Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Raven's POV

I sank deeper into the warm water, my face burning with heat. I had never been particularly confident about my body because I was slender with curves that felt non-existent, and being seen by the King of the South felt really embarrassing.

"I'll be waiting outside," Darian said, his voice sounding strained.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. But the silence didn't last more than five seconds. I heard heavy, hurried footsteps approaching the bathroom lounge.

"Darian! You called me?" Valen’s voice barked, sounding incredibly rude and impatient.

My heart leaped into my throat. I saw Valen poke his head in, his dark eyes scanning the steam. Before he could see anything, Darian lunged forward, physically shoving Valen back into the lounge and slamming the door shut behind both of them.

The wood was thick, but I could still hear the muffled explosion of an argument.

"What the hell were you doing in there with her?" Valen’s voice was a low growl. He had clearly realized I was the reason why he was pushed out, and he was giving Darian absolute grief for being inside.

"It was an accident, you i***t! I didn't know she was bathing!" Darian snapped back.

I sighed, the relaxation of the bath completely ruined. I decided I had stayed in the water long enough. I quickly rinsed my body, the splashing sound feeling overly loud, and grabbed a fluffy white towel. Thankfully, I had brought a change of clothes with me—a simple cotton tunic and leggings—because I really didn't want to walk out and face two fighting Kings in just a robe.

When I finally gathered my courage and stepped out into the lounge, only Valen was there. He was pacing with his hair looking messier than usual. He stopped and looked me over, his gaze almost unkind.

"Why was Darian in the bathroom with you?" he asked, his voice biting.

"It was an accident," I said, trying to keep my voice calm as I dried my hair with a smaller towel. "He didn't know it was me in there."

Valen let out a harsh, mocking laugh. "I call bullshit. Did his nose suddenly stop working? He’s an Alpha, Raven. He can smell s**t from a mile away."

"Well, the scent of the soaps and the oils probably messed with his senses," I argued.

He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, so now you’re defending him? Already taking sides with your preferred mate?"

"What? I'm not defending anyone, your majesty," I said baffled. "That’s just what most likely happened. It isn't as deep as you are making it out to be."

Valen breathed heavily, his chest heaving as if he were fighting the urge to shift right there and tear something apart. Without another word, he turned abruptly and stormed out of the lounge.

I sighed heavily. At this rate, I was going to grow grey hair before I hit twenty-five.

Dinner was a miserable affair. We were called down to the dining room, but the food might as well have been sawdust. Valen was in a terrible mood, staring at his plate with a dark scowl, and Darian was also unusually quiet, focusing on his wine. I couldn't process why Valen was this upset. It was just a mistake, yet he acted like he’d been betrayed.

After the meal, I stood up and started to stack a few plates. "I can help with the cleaning," I offered to the staff.

A woman quickly stepped in, gently taking the plates from my hands. "Oh, no, Lady Raven. That is entirely inappropriate for your estate. Please, return to your quarters."

I felt a sting of frustration. I wasn't used to being a lady. I was used to working. But I didn't fight her, I just followed the Kings back upstairs in total silence.

I retreated to my room and shut the door. It was a beautiful space with soft cream walls, a plush rug, and a large bed with silk sheets. I kept wondering why the Elders had put us here. Was it to help us get along? Or were they just hoping I’ll pick one of them? I had no idea what the goal was supposed to be.

I lay down and picked up a book I’d found on the nightstand. It was a fictional story about fairies and elves, full of magic and lighthearted trouble. It was exactly the distraction I needed.

Eventually, I dozed off with the book resting on my chest.

I was jerked awake by a loud, worrying sound.

Snarls. Deep, guttural growls and the sound of stuff breaking.

My first thought was that we were under attack. I scrambled out of bed, shoving my feet into my slippers, glad I hadn't undressed before sleeping. The commotion seemed to be coming from Valen’s room.

I ran out into the lounge and pushed his door open. The sight inside was terrifying.

The room was a wreck. Both Kings were partially shifted. Their claws were out, and their eyes were glowing with animalistic intensity. Darian was currently on top of Valen, pinning him to the floor with all his strength. Valen was thrashing, his teeth bared, looking completely feral.

I took a few steps closer, my heart in my throat.

"Stay away!" Darian barked at me, his muscles straining against Valen’s frantic movements. "Don't come close!"

"What happened?" I shouted over the sound of Valen’s snarling.

"He’s having an episode!" Darian answered, his voice breathless. "A nightmare, maybe. He isn't awake, but his wolf is in control."

Valen didn't look like he recognized anything. His eyes were an electric blue and looked glazed over. He was mindlessly snapping at the air.

"So what are we going to do?" I asked, looking for anything I could use to help.

"I’m hoping to wear him out," Darian said, grunting as Valen nearly flipped him over. "He should be calm once he gets tired enough to drop."

"That could take hours!" I cried. Valen looked like he had enough energy to fight for days.

I took a few more steps toward them. Darian’s head snapped toward me, his wolf’s grey eyes flashing. "Damn it, Raven, I said stay away! He’ll hurt you!"

But when Darian shouted my name, something changed. The sound seemed to penetrate the dark haze Valen was trapped in. He stopped struggling against Darian’s grip for a second, his ears perking up like a dog hearing a whistle. Then, he let out a frantic whine and began struggling even harder to get toward the door. Toward me.

"Leave him," I said, taking one small step closer to the edge of the struggle. "Just trust me."

"I trust you," Darian panted, his grip slipping. "But Valen is not a stable man right now. I do not trust him."

I didn't listen. I threw all my caution to the wind and went toward the two of them.

Coincidentally, Valen found a burst of strength and broke free from Darian’s hold. He didn't hesitate. He launched himself off the floor and came at me with alarming speed.

I let out a sharp gasp of shock, my hands coming up instinctively to shield my face as the heavy weight of the Northern King crashed into me.