Shade Academy

Chapter 35

The second we stepped foot into the castle we were surrounded by what I could only assume was the royal families servants. "Welcome home master Ashe." They said bowing from the waist down. One though a female didn't bow. She stood back smiling seductively at him as she batted her eyelashes, I didn't like it. I looked to Ashe in astonishment surely they didn't require them to show such submission or allow a female to show such open affection with his mate beside him. Ashe didn't pay me any attention though, he was in full on prince mode. "You may stand." He said formally. They all stood and and looked at him but never in the eye. Some looked at his mouth or his nose, some at his chest. I just looked on in confusion. This was not my Ashe. 

"Ashe, what's going on?" I asked, somewhat firmly. The servants all gasped. The woman actually had the balls to walk up to me and try to slap me. Emphasis on try. I saw her movement just in time and caught her wrist mid swing. I gave her a hard look "If you ever, and I mean ever try that again, I promise you, you won't pull your arm back with your hand attached." I threw her hand away from me and moved closer to Ashe, taking his hand. 

She glared at us. "Ashe, what is the meaning of this? Why are you letting her treat me this way?" The woman whined. "Alexandria, she may treat you however she wishes. This is Anna, my true mate and lost fae royalty. You will treat her with respect, and if you ever raise your hand to her again, you will be put to death." He said harshly. Wait what? I looked up to Ashe in utter and complete shock. "Ashe!" I said in surprise. "Why are you treating her this way? I have had people try to kill me, just because she tried to slap me does not mean she deserves death." I told him. 

Ashe looked down at me with a hard look and I actually shrank back from him. The look in his eyes, the lack of emotion. It scared me. I pulled my hand from his and moved into the arms of my other mates. "Who are you?" I asked shaking my head in disappointment. The guys all placed their arms around me as they glared at Ashe. 

As if his actions had just dawned on him his features softened and guilt shown in his eyes. "I'm sorry Anna, this place." He said looking around. "It changes me. I am expected to act a certain way here." His explanation was crap, and I wasn't going to take it. "No Ashe, you change you. You change yourself to match the expectations of others, and I don't like this side of you."

"Then I'm afraid you are in for a world of disappointment child." A deep voice echoed through the room. Up on the top of the stairs was a very large but lean man. His hair was as long and black as Nova's and his skin as deeply tanned. His eyes matched hers too, just as deep brown as the earth. "You look just like her." I said before I could stop myself. Draco looked a me confused. "Like who child?" He asked. "Well like Nova." 

His eyes widened as he looked at me with new eyes. "You've seen her? You've been to the meadow?" His eagerness was understandable but the question about the meadow was suspicious, so I decided to ignore it. "Yes, I've seen her. She came to me in a dream." I said evasively. "What about the meadow?" He pressed. I scrunched  my brows together and looked up to Ashe. He shrugged lightly before I turned back to Draco. "I'm sorry, I don't know anything about a meadow." I lied. 

A look of disappointment befell the kings face. "Well, that's too bad." He said sullenly. "Draco, have they arrived?" A soft voice asked. As the woman walked around Draco, I was floored by the resemblense she had to Ashe. They both shared the same silver hair, pale skin, and striking blue eyes. On her though, on a woman. The features were beautiful. She looked like a goddess come to earth. As she face us a bright smile graced her face. "Welcome home Ashe, I've missed you." She said rushing down the stairs to him. She hugged him so tightly it seemed as if she hasn't seen him in decades. "I've missed you too mother." Ashe said softly. 

"Mother, this is Anna, my mate." Ashe said pulling away from her and motioning towards me. "And these gentlemen are her other mates." His mom looked at me with wide knowing eyes. "How powerful you must be to have so many mates and acquire the bond of the royals. I am very excited to get to know you better Anna." She said. 

I smiled at her but my eyes were on Draco. He was staring at me with such hatred and envy I could feel it. Something was wrong with Draco, he wasn't acting like a true king should. I turned back to Ashe's mom and smiled politely. "I am grateful you have welcomed me into your lovely home. And I am looking forward to getting to know you as well." I said. Ashe's mom's eyes widened "Oh, how rude of me." she said placing her hand on her chest. "My name is Flora. It is a pleasure to meet you Anna." She said holding her hand out to me. Huh, such a human gesture I thought to myself as I shook her hand. "Like wise." I smiled. 

"Anna, tell me. What are you capable of?" Darco's deep voice once again echoed throughout the room. I hardened my eyes as I looked up at him. "No disrespect but that is none of your business." I told him sternly. "We are here to visit. Ashe wanted to introduce me to his family, I am not here to discuss my abilities. I left the Academy to get a break." 

Everyone looked at me in shock, even Ashe and Flora, but I stood my ground. No way was I going to let him walk all over me. I have the essence of a goddess in me according to Nova, he has no power over me. "How dare you speak to you king in such a manner." He seethed. "Ha" I scoffed. "You are not my king. I may have royal fae in my blood but that does not make me your subject. If anything it makes me your equal. I will not be disrespected by anyone, I don't give a damn who you are king or not." I looked him dead in the eye and the hatred there was palpable. My suspicions about the king were rising by the second. 

Draco then did something I never expected, he smiled. "I approve Ashe." He said proudly. The look of hatred completely gone. I was so damn confused I couldn't get my thoughts straight. "She has power and potential. She holds her ground and won't allow anyone to walk on her. You could learn a few things from her." He told him a bit more harshly. That got my attention. "I won't allow that either." I said. Draco looked at me confused as I walked over and placed myself protectively beside Ashe. "Won't allow what?" He asked. Genuine curiosity in his tone. "I will not allow you to speak to Ashe that way. I won't allow you to disrespect him in my presence." My tone was firm and final, I made sure I left no room for arguement. 

Draco smiled. "She's got spunk." He said pulling Flora to his side. I didn't miss how Flora tensed at his touch, or how her smile was forced and not as big or bright as it was before. She caught me watching and shook her head slightly. I narrowed my eyes at Draco. If I find out he is hurting Flora in any way he will pay dearly. Flora was petite, tiny compared to his towering figure. 

I looked over to Ashe who was also watching his father with a look of malice and hatred. I have never seen hatred in Ashe's gem like eyes before. I grabbed his hand in mine trying to comfort him the best I could. He looked down at me and smiled, but it wasn't his smile. It was sad, forlorn, and scared? Why was Ashe scared? I turned my eyes back to Draco who was watching Ashe and I did not like what I saw. I instantly placed myself between him and Ashe, daring Draco to do anything. 

A sly smile spread across the kings face as he watched my movements. Something was absolutely wrong here. Whether the king was the traitor or not was yet to be discovered, but one thing I did know was Ashe and Flora were terrified of him, and I intended to find out why.