His Fated Mate: A Werewolf Romance

Fiona

The air was thick with tension and fear. Even Viona appeared to quake before Queen Celestria as she scrutinized each of us.

I lowered my gaze and avoided her eyes, remembering what I had been told. Yet the sheer charisma of the fairy queen was captivating and frightening. Her magnetism felt so powerful, and the urge to peek was overwhelming. I feared I couldn’t control myself.

“Hybrid girl, look at me!” the queen demanded.

I hesitated and lifted my head, meeting her mesmerizing gaze, and she smiled. “That’s right. I know you carry the blood of my kingdom. Which is the only reason I answered your call.”

Rowan kneeled to her, eyes still focused on the ground. “My lady…”

“Mortals or mutts dare not speak to me. I will address only the girl, and that goes for the witch as well.”

Celestria turned around and peeked back at me. She wanted me to follow her into the light, and I took a step in her direction.

“Fiona, don’t,” Rian said. “It’s too dangerous.” He shook his head, pleading with his eyes.

“I have to.” I threw him a sad-looking smile. “Remember why we did this… think of Kyra and all the innocent people dying. We must know who is helping my father.”

I pulled my hand from his grip and accompanied the queen. As I glanced over my shoulder, I saw the tension, fear, and anxiety on Rowan, Rian, and Viona’s faces.

As Queen Celestria entered the light, she held out her hand, inviting me along. Once we passed through the rays, it felt like I stood under a shower with cold water pelting on my head, startling me. The light was brighter on this side, and I blinked, trying to grow accustomed to its intensity. The silence seemed almost deafening as I found myself in the middle of an unfamiliar place, alight with vivid colors. Strange smells floated in the air, and weird shapes surrounded me.

Queen Celestria seemed to float across the floor poised and regal. She held out her slender hand with long, pointed, silver nails and I watched as tiny flowers sprouted from her hands. I stared in wonderment as she changed before my eyes. If possible, she appeared more beautiful and mysterious than before. As the flower buds fell from her fingers and into the smokey mist, vines grew and little flowers appeared over her body. Queen Celestria placed a finger under my chin, making me stare into her eyes. Her touch felt strange and my body heated from the inside out. It was a peculiar but pleasant sensation, like my veins flowed with magic.

While I tried to keep my face relaxed, I couldn’t have looked away had I wanted. I struggled to keep my breathing even, remembering that Viona and Rowan told me to remain calm in the presence of a fairy, but this was the queen.

She gave me a coyish smile, with her silver-stained lips turned up at both corners, revealing sharp fangs. “You belong to the lineage of my family.”

“Excuse me, Your Majesty… what do you mean?” I prayed I hadn’t spoken too loud or offended her.

Celestria chuckled, lifting one silver brow. “But you were raised human.” Her voice sounded unfamiliar… thick and full of secrecy. It was no longer soft and melodic, like back in the forest.

“Yes, Your Majesty. My father raised me and I knew nothing about fairies until recently.”

“And just who is your father?” She tapped her chin with a razor-like nail.

“Cormac Quinn, Your Majesty.” Celestria raised both eyebrows, appearing intrigued or surprised. I wasn’t sure which.

“Ah, you’re the hunter and scientist’s daughter,” she said. I nodded in reluctance.

“I didn’t know he was a hunter either,” I blurted out.

She nodded. “Your father is a mysterious and devious man.” Celestria released my chin, but peered at me like she was searching my soul.

“Yes, he is devious and has many secrets, and that’s why I reached out to you… Or rather, someone in your court.” She remained silent but tilted her regal head, and I mustered the courage to continue my speech. “There is a drug epidemic affecting the UK, parts of Europe, and even North America—”

“Yes, Sexflex,” Celestria interrupted, her tone sounding bored. “That’s why I have my subjects on lockdown, confined to my court and this realm. I refuse to allow some mortal drug to affect them.”

I nodded. “That’s understandable, Your Majesty. But we think my father has had help with the drug from someone in your court.” As I watched her face change, I feared her wrath.

“Absolutely not. That’s ludicrous,” she said, her voice like ice. “My subjects do not mix with the affairs of the mundane.”

She used the term ’mundane’ as an insult, and it worked. I thought back to everything I had learned about fairies and realized it was all correct. Although hearing her refer to mortals with such disdain bothered me, I kept my mouth shut on that matter.

“I realize you would like to think so, but we have investigated and even confiscated my father’s computer and files…”

“Forgive me if I’m not apt to concern myself with an investigation by a couple of mangy mutts, a lowly witch, and you, child.” The queen placed her slender hands on her hips, throwing me a smug smile.

I took a deep breath to calm down. “Just because we are not pure fairies doesn’t mean we don’t have brains, Your Majesty. We have evidence that someone in your court is providing Creatures of Primordial as test subjects for my father’s Sexflex production.” I held my breath, worrying I’d pushed her too far, but she appeared composed.

“You want me to find the subject in my court who is possibly helping the almighty hunter, Cormac Quinn?” Her eyes narrowed and turned from aqua-blue to a startling silver.

I sucked in a breath. “Y-Yes, Queen Celestria. And I would be very—”

“Let me explain how this works…” She arched a brow, grinning. “If you require my cooperation, I must ask for yours in return.”

I blinked up at her and knew she had ensnared me in a trap. “How can I be of help, Queen Celestria?” I asked, my tongue feeling thick and fuzzy.

“I need to find my daughter,” she said, and I watched some type of emotion cross her ethereal face. “Princess, Araqiel Katrina Damaris. A certain mortal once had Araqiel keeping her safe for me, but they no longer know where she is.”

My eyes widened, and I realized how unprepared I was to speak with her about Kat. I had to assume that neither Rowan, Rian, or even Viona could have foreseen the Queen of Fae answering our request. If so, perhaps they would have schooled me on how to respond, regarding Kat. My mind whirled, wondering what to say as I recalled Viona’s warning. She refused to allow Kat to attend the ritual, and I rebuked her for it. How foolish I had been. I gulped, knowing I needed to lie, but it had to sound convincing. Keep it as close to the truth as possible, I thought, fighting back the nausea coiling in my stomach.

“Did you leave her with my father?” I asked, keeping my voice subdued. I told her Cormac was my father, so she must realize I knew Kat. What type of game is she playing? I felt beads of sweat popping along my upper lip.

“I don’t know where my daughter is now. It matters not who once had her.” While her words rang out like a sweet lullaby, a wicked smile played along her full lips.

She knew. This powerful fairy queen had to realize I knew Kat. But how much did she know? Was she privy to our household arrangements? Did she know Kat lived under my roof for years after her supposed parents died? And did she perceive we were close as sisters? I couldn’t think fast enough with her glaring at me, and I felt like we were playing a game of cat and mouse.

“So, you wish for me to find her?”

“Yes, produce Princess Araqiel or find out where she is, and then…” She lifted my chin again, this time gripping it. “And only then will I identify the fairy who is conspiring with Cormac Quinn.”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty… I do not know who might have her, or where—”

Celestria’s wicked grin turned deadly, and she squeezed my chin, causing discomfort and cutting off my words. In a flash, she lifted me off my feet before dropping me to the ground. Shit! She knows I’m lying. The queen stared down at me and closed her eyes. I peered up in fear. She reopened her eyes, now a brilliant orange, and I felt myself lifted into thin air, hovering a few feet from the colored floor.

She stood watching, hands on her hips. “Because you carry the blood of my ancestors in your veins, I agreed to assist you. But make no mistake, child… I will still snatch your life. You must prove yourself as Fae for my loyalty, but right now, you are nothing but a useless mortal to me.”

“Your Majesty, I don’t know where Princess Katrina is.”

“You shall address her as Princess Araqiel! And it seems you have your work cut out if you want me to uphold my end of this agreement.” Queen Celestria pointed a long finger at me, and I tumbled back on solid ground. She folded her arms, giving me a coy grin, letting me know she had me trapped. But I would never give up Kat. “My court will remain quarantined, and I forbid my subjects from contacting the mortal realm. So, until you produce Princess Araqiel or decide to give up her whereabouts, you won’t have another chance to address my court.”

Damn you to hell. I wanted to scream, but I knew better.

Celestria studied me, watching for any trace of emotion. I kept my expression placid. After a brief standoff, she said, “I command you to turn over my daughter and, in return, I will arrest any member of my court collaborating with Cormac Quinn.”

I realized I could say no more and felt relieved she had not killed or taken me hostage to use torture tactics to gain the truth. It was clear the queen didn’t know where Kat was, but she knew I held the key.

She morphed into some type of flower goddess before my eyes and held out a fist. When she opened her hand, a small flowered jewel twinkled up at me. The pedals were a brilliant ruby red, with a black onyx center. “When you find my Araqiel…” She winked, letting me know this was all a game to her. It was clear that Celestria knew I didn’t have to search for Kat. “Just return to the portal and plant this flower gem under the tree, and I will come for her.”

The Queen of the Fae turned her back on me, and as she sauntered away, everything around me changed. The warm, sweet-smelling air turned frigid, and in the blink of an eye, I stood shivering under the moonlight and stars in Rowan’s yard.

I looked down at the snow covering my feet and rushed to the steps, kicking the muddy snow off. “Shit,” I whispered into the night air.

As I entered the house, I heard voices and followed the sound. Kat was cooking and looked up, spotting me. She dropped the spatula in her hand and ran to me. “Fiona! Oh my God, I’ve been so worried!” She embraced me, and I returned the gesture, amazed at her dramatic reaction.

Rowen and Rian jumped from the table and surrounded me. “You’re back!” Rian hugged me tight, and I stared at Rowan over Rian’s shoulder. He studied me with an odd expression and his face appeared pale, with dark circles under his eyes.

“Yes, I’m back in the flesh.” I pulled out of Rian’s embrace, focusing on Rowan. “I can’t believe it’s already dark, and I left right after breakfast. How many hours has it been?”

“It’s been four days,” Rowan said, with bitterness lacing his tone.

“You’re joking! Four days…” I gaped at him, my mouth hanging open.

“Yes, four long days.” Rowan’s glare looked severe, taking me aback. “After all these days, I feared we would never see you again.” He gave me a sad, lopsided smile. “We almost sought the council’s help to force an audience with the fae. Viona tried to summon them again at the portal, but no one responded.”

“We even doubled the gems and gold,” Rian announced with a smile.

After seeing their frightened expressions, I placed a hand over my mouth. I’ve put them through hell. “Wow, I can’t believe this! I’m so sorry but it only felt like half an hour to me…”

Rowen rubbed my back, and Kat led us all to the dining table. “Well, tell us everything, and what did my mother say? When they told me she showed up, I couldn’t believe it!” Kat’s eyes widened, reminding me of an owl.

I took a deep breath and explained my conversation with Queen Celestria. Although I wanted to bring back good news, the worst possible outcome was all I had.

“So, unless we turn over Kat, she won’t help us.”

Rian frowned, Rowen stared at his hands, and Kat let out a strangled-sounding cry.

I cleared my throat to gain their attention. “And as if it couldn’t get any worse, she already knew Kat had been with Cormac. She told me he was keeping Kat safe for her.” I rolled my eyes. “I told her Cormac was my father before she imparted this bit of information. So, she had to know I was lying when I said I did not know where her daughter was.”

“You are lucky to be alive…” Rian shook his head.

“I’m surprised she allowed you to come back!” Rowan paced the room, agitated. “I can’t believe she didn’t keep you as leverage to get Kat back. That wasn’t an accident.” He stopped in the middle of the room, frowning. “We have to hide Kat somewhere safe until we settle all this.”

“Is there somewhere secure where Celestria can’t find her?” I asked, while Kat gripped my hand.

“Take me to her, and I’ll find out who’s helping Cormac. I think it’s the only way we can get Kyra back,” Kat announced.

“That’s kind of you, Kat,” Rowan said and placed his palms on the table. “But I don’t trust Celestria. No, I know just where to take you. And you will be safe. Two can play this game and something tells me Celestria knows more about Sexflex than she lets on.”

“I think so, too.” I nodded. “She didn’t seem surprised by my request. Oh, she denied any of her subjects helping my father, but said if I returned Kat, she would arrest whoever in her court was responsible…”

“Exactly,” Rowan shouted, slapping a hand on the table. “Why, if she’s so desperate for her daughter, did she leave Kat with those people posing as her parents before they died, and then, Cormac?” He lifted his brows to his hairline. “I think Queen Celestria is knee deep in this shite. And God help us if I’m right.”