132

I never got to thank Ruarc for the clothes, Thane for the phone, Elijah for the books, Eloive for the boots nor Waxlyn for the red fur coat. I never got to thank them, because of Sia. He had me holed up in the infirmary all day while his brother, Izal conducted all sorts of tests to prove that the baby in me was Sia’s.

Annoyed, I didn’t talk to him at all. He tried engaging me in small talk, and when I didn’t give in, he gave up and remained mute while I was poked and prodded.

By the time I was let out of the infirmary, I was utterly drained. I didn’t have the energy for shit. So, when Zora walked up to me and informed me that the queen wanted to see me, I sent her back to her royal highness with the message, “I refuse. If you want to see me and talk to me, you know where to find me.”

It was rude, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t imagine climbing those steps in my dizzy state.

Dogara didn’t care of course, and had her men carry me up to the drawing room. I didn’t make it easier for them of course. I trashed in their hold, kicked, spat, insulted. Unfazed, they dumped me on the seat opposite her majesty and here I am, trying to catch my breath.

“You fucking bitch…”

She waved her finger, shaking her head. “Ah ah ah. I could have them come back here, pick you up again and they wouldn’t be so gentle.”

I scoff. “Gentle? They fucking left a bruise.”

“It should heal.”

“You know it wouldn’t.”

She smiled lightly. “It will. If you’re capable of bearing his offspring, then you’re capable of healing. Now tell me Crinka, why didn’t you acknowledge my presence earlier today in here?”

I stared pointedly at her. “What if I said I didn’t see you?”

“Thjis likes to think I cannot be missed. That I have some sort of allure.”

She sure does, though I’ll never admit that to her. “What do you want?”

“Not much.”

I roll my eyes. “Now listen to me Dogara….”

“It’s queen Dogara to you.”

I arch a brow. “I thought we were past the formalities?”

She just smiled. I exhale. “What do you want? Why did you call me here?”

“Eloive must have told you what we do around here on a day like this, I suppose?”

“Yes, but that doesn’t answer my question. Why am I here?”

“Well, I need you to represent me today.”

“Say what?”

“I don’t remember you being retarded Crinka. You will share gifts to the people on my behalf.”

I roll my eyes. “No. I will do no such thing. You can ask anyone else. The princesses, the other concubines, but you chose me, and I will not do it.”

“It wasn’t a request wolf. I just thought you should know.”

“What exactly are you playing at Dogara? You know damn well, that your people don’t like me.”

“That’s exactly why I am sending you out there on my behalf. You’ve got to make them like you. You’ve got to show them the real you, like you showed me.”

I scoff. “There’s no real me anything. And I’m still not doing it. You know that my kind is not tolerated here and now you want to throw me to them? Plus, I don’t need them to like me. You guys already like me, and that’s enough.”

She laughed. It was way fucking polite. “We do not like you Crinka. We only tolerate you because of Sia.”

“Why? I mean, he’s not even the Crown Prince, so why are you all being so fucking nice by tolerating me on his behalf, huh?”

“Nasia is special, and that’s all there is to it. It’s important you do this Crinka.”

“I don’t care.”

“You have to. I know you don’t know this, but everything we do here, well not everything, gets wind up in the press. Magazines are published daily, and even if we are too cough outside, it gets reported in different stories. Sometimes, this magazine often ends up in the hands of higher authority, and I have a feeling that this season’s magazine might. So, don’t fuck this up.”

“I never said yes.”

“I was never asking for permission. So go get ready. You don’t want to be late.”

….

I tried my best to behave, really tried, but what was I to do when the people, ‘her people’ attacked me with clubs and tomatoes. The crown prince wasn’t going to protect me from them so I did what I had to do and fought back. I think I even killed someone.

“Miss Clepp, the royal family has invited you to supper.”

Supper? I didn’t know they had supper. Turns out my deeds will end up catching up with me. I made my way to the dining room, praying fervently to the moon goddess that she softens their hearts so that they show me mercy.

They were unsmiling by the time I stepped into the dining room.

I swallowed hard before speaking, “Look, if this is about what happened today, I just want to say that I am…”

I shut up when a booklet is thrown at me.

“Read it!”, Dogara ordered. “Read it and see for yourself what you have done!”

I pick up the magazine and there reflecting on the front page is me, snarling at the people, my claws out. Dear heavens, I look horrible. The caption read, “A threat or a concubine?”

I opened it and read the next page mentally.

We, the people of this great kingdom once again question the said love the royals confess to have for us, their subjects. They brought this woman, this she-wolf into our lands, despite out disagreement and today they send her out to kill us.

I pause. Kill them? They were the ones who tried to kill me! Plus, what’s one wolf compared to a thousand Icelanders?

I love the royal family dearly but if this is how they intend to show love, I ask that they be replaced immediately.

Replaced huh? Now I see why she’s mad. She’s afraid the people who put her family in power will take them out of it, if they come across this magazine. Who knew that the queen loved the luxurious life, despite her quarrels with her husband?

Sighing, I close it. Dogara glared at me. “I warned you. I begged you to behave…”

“They attacked me!”

“Shut up!”, she yelled. “I’m still talking. The tourists now know that creatures like us exist and now we can’t let them out without completely erasing their memories. I begged you to behave because I knew the repercussions of what would happen if you didn’t, and you still misbehaved!”

Thjis took her hand in his. “Calm down my love.”

I resist the urge to puke.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! You read what our people think of us. You know what would happen if your mother should come across this magazine, you know!”

So, it’s the mother-in-law she’s afraid of. Interesting. Now, I want to meet the mother-in-law.

Thjis drew small circles on the inside of her wrist. “It will be alright my love. We’ll fix this.”

“I want her gone! She has done nothing but ruin our lives!”

Thjis sighed. “I know you’re pissed but…”

“I want her gone Thjis. She disgusts me.”

I didn’t want to hear anymore. This was a woman I once helped and to hear that I disgust her, is a different kind of pain.

Swallowing hard, I turn to the queen. “I will move out of the palace tonight and take residence with whoever will receive me. I will not return until I’ve fixed this.”

She glared at me. “Get out.”

Casting one last glance at the breakfast table, I walked out of the dining room.

“It’s just you and me now little one,” I muttered, patting my belly. “But don’t you worry, mama will keep you safe.”