Chapter 50-

Oriel:
I see Irvin step forward and I know he is going to try to defend me, and tell these people who I really am, that I am not merely a “companion” but that I was brought here with the intention of someday becoming their queen. Although fury races through my mind and I am hurt by his careless words I reach my hand out and grab Irvin’s arm. He looks at me like I’m crazy, but I shake my head at him telling him without words not to say anything. Even though it burns my pride and makes me hate Rowen I don’t want to go against him in front of his council. Part of me hopes that he has some master plan I’m not aware of and another more prominent part of me fears his further rejection. If I speak out and say I am his true mate and their future queen, what would I do if he contradicts me. If the heartbreak I feel now is this painful I can’t imagine what his outright dismissal of me would do.
“Welcome Ayla, we are so happy to have you here at the castle. If you need any assistance anyone here in this room would be ready and willing to offer you their help.” A smiling older man speaks up from his spot at the table. Everyone around him nods their agreement and sends warm smiles towards Ayla. “Thank you.” She awkwardly replies now clutching onto my hand. I can tell she is uncomfortable with this new development and all the attention that is now focused on her. I bow to the council members and make my way out of the massive room with both Ayla and Irvin in tow. “That goes for you two as well, young miss and sir. Let us know if you have need of us.” The same mans warm smile is now a sly smirk as if he is in on his king’s secret, maybe he is. I turn to him and the others and make eye contact with Rowen. “Please don’t trouble yourself with us, we are of no importance. We are merely here to serve.”
Rowen:
I make my apologies letting the council know I will debrief them on all they need to know tomorrow and take my leave. I need to find Oriel and explain before she drives a dagger through my heart while I sleep tonight. What a fucking mess this whole thing is turning out to be. In hindsight it would have probably been smarter to speak with Oriel about my plans to keep her identity a secret until she is in a safer position, but every time I have interacted with her has been a disaster. There is just something about her that I find infuriating, she just flits around as if she doesn’t have a care in the world, she has no idea the pressure I am under trying to make my kingdom safe and untied. Her being so young although by no fault of her own has made things difficult, maybe if she weren’t so hot headed and didn’t lavish affection on every man she sees to torment me, then maybe we would be getting along better. Darius and I catch up to her, my niece and her little guard dog in the library. “I will be happy to show you to your wing of the castle princess.” She looks at me with no small amount of hatred and I run my hand through my hair, so much for trying to make things light between us. Darius shakes his head like I’m the biggest idiot alive, I think he is right when Oriel replies. “You probably shouldn’t address me that way. You never know who is listening and remember I am nothing but your nieces’ companion.” Darius clears his throat, “I believe your suite overlooks the stables Oriel and it shares a door with your room Ayla. Irvin can stay in the guest wing and of course will have his own suite.” Oriel puts her hand up to stop him. “Irvin will sleep in our wing of the castle. I have gone along with becoming “the help” but I wont bend on this issue. He will have his own room, but I won’t be separated from my companion.” Darius reluctantly looks at me and I nod. I will give in on this one, I see the look on her face and already know I am defeated.
Darius and I give them a quick tour of the castle on our way to their wing, on a day that hasn’t been so filled with turmoil and when we have all rested, I will give them the full tour. “The bottom floor of the castle holds the staff’s quarters, they have their own kitchen, library and bedrooms. The main floor holds the receiving room in which you met the members of council and the castle staff. There is also the library which you saw and a study. The main kitchens are also on this floor and open to you at any time, next to the kitchen is the main dining hall. We have a large ballroom that sometimes doubles as a throne room when needed for official ceremonies. Towards the back of the castle there is an arboretum that boasts a beautiful collection of birds and next to that is a large pool. Please make use of anything that interests you, I’m sure you have your doubts, but I do want you to be comfortable here.” As we make our way upstairs, I see Oriel taking everything in, I’m happy she seems to admire her surroundings. There is an inner satisfaction knowing I can provide well for my mate. “As you can see there are three main wings that branch out on the top floor, my wing is the one down the middle. Darius also has a room and study down this hall. Your personal wing is to the right, which I will show you and the left wing is reserved for visitors. No one will disturb you in your wing of the castle so feel free to make use of any space you wish.”
Oriel:
I have lived in a large, well-built cabin in the forest for my entire life, so the castle is like something out of a fairy tale. Everything is lovely and richly decorated, there is so much to do all in one big house that it’s a wonder Rowen ever leaves. Why would he when he has everything, he could possibly want in one big space. I am looking froward to exploring more but am utterly exhausted from today. When he shows me my room my mouth hangs open. It’s enormous, lovely and feminine. I wonder who stayed in this room before me? Hot jealously runs through my veins thinking of another woman, one of Rowen’s lovers staying in this room before me. Although if he had companions, it makes more sense for them to share his room and bed. Thinking about this at all is unbearable, I am sure he has had women, he is much older than me, but even thought I hate him I still want him to myself. I want mine to be the only hands that touch him.
The room has a large balcony that does overlook the stables and the riding arena. There is also a lovely garden and orchard that I can see from here. I definitely look forward to exploring later. In the middle of the room is a large soft bed with a canopy that hangs over the top. There is an in-suite bathroom with a large tub next to the wardrobe that is already full of beautiful clothes. My thoughts are interrupted by Rowen “I had the staff fill the wardrobe, but we can get you anything you are lacking in town.” I am happy that they don’t belong to another woman. “Thank you, it’s all very lovely.” And it is, the room is magnificent but I suddenly long for my home filled with my loud, silly, loving family. I miss the closeness of my pack and the noise of children playing outside, I miss being myself without repercussion. It’s just Rowen and I in my large room, Darius must have taken Irvin and Ayla to their rooms while I was on the balcony. “I hope you will be comfortable here…Look Oriel can we sit down so I can explain why I’m not ready to reveal who you are to me yet…” “I am very tired Rowen. Can we please discuss this tomorrow?” His eyes are sad when he looks at me, but he nods and I’m thankful when he closes the door, and I am finally left alone. The emotions from today and the longing I feel for my family spill over, I drop into the chair that sits in front of my fireplace and cry. For the first time since I left my home I break down and allow myself this moment of weakness to sob alone. I’ll be strong tomorrow.
Rowen:
I lean against her door and my chest feels heavy. I hear her cries and something in me breaks. I am supposed to take care of her, it is my job to provide and ensure my mates happiness above all else. I am failing her already, that and the pressure I’m under with the council feel like they might crush me. I go to my room needing a bath to wash this horrible day away. Bringing my mate home should be a joyous occasion but instead it’s filled with lies and anger. I dry myself off feeling much better after my soak in the tub, I walk into my room with only my towel around my waist and see Maddie naked and laid out on my bed. She is all shy smiles for me and hungry eyes, I almost forgot I was regularly bedding her before I went to the aid of my brother. She is lovely and full figured with long straight chestnut hair and jade green eyes. She has worked in the castle for years and presented herself to me, it was always a convenient mutually pleasing arrangement but now I fear I was indulgent with her. She is bold to enter my chambers without permission. I have a mate now, although one I can’t bed for some time. A mate who despises me, one who is better off without my affections, I think I proved that today listening to her cry outside her door and knowing I’m the reason for her tears.
“I missed you, my king.” Maddie’s sultry voice isn’t a turn on only an annoyance. “I’ve eagerly been waiting to serve you.” She pouts and crawls to me on her knees. She looks pathetic to me, nothing like the fiery girl who would never debase herself this way. “Let me show you all the ways I can worship at your feet.”