Nostalgia

"I convinced myself that I could be the exception."

"Don't do that son...."

"Dont ignore the warnings..."

"Just.." The drunk man slurred as his ocean blue eyes lost their harshness and became more glossy as tears threatened to spill out.

"Don't love her...even if you have to lock her away forever, don't love her."

***

He watched her from the shadows as she fought fluidly.

Her physique and form were beautiful.

So was every other part of her.

The beast in him roared.

She was magnificent.

And he knew he could never have her.

***

I straighten my back as a maid zipped up my dress.

They had covered my eye bags and colourless face with a little more makeup than I usually use just to keep up appearances.

I tried to muster up energy to get through the important day.

It was finally time for me to meet the people of the North.

It was customary to wear a dress so I bulldoze through the experience.

I wanted to wear a green eye contact to cover my amber coloured eye, just to make people believe my eyes were of thesame colour.

So they would think their new queen was normal instead of some different coloured eyed freak who could see into people's souls.

I'd already gotten an eyeful from most royals around the palace and thought it would be best if I made more of an effort with the people.

I decided against it though.

If the people didn't like me because of my eyes, then there was nothing I could do about that.

It's hard trying to get someone to love you when they've already made up their mind.

It's been three days since the tragic dinner Dante and I had.

I haven't seen him since then.

I've been having my meals in my room or in the garden just to avoid running into him.

I heard from the maids though that he's had all his meals from the past three days in the dining room.

The thought of him eating alone in that room threatened to draw sadness from me.

I ignored the feeling.

He had already made it more than clear that nothing could happen between us and at this point I wasn't even going to fight it.

I put on short heels and meet the twins out in the hall as they escorted me to the front of the castle.

They had been trying to get me to talk lately but I just asked them for a little space.

I reached the entrance and it was like a whole ceremony.

I was supposed to make an appearance in the parade alongside the king.

Soldiers where lined up and the palace oracle was also present holding a cushion pillow with my crown on it.

It was beautiful, I thought.

But unfortunately my heart wasn't in it.

I walked forward to stand by Dante's side.

"Selene."

"Dante."

The oracle came towards me and I bent as she placed the crown on my head.

There were hoots and shouts from the soldiers as they part for us to make our way.

We get into the open chariot car and joined the parade.

It was different than the castle.

The North was beautiful.

It hadn't fully adopted most human technologies and stayed true to werewolves origin.

The people were even more surprising.

I was barely able to keep a smile up at the beginning of the parade but at the end I was practically beaming.

The northerners gave me sincere smiles and compassion.

They throw flowers and sing for me and I nearly ruined my makeup with tears.

The royals could suck it. I'd rather live in town with the people.

I had never felt such love before and I enjoy it to the fullest.

For the first time in my life, my gifts hadn't been a curse.

When we got back to the palace I face Dante.

"I know you said the problem was yours but just answer me this....is it because of my eyes?"

I'm sure it wasn't because of that, but my overthinking and insecurities made it hard to get passed it without a definitive answer.

"No." He replied.

I get down from the car then and meet Carlisle at the entrance.

I smiled at him." Can you have the maids draw me a bath? I just want to take a quick walk around the west garden. I'll be right in."

Carlisle nodded and went in while the twins and I strolled towards the garden.

I was just going to skim by the sides and look at the flowers, but I take a detour when I see him.

I follow the rose garden until I was within his earshot.

"Darian." I called.

He seemed flustered as he looked at me.

"Your grace?"

"What're you doing?" I asked

"Just admiring the lily roses." He admitted easily.

His voice was similar to that of his brother's, but it didn't have thesame bite of cold.

The hair colour though was the main difference.

Dante had shiny black long hair, while he had a dull silver short.

"Is anything the matter, your majesty."

I didn't realize I had drifted off.

"Nothing, Darian, just thinking."

"About my brother." He said as he picked up a rose.

"I hate to interrupt you, your majesty. What goes on between you and the King is none of my business." He started.

He came over to me now.

"But I have a favour to ask of you."

He placed the rose in my palm and kissed my wrist.

"Talk to him."

Chills radiated where he touched and just as he turned to leave I asked him:

"How is your relationship with him?"

He smiled deeply before answering.

"He's my saviour."

***

I returned to my room and sighed as I relaxed in my bathtub.

I replayed my conversation with Darian and I couldn't help but wonder.

Maybe I actually needed to have a talk with him.

"Your highness?" Carlisle called from the other side of the door.

"Don't worry carlisle I haven't drowned." I assured jokingly.

"Thank the Goddess for that but actually there's someone here to see you."

When I heard who it was I took my precious time getting out.

I put on a robe and exit my bedroom to the living area.

"Heather."

"Selene."

My name on her lips made my skin crawl.

She smiled warmly as she spoke:

"I know its awfully late to come see how youre settling in, but in my defense... I thought you would've been gone by now."

What

The-

So she was laying all her cards out.

"Well I'm so sorry to dissapoint." I smirked.

"Oh no need to be sorry about that," she walked around, observing the room. "When you first got here, your eyes...amongst other things already dissapointed plenty enough."

"Heather, make no mistake." I snarled.

"You're still alive because for some unfathomable reason, you have the king's favour. If I had my way I would've ripped you limb from limb and fashioned a necklace for myself out of your bones."

The air was charged with aggravated tension.

She was till smiling but she exuded a menacing aura and so did I.

I didn't see Carlisle anywhere so I assumed he had run to get the king.

He didn't need to do that.

The amount of rage and anger I was pouring through the bond must hurt enough to get him here on his own.

He was close. I felt him.

Apparently she did too because she composed herself and spun around to leave. The annoying smile still stuck on her face.

Was her plan just to come here and rile me up?

"Oh and selene...you have me to thank for the colour code of the room. When I stayed here with the king, he always complained of the gloominess of the place."

The king burst into the room, wide-eyed.

She grazed passed him as she left.

I couldn't move.

He put me in his former lover's room.

All thoughts of talking and reconciliation vanished from my mind.

"I'm going to kill you."