1.16 The Wrong Renaria

Instead of boarding a flight to Noravia, the three Noravian royals boarded a tube to central London. No one could guess from their appearance that they were the King, High Priestess and Prince Regent of a East European nation, a nation that is kept as a secret by world powers like the United Nations.

The three were headed to meet the last Renaria, the daughter of Violet DeCosta, who had separated from the family at a very early age. In fact that was how she was compensated by the Noravian court, who allowed her to gain an independent education and career. Back then however she was Violet Cadence. Now almost forty years later she did not expect the Noravian royals to invade her home in London.

The home was actually a tiny apartment. The trio put on the masks and robe just as they were about to knock on the door to the address where Renaria DeCosta was supposed to live. She did not resemble Renaria in any way however. The woman who opened the door had the hazel eyes of her mother. Her hair was a tangled mess of black curls. She was tall for a descendent of a Aether, almost six feet in height. She took one look at the people standing in front of her and burst out laughing.

"I thought Halloween was in November," she said, doubling over in laughter.

"You are the daughter of Renaria, right?" Bernini asked the impertinent girl.

The girl blinked and looked between the masked men. "Let me guess, one of you is Belshazzar, right?" she said, bursting into another fit of laughter.

"Is your mother home?" Davina asked, seeing that they were drawing attention. The questioned sobered her up.

"I don't live with my mom. I live with my boyfriend" she responded. "I guess you are from her 'coven'" she said, making air-quotes with her finger.

"Your boyfriend is not here?" Davina asked.

"No. He went to check up on my best friend. She has been with her parents for some time and they don't like me." she said bitterly.

"Do you mind if we come in?" Belshazzar asked.

"If you are Belshazzar, shouldn't I be running from you? I thought you were supposed to be a demon, not a man in a mask." she spoke honestly.

"You believe us?" Davina responded in shock.

"Of course not. Then I wouldn't be letting you in." she concluded, opening the door wider for them to enter.

The room was small but decorated nicely. On one corner of the room was a portrait of her etched in metal. "Nice painting," Bernini commented.

"Yeah, my bestie made it." she said with sorrow.

"The pathos of it rings out. What happened to your best friend, if I may ask?" Belshazzar asked.

"Well, Riri and I grew up together. My aunt was her nanny and we lived in the same neighbourhood. Her parents travelled a lot and we would all stay together. Her parents don't like me because of the class difference." Renaria said.

"Wait, your aunt as in Scarlett Cadence?" Bernini questioned at which Belshazzar flinched. Renaria caught that.

"Did this creature, Belshazzar, actually sleep with every woman in my family?" she asked the man talking. "Better question, what is he and how old is he?"

Without letting his younger brother answer Belshazzar spoke. "I did, but I want to stop." he confessed.

"You want to stop before you sleep with me or after because I may as well tell you, my boyfriend was in the army and he can beat you to pulp."

"Renaria DeCosta, I King Belshazzar, Son of Mattheus and Myrina Bellini, hereby reject you as my mate and consort." he said without emotion.

"Are we seriously doing this?" the woman asked without believing.

Belshazzar nodded. "I accept. Happy?" she answered.

Belshazzar waited for something to happen, but nothing. He looked from Davina to Bernini. "I feel nothing. When a mate bond snaps you are supposed to feel pain, no matter what species they belong to." he declared.

"Wait, I am supposed to be your mate?" Renaria said, incredulously. "But I am Gage's mate."

"Are you his destined mate?" Davina asked in confusion.

"Yes, that what he said. He said it was extremely rare for a werewolf to find their destined mate and the only reason he would even consider giving up his job in the army was because I was his destined mate and if any thing happened to him... well..."

"You would die," Bernini finished for her.

Belshazzar clenched his fists. "I am extremely sorry. I just want to inform you that you do not have to make your daughters grow up on stories of a Belshazzar coming after them. I am tired of being a serial rapist and I have found someone whom I don't have to force to be with me."

"Aww" Rayne cooed and Davina looked anywhere but at her brother. This was the man who taught her to believe in destiny and here he was fighting against his own.

Suddenly there were sounds of footsteps at the doorway. A large man of mixed ethnicity walked in. It took him a moment to recognize the people who had their faces pointed away from the door. The moment he noticed however he went on his knees. Belshazzar noted the kneeling man. "Rise Sgt. Lionheart." he greeted.

Bernini looked at him in question. "How do you know him by name?"

"We fought side by side in the world wars. He almost died trying to save me, thinking that I am human. He had never seen our kind before and mistook my mask for a helmet. I owe him a lot." he announced. "So this is your mate?" he asked pointing to Renaria.

"I am sorry about you not finding yours." Gage nodded, clearly knowing his history.

"I have decided to take a chosen mate though." he announced.

"I thought that you couldn't do that," Gage reminded him of his own words.

"Technically I can't. But she should be able to. By the way she is going to be your daughter or grand daughter or great grand daughter. Rayne is the last living descendent of the witch that cursed me." he announced.

Gage didn't know how to respond. "Did you come here to...?" he couldn't bring himself to say it. He knew what Belshazzar had to do for the crown. He had seen him suffer from nightmares resulting from it.

Belshazzar smiled and shook his head. "I came here to reject her at least verbally. Our reports forgot to mention that she had already found her destined mate. It's a good thing that you came though. I am getting married next week. I would love to have you as my best man."

"What about me?" Bernini complained.

"You can't stay away from the Kingdom for five days straight. You are returning as soon as possible and you can come back next Tuesday for the wedding," Belshazzar ordered.

"I have to go back too for now," Davina sighed.

"I know little sis. You were always the responsible one." he concluded.

They turned to leave when Gage called them back.

"Wait did you say this Tuesday?" he asked to confirm.

Belshazzar nodded.

Gage looked uncomfortable looking between his friend and his mate.

"Well, my mate's best friend has had an accident and is in a coma. I do not know whether we will be in a situation to participate in the wedding." Gage regretted.

Belshazzar nodded.

"I know it is my royal duty and if you command..."

"Mate always comes first." Belshazzar commented.

"Just not for you." Davina sneered and left.