My Beloved Hybrid Queen

Chapter 18

Astrid’s POV

The palace gates opened slowly, almost theatrically, their gold-lined frames gleaming under the afternoon sun. From inside the car, I felt my breath hitch. The Red Mist pack had rules, tradition, and its own kind of power, but this, this was an entirely different world.

Tall spires rose like spears into the sky, marble walls glowing soft ivory, and banners of obsidian and silver billowed in the wind, Caspian’s royal crest displayed boldly on each one.

My mate’s world.

My new home.

The convoy rolled forward, and I swallowed hard, my palms damp despite the cool air of the car. Caspian’s hand didn’t leave mine. If anything, his thumb brushed slow calming circles over my skin, grounding me.

“You’re quiet,” he murmured.

“I’m trying not to panic,” I whispered back.

His lips twitched. “You’re handling it better than most do.”

I wasn’t sure that was true. My heart was racing so loudly I wondered if he could hear it.

The car halted at the foot of the grand staircase. A team of attendants lined both sides, they were supernaturals of different ranks mixed with humans in crisp uniforms. Most humans sometimes get mated to us supernatural, but they’re never to tell others about us and among the council, there are also humans.

Then the doors opened.

Light, warm and bright, spilled inside.

People, staff, guards, officials stood straighter the moment they saw him. Some bowed. Some lowered their gazes. Some stared openly at us, at me.

Admiration, Shock, Envy, Jealousy, Curiosity.

Whispers followed us like shadows.

“She’s the mate…”

“She’s stunning…”

“She looks too young, how old is she?”

“She’s the one the king traveled personally to fetch?”

“Her aura… it’s strong, but…”

Caspian ignored them, his hand warm around mine as he helped me out of the car.

His presence beside me was overwhelming, tall, powerful, his aura rolling beneath his skin like contained lightning. He didn’t say a word, but the way people bowed deeper when he glanced their way showed exactly who he was.

But some eyes, especially the women, looked at me like I’d stolen something precious from them.

Like I was stepping into a role they imagined for themselves.

The jealousy hit sharp, but Caspian positioned himself just slightly in front of me, almost instinctively shielding me.

“Head up,” he whispered. “You’re not lesser than them.”

I lifted my chin.

Every step felt like crossing into another life. Marble beneath my feet, vast pillars rising on either side, flowers arranged in silver vases, chandeliers glittering even from outside.

I held his hand so tightly I feared I might leave marks, but he didn’t pull away. If anything, his hand tightened back.

Nolan and Abel walked behind us, their eyes scanning every corner, every face. They were alert not tense, but watchful. Protective.

As we reached the top of the stairs, Caspian spoke quietly to me.

“They’re not staring because you don’t belong. They’re staring because they’ve never seen me bring someone home like this.”

“Like this?” I echoed.

“With devotion,” he said simply.

My face burned.

The doors opened into a hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly. Walls adorned with centuries of paintings of past kings, queens, battles, victories. Beautiful golden sconces lit the way.

It smelled like warm sandalwood, clean stone, and something sweet, flowers I couldn’t name.

“This is…” I breathed out. “It’s beautiful.”

“Wait until you see the throne hall,” Caspian said softly. “But first, you meet my family.”

My stomach dropped.

Right. His family.

His royal family.

A cold chill of nerves skittered up my spine.

“I don’t think they’ll like me,” I blurted before I could stop myself.

“I don’t need them to like you.”

I blinked at him.

He continued, voice low and steady,

“I only need them to respect you and they will.”

We walked farther inside, the soft thud of footsteps echoing behind us. Nolan and Abel stayed close, their expressions unreadable but protective.

Caspian glanced at me again as we neared the family wing.

“You’re safe here,” he said.

“You keep saying that,” I murmured.

“And I’ll keep saying it until your heart believes it.”

I looked up at him.

At the man who crossed lands for me.

Who held my hand on a tarmac full of strangers.

Who brought me into the heart of his kingdom like I was something priceless.

“Tell me more about them,” I whispered. “Your family.”

He exhaled softly.

“You’ll meet my mother first, she’s the calmest one. My father… he’s protective. Silent. He’ll observe you before saying a word.”

I nodded slowly.

“And your siblings?”

A faint smirk touched his lips, fond but wary.

“My sisters are… fierce. Sharp tongues. Soft hearts. They’ll act unimpressed at first, but they’ll watch you closely. Expect questions.”

My nervousness spiked.

Questions, Judgment And tests.

“And the princes?” I asked.

“My brothers?” He huffed a breath. “They’ll challenge you. Not physically. But expect a little tension.”

My voice came out small.

“Will they like me?”

He stopped walking.

The others paused behind us.

Caspian turned to me fully, his hand lifting to my cheek, thumb brushing softly over my skin.

“They will respect you,” he said. “They will accept you. And in time, they’ll learn to love you.”

My heart thudded hard against my ribs.

He lowered his voice.

“But I love you now. And that alone is enough.”

I swallowed. Hard.

His words sank into me like warmth through cold skin.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“No,” I whispered honestly.

He chuckled gently.

“Good. It means you understand the weight of what’s ahead.”

He offered his arm.

I took it.

“Then let’s go,” he said, leading me toward the grand doors.

“To meet the royal family.”