Chapter 49-

Oriel:
I am awed by the landscape as we leave the ship. We have docked in a small port town near the bottom of the Carpathian Mountains. Ayla and I are loaded into a lovely warm carriage that blocks us from the cold wind. Irvin rides his black horse Arrow next to us, I had to leave my mare home because she was heavily pregnant, and I miss her. I can at least know she is being loved and cared for by Apollo, I was happy to leave something personal of mine for him. I hope I get the chance to ride often in my new home, horses have always been a big part of my life. I smile at the people who pass us on the streets, they all stop to wave at the battalion that is passing through. Most have bowed their heads and yell out greetings to their king. I am amazed that Rowen and his men are so well liked, are these people humans or vampires? I see people pointing at the carriage, so I try to smile and wave back at them. I’ll get to work now on winning over the hearts of Rowen’s people.
We have been traveling for a few hours and my legs have grown stiff inside the plush carriage. The cobblestone streets and populated villages have turned into rocky roads and wild landscapes. We are traveling through the rocky, beautiful landscape with forests and meadows just outside of the carriage, and I can’t bear to be couped up any longer. Rowen has been riding head of the group with Darius by his side, so I haven’t seen him since this morning when we left the ship. I lean my head out of the carriage window and ask the driver to stop so that I can get out. As soon as we stop, and I get out I see Darius ride over to us. “Oriel are you well? It will only be about an hour or so until we reach the castle.” “I’m well Darius. Just needing to stretch my legs a bit. Could I ride one of the extra horses for the rest of the trip?” “I don’t know if that is such a good idea. The terrain can be a bit steep and rocky in places, also it seems that the extra horses are being used to pack additional items we picked up on our trip.” When Irvin speaks up in my defense it makes me so happy that I’m not here alone. He is always in my corner, and I couldn’t be more thankful for him. “Oriel is one of our packs best riders. You won’t have to worry about her. Since you don’t have enough horses, she can ride mine. Arrow loves her more than he does me anyway.” Darius looks irritated when Irvin hops down, and I swing my leg over and settle into the saddle. “Irvin can ride with me since there are no extra horses for his use.” I smirk when Irvin jumps up behind me grabbing onto my waist and we take off. I let Arrow gallop through the meadow next to the road. The feeling of the wind on my face makes me feel alive and free. “You really pissed him off firecracker.” Irvin laughs behind me his chest pressed up against my back as we ride up to the front where my mate leads his men. “I couldn’t care less what pompous dick thinks. He already has it in his mind to think ill of me so why should I try to change his mind.” We both laugh as we pass the others to move to the front. Rowen looks at Irvin seated behind me with his hands wrapped around my middle and jerks his horse to a stop.
“Oriel get off of that horse now! You will return to the carriage for the remainder of the trip to the castle and you will cease this childish behavior.” “Is that an order vampire king?” My cheeks are red with embarrassment, how dare he speak to me like this, like I’m a naughty child who ate too many sweets before dinner. I may be younger than him but getting some exercise and having a little fun shouldn’t get him so riled up. The fact that he is scolding me with his men near by and with Darius at his side is humiliating. “Yes. It certainly is. Surely you know how inappropriate this is. My woman will not run wild in the arms of another man.” “The only reason I am riding with Irvin is because your advisor there told me there were no extra horses and I needed a bit of fresh air and exercise. We have ridden together many times in the past and I saw nothing wrong with it, especially since you couldn’t spare a horse for me to ride. I am not running wild just trying to have a bit of fun, and please never mistake me again as your woman. I don’t know how I could make myself more clear, I do not belong to you.” I can’t bear the sight of him, so I turn the horse around and Irvin and I ride back to the carriage. “I’m sorry Oriel, I didn’t mean to get you into trouble.” “It’s okay Irvin, you did nothing wrong. I just can’t stand him lording over me and trying to make me feel foolish.” “You are not foolish; you are strong and amazing. Don’t let him snuff your light out.” I smile at him and climb back into the carriage. I close the curtain on the window, the landscape no longer holds beauty to me.
Rowen:
“You really couldn’t have found her a horse?” “I didn’t think you would want her riding around on her own. The terrain can be dangerous to a novice rider.” “Well, she is not a novice rider now is she? Anything would have been better than her galivanting around with that boy’s hands all over her. Don’t they know it makes me look weak when I can’t control one little woman.” “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think the moon goddess herself could control your mate.” “That does not make me feel better.” I run my hand over my face. It feels like any interaction I have with her is impossible. I guess it’s good she had a small bit of fun before we get to the castle, she will surely not be pleased with the arrangements that I have made for her. You sent my requests ahead of us to the castle, right?” “Yes of course and I still think it’s the right move. The last thing we need is anyone knowing about her before your mating ceremony. By then hopefully she will be better behaved and more controlled. When she is crowned your queen and you are able to mark her she will be better protected from my father.” “I just hope this doesn’t all backfire on me.” “She’ll learn in time that everything you are doing is out of care for her.”
Oriel:
We pass through a large city on the way to the castle. Everyone is bustling around, and the streets are busy. There are so many shops and houses, you could fit ten of my villages in this one place. I can’t wait to get settled and come down here to explore. I know my upbringing has been somewhat sheltered growing up in the forest, so this feels like a whole new world to me. When we finish passing through the city and the houses along the outskirts the road narrows and watch towers fitted with guards line the street. Finally, we pass through a huge iron gate and the carriage stops. I go to grab the handle and hop out when it is opened for me. Rowen stands outside and I do my best not to glare holes through his head. I don’t want him to think that his barbaric behavior has any effect on me, although it certainly does. No one has ever made me feel so angry and small in my entire life. “Listen princess, now is the time when I need you to listen, and do as I say. You might not always understand, but it’s what’s best. Please stop fighting me every step of the way.” I can’t get the conversation out of my head where he told me I was nothing but a rug to him. Instead of arguing I just say nothing, truthfully the trip has exhausted me, and I look forward to being able to settle into my room. The last thing I want to do is fight with him again right now. He helps Ayla out after me and we follow him up the steps to the main entrance of the beautiful dark castle.
Rowen leads us into a large receiving room that has an enormous stone hearth inside. There are couches and tables scattered throughout along with portraits hanging on the walls. It’s not the fine decorations that catch my attention, but the rows of staff lined up along the back wall. The men are dressed in white shirts and smart black pants, and the females all wear matching black dresses and stockings. Seated at the main table is a group of about ten men. They must all be wealthy because they all are wearing fine suits. Everyone bows as we enter and welcomes their king home. Ayla, Irvin and I all stand back unsure of what to do or say. Rowen speaks up and the words that come from his mouth tear my heart in two.
“I’m happy to be back home with you all, and I bring a very important guest with me. Please meet my niece Ayla.” Rowen reaches his hand out to her and brings her to his side. “Her father, my brother Marcus passed away in battle, so I brought her here to live under my protection and to be named as my heir until my own children are born to me. I expect everyone to give her the respect she is due. I will give the council a full report of my travels tomorrow afternoon, we have had a long journey and will retire shortly.” I keep thinking he will introduce me, but he filters through the council members more pressing questions, putting most of them off until their meeting tomorrow. “Your Majesty who is the shifter boy and other young lady you brought with you?” He looks back at me like I am an afterthought. Is he purposely trying to make me feel small and hurt me? “This is Irvin a wolf shifter and personal guard to my niece. The red headed girl is a companion to my niece, brought along to keep her company as she adjusts to her new life in the palace.” My heart is pounding in my chest, has he decided to reject me? Am I really nothing to him but a “companion” for Ayla? He told me I would be his queen. Coming here and trusting him has been a mistake.