Promised To The King

The Truth Will Come To Light

BLAKELY'S POV:

    Scorpio led me down a few corridors until we reached a dimly lit room. It looked like a true interrogation room. He smirked as he walked me in. "Our very own lie detector. You should have nothing to worry about. This will be relatively painless, except for the pain of his company alone it seems. Blakely, I will be back to get you when you are done." He laughed. His laughter was cut short as he stared into the darkest corner of the room. He smiled. "Oh yea, this will be painless." He turned and left the room before I could ask what the hell he was even staring at. 

    I stood nervously watching Saggitarius' every move. He looked at me, aggravation already masking his features. "Well? Sit down." He motioned for me to sit in front of him. 

    I nodded quickly. "Yes of course. Thank you." I sat down quickly. "Ask me anything you would like. I have nothing to hide." 

    "Oh, I plan on it." He said rolling his eyes still scribbling on a piece of paper. "As you know, I am Saggitarius, the fifth born son and the ninth in line for the throne of Lycansbane. My special ability bestowed on me by the moon goddess is lie detection. I am sure Silas already explained all of this to you?" I nodded slowly. He rolled his eyes again. "Good, less for me to say then. I will ask you a series of questions and trust when I say that despite my dislike for you, it will not cloud my judgment when I obtain the final result. You can answer them truthfully, or you can answer falsely, regardless I will know. Are you ready to get started?" 

    I looked at him, heading every word that left his lips. "Yes, I understand. I am ready whenever you are."

    He nodded. "Alright. Let us begin. Let's go back in time, I want to start with your childhood." He said glancing at the papers laid out in front of him. "Was your father a kind man?" 

    I look at him confused as to why ask such a senseless question. "No, he wasn't." 

    He nods writing my answer down.  "Very well. Your mother, Cora I believe was her name, was she like Everett?" 

    I watch him curiously. Pain striking my heart at just the mention of her. "No. Forgive me, but I don't understand what all of this has to do with here and now." 

    He rolled his eyes. "I need to know more about how you grew up to understand your thought process. As well as how far back your betrayal, if there was any, goes. Please. Let me do what I came here for so you and I can go our separate ways." He stated pausing. I motioned for him to continue. "When you and Prince Silas began to court all those years ago, what were your true feelings for him and his supernatural family?" 

    I watched him grateful that he had not continued t mention my mother. "At first I wasn't sure pf the feelings I had. I never liked the idea of an arranged marriage. But when I first saw Silas after a few years of being apart my heart had begun to flutter inside my chest. For the first time in my life I actually felt...alive. His family was always so kind to me. I began to love them dearly and I loved the idea that I ould finally be apart of a loving family. As our first date ended, my feelings for Silas had grown. I couldn't stop imagining our perfect wedding day." 

    He nodded as he wrote what I said quickly trying to keep track. "If I am not mistaken, a month before the ceremony you claimed to have imagined so vividly, your father had told you news of it being canceled. What did he say happened?" 

    I felt my heart sink again at the memory that just happened a little over a year ago. God so much has seemed to have happened since then. "He um..." My voice began to c***k at the distant memory. 

    He motioned for me to continue impatiently. "He what?" 

    I nodded quickly. "He told me Silas had found a suitable queen and never loved me. So he had canceled our wedding saying I would never be fit for a throne." 

    He nodded. "I see, that must have been painful for you?" 

    I nodded quickly. "It was." 

    He took notes and his eyes flashed up to meet mine. "It was only a month later that Everett planned to attack and killed his parents. A lot say that you were so naive that you didn't know it had happened. I have my doubts. Care to elaborate? Where were you when this happened?" 

    I looked at him baffled. I couldn't believe the accusations. "My father had promised my hand to the duke in an attempt to assure he had a suitable ruler after his rule ended. He had left me in his hands in his absence. So I was too busy being beaten and chained by his throne to know where father had gone. All I knew was he was out of town on business." 

    "Oh, I see. You never heard the rumors after? The rumors of the bloodshed he caused?" Saggitarius watched me intensely. 

    "No, I didn't. I was kept under close supervision and under lock and key. I was not allowed to leave the palace walls. Most days I wasn't even allowed to leave my room. I always had to have an escort if I left my room. No one spoke to me. So no. I had no idea until Silas told me not long ago." I explained trying to keep my voice rational. 

    "I see." He said taking notes. "When Silas too you from the castle, you believed you were in danger. Correct?" I nodded quickly remembering that night. He watched me intensely. "Why did you trust him so quickly?" 

    "I trusted him because if he were going to kill me, it would have had to be better than being continuously beaten in a loveless marriage," I said flatly. 

    He looked over his papers slowly. "Upon arriving in Ambrogio, you received news that you were a witch. Did you honestly not know?"

    "That is correct. I had no knowledge that I was supernatural." I explained through gritted teeth. 

    "Very well. I am just curious about how you are a witch, with mortal parents. From my research, it seems you have no supernaturals in your ancestry as well. Why do you suppose that is?" He said tapping his fingers against the table. 

    I looked at him still not understanding how this happened myself. "I do not know how that happened honestly. But every supernatural line has to start somewhere. Why not with me?" 

    He nodded. "I suppose so. Not long after you were taken to Ambrogio, it seems news of your mother's execution found you. Did you know of this beforehand?" 

    I swallowed hard unable to find my voice. It seems I spoke too soon. I should have known he would start this. 

    "Blakely. Did you know your father would kill your mother?" He said, raising his voice a bit.

    I felt tears burning my eyes. My fists clenched. It became so hard to breathe. 

    "Blakely? Answer the question. Why did you leave her so willingly and not look back?" He pressed on.

    "Saggitarius. That is enough!" I heard an unfamiliar voice speak as she solidified into what seemed like thin air from the dark corner Scorpio had stared at moments before. She smacked the back of his head hard. "Does this look like a child who would so willingly let her mother die? Move on. It is time to ask questions of importance. Stop torturing an innocent child. I raised you better you ungrateful brat." 

    "M...mother. Forgive me. I had no idea you were here." He seemed distraught by her presence alone. Almost like a scared child being disciplined. 

    "Good thing I was too. You and some of your siblings have no respect for her. That stops here. Ask her the one question that matters. Now. Then take your leave." She ordered watching him. 

    "Of course. Miss Blakely, do you plan on betraying Silas as well as us if we intend to help go against the king of Eudaimonia?" He said quickly. 

    I watched him still shook by his earlier assault. "No, I do not. I would rather die." My voice cracked. I felt as if the ground were about to cave in. 

    He nodded quickly and took his leave as his mother suggested. She sat in his seat and watched me curiously. "Forgive my children child. They are so stubborn at times." Her silver hair bounced on her shoulders enhancing her pale skin as it flowed by her face. She was breathtakingly beautiful.

    I nod slowly. "It is okay your highness. Thank you for your assistance." 

    She smiled kindly. "It was no issue love. I can't idly stand by while he assaulted an innocent girl." She paused and watched me. "Forgive me, I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am the queen of Lycansbane as well as the Luna of Leo's pack. My name is Adria. A pleasure to finally meet you." 

    "The pleasure is all mine, your highness. But may I ask, how did you get in here? I didn't see you walk in." I said cautiously watching her. 

    "Of course my child. Let me explain. I am not a wolf, unlike my husband and children. I am an elemental being from Primordial. My family rules there. Anything void of light is at my command. It is easy for me to hide in the shadows." She explained as I listened to every word carefully. A shadow bender. I had only ever heard of rumors. I thought they were old stories and nothing more. 

    "I see, I apologize for prying. My curiosity seemed to have gotten the best of me." I was still trying to keep my voice steady, but that didn't seem to go unnoticed. 

    "I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Cora was a kind soul, given a bad hand at life when forced to marry Everett. The only good thing that seemed to come out of that was you. But nonetheless, her sacrifice was honorable." She said gently placing her hand on mine kindly. 

    "Thank you for your kind words." I nodded as a single tear slipped. It seemed I still had a lot of unaddressed emotions as far as her death was concerned. 

    She nodded kindly. "Now, dry those tears and keep your head high. Cora would not want you to weep for her child. Stand and rise like the Queen you were always destined to be. I am sure Silas is worried about you. Scorpio? Are you still there nosey child of mine?" She laughed a bit. 

    "Yes mother, always." He laughed running into the room. 

    She shook her head. "Will you kindly take her back to Silas? I am sure she is exhausted already. She needs some time to herself." 

    He laughs. "I figured as much once Sag got ahold of her." He motioned gently for me to stand. 

    I stand and bow to her. "Thank you." 

    She smiles. "Stand child. You as well as myself, are a queen. To bow is to give me your submission. I do not ask for your submission. There is no need for that. This seems to be the start of a wonderful alliance." 

    I return her smile and turn to leave with Scorpio. He smiles as we leave the room. "It seems you handled yourself better than most when it came to my brother. Even I can admit he is a bit much." 

    I fake a laugh. "Yes. It was no walk in the park." 

    He laughs. "More like a walk in the eye of a storm during hurricane season." 

    I laugh. "Yea, that sounds like a better way to say it." 

    As we walked into the room Silas jumped up immediately and rushed to my side. He gently gripped my face into his hands and stared into my eyes. He seemed to be looking for any sign of distress. But this isn't the first time I played this game, I made sure all signs of my difficult time were long gone before approaching this room. A master of disguise if you will. 

    He kissed my head gently and watched me curiously. Always worrying. I hated to admit it, but I liked how much he cared. I laughed a little and pushed him away playfully. "Stop it. I am not a cheap china doll." 

    He laughed. "Oh no, you sure are not." He tickled my sides a little as I squirmed. 

    I hear a knock on the door and turn around. "Sorry to disturb your loving moment. I hope you didn't forget about lunch. I would love to get to know you more Blakely." Leo smiled. 

    Scorpio gave us an apologetic look. "I suppose mama's order of alone time was short-lived." 

    Leo laughed. "Oh, there is plenty of time for that. Come now, after your travels you two must be starving." 

    Silas laughed. God, I loved the sound of his laughter. "We are, thank you, Leo. Come on baby." He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out of the room. I laughed following his lead and leaning against him as we walked. 

    We walked into the massive dining room and I could immediately feel the tension as all eyes were on us. There were more faces I didn't know. Just when I thought I was done with the awkward introductions and rude comments I was about to be forced into some more. I could only assume that these new faces were the rest of Leo's children. The complete zodiac. 

    Scorpio whispered in my ear feeling my tension. "I would love to say you are out of the woods as far as the hate goes. But that is not quite true. Grin and bear it, they wouldn't greatly disrespect you with mom sitting right there. They will just state their opinions and move on. Good luck dear." He said walking to his seat quickly.

    "Silas! It has been too long child! Next time you wait this long to come and see me I will hunt you down!" Adria said gleefully. 

    He smiled warmly. "Of course. Forgive me. Things have been so hectic back home."

    "Of course! I understand. Well, that is all in the past. Please, why don't you and your gorgeous fiance come and have a seat next to me?" She said motioning to the two empty seats to her left. 

    Silas guided me over quickly sitting me directly next to her, for which I was grateful. She pats my hand reassuringly. There was just something about her that seemed so calming. 

    She looks around the room. "I know she hasn't met everyone here today. And I warn you, be on your best behavior." She said shooting glances around the room. "Let's start in order of oldest to youngest with who she has not met yet." 

    I wait for someone to stand. The first is a young man. He casts a disapproving glare my way. "My name is Taurus. I am the firstborn son and the second in line for the throne. I would say it is a pleasure to meet you, but that would be a lie. The pleasure would be watching you leave." I heard Aries snicker at his words. 

    Adria glared at him. "Sit. The. f**k. Down." 

    He smirked at her not cowering even for a second. "That was so worth the trouble I will be in I am sure." 

    She watched him. Her expression growing darker. "Oh, we will see about that child." 

    He sat as the next one stood. He smiled kindly at me and bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you Blakely, and I look forward to seeing more of you around our home. My name is Cancer. I am the third born son and the fifth in line for the throne. I look forward to getting to know you better." 

    He sat down as quickly as he stood. A young woman next to him stood shyly. "My name is Virgo. I am the third born daughter and the sixth in line for the throne. I can not wait to see where this friendship goes." She sat down quickly.  

    Another young woman stood, this one more confident than the last. "My name is Pisces. I am the seventh born daughter and the twelfth in line for the throne." She rushes around the huge table and pulls me into a tight hug. "I am so excited to meet you. I can tell we will be the best of friends!"   

    I couldn't help but smile a little as she let me go and went back to her seat. I sat down shyly and watched as the final stood up. This must be the youngest. "My name is Ophiuchus. I am the eighth born daughter and the thirteenth in line for the throne." She rolled her eyes. "I am counting down the seconds until you both leave." 

    I flinched back at the words. Scorpio wasn't kidding when he said his family was divided by their opinions of me. Adria tensed next to me noting my action. "While she is a guest in our home, you will treat her with the utmost respect!" 

    "I will treat her with the same respect I treat the dirt on the bottom of my shoes!" The youngest protested. "Instead of being a guest, she should be our captive. You are blind if you can not see that!" 

    Adria stood from her seat and walked to her youngest child quickly. She rose her hand, and before anyone could act she struck her across the face. "I did not raise any of you to be such hateful and disrespectful mutts! Walk away! Now!" 

    Ophiuchus turned and left without another word. The tension grew to the point it seemed suffocating. I looked at Adria as she returned to her seat. "That wasn't necessary, really. I understand their hostility."

    She held her hand up. "They know better than to be so disrespectful to a guest of the kingdom. She had it coming. But please do forgive me for losing my temper."

    I smile gratefully. "There is nothing to forgive." 

    A few omegas of the Kings pack walk around dishing lunch out as Leo begins to speak. "Saggitarius is ready to share with us whether Blakely has been honest. The floor is yours." He motioned to him. 

    Saggitarius stands slowly avoiding eye contact with me. "After some hard questioning, Blakely never spoke one lie. She was truthful and would be trusted in this fight." Half of the room erupted in applause and the other half in unhappy groans and some shouts. He rose a hand. "Silence! As the lie detector, I must be as truthful as my subject when reading her results, even though I wish she had lied too." He sat down after silencing everyone in the room. 

"There you have it. Now, only one more matter to discuss before an alliance agreement is met." Leo spoke as he turned his attention to Silas. "Tell me, boy, what would I get out of this agreement?"

Silas watched him. "I was hoping to stay in the same agreement you held with my father." He smiled hopefully.

Leo laughed a bit. "No can do kiddo. That was a deal I made exclusively for your father. As I am sure you are aware, I never make the same deal twice. There has to be some sort of modification to it, no matter how small. So tell me, I will ask you once more, what is in it for me?"

Silas nodded. "I understand. Hey, you can't blame me for trying. There is something I can offer I suppose."

Leo leaned up becoming intrigued. "Oh? What is it, my boy?"

Silas smirked and took a sip of the blood an Omega so generously poured. "What if I were to offer you the terms in which you could safely station some packs of your kingdom in Ambrogio? I know my father wouldn't agree to it in the past, but I believe we can do it now."

Leo's smile only widened. "Stationing some of the packs in your kingdom sounds so...satisfying." He paused for a moment as he seemed to mull it over. "I think I can agree with that. The rest of the terms I will allow to stay the same and carry over from the deal of your father. This may be the start of a strong alliance." He said beginning to eat his lunch as did everyone else.

Silas seemed a lot less tense now that they had an official alliance agreement. It seemed as though the hard part was over...or was it only truly beginning? I suppose only time would tell.