been happening: since we left the castle. My outburst made the King roar in my fe before he stormed off and disappeared into the room right beside the one I was assigned to.
“What?” I ask her. She presses her lips together, trying to mask the grin on her face. “What?”
“Nothing,” she snorts, very unladylike of her. “Excuse me,” she covers her mouth. “That was an interesting argument.”
“Grandma, he tried to have his maid compel me. That’s not interesting; that’s an abuse of power on his behalf. I understand why he’s mad, but there are things you just don’t say to someone who was rejected no less than a month ago.” I huff.
“I didn’t realize you and Ragnar were so close,” she says.
“We grew up together,” I remind her.
“Yes, but I always thought you didn’t interact with the princes beause you disliked me.”
“I don’t dislike you. I never did. And I love the princes because they treated my brothers like family. I know I am included in that, but who does that? It was bad enough when you tried to do. I didn’t need a reminder of that. We’re just starting to get along. I shrug.
“I apologize for my part,” she shifts nervously before turning to face me. “You seem to respond better when I reveal things 1. don’t like to talk about with anyone. I’ve never had someone I trust with some of the things I’ve said to you. and I am genuinely impressed with some of the advice you have gifted me
“Okay,” I smile. “You’re welcome.”
“I am going to tell you something that I don’t think anyone has ever said out loud before. I don’t want you to feel any less of your mother, your father, or your brother. I indeed hated her. Even in death, I still hate her a little bit,” she holds her fingers up short of letting them touch in a pinch. “I have long forgiven her, because she gave me you and Oliver. I hate that she named him after herself. That was arrogant.”
“Grandma,” I laugh.
“Gavin was not your father’s son. Your mother had an affair when your father was away. Like you and your mate, the two of them failed to complete their mating before your father joined qur militia. Caldur, Gavin’s father, died in a bar fight with a group of rogues. She was truthful with my son, and her forgave er. Quite easily, I might add. I couldn’t
“Cavin was a strong and beautiful boy, and I respected my son’s ecision to treat him as if he were of our blood. And in truth, he was a gorgeous babe. I loved holding him, and I was there when he took his first steps. By accident, your father never let me live it down.
‘I tried so hard to let it go, but I think you may come to understand when you have children of your own. Your father was my only son, and it always felt as if his pain were mine much more after his father passed. That is the truth.”
I fall back into the seat, thinking over what she just said. I had no idea. Every instinct in my body is screaming in denial, but she has no reason to lie to me about such a sensitive subject. This a perfectly valid reason to be angry at someone. She’s my father’s mommy. Even if he forgave her, Mom still hurt her bal
Thank you for telling me,” I sigh, trying to make sense of it. It nukes sense, but I just can’t grasp this new reality just yet. T won’t bring it up anymore.”
“You had every right to be wary of my animosity towards your other,” she gives me a half–shrug. “It was and will always be your place to stand by her. I always loved your devotion to her. You willingness to fight for her honor and peace. You’ve always been a very loyal pup. You remind me of your father that way, and he of his father.”
“What was grandpa like?” I ask. She smiles, looking over at me.
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17.13 Tue, Jan 20 GDD
Chapter 51
56 Vouchers
“He was an arsehole Thought the world revolved around him. Hat I wasn’t one to kneel, and he wanted nothing more. He spent his days joking and playing his games down to liis very last breath. Your father hated that about him. I think that’s why he became so serious. I only got to watch him lei go a handful of times, but it was just as magnificent as his father’s Their wolves were perfect,”
I was under the impression that wolves turned into Lycans when they mated”
“If the male is the Lycan, yes. Being mated to a Lycan even as a can changes the anatomy of a female’s body. It’s why very few of us survive childbirth. It may be odd to you, but Lycan maings between higher ranks often add another to their mating for breeding purposes.”
“Like Ivar’s parents?”
“Exactly, but there are those who become attached to their”
“Breeders?”
“It sounds pretty bad when you put it that way, but yes. Some mes are completely attached to their partners and would rather forfeit their bloodlines or allow a relative to take over than to share their mate.
“However, the Queen didn’t have a choice. They had tried for years with no luck. It was honestly a race between Ragnar and Ivar. The tension in the palace was so thick, you could drown in L. There hasn’t been a more exciting time in the palace since. Unless you count the King marrying his breeder. But we don’t talk about that. It’s too sad.”
“Why are you smiling so big?” I laugh.
“I’ve never shared that with anyone. It was rather entertaining. I as a royal guard then. There wasn’t much else to do but pay attention to my surroundings. I obviously didn’t enjoy my fend’s predicament, but I was bored,” she shrugs it off.
“I never would have guessed. My grandma is a gossip,” I shake my head.
She laughs, turning beet red. When we get home, I honestly feel better. The tension on the nape of my skull is gone, and I feel like the knot in my stomach has loosened.
“Would you care to join me for some tea? Do you even like tea?” he asks.
“Honestly, I’ve never considered it. I’m a coffee person.”
“Coffee is so bad for you. Especially when one is upset, it heightens one’s nerves. Makes you feel jittery. I can get you some teas that have the same effect without dehydration effects. Or you can give tea a try, and I can show you some of my favorite blends. They’re homegrown.”
“Do you grow them?” I ask, loving the way her eyes lit up.
“I plant them, but the staff takes care of them while I’m gone. Wdry the harvested ones when I return. School doesn’t start for a while, I can teach you.
“Okay, Lagree “Tactually want to talk to you about school as we but I want to change out of this into something a little more comfortable
“Of course, I’ll have the first tea I want you to try prepared. Wait, ‘ll teach you how to fill your first tea infuser,” she grins excitedly and waves one off. “Go, I’ll get everything prepared in i. e library”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
