Ivory Snow

Back in the castle ball room, a dozen years later, at her niece’s party, Dale led Ava through the receiving line, until they were standing in front of the King and Queen.

“Ava!” Maria exclaimed, standing up to greet her sister with a hug. “I am so glad you could make it. We’ve missed you dearly.” Maria had missed her sister. The years apart had softened her memories of her. Ava was not a bad person, just a bit conceited and selfish. Despite that, she was still her sister.

“Maria, it’s so wonderful to see you again.” Ava was more reserved in her greeting, acting the way a queen should.

After releasing her sister, Maria sat back down, taking the hand of her mate. They were rarely near each other without touching. Even just holding hands made them both feel more secure and calmer.

King Alexander had never cared for crowds, knowing she was within reach kept his wolf controlled.

Ava curtsied and leaned forward enough to flash the King with what she felt was in better shape than what he had seen in recent years. If he desired to finally cave to her, who was she to complain?

Ava still firmly believed that he was meant to be hers.

The King gave her a tight smile, not tempted in the slightest to look at what she was offering. Unlike Maria, he had not forgotten what Ava was truly like. He never told Maria he was glad that Ava was far away or that she frequently denied their invitations to the castle.

Ava’s excuse was that she was still in mourning and did not feel right coming here without her mate. He knew that was a bunch of horse manure. Alex even had suspicions about what really happened the night his dear cousin was killed.

All things he kept to himself, of course, as he could not prove it.

“Ava. Welcome.” He tilted his head, just enough to accept her greeting and give permission for her to rise.

Alex grinned at Dale; someone he knew well from when they were pups. Dale and his cousin were a few years older, but they had always been kind to him. And not just because he was the future King.

“Dale. It’s good to see you.” Alex lifted a hand, which Dale respectfully took.

“Your highness. It’s good to see you as well.” Dale glanced over the small family. “You are all looking well, and happy.”

Alex couldn’t put a finger on it, but there was something off with Dale. He was firmer, more reserved than he once had been with him.

It must be because he still missed his friend. Surely, he took the Count’s death the hardest. The two had rarely been separated before. In fact, before his cousin had found his true mate, the King had secretly wondered if the two males might be mates.

It wasn’t common, but it had been known to happen on occasion.

Both he and his father tried to keep the harassment at bay. One could not help who mother nature created for them.

As with his own mating, he knew that a true mate was like another piece of your soul. If it so happened that your other piece came within the same gender, so be it.

Maria lifted her right hand up, drawing Ava and Dale’s attention to the young female standing next to her.

The pup was wearing a black evening gown, studded with small diamonds creating lines from her waist down to the lining. The lines were at an angle, making it look as though they were waves under the night sky. The bodice of her dress covered her chest and onto her shoulders, ending with cap sleeves. She was young enough that there wasn’t too much to show off yet, but the signs were there.

Oddly, the female had long white hair. White enough that it would blend in with the snow at wintertime. Her eyes were a startling shade of light green. Her skin was pale, yet dark at the same time. The overall effect was mesmerizing.

“Ava, I’d like you to meet our daughter, Ivory. Ivory, this is your Aunt Ava. You have not seen her since you were a newborn pup.”

Ivory lifted the skirt of her dress and gave her aunt a demure curtsy, even lowering her head.

“Good evening, Aunt Ava. It is a pleasure to meet you. Mother speaks very highly of you.”

Dale tightened his grip on Ava’s elbow, feeling like those innocent words had a hidden meaning. Ava had taken every opportunity over the years to poison his mind against the royal family.

Ivory was innocent and sweet inside and out. Dale had just been tainted so much by Ava that he believed everything was a cover.

Ava returned the curtsy, hiding her true thoughts on the girl as she smiled at her.

“Ivory. It’s so nice to finally meet you. Happy birthday, darling.”

Ivory grinned and tipped her head down in gratitude. “Thank you.”

“We will talk more later. You have many well-wishers still. I look forward to spending time with you over the next few days.”

“As do I, Aunty.” In her excitement, Ivory let slip some of her normal personality, which she quickly fixed by straightening her back.

It was obvious to all that the young female was still learning to behave like a Princess. This trait endeared her more to the other party goers.

After leaving the royal family, Ava and Dale walked quietly to a table. Dale pulled out her chair and helped her to sit down. He then excused himself to go get them both drinks from a nearby servant. While he was there, he ordered plates so they could eat.

Ava sat regally in her small chair, treating it as though it were a throne. Other guests came to her, welcoming her home.

She cast swift glances toward Alex, hoping he would see that she fit the role of Queen better than Maria. Surely, he must be regretting his choice by now.

However, the King never even spared her a glance. They could be missing each other though. She looked up again, just in time to catch an affectionate moment between the two. Ava scoffed quietly.

Ava’s guests quickly tapered out and she had no idea why. She smiled at many walking by. They looked confused, as though they had no idea who she was. She had been gone for quite some time, she reasoned. They would just need time to remember who she was.

Ava had always been known all over the land for her beauty, while Maria had only been known for her baking.

“Who is that? She is very pretty.” Ava heard a female say from behind her.

Yes. That would help them remember. All it would take was one person to ask, and then the gossip about her beauty would soar again.

The listener tskd. “She is of no importance. I wasn’t far behind her in line. That’s the Queen’s sister. From what I hear, she is a Countess and hasn’t been home in over a decade.”

“Oh.” The first speaker responded to her friend. “Well, she is very pretty.”

“I guess. Although, look at the Princess. Only thirteen and already so angelic. No one compares to that ethereal beauty. Can you imagine what she will grow into?” Both females sighed, not caring that this meant that a pup was better looking than them.

Ava had thought the pup pretty enough at the time, but was she really already prettier than her??

That cannot be. No one could possibly be prettier than her.

No. These females were just not used to seeing true beauty.

Ava listened more closely to what was being said around her. To her utter horror, the opinion of those gossiping females was the common assessment of those in attendance.

It was also rumored that many Princes and Dukes from other kingdoms had already begun calling to meet the Princess with hair as white as snow.

Ava was completely distraught. She had been gone too long. The people had forgotten her and replaced her with someone who was still not even in their prime.

What would happen when the pup grew older?

Dale worried about Ava’s silence. He could feel her sadness and anger, but he had no idea why it was there. He would have to wait until they were safe behind closed doors to discuss it with her.

Ava hardly touched the chicken thighs on her plate, nor her potatoes and salad. All things she loved. Eventually, she made excuses and stepped away from the table. When he tried to follow, she waved him away.

She soon began to wish she had tried eating more. The conversations as she walked the room had her feeling faint. All anyone could talk about was the beauty of her niece.

The comment that hit the hardest was one about the Queen’s beauty.

Some even spoke about the Princess’s skill in the kitchen. It seemed Maria had passed down their mother’s talent to her own daughter. Apparently, Princess Ivory had even made the desserts they were all enjoying.

She had the looks and the talent.

Ava barely blinked an eye when she heard her parents had died a few years back. She had wondered if anyone would ask about her absence at their funerals, or even that of the previous King and Queen.

No one said a word. It was as though she had ceased to exist the moment she moved away. Ava was standing right in front of them, and they continued singing the Royal family’s praises.

Dale could tell that something was wrong with Ava. She was losing the control she typically had, her protective shell. Ava had explained to him that she forced it upon herself as a pup, it was her way of shielding herself from the judgements and harsh words of others.

He had worried this would happen. Ava had such a sensitive soul. It had been too long since she was home, she wanted to show them how well she was doing, hoping things would be better.

Maria had always been the nicer one, Ava insisted.

No one else was yet aware of the turmoil and sorrow building up inside of her. Seeing that, Dale swiftly made his way to her and led her out of the ballroom and to their rooms. They had dressed in her guest suite earlier that day. The sister of the Queen, a Countess, and she had a basic guest suite.

How little regard the royals had for their own flesh and blood.

With the closing of the door, Ava fell to pieces. He could barely make out the words, but it was enough.

Things were worse now than they had ever been before. The Queen had managed to poison the minds of her subjects during Ava’s absence.

Maria wasn’t fit to sit on the throne. None of them were. He remembered the snide comment the Princess had made. They would all pay for this.

“I will avenge you, my love. I will make you Queen. No one will ever hurt you again.”

Ava froze in the middle of her sobs. She had just been venting out her frustrations, she hadn’t been trying to lead him to anything. Not that she minded. In fact, she loved it when this side of him came out.

“B… but... Maria, Ivory. They hold that seat. Alex has never liked me. He’s always looked down on me with distaste. You saw him. I’m nothing but dirt on his shoe!”

Dale took her face in both his palms. “They are not worthy to be in the same room as you. Their time on the throne is nearly out. I promised I would ensure you shine. And I will do just that. I will set you where all the world can see. My only regret is that it puts you further above me.”

“Dale, you would do that for me?” Ava had to work to control the giddiness. Yes, keeping him had been the right choice. She knew he would come in handy again.

Dale kissed her roughly and fast. “Why do you still doubt? I love you, my Ava. I would do anything for you.”

Ava did not love him, she barely tolerated the male. In fact, she never really understood the concept of love. Not the way everyone else went on about it. The only person she loved was herself. And that was what mattered most to her.

She had brought many males to her bed since the Count died. As long as she included Dale once in a while, or even let him watch from time to time, he did not complain. Of course, the males he watched her with tended to disappear the next day. He always came back overbearing and pushy after, until she gave him what he wanted. He soon learned that keeping some of the blood on him helped him get what he wanted faster.

Dale interpreted her actions the way he wanted to, just as he interpreted everyone’s actions that way. The way that best fit the story she had given him. He worshipped the ground she walked on. He treated her in a similar way as the King treated Maria.

Must be a true mate thing. Whichever the reason, it would benefit her. Maybe, if he only got rid of Maria and the brat, she could comfort Alex and finally get what she wanted.

Ava waited until Dale was at his weakest moment before subtly telling him what she wanted.

“Without Alex, the Duke would fight me for the throne.” She made sure to throw in the proper sounds and movements to keep him moving. “I am not worthy enough to achieve it on my own.”

Dale looked down on her sternly. “You are the only one worthy. I do not want anyone else to touch you. But I will do what is necessary to put you on that throne. I will not harm the King. I will share you, in secret. You will have to give him a pup, but it does not have to be his.”

Ava sighed with relief.

Her happiness with this new plan helped her to reach the pinnacle of their movements.

As long as the pup was Alex’s she would not complain.

And once she was mated to the King, she would find a way to rid herself of Dale. She would have no more need of him.

Ava wasn’t naive. She knew the King would never share his mate.