The Royal Wolf and Hades' Daughter

Chapter 6 - Acceptance

The days went by, weeks, and months. Carolina was nowhere to be found. Her family had mourned for a long time. The family shrunk from society for all those months, grieving but at the same time searching.

They wanted the youngest Beckett back. She might not have a title to wait for, but she was the bright spark in the castle.

Samuel had become angrier, running with the wolves every time he turned. He was not as careful, even though he was aware of the watchful eyes people had on shifters and possible shifters. Even hairy men were being suspected, taken aside for questioning. Sometimes, they were tested with heated silver. The more cruel kingdoms, such as Swordsmith, even made slices with silver-tipped daggers.

Luella had become more reclused, a literal damsel in the tower. Everyone knew that she was in distress but was never helpless. Suitors were even more afraid. They thought that she would combust any time, burning them to hell.

Because of Carolina’s disappearance, her siblings’ chances of getting into a wedding match became even more hopeless. Luella seemed to be headed to the throne on her own, but she had no qualms about it. Twenty-three and considered a spinster, she was not afraid. She could take care of herself.

Samuel was a man, though. Men could marry at a later age if they wanted. The fact that he was not yet engaged was self-imposed. It could be remedied if he wished to. He could say the word, and princesses would come to be presented.

At that moment, he was not interested. His sister was missing. He was part-wolf and could not even find her, even as he ran through the forests trying to investigate every inch of it at night. In his quest, he made friends with some magical wolves. They spoke with him, sometimes as wolves and sometimes as clothed men.

Even they had not seen Carolina.

The prince preferred to talk to the Proteans in wolf form. They showed respect by remaining in their various animal forms.

“How do you shift by will and return to human form in your clothes?” he asked.

“We are witches and warlocks. We are more witch than wolf, bear, or panther. We could teach you, Your Highness. You are a prince with witch in your blood. It should not be that difficult,” explained Fyodor, the leader of the Proteans, in his wolf form.

“You don’t understand. I was cursed from before I was even conceived. My mother’s enemy Erishkigal had even abducted and possibly killed my sister. The witch is nowhere to be found. It was her who made me like this.”

“Ah. Erishkigal, the mother of the Nowhere shifters. Yes, she is a petty b***h that one. A sad woman, once witch but now more of a demoness,” Aliana spat, a Protean in lynx form.

“Could we find her?”

“We could try, but it would be dangerous. She could also be anywhere in Mogochislenia. After all, she governs the forests, above and below,” said Fyodor.

“But do you think I can learn to be like you? Have magic?”

“You need more than us to help you. Because of the curse, you need another demoness or demon to help you. Demons are rare in Queenspell. They seem to thrive in Cathrona and Swordsmith,” the Protean leader said.

“Cathrona has a kingdom again?”

“A small one. A good man conquered the land, A King Elfred. He has a lovely daughter named Tamara. Elfred is not in league with demons, but his land is infested with them. He may be interested in allying with Queenspell,” said the soft-spoken leopard, Rowena.

“An alliance with us? We have been invaded with demon’s curses.”

“What I mean is that they might want you to marry Tamara,” Rowena purred. “You can do so much worse. She is a beautiful maiden of twenty-three, educated, and pious.”

“I don’t need a wife. I have a mistress. She knows her place,” Samuel growled.

“You will one day want heirs to the throne of Shadowcreek. We heard you will take over the throne soon.”

“Yes, my father is abdicating. Nevertheless, why would I have heirs if they would become like me?”

“Oh, you hurt our feelings! Aren’t we part animal, too?” Aliana teased.

“But you can shift whenever you want. I want that, too. If you can help me find a way to do that, I will gladly marry Tamara or any wench out there.” Samuel said menacingly.

“You need a demon or demoness to help you,” Fyodor advised.

It was then that Samuel knew that was the only way.

“I also need help to kill Erishkigal once and for all. I have one sister left. I will not lose her to the curse, too.”

With those words, the company parted. Samuel went home to his gloomy castle. The black cloths that covered most of the gold and glamor of Queenspell had been removed, but he knew that his mother, Queen Soraya, would forever mourn the loss of Carolina. His father, King Adrian, would be as pragmatic as possible, but the spark in his eyes had somehow dimmed the past few months.

It was time to move on, though. It was time for acceptance. That night, Samuel sought Raylana. His mistress did not seem to mind that every thrust was that of anger, not passion. She closed her eyes to block the sight of his elongating fangs and tried not to hear his growls. But after the deed was done, as she was scrambling to put on her clothes, she also thought to end it.

“Your Highness, this must end. I could no longer be at your service. If you plan to ignore my station in life and marry me, I will gladly say “Yes.” However, I know that you do not love me".

“But -,” Samuel protested, fearing that she would tell others of the things she had witnessed whenever he was angry.

“Don’t fret. I will not tell anyone. Your Highness, nobody will know. Support me in my betrothal, and I will be quiet for the rest of my life. Sigfrid, the squire, had asked me to marry him.”

The prince could only nod. Suddenly, guilt and shame washed over him at the way he had been treating Raylana but marrying her would be a disappointment after his mother and father had a well-known love match. The fact that Raylana was a servant would not be an issue with his mother and father; he was sure of it. But he did not love her.

“Thank you, Raylana. Come to me when you need anything.” He sounded pitiful in his own ears, less than the man he wished he was.

“I will, Your Highness,” she curtsied and rushed to go outside, knowing which twists and turns to take to avoid being seen.

***

Thirteen years before Carolina disappeared, Miranda did not go home. Everyone believed wolves had eaten her. Little girls, after all, should not be wandering off on their own.

But little girls grew up into women with hatred in their hearts. Melinoe was a sweet girl, but she was brought up in contempt. Erishkigal made her look at the Queenspell royals with a hateful eye, saying that the family had ruined her life and broken some promises. Her own family was not much to think about, either, though sometimes her thoughts went to her father. Not Hades, the real one, Count Phillip, who according to chatter was not even the real one. She still loved him.

It was confusing for a girl to live amid so many lies, but she had found a constant in her life. Erishkigal.

“One day, you will seduce the prince, make him fall in love with you.”

“If I were to hate him, why do I even have to come close?”

“Revenge, of course!”

“Isn’t it enough that you made him into a wolf and taken his sister?”

Erishkigal narrowed her eyes at her ward. She went closer to Melinoe and looked the young woman in the eye. Up close so that Melinoe could see the pores on her nose.

“I did not take his sister.”

Her ward did not look convinced but said nothing.

“…and Prince Samuel still has a lot to learn. He is enjoying his transformations too much.”

“The hatred towards shifters in Mogochislenia has been spreading. That is another punishment that has befallen Samuel and his family.”

“Yes, that is true. You may be right. Perhaps I could change my plans.”

“What were the plans, anyway?”

“I want you to make him focus on you, enough for him not to marry anyone. He won’t be able to leave heirs that way.”

Melinoe suspected that the witch wanted something else, something more than what she was saying.

“What if I am the one who ends up carrying an heir for Shadowcreek?” Melinoe laughed, jesting. She could no longer take the seriousness of the conversation. Why couldn’t she just enjoy her life in the Forest as its Future Queen? She had no time for men, of whatever form. Even the shifters and forest warlocks were afraid to court her because of who her mother was. Erishkigal.

Erishkigal frowned at that. She was not expecting that turn in the conversation.

“Are you seriously thinking of taking your seduction further? My dear girl, if you want to go that way, there are herbs that you can use to prevent that from happening.”

It was Melinoe’s turn to be dismayed, feeling like a pawn being offered to be grabbed by the enemy.

“You cannot be serious, Mother. Samuel is a rake. Do you know that? He has bedded so many women, servants, and princesses. Why would he fall in love with me?”

“But haven’t you seen your reflection in the water, Melinoe? You are the loveliest creature I have ever known. I knew it from the very first time I saw you.”

Memories seemed to tug in the young woman’s mind like an itch. She breathed deeply as she felt her chest tighten. Then, it was gone. She smiled.