(Amaia)

"I will meet you when I return from the palace." I give Rigel a warm hug. His arms remain around me, his lips resting on the top of my head.

From the moment he came to know that I am going to the palace his mood has been sour.

He appears deeply concerned and stiff but my embrace relaxes him slightly.

"Be careful," he breathes into my hair. The heaviness he carries I sense creeping into my heart.

"They are with me, so don’t worry. I will come to you when I get back," I promise him.

I have been secretly trying to find out anything related to Rigel. Going to the library, checking old records if his last name matches any old student but nothing has come to light so far.

Something tells me that he belongs to Orion. He knows his way around the place, that can’t happen with a foreigner.

Slowly he nods at me and lets me go. He thrusts his hands deep into his pockets and watches me walk away towards the carriage that has come to pick us up.

Alnitak keeps the door open for me as I wave Rigel goodbye and hop into the carriage.

I wanted to ride out with Saiph but the dress Mintaka chose for me is not fit for a bike ride.

So I travel in the carriage with the twins

The flared gown is icy blue in shade. Created from a delicate material, it’s fully studded with silvery-white gems. They have also made me wear fancy shoes and jewellery. Rahria did my hair and make-up.

She is always a huge help to me now, especially for the girly stuff.

Alnilam’s hair, which he had gifted me before leaving for the battle, is still wound around my wrist, creating an elegant piece of silver bracelet that keeps changing shapes. It is entertaining to watch it and sometimes I try to figure out which shape it will take next.

Right now it’s forming a moon shape, maybe indicating that it’s nighttime.

The carriage begins to move and develops a soft rhythm. My thoughts spiral to what answer I will give if their parents refuse to accept me.

"Nervous?" Alnitak questions, taking my sweaty hand in his and giving it a squeeze.

"Yes, I don’t want to be asked by your parents to make a choice. I won’t and I don’t want to lose any one of you."

"You won’t. We are not going anywhere and no one will force us or you," Mintaka’s words swoop in like a zephyr and soothe my heart. I am thankful to them that they understand.

We arrive outside the palace and dismount from our carriages. Alnitak offers me his arm and I take it, Mintaka offers the other arm and I take that as well.

Rahria holds Kacir’s arm. Both of them have chosen black for tonight and they appear like a power couple.

Saiph is already here, waiting in front while I am not sure where Alnilam is.

My yeti stares at me, taking all of me in. He doesn’t speak but I sense his agitation too. I know he is also on the edge. He can literally be fired from the job if the king and queen turn out to be extremists.

No matter what, I am not going to let them put Saiph down. I will fight them if I have to. They are all mine and equally important to me.

I nod at him and he remains behind all of us like the protector he is.

I observe there are far more sentinels than last time. The palace grounds are brightly lit by torches.

The grand doors are thrown open for us and we are led inside.

"Your Majesty, the King Orion and Queen Esmelda would like to meet you in the study before dinner." One of the sentinels informs the three of us and Saiph and us.

"Guys we will meet you later and take a stroll in the garden until then," Kacir and Rahria stay back.

We are led forward. My heart begins to hammer inside my chest. I try to control my emotions but I can’t. Mintaka gently squeezes my hand.

Saiph’s hulking presence remains behind us. We walk through the lavish palace corridors and grand hall which takes my breath away even for the second time.

The colours, the vibe, the decor everything is breathtakingly beautiful, especially the mirrors that have been used.

Finally, we reach the door of the study. Sentinels bow and it is pushed open for us.

With a thudding heart and nervousness shackling every limb I possess we enter the grand study of King Orion III.

It’s like stepping into an ancient space of books, monstrous chandeliers and heavy oak furniture. The misty old scents of paper and leather have mingled with essential oils that burn in the decorative pieces with scented candles.

Both the king and the queen are seated in their designated seats with Alnilam standing behind an empty sofa. Like a guardian angel, he appears without a hair out of place, dressed in a neat white dress shirt and black pants.

My heart forgets to beat for a second.

He watches me with guarded eyes.

arms folded on his rugged chest, expressions serious and yet there is a hint of awe.

Saiph goes on to stand beside him.

Unlike the last time, King Orion remains stoic as we all greet each other but the queen offers me a warm smile after she meets her sons.

Pleasantries are passed but the king doesn’t smile, not even once.

We settle down on the sofa that lies on the left side of the king, opposite to where Alnilam stands.

An awkward silence falls, as we stare at each other with controlled smiles. It is finally broken by the queen.

"Welcome. I am happy you people could make it and understand how difficult this time is for all of you. With Jamina’s passing and adjusting to the changes after her." Her eyes shortly waver to Alnilam before she continues. "She was extremely dear to all of us. Let’s say a prayer for her before we begin."

She lowers her head and closes her eyes, offering a silent prayer. My eyes slowly slide towards Alnilam and he is standing very still with pain rippling on his hardened face. Eyes closed and lips moving in a silent prayer.

My heart pains for him and his loss and both of us experience it through the bond.

We all offer a prayer according to beliefs we hold and deities we worship.

Once done, we raise our heads and King Orion clears his throat. Remaining poised and at the same time appearing slightly angered. "This is beyond awkward."

His sharp gaze swivels towards Saiph. It means he knows that Saiph is my mate. The whole Pandora’s box has been opened by Alnilam. That man always needs to do what no one else does.

"All of you are mated to each other. I had heard of cases of multiple mates, but didn’t know this would happen to my sons," King Orion says with wrinkles on his forehead.

It drowns my heart, he doesn’t approve of our relationship and this is what I had feared.

"It’s not the ideal situation but it is what it is," Alnilam firmly says. His eyes focused on his father.

"So now you will be sharing your woman with your servant?" King Orion asks Alnilam in distaste.

His tongue is sharp and words fall heavily on my heart. Something snaps inside me because I take it as disrespect. They may take him as a servant but for me, he is my mate, my saviour, my everything.

My eyes find Saiph and he is just standing there, stone cold with nothing but vacant eyes. He has been trained from the beginning that he can do nothing but bear all the disrespect from the king and the queen. Is he?

He could be bound by protocols and whatnot. I am not.

"With all due respect, he is more than a servant. He is my mate and for me all of them are equal. Be it a prince, a bodyguard or a simple vampire." I keep my voice respectful but firm when I address their father.

Abruptly, all eyes focus on me and I feel heat creeping up my neck. But my spine remains straight.

"That’s because of the mate bond. It is different for you but my sons are the future heirs to the throne. How will it reflect that they share their Luna with a servant?" King Orion grills me.

"He is more like a brother. We never took him as a servant," Alnilam answers. I have seen him hold respect for Saiph, even when he simmers with jealousy he has never undermined Saiph.

"Yes. The Moon goddess wouldn’t make a mistake. She wants us to share this bond for a reason. Maybe to make us stronger," Mintaka speaks from my side.

I realise that bond does make each of us stronger.