CAIN

SEVEN

The two men stood together were polar opposites. They were of course both tall and brilliant, but Cain has settled into his centuries with hardened features and an aura of both wisdom and strength, whereas Damarian looked like a painting of a holy cherub I was sure I had seen depicted somewhere in the palace. They greeted each other as if it pained them to do so, all tight lipped smiles and straightened backs.

"I didn't know you were a teacher, Morgana," His Majesty commented, coming to stand by my side and handing me another glass of wine.

"A professor," the fae corrected, "A highly prolific one at that."

"I haven't been teaching for a while," I smiled, grateful for the glass, "But I am interested in applying elsewhere."

Cain refused to look away from me, completely ignoring all other company, "Have you not thought about joining the university in the Capital?"

"I am not technically a citizen," I paused, now suddenly wondering if Mister Denver was right about me not being welcome here, "I'm not breaking the law, am I?"

"How could the Great Witch ever trespass?" Damarian laughed.

His Majesty's eyes were still remained on me, "My word is law."

The fae let out a sharp exhale of breath which made me wonder if what Cain had said had amused him, and his 'exhale' a subtle attempt at mockery. Of course, this did not go unnoticed by the king, and I felt my magic flood to my fingertips at the anticipation of conflict, but was relieved when Damarian was called away by another elder. His eyes were apologetic as he bid an abrupt farewell.

"I have been waiting to speak with you all night."

My heart was not quite prepared for his levels of candidness. "Did something happen?" I stupidly asked, the alcohol now making its way to my stomach and legs.

"Did something need to have happened for me to have missed you?"

I frowned, "No?"

"Is that an answer or a question?" the lycan smiled, great big teeth showing.

I didn't grace him with a reply, quickly changing conversation, "Do you know Damarian?"

Cain shook his head, causing my eyebrows to raise in disbelief. "Well, he seemed like he knew you, Your Fuzziness."

"Believe it or not, Morgana, I am king of this realm which means most people do know me."

He leant his hand out to me, and I, perhaps over-eager, gratefully took it, joining arms with him as he led me away from the crowds of guests. "Is that so?" I mused, leaning my head against his shoulder when I realised walking was causing me more difficulty than I had previously. expected, "I would never have guessed."

"He is an elder of the court and so we are required to work together closely when discussing political affairs, but I try to keep my distance from all those self-important officials," Cain explained. We were walking towards the garden, and he assured me that no-one would miss his presence from the celebration. 

Somehow, I wasn't quite convinced.

"But you're not a self-important official?" I turned up to face him, a grin on my face, so he knew I thought I was being clever.

If he was offended, he didn't let it show. In fact, I watched the way his eyes creased ever so slightly, and noticed the dimple on his left cheek. It didn't suit his harsher features - crooked nose, strong jawline - and yet I couldn't help but stare. "Aren't you the anarchist? I should arrest you for treason."

"You've already tried that one," I pointed out, leaning closer against him as the cool air brushed up against the thin material of my dress. For a moment, I felt content. My eyes were yellow as I listened to his breathing, magic warming beneath my ribs. At least, I assumed it was magic.

"A grave mistake, truly. I would have been a fool to arrest a woman like you."

And then I was more sober than I had been for the whole evening. He was looking at me, and I felt something that I had assumed I was not capable of after all these years. I quickly found my balance, pulling away from him and taking a deep breath of air myself. "Cain, you are marrying Alice." My voice was calmer than I felt. It was as if I was able to reason one reality, and believe another- that somehow this king was mine, and mine alone.

"Marriage? With Alice?" His tone was incredulous, and I couldn't help but look at him in confusion.

"I thought that it was agreed..." I found myself saying, "Her father-"

"Alice is young," he was reaching for my hand, but I was taking a step back.

"She has come of age - she is an adult."

"You and I both know that twenty years of age means nothing in the perspective of our lifetimes," Cain spoke in a harsher tone than I had ever witnessed from him before. I refused to rejoice in his resolution; it would be insulting to my dearest friend to prey on her downfall.

"I should go back inside," my voice is soft, "I think I've had too much to drink."

I picked up the ends of my dress, willing myself to walk away from the lycan king as he stood, motionless, watching me. I had made it to the steps, the light and music from the hall drowning out whatever conflicted thoughts came to mind, before Cain called out to me.

"She is not my mate, Morgana."

My initial reaction was to turn around, to explain to him that I did not believe in the 'mate bond', and that I simply could not fathom why these two perfect individuals were not perfect for each other. 

But I also had a feeling that he knew my prejudices, and that I would not only be admitting he was perfect, but perfect for me, and that the warmth beneath my ribs was not magic, but my heart. So I did not turn around. Instead, I left the most powerful man in the realm waiting, who, as much as I tried to deny it, was also my mate.