The Lycan King's Broken Luna

Chapter 2

After my shower, I dried my hair and started working on my makeup. When I was done, I took a minute to look at the witch staring back at me in the mirror. Eyes like deep green emeralds, accentuated by the dark smokey eye makeup. Raven black hair with hints of blue highlights in naturally perfect loose ringlets down my back that stop just above my hips. I have a small scar just above my right eye from the shattered glass the night I fled my burning house; the night my mother was murdered. I was only fifteen then.

A lot has happened in the ten years since that night. I still miss my mom, but she’d be happy to know I didn’t suffer the same fate as her. King Linus searched for clues and reasons but never could find out why my mom was murdered. Why would a Lycan come after us? There aren’t many uses for witch’s blood other than curses, but you’d have to be a witch in order to cast or create a curse, so you wouldn’t need the blood of another witch. I try not to dwell on it because it still doesn’t make any sense.

I took a deep breath and exhaled those thoughts as I walked out of the bathroom and strolled up to my bed. Tyra was true to her word. She left a long, beautiful charcoal gray dress on the bed. It had delicate swirls of silver running through the fabric at the bottom of the dress and faded up into the bodice. She also left black heels on the chest at the foot of my bed to go with it. I put the dress on, slipped my pumps on, and gathered my abundant curls in a half up, half down style with a silver feather barrette.

I look the part of a witchy princess, I suppose. I thought to myself. I was daydreaming about the possibilities of life once I arrived in the south. I will be leaving in the morning to fly down there and begin my new life. I was set to marry Prince Jaekob in eight days. His father, King Phillip, requested I join them a week early so I could prepare and learn about their kingdom and how they operate. They are shifters themselves, werebears. The family has been ruling that part of the south for centuries thanks to the alliance they formed with the Lycan King, Lucious.

I approached King Linus’ office door and one of the guards on duty knocked and announced my arrival. I nodded my head to him as I entered the king’s office. “Emmeline! Good you’re here. We have a few things to discuss. I’m afraid you may not like them though” King Linus said, making a face. I felt myself grow tense and anxious, but I forced a smile, “Hopefully it isn’t too bad of news, I wouldn’t want to spoil my travels tomorrow with a gloomy mood.” I said as I sat down across from him. “About that, I just received word that your presence is expected there sooner rather than later. I don’t know all of the details, but they assured me your safety is not a concern, but that they need to move up the date of the wedding by a few days and therefore requested your arrival sooner.”

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves and buying myself some time to pick my words carefully before I spoke. “I see. Tyra is still coming with me, I hope?” I asked, praying I wouldn’t be sent there alone. “Yes, of course. Where you go, she goes. You’ll be leaving in about thirty minutes. I have arranged for a driver to take you to the airport where you will be boarding your fiancé’s jet. I hear Augustus was on his way. You’re more than welcome to say your goodbyes, but please don’t keep Prince Jaekob waiting” the king warned. “Of course, I would never. Thank you, sir. For everything you’ve done for me. I won’t let you down”, I assured him. I stood and turned to leave. “Wait, come here. I know you aren’t my biological daughter, but you certainly feel like one. Come give me a hug. I should hope you’ll come visit, or at least call from time to time?” I smiled at him and walked over to him for a hug.

“I will miss this place, but it isn’t like I can’t come visit. Luckily, cellphones exist” I say with a wink as I leave his office. I will miss this place. It’s comfortable but I have a duty to repay the generosity the king has shown me. I remind myself. I walked down the halls and slowly made my way down the curved staircase to the front of the castle. I ran my fingers down the cold stone walls and pondered the stories they’d tell if they could talk. Probably many embarrassing stories. I chuckled at that thought.

I made my way to the front door and pushed it open, surprising one of the guards on the other side. “Oh, sorry Gerald. I didn’t mean to startle you.” I said apologetically. Gerald was known for occasionally dosing off and would often be startled when the door moved. He isn’t the brightest of fellows, but he’s kind, strong and loyal and that’s all that is required of King Linus’ guards.

“Emmeline!” Augustus yelled, waving like a maniac. “Hey!” I barely got out the word before he was crushing me in a hug. “What’s with all the luggage outside? I thought you weren’t leaving until tomorrow?” He asked, gesturing to the boxes scattered about the front steps. “I am leaving tonight. Something came up. King Linus said he didn’t know much more than that, but I’ll be leaving here in about fifteen minutes” I said, with sadness thick in my voice. His eyes grew wide, “What!? We don’t even get to spend one more day together?” He whined.

I smiled at him and willed the tears away. Hopefully Prince Jaekob is not a jealous man and will let me visit or, at the very least, let Augustus visit. “I just found out. But we can still video chat and I’m sure I’ll see you on visits and you can always come visit me”, I said reassuringly. I’m not sure who I was trying to convince, him or myself. Both. I guess. “Yeah, it just sucks. We are adults though, it's time we gave up the childish notion of staying here forever. I’m not royalty, so thankfully, I don’t have to worry about arranged marriages. I do have to worry about an heir, but I have to get married first” he chuckled.

I smiled at my best friend. He was there for me and saw all the broken pieces my mother’s death left me with. I will miss him dearly. We sat there looking out at the courtyard and its manicured lawn and hedges. The iris bulbs planted in the spring were just starting to bloom. I opened my mouth to comment on the various pinks and purples of the petals when a long black limo pulled down the long driveway. I closed my mouth and nudged Augustus out of whatever thoughts had stolen him away from the moment.

“Looks like my ride is here” I said, a little disappointed. Augustus signed heavily. “I’m going to miss you” he said, standing and opening his arms for a hug. I hugged him tight. “I’ll miss you too, but this won’t be the last time. You’re basically family. You can’t get rid of me that easy” I said, playfully punching him in the arm. I spotted Tyra approaching us. “Are all of the bags loaded?” I asked her. “Yes ma’am. It’s time” was all she said before turning and climbing into the car. “I’ll see you later, squirt”, Augustus said, playfully smacking my arm. I playfully smacked his arm and waved as I walked to the car. “Bye old man!” I called out before getting in and slamming the door behind me.

“You two still act just like kids” Tyra said, pretending to be scolding me. She’ll never admit it, but she’ll miss our antics. At least Augustus’ anyway. She still has mine to deal with. I smile to myself at that thought. “What are you thinking about with that devilish grin on your face?” She asks, squinting her eyes at me. “Oh nothing” I say sweetly. The partition dividing us from the driver came down, ending our conversation. “We’ll be at the airport in about 10 minutes. There is a selection of refreshments in the compartment below this window. Help yourself”, the driver offered. “Thank you, I didn’t get a chance for breakfast, so I am a bit hungry”, I replied. The driver smiled before rolling the partition back up. Tyra opened the compartment and handed me a bottle of water and a granola bar before taking one for herself.

We sat silently eating and drinking and a few minutes later, we were pulling into the private section of the airport. A sleek white jet sat just outside of the hangar. It looked like they were refueling and making final preparations for the flight back south. When the limo came to a stop just inside the hanger, I noticed a very large statured man coming down the steps of the jet. He had blonde hair and looked to be about six feet tall. Maybe a little taller, it was hard to tell with him so far away. He had sunglasses on but his face was like stone, expressionless.

He approached the limo and nodded his head to the driver before opening our door. “Good morning, Miss. My master, Prince Jaekob, sends his apologies for not being the one to greet you when you arrived. He is tied up making final preparations for your arrival in the Southern Kingdom of Shifters” he said with a slight bow of his head. “Oh, it’s not a problem, thank you…” I trailed off, realizing I didn’t know his name. “Kit” he offered.

I felt my cheeks blush a little bit in embarrassment, “Thank you, Kit.” I climbed out of the limo with Tyra not far behind me. She was staring at Kit very intently, but in a subtle way. Kit turned to lead us to the jet, and I allowed myself to fall a few strides behind Kit so I could ask Tyra what was up. “Hey, what’s up? You haven’t taken your eyes off that man since he got off the jet.” Tyra ducked her head near my shoulder so she wouldn’t be overheard. “There is something off about him. He’s too put together. I can’t put my finger on it but keep an eye on him” she warned. Tyra has a good sense of character, but I don’t get any weird vibes from him.

Maybe she’s on high alert and overreacting because we are going to a new place? I thought to myself. We climbed the steps of the jet and Kit led us to where we would be sitting for the flight. I sat down in one of the well-padded chairs and Tyra sat just in front of me. There was a table between us with a couple of cold cans of orange soda, my favorite. Cracking open one of the cans, I looked out the window and I could see a few men placing our bags on a cart to be loaded onto the jet. “Hello! I am so sorry for keeping you waiting and for not being the one to greet you when you arrived. I have been on the phone making sure everything is perfect for your arrival in my kingdom” said a voice, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I stood up and looked at the man I was to marry in a few days’ time. “Oh, it’s no problem!” I said, bowing slightly. I may be considered a princess, but I am only the adopted daughter of a king, a human king at that. I still need to show respect, regardless of the fact that he’s soon to be my husband. “Are you hungry? The flight should take about seven hours. I can have one of the servants make you something to eat. We are well stocked and I’m sure they can make you anything you fancy” he asked. “I am a bit hungry. Do you think they could make me some french toast with whatever fresh fruit you have available as a side?” I asked. “Tyra, would you like some as well?” Prince Jaekob asked, turning to face her.

Tyra didn’t answer at first, she just stared wide-eyed at Prince Jaekob. “Yes, she would like some as well. And some coffee too, please. I apologize about her, this was all so sudden, and she’s probably exhausted from all the last-minute packing”, I answered for her, nudging her with my arm to pull her out of whatever trance she seemed to be in. “Oh, yes, that would be lovely. I apologize, I don’t know what got into me” she finally said, bowing her head and taking her seat again.

She stared out of her window until the food came. I decided to wait until we were alone in my room in the southern kingdom before asking her what had suddenly gotten into her. The rest of the flight was uneventful. Prince Jaekob and I made idle chit-chat, and before I knew it, the pilot was telling us to buckle up for the final decent.