25!

BRIANNA

It felt like a shock was jolted round my body and I stood on the spot. What the hell is the King playing out. How am I betrothed to Liam, instead of Margaret.

“Duchess Brianna, everyone is waiting,” he said again but I still couldn't move.

I noticed two ladies walking towards us with a veil in both their hands. They handed it to Trish and Layla who placed it on me.

“What are you both doing?” I asked them.

“We have to play along if we want to know the truth,” Trish said to me.

By me being the future Luna,” I whispered, “I barely know what to do being duchess,” I said to both of them.

“You'll be great,” Layla said and helped me move from my position.

A flower was handed to me and I walked towards the altar with Trish and Layla right behind me.

I got to the altar and bowed to the King, “welcome, Duchess Brianna,” he said and I got up.

I looked at Liam, who had the same look as I did, “I'm sorry about this?” He whispered.

I was still too shocked to speak so I nodded, beside this isn't what an apology can fix.

“I asked my son earlier today, which one will he choose, the safety of his subject or his desired mate,” the king said.

“My son, being the intelligent man I know him to be, he chose his subject,” I gasped at the sound of that.

“So, I'm going to reward him, because by taking Duchess Brianna as his desired mate, he has secured the safety and prosperity of his subject,” everyone in the room cheered.

I bat my lashes a thousand times. I can't believe I'm about to be married to the son of the man who killed my parents.

I know about the mate bond and how it drives you towards your mate and there is a prophecy but I wanted to do all of this at my own time. My own choice.

The King got down from the altar and stood in front of us, he was handed a scarf.

“By my authority,” he joined our hands together and placed the scarf on top of it. I felt a jolt of electricity move through me and Dia leaped for joy.

I looked at Liam, the expression on his face tells me he had the same feelings. What does it mean? Is this really destiny?

I tied the scarf around our hands and turned us to the crowd, “ladies and lord's, people of Silvermoon, I give you, your future King and Luna!” He yelled and so did everyone.

There was a lot of dancing and drinking after the announcement and an awful lot of pictures.

“You did great,” Layla said, handing me a drink.

“You are just telling me that to make me feel better,” I said to her and she nodded.

“I think so,” Trish said and we laughed.

“I can't believe this is happening,” I whispered, “more importantly, how did this happen? A king doesn't just change his mind all of a sudden,” I said to them.

“Something must have happened for him to change his mind,” Trish said.

“We need to find out what happened,” I said.

“And we will,” I heard Liam behind me and I turned, “but right now, I want to have a dance with my betrothed,”

I looked at Trish, who nodded for me to accept. Of course she will want me to accept.

I took his hands and he led me to the dance floor.

Everyone cleared for us as we took the stage, “I can't do this,” I whispered, struggling to breathe. I have been in large crowds before but not the ones expecting something like the behavior of the future queen.

“Stare into my eyes,” Liam said and I did. Jolted by the intensity of his gaze, my heart skipped a bit. Liam's eyes seemed to hold an understanding like he knew exactly what I was going through.

“Trust me,” he said, his voice barely audible over the music. He stretched forth his palm as I touched him with my hands, I felt a tingling in my stomach and heard Dia giggling.

As we danced, I noticed the way Liam's hands fit into mine. As we moved our bodies were in sync and I wasn't the only one who noticed. Everyone's eyes in the room were on us, whispering and pointing.

I felt his hands firmly on my waist and I gasped slightly, “focus on me,” he said and I turned to look at his dashing blue eyes. “We are the only ones on this dance floor,” he said and I nodded.

As I stared into his eyes, I felt free. More free than I have ever been. Like he said, it felt like we were the only ones in the room. I sensed an aura building around us and it went through my body.

I opened my eyes to see a surprised look on everyone, “Liam what's happening?” I asked as yellow circles covered both of us up.

“You are beautiful,” he said and I found myself trying hard not to blush.

I took a part of the circle and manipulated it using my water manipulation techniques. I blasted it across the room and it dropped creating crystal.

“Yay!!” Everyone cheered, trying to take a piece.

“That was beautiful,” Liam said, we bowed to the king who was already on his feet.

“Did you see that?” I squeaked at Layla and Trish.

“Yeah, we did. I thought we said, no magic,”Trish scolded me.

“I'm sorry, I couldn't control it,” I said to her.

“What do you mean?” Layla asked.

“It just came to me, I didn't summon it,” I said to her.

She didn't look shocked or surprised, “Liam is indeed your mate. That only happens when a werewitch dances with her mate. It happened when I danced with Mason,” she looked at Trish, “it wasn't her fault, Trish,” she said and walked away.

“Fine, let me get you something to drink,” Trish said and left as well.

“You seem to have won this round,” I heard a voice behind me and I turned.

“Lady Margaret and her minions,” I said to her, “I have no idea we were playing a game,” I mocked her.

“You were only a werewolf for thirty seconds and you stole my throne,” she almost yelled.

“I am a better werewolf than you will ever be,” I said to her, “and it was never you throne to begin it,”

She raised her hands but It was caught midway, “how dare you?” Liam roared and the hall went silent.

“Your Royal highness, I didn't mean to, we were playing a game,” she lied and I scoffed.

“What game?” Liam asked and she couldn't speak, “speak up,” he said firmly.

“I was just telling the duchess how lovely her gown is,” she said with her head down.

“You shouldn't lie to your superiors,” he said and she nodded.

“Leave,” he commanded. I didn't know Liam yielded such authority and ruthlessness.

She bowed silently and walked away but Liam stopped her.

“It is customary to bow to your future Luna,” he said and she glared at me.

She bowed slightly and Liam looked at me, “Lower,” I said and she looked up to me.

I gave her my meanest look and she bowed.

I may be new to all of this but I'm ready to take it on and no one is going to stop me.