“Anwen Odstar,” I introduced myself as I shook it.
“Is this your family’s home?” he asked.
“Oh, no. It belongs to the royal family; I am just staying here temporarily. Sorry, not a princess,” I voiced raising my shoulders apologetically
“You will be, soon enough,” he replied and my face turned blank. I hadn’t even considered that possibility.
“What happened on his last visit?” If we were speaking so directly, I might as well get the information I needed first. He had mentioned something about Ansgar’s disowning and I remembered his pained face when he returned. Something big must have happened.
“I suspect you know a fair amount about the kingdoms by now so I will talk to you as one of us. If at any point you need details, stop me and ask.” I nodded to confirm.
He continued, “Also, for this to work, we need to be truthful to each other. I will tell you the unabridged information you want to know with the request that you answer my questions as well.”
“Agreed,” I confirmed.
He looked convinced enough because he started speaking. “Last night, Ansgar announced that he found his mate and took us all by surprise. We all believed he would continue to get to know the windling lady better, since he asked her to stay and wait for him. Both our parents were hopeful for a fortified alliance with the Wind Kingdom, so the news took us all by surprise. Especially since you are human.”
“I am sorry, what?” my eyes widened with rage and surprise. “What lady?”
“Lady Amara, niece of the Wind Queen?” Vikram said slowly, as if I were an idiot. “She and Ansgar… last month?” His face burst with the realisation. I had not known.
“Did Ansgar already have someone?” I asked him. That would explain his reaction and why he was so angry at his brother when he saw me. Because he could tell me about this lady he had at home. I bit my tongue to stop tears from falling onto my cheeks, but Vikram immediately waved his hands. I did not know if the gesture was to take back the words or bring my attention towards him.
“I don’t know how much he’s told you and I honestly don’t want to cause any trouble. This female, she is almost a princess in her kingdom and she came to visit. Mother took a liking to her and introduced her to Ansgar. I think they spent a few hours together and kissed a few times but that is all. Then she lingered at the palace, apparently Ansgar said he wanted to see her again but she made a big deal of it and spent the entire month acting like she was the new princess. When Ansgar came home again, the first thing he did was take her for a walk, and by the time he came to dinner she was going home and he announced finding you,” he was breathless by the time he finished speaking.
Relief inundated my muscles and my heart started beating normally again. Even though we’d been kissing from time to time, Ansgar and I started being together after the past full moon.
Vikram interrupted my internal monologue and continued, “It is not tradition for one to find a mate in a human, there are severe punishments if fae willingly reveal themselves to humans, let alone…” he struggled to say the next words, “have sex with them.”
My cheeks turned red as I remembered Vikram’s face when he saw me squeezing his little brother’s head between my thighs. I wanted to tell him that we hadn't gone all the way, but seeing what plans I had with Ansgar tomorrow, that subject would quickly be ticked off the list.
Noticing how I remained silent, Vikram continued, “Damaris had previous knowledge of you, apparently Ansgar talked to him a few months back and asked what a mating bond felt like. It seemed he had his suspicions ever since you two met, but Mother and Father had no idea and to be completely honest with you, they do not approve of your mating bond. First of all, because there haven’t been any cases of a bond with a human and secondly, because relationships with humans are frowned upon. Ansgar raised his voice at Father, shouting that he loves you. No one can do that to the king,” he clarified for my benefit, “and Father lost it. He slapped Ansgar publicly, which means he is disowned.”
“So everything that happened, is because of me?” I asked and lost control of my tears. “Because he is with me?”
Vikram settled for a nod, spearing me the words.
“I am sorry,” I replied, now fully sobbing. “I am sorry I am causing him pain.”
The brother stood from the sofa and came closer to me, occupying the seat to my right. Without reservations, he placed a hand on my shoulder blade and stroked gently.
“Anwen, this is what I need to talk to you about and I need you to be honest,” he remarked while his hand moved up and down my arm in a soothing repetition.
“A mating bond is one of the rarest kinds of energy there is, and it can only be felt between beings who are capable of producing and controlling such energy. My brother is inexperienced to say the least; he has never been in love until now. I chose not to search for a mate, but I have felt love many times, it is easy to confuse a male, especially one who is opening his heart for the first time.”
“I didn’t plan this, Vikram. A month ago I didn’t even know your kind existed. I even mocked one of the guards about it.”
“We tend to keep it out of the human world, I’m sure Ansgar already explained it. This and the punishments for human interaction.”
“What punishments?” I asked dumbfounded.
He huffed, as though he admonished himself for not realising it sooner. “Ansgar is betting his fate on our parents' love. If the Queen does not accept you as his mate, he is to stand trial.”
“Stand trial? What for?” I replied astonished and scared.
“For this.” He pointed at me, “For you.”
“What? Why?” I asked aggressively, not understanding what I had to do with it. With anything.
