A Lover and A Liar

Had She Fallen?

The run through the forest lasted not longer than an hour, but that one hour could feel like a lifetime of its own. Julian's wolf's eyes stayed at her the entire time, a darker shade of green, almost guarding her as she held in another wolf's body... possessing her without touching. He threw his head back and howled a few times on the run, drawing all their attentions. It just seemed he didn't care. Or maybe his wolf didn't. If it would have been fully Julian, in his human form, he could have gotten hold of himself and his emotions better.

And no matter how uncomfortable, even guilty Alina felt, knowing that part of his wolf could be possessive over her, recognize her as his gave her a bit more hope.

Perhaps she hadn't lost her mate yet. She prayed to God that she hadn't.

The wolves stopped in front of a beautiful mansion, small compared to the royal castle, but still big and really fancy for a family of four. However, it was understandable when that family's members were the Prince and the Princess of two different kingdoms, living their life in peace, away from messes like the one Alina had accidentally found herself into.

When they were inside the front yard, the wolves shifted back to their human forms, but Alina was too lost in the woman walked towards them to really notice. She was tall, one of the tallest women Alina had ever seen, her black hair long and wavy, and her dress simple, light-colored and floaty.

Alina was completely, totally lost.

In a second the female elf was in her husband's arm as he kissed her fully on the lips, like he hadn't seen in her in the past few years. They were too sweet... too sensual to look at, and for a second she felt like she was witnessing an intimate moment she was not supposed to. Were they always like this in front of strangers?

A few other female elves―the Princess' maids, Alina realized―came towards them with robes in their hands for the men to wear, and one of them was holding two children's hands, who were not older than three, if Alina had to guess. Twins, although they didn't look much alike.

"Uncle Julian!!" the little girl threw her arms up in joy, running to Julian enthusiastically. Julian held her up in his arms immediately, a pure smile spreading on his face. It made her heart start pacing frantically. A smile from him could shatter her whole world now, and it wasn't even directed at her. "I missed you so much," the little girl pouted, playing with a strand of his hair. "Why haven't you visited me anymore?"

"I've missed you too, my Princess." He kissed her cheek, the little blonde hair on his face making her tickle. "I've just had a lot of work to do."

Alina observed them while the little girl stroked his face softly. "You look sad," she simply said, and instantly, his emerald eyes met Alina's. A pang of guilt spread on her chest. She was the reason for that sadness. Since the first minute she stepped foot in that castle, Julian had been nothing but sad.

"I am not, I'm so happy I met you, Alice."

Something pulling on the skirts of her long gown drew her attention. Only that it wasn't something. It was the little boy, Alice's twin.

"Hello." Alina bent so she could be the same height with the little boy.

"Hello." He grinned at her, looking a bit timid, but his deep blue eyes smiling too. "I am Evander. Are you a witch?"

Alina was amazed how his powers could sense her no matter how young he was. "Yes, I am a witch. Alina. It's nice to meet you, Evander."

"Looks like you just became friends with my son," a beautiful voice said to her. "It's strange. Evander is shy when it comes to strangers, but he looks like he likes you."

Alina couldn't help but smile at her. "He's adorable," she truthfully said. "Little men like me for some reason. Luis does too."

"Oh." The Princess' smile grew bigger. "I miss him too. I'm Evelyn, by the way. Arthmael's wife."

Alina remembered she hadn't actually bowed down to her. "Your Grace," she said.

"Please, that's not necessary. I'm happy to finally meet you, Alina." For her surprise, the Princess got her on a sudden hug. "And you, Julian," she turned at him with a scolding tone of voice. "You have totally forgotten about me, haven't you?"

"How could I, Eve?" Julian opened his arms for a hug, and the interaction made Alina smile. They had an unusual, strange yet sweet friendship. Something Alina had never had. She had never had friends in the first place.

"Please, come inside," Evelyn invited them after she had given hugs to Dominic and Cedric too. She lead them to the gardens, where she had a special place prepared with tables, chairs and drinks. It seemed they used to spend lost of afternoons there, and it was simple and beautiful.

Cedric invited Alina to sit down next to him, and she couldn't refuse no matter the hard look in Julian's face. He was barely holding himself just because he had little Alice on his arms, who seemed to pay no one attention but her uncle.

She attempted to give Julian a tight-lipped smile that wasn't returned by him. Apologizing to him with her eyes only, she didn't realize silence had fallen and every head had snapped at her.

"What?" Alina asked, afraid she had been caught staring at Julian a little too long.

"I was asking if you like it here in our Kingdom?" Evelyn repeated what she had obviously said a minute ago. Alina hadn't even noticed when Arthmael had gotten her to sit in his lap, but they didn't look shy about it. On the contrary, he openly played with her long hair, tracing her spine with his fingers slowly.

Once more Alina felt like she was witnessing something she shouldn't. They just seemed to madly in love, she couldn't help but wish, pray, one day she would have that Julian. As impossible as it seemed her heart couldn't not desire it.

"I've only seen the Court, and now this, but it's... nice. Beautiful," she answered as honestly as she could.

"I could get you to visit the town," Cedric told her with a suggestive smile on his face, and in another time Alina would have found that kind. It was kind. Only that she could feel Julian's gaze piercing her skin even though she didn't dare to look at her.

"Perhaps another day," she whispered. Thankfully, Evelyn got her out of that, starting to ask questions about how it was to live in the witches' Royal Court. Alina had thought those lies through countless of times, but saying them to people like this, people she genuinely pictured herself being a part of, was another complete story.

But she had no other choice but to lie with a straight face, romanticize a life she had never had in a place she had never seen. It made her feel awful. The lies were starting to suffocate her as the days past by, however, she had no other choice but to go on with them, at least until she got her grandmother in a safe place Vincent couldn't find. Where, she had completely no idea, but for now Alina couldn't risk the truth coming out.

"Will you play something for us, my love?" Arthmael whispered to his mate, loud enough for them to hear nonetheless.

The smile that spread on Evelyn's beautiful face was filled with love. She left a kiss on her husband's cheek before standing up. "It will be my pleasure."

Only then Alina figured they were talking about playing the harp. A few other musicians started playing some violins, in complete harmony with their Princess, and it was so calming, so harmonious. Everything about this place was beautiful, but for the life of hers, Alina couldn't tear her eyes away from her mate.

Had she fallen for him already? The thought frightened her suddenly. No, not yet. Not this fast, she thought. She couldn't fall for Julian this fast, not when she didn't know if he would ever love her back. Recognize her as his mate.

Most importantly, forgive her.

A few dancers waltzed around them in the garden, but it took an extended hand in front of her to look away from her mate and his beautiful eyes. In the first few seconds Alina didn't understand Cedric was basically inviting her in a dance. All eyes were suddenly on them. She stole a glance at Julian, whose jaw was tightened, hands fisted on his side.

What was he thinking? Alina wanted so much to know.

"Alina," Cedric called her name softly, a playful smile on his face. "You should say something. It's getting weird."

She forced a smile on her face. "I don't know how to dance, Cedric." And that was true. She didn't know how.

His brows furrowed. "You're a Lady. It's just a simple waltz. All ladies know how to waltz, I presume."

No matter how much she wanted a way out of this, there was none. Waltz was simple, she could go through it. But going through it with Julian watching would be impossible.

Nonetheless, she placed her hand on his and followed his lead. One hand was placed on her waist and the other was holding her hand. Immediately her thoughts went back to five years ago; her first dance. Her eyes found Julian's ones instinctively, saw as he was holding on the arm of the chair strongly with one hand, the other holding a glass of alcohol tightly, for a second she was afraid he was going to break it.

Fortunately, the waltz lasted just two or three minutes, even though they felt much longer. She distanced herself from Cedric and made a little bow of respect as she was supposed to after a formal dance.

Little Alice ran towards her. "Wow, that was so pretty!" she jumped happily, before signing for Alina to bend and whispering in her ear, "You're a witch, right? Can you make my dresses sparkly? Mommy doesn't make them sparkly for me," she pouted.

The tension in the didn't stop Alina from smiling at her cuteness. "Let's go inside then," she suggested, which was her way of escaping Julian's eyes. Evander joined them, holding Alina's other hand as they lead her inside the mansion.

Only when she was hidden from them, from him, she let herself take a deep breath.

But the door that opened and closed behind her made her jump. She didn't have to turn back to see who it was.

"Julian."