and one to rise to the throne with me. But I want to introduce you to the people and those in the palace properly, by my side," Eryx answered, his voice softening more as he pulled back to gaze down at me, his large hand cupping my cheek which ended up being mostly one side of my face—the damned giant of a man. "How does that sound?"

"I am tired. I don’t particularly fancy socialising right now," I agree.

Eryx leaned closer, those ethereal eyes glittering, his tone amused. "Even with me?"

My lips twitched. "Never with you," I whisper and lean up to kiss him.

Eryx lowers his face more so I can reach him then before he can deepen the kiss or we lose ourselves, he pauses and leans back a little, his eyes going a little vacant from a mind link. His brows tug together followed by a low growl. Those eyes I love so much flick down to meet mine again. "I have to go."

I nod and go back on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "Go. I’ll be waiting for you... Smelling fresh and eager to have your scent wrapped in mine again," I whisper huskily.

His eyes flash, understanding my meaning. "Little minx," he murmurs, kissing my lips once more before all emotion drains from his face as he squares his shoulders. "The bath is already being filled and a set of new clothes have been put on the bed."

"They have?" I ask, looking behind me and noting our chambers now.

Like everywhere else it was airy, bright, with the sun beaming into parts of the room. The windows grand and tall with no pane of glass, sheer white curtains blowing softly in the wind, keeping some of the light out. Big green leaves of tropical plants were positioned around the room. Some sort of wooden weave rug was placed across the smooth surface of the sandstone ground where low orange and yellow settees were.

The décor was beautiful and I didn’t expect it of my Alpha Prince. But when I looked around the corner, weapons rested on he walls, hidden from view to those who might sit in this living space but near the four poster bed that could probably fit about ten people. My gaze fell on that bed, the light wooden structure and white sheets and a beautiful teal gown was placed on it.

"We have minimal servants. The gems engraved into the walls sense what the owners of the room wants and will do it. Only you and I are allowed in this room. The doors will not open unless we state it is okay on each visit," Eryx explained while striding back to the very doors that opened with the use of the gem magicks.

The doors closed behind him, and with each step of his, I could feel the weight tugging on them, the tension building in his shoulders as he went to see his father.