Laurel

The councilmen and the woman were stunned in silence for a moment when they heard Urhan's proposal.

Laurel was indeed the best candidate to become the queen of Ixoviya. And if she became the queen, the seven of them present in Urhan's house would become the strongest families in the sorcerer kingdom. That meant that they would have easy trade not only with the Loreans but also in the human realm. Caleb was a very successful businessman in the human realm and they had heard that the brothers controlled a sizable economy of their country. With Laurel on Caleb's side, they would all be invincible. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Laurel was Urhan's sister, and Urhan was appointed as the High Priest by Daryn Silver. He was in very good books of the rulers and therefore there was no way they would cross him. The woman said, "We would like to talk to Laurel about it."

A smile came on Urhan's lips. He knew that none of them would want to wriggle out of this brilliant proposal. And there were two reasons—one, they were all too greedy for more trade, and two, they were scared of Urhan's closeness to the rulers. It was such a fantastic deal and there was no point in not supporting him. "She is on her way to meet us." As if those words were meant to be spilled, the heavy mahogany doors of the room opened and Laurel entered. They all looked at her with amazement. She was the most beautiful girl in Ixoviya, nothing short of a siren, yet very beautiful.

As Laurel walked towards them, she threw her thick braid at the back, her flaming red hair settling in between her shoulders. Midwinter eyes that were gray like the last ashes of fire, set closely on a heart-shaped face, she walked to them with elegance. She was wearing a white drape with a long train behind, which accentuated all her curves and creamy skin. To make that extra difference, Laurel was painted and groomed with hair plucked and waxed from all possible places, and scented lotions rubbed over her entire body, to smell ethereal. She was perfect for the purpose. She was to entice the king of Ixoviya.

Ever since Sedora had announced that she was going to find a match for her son Daryn Silver, Laurel had been overexcited. She was sure that if she got a chance, Seodra would definitely love to have her as her daughter-in-law. After all, she was the most sought after woman and very popular in social circles. However, she was crestfallen, when Sedora announced that there would be a competition to win the prince's hand unto death. Well, Laurel wasn't ready to give up her life as yet. Moreover, when she saw that Dawn, his pregnant mate, had entered the contest along with her dragon, Quetz, she knew it would be stupidity to go against her. At the end of the contest, Dawn defeated Sedora and deposed her. Daryn Silver took charge of the kingdom along with his wife Dawn Silver. But the man was too busy with his business in the human realm and his wife wanted to go back. He declared that the kingdom naturally belonged to the elder brother and the right heir, Caleb Silver. Once again, Laurel's excitement hummed in her chest, but when she heard that Caleb too had a mate, her desires ebbed.

Currently, Laurel fluttered her eyelashes as she sat at the table and leaned back in a relaxed manner. She knew the impact her beauty had on the people around her. She heard collective gasps. With a faint smile, and dainty fingers on her chin, softly she purred, "You called me here, brother."

Urhan smiled. His sister knew how to use her charms when needed. "Yes, Laurel," he said. "Just like I had told you about my thoughts, I suggested them that you would be the most suitable candidate to be the queen of Ixoviya, but they wanted to talk to you."

Laurel's lips parted in surprise. She turned her neck delicately to see him and said, "But Urhan, I told you that I don't want to come between them. It is not right on my part. They are mates, and a mate bond is very strong. The king and queen are mated and the fact that the king has gone after her, means that he really loves her. Wouldn't it be bad, if I go there with this proposal? He would be so mad." She lowered her eyelids and her lips curved down. "It is agonizing as such to see how sad the king was when he left to find his wife. I— I don't want to be a third wheel in their marriage and I certainly have no interest in being his mistress. I just want him to be happy all the time." She twiddled her thumbs in her lap. "Please don't force me to be such a terrible woman who would tear apart the mates. I have heard that rejecting mates is extremely painful." She took her finger to her eye and pressed it slightly, as if to stop a tear from falling out, her sadness spilling out of her body.

The councilmen looked at her with unease as they shifted in their places. Then the woman blurted, "Who said that you have to tell him the proposal outrightly?" All others agreed with her with loud yes and hums. "You just have to go there and be with him. Urhan is right in saying that Ixoviya needs a stable queen and not a runaway vampire. You stand a higher chance of being accepted by society instead of Elize. We have heard that she is from a poor background and very rustic."

Laurel looked up at the woman with wide eyes, which were now moist with tears. "I don't want to—" she shook her head. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

Seeing how reluctant Laurel was, the woman and all others thought that their plans were about to slip away. "See, you have nothing to lose," she said in order to convince her. Then she looked at Urhan for support, but the man pursed his lips and shrugged as if trying to say that he did try to convince her. The woman turned her gaze at Laurel again. The girl was so beautiful that it took her breath away and on top of that she was so kind and considerate. "We are not telling you to jump at the king, but you must try to drill sense into him so that he rejects the vampire and accepts you as his wife. That's all!"