His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 62: Tension Rising

Eryx and Alaric still, bristling and glowering at each other, but my command stops them from continuing with this ridiculous argument.

"The real problem here is Queen Mother," I say quietly, glancing at the masses that stood aside at a distance, all eager to listen into our conversation. Stepping closer, I approach the subject cautiously, searching my brother’s eyes, imploring him to see some sense past maternal love.

Alaric’s attention is on me now, his brows furrowed with a hint of surprise at my approach. "How is Mother able to command my knight away?"

I would not ask any more questions. This should be enough for Alaric to start questioning Deyanira’s power among his people. She should not be capable of anything while detained before her departure.

"I have failed in keeping mother in check," Alaric sighs with a slight rumble in his voice. A vein throbs in frustration at his temple. "I will find another guard in the meantime-"

"That isn’t necessary," Eryx interrupts before my brother can finish.

I refrain from shutting my eyes. All the Prince had to do was remain quiet. Why is he involving himself in matters that are not his own? Is he trying to goad Alaric into battle right now?

"My guards have been protecting her from afar for a while."

Alaric does not bother looking in Eryx’s direction. He stares at me hard. "First, you failed to tell me about your guard or lack thereof, and now you have another from Sun and Fury protecting you? I did not put you for a fool, sister."

"Do you mean to say that my guards are not trustworthy?" Eryx drawls from behind me.

He really is goading Alaric!

Alaric does not take the bait. He must have come back to his senses. "You must understand, Eryx. She is my baby sister, and you are not part of this kingdom. Do not act discourteously over this when we have been at war for centuries. There is nothing wrong with me wishing Ida to have a guard I trust."

"A trusted guard..." Eryx smirked, but before he could cause any more trouble, I elbowed him. Instead of grunting or feeling any pain, he chuckled like a fly had flown into him.

Goddess, I was so weak. I didn’t expect anything less. How did one hurt a beast like the one behind me?

"Thank you," I bow my head. "I believe Soren will return to me soon."

"Well, Mother will be gone in two days, and she will not be taking him with her. Whatever she has asked of him will be revoked from now." Alaric looked to the side, his eyes glowing momentarily, and two guards who had been by the far wall left on silent command. "I will speak with her."

"For now, let us enjoy this ball..." I begin before my eyes tear away from Alaric and to his mistress, Liva.

Dressed in an olive gown, her shoulders bare, the material light and falling gracefully down her arms, Liva strolls towards us with a soft gaze. She is beautiful inside and out, with long brown hair falling in waves behind her back in a half-up, braided hairstyle, doe-like brown eyes with long eyelashes blinking back at us, and soft pink lips; Deyanira and the nobles despise her.

"Alaric," she smiles up at him.

Alaric kisses her hand in response. "You look magnificent."

"You should have worn matching outfits to show your unity," I say, ignoring my brother’s stare and stepping forward to Liva.

"Your Highness," Liva greets, dipping her head in respect.

"Call me Idalia, please. You are almost like family now-"

"Ida," Alaric interrupts, giving me a sharp look.

"I do not mean anything more by it." I step back, observing Liva. She is not upset by my words, which again proves how much she has tolerated Deyanira.

It was not intentional to hurt her. She really was more like family now. They had been together for years.

Alaric’s ’mistress’ had kept the nobles at bay, stopping most of them from pushing their daughters in the King’s direction. His favouritism to Liva also kept them from asking about an heir. It has only been the last year that the court has grown impatient at the lack of an heir or to have Liva as his Queen.

Deyanira obviously disliked Liva from the beginning. She wasn’t chosen by her, and from what I have gathered so far, Liva is no puppet to anyone and is loyal only to Alaric. Well, loyalty and trust are big asks in this world of backstabbing and lies, I have foolishly only recently learnt that again.

"Why does everyone seem so tense?" Liva asks, looking between us all and finally tilting her head at Alaric. "I hope you are treating your guest well."

Alaric frowns. "He is the one that has been difficult-"

"He, the Alpha Prince of Sun and Fury, is a guest," Liva interrupts before the Alpha King can say anything else about Eryx. "I have heard a great deal about his love for the Princess." She looks back at me with a soft smile. "Perhaps we should be more understanding about the Prince."

Is Liva trying to help? She was helping a lost cause. There is no love here.

She then turns back to Alaric. "This is a dance, Alaric." She squeezes his hands. "So let us dance!"

Alaric’s scowl fades, and a small smile tugs at the corner of his lips. "You know I must dance with my sister first..."

Eryx leans forward then, his hand sliding across my back until it curves around my waist. "Am I not the guest of honour tonight?"

Alaric’s eyes narrowed at the point where Eryx’s hand was on my waist. "You are..." he grits out. "But it is customary that I dance with-"

"Was I not the Princess’s escort tonight?"

Actually, even if he was my escort, my brother would still take precedence over my escort before I could dance with him. But Eryx is also the guest of honour.

Alaric made a low rumbling noise, but Liva’s hand softly fell over his chest and tapped gently.

"He is the guest of honour, Alaric. You should allow these lovers to enjoy their time together, as can we." Her words draw Alaric’s attention to her face, and slowly, his shoulders relax.

"You are the guest of honour," he nods. "Please, Eryx, do not start taking the piss out of my hospitality. Falling for my sister puts our friendship on a tightrope already."

Eryx bows his head in response, a sign of respect and his only response before leading me away from my brother and towards the dance floor.