Chapter 84


    84. An Exchange of Rings


    “Charlene!”


    She had broken into a run the moment she was out of sight, but I caught up fast, grabbing hold of her


    arm as I battled my emotions, trying to calm the storm that was raging outside and within me.


    Breathe…


    “My queen…” I said softly as she refused to look at me.


    I tugged her around gently and she turned. It killed to see the fat tears spilling down her cheeks. I pulled


    her into my arms, hugging her tightly. “Just like that, he cast me aside.” She whispered. “Well he just lost


    the only daughter he had. It’s his loss.” I said angrily, as she pulled away. “I’ll ruin your dress.” She said


    wiping away her tears, as she wrapped her arms around herself. “It hurts… not only have I lost Mom…


    but Dad too…”


    I frowned, maybe Gamma Grayson needed to know… Maybe he would be the father she needed, the


    king and queen were both disgusting in my eyes. 2 “He doesn’t deserve to call you daughter, don’t let his


    words get to you.” Iforted her, stroking her arm and brushing her tears away gently. She looked


    down and nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah… I’m just… the daughter of no one now… Just an orphan who


    took the ce of the true princess.”


    “I’m sorry, Charl.”


    “Don’t. Why apologise for something you have no hand in? I’m just… upset with Dad…” She whispered.


    “Sure, he addressed me as his daughter, but at the same time he insulted me.”


    There was nothing to say to that.


    How do I tell her he didn’t deserve her or could justify any of this? His lies had been shocking. I gave her


    another hug as we heard footsteps. Charlene turned away, taking a deep breath as she patted her tears


    away. Theon’s scent reached me before he came into view, my heart skipping a beat as I looked him


    over; ck pants, satin shirt, and boots, with a silver and ck jacket on top. A chain was on the side of


    his pants, and I couldn’t deny that he looked incredibly handsome, dangerously sexy… The expression


    on his face emphasised his chiselled jaw and cheekbones. “You’re staring.” He said, making me blush,


    before he added quietly. “Unless we both get to stare.”


    My eyes widened, and I wondered if he had actually said that or had it just been my imagination? He was


    looking towards the window now, frowning at the storm outside, before he turned to


    me.


    “I came to make sure you didn’t lose control.” He remarked, looking me over. My stomach fluttered when


    his eyes darkened with clear approval.


    “Or he came to admire how beautiful you look.” Charlene said, smiling as she gave my hand a squeeze.


    Apart from her eyes being slightly red, she looked normal. 1 It didn’t mean the king’s words were


    forgotten, Charlene was just good at hiding her emotions.


    “Or that.” Theon said huskily, making me raise my eyebrow. “Did you practise how to be charming all


    morning? Must have been hard work.” I mocked. s “I already told you, charming doesn’t work for you


    now, does it?”


    “Excuse me…” Charlene remarked, suppressing a smirk. I nced at her, poking my eyes out, but she


    simply winked. “I will leave the soon-to-be-engaged couple to it…”


    “I’d appreciate that.” Theon said, surprisingly me further.


    Charlene’s footsteps faded away as I looked into the gorgeous amber eyes of the man before me.


    “I’m left speechless with the change in persona.” I mocked as he tilted his head.


    “I assure you I haven’t changed…” He stepped closer, making my heart skip a beat as I tried not to move


    back. “Rx, I’m not going to bite.”


    He reached out, cupping my neck as he ran his thumb down the centre. I swallowed, my heart pounding


    against my ribcage.


    Our eyes locked and the only thing I could think of was the marks that he used to leave on me, from a


    time that felt like so long ago…


    “What’s on your mind?” He asked quietly, his husky low tone making my core clench.


    “Not you.” I managed to respond breathlessly. He leaned in, his lips grazing my ear, making my breath


    hitch. “Just me fucking you?” 2


    I closed my eyes. My entire body was reacting to him. Don’t go there…


    “Don’t get so cocky…” I murmured, cing my hand on his firm chest and pushing him back slightly. He


    moved back, and something the king said came to mind. “Is it true, the king threatened you with me if


    you didn’t agree to Charlene?”


    A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he masked it fast. I was getting better at seeing through that


    mask of his…


    “Who said that?” He asked frowning.


    “The king.”


    “Because you refused to get engaged to me?”


    “Maybe.”


    “Don’t talk in a roundabout way, Little Storm.” He warned, his hand tightening around my throat… “I see


    you didn’t wear a ne…” “I forgot to.” I lied; the truth was I had refused it on purpose.


    “I’m sure.” He replied arrogantly.


    “Don’t avoid what I’m asking you Theon. Did the king threaten you?”


    His free hand ran down my arm painstakingly slowly, leaving a trail of pleasure in its wake, before it


    snaked around my waist, making my breath hitch.


    “It doesn’t matter… Yileyna… But there’s something I want to talk to you about.” He said seriously as he


    let go of my neck and instead took hold of my chin. 1 “What is it?” I asked, hearing the thudding of his


    racing heart.


    N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    “Let’s go somewhere-” 1


    “Excuse me, but the king wants you two in the hall.” Ryan said, interrupting Theon.


    His eyes went to our position, we were crushed together and standing far too close. I quickly pulled


    away, my cheeks flushing lightly.


    Theon frowned but I could see his irritation that he was masking rather well. I wondered what it was that


    he wanted to talk about.


    “We should go. We’ll talk after…” I suggested softly.


    He frowned and gave a small nod as he led the way back.


    My irritation at the king returned with full force when I saw him standing there as if nothing had


    happened, as if his words had no impact on anyone. Did he only care for himself?


    Charlene was standing by Andrea, who was asking her something and looked sympathetic as Charlene


    smiled gracefully back.


    “Before we drink and feast, let us begin with the oath and then move on to the exchanging of rings!” The


    king said loudly. I looked at Theon, it didn’t feel real… Was I really getting engaged to him? Everyone


    gathered around, all eyes on us as we moved to the dais, and the king faced me. “I bear witness under


    Selene’s moon and before this audience that I take you Yileyna Aphelion


    “Yileyna De’Lacor. It won’t work unless you take the name that I hold true to my heart.” I said quietly,


    knowing that everyone could hear.


    “She still holds the traitor’s names… and wants to.” Someone whispered, but I ignored them as Andres


    frowned.


    No matter how much he didn’t like it, it was the truth.


    “I bear witness under Selene’s moon and before this audience that I take you, Yileyna De’Lacor as my


    heir. I acknowledge you as the future Alpha of the Silver Storm Pack and the ruler of Astalion, the middle


    kingdom. Do you, Yileyna De’Lacor, vow to uphold the rules, decorum, and values of this pack and those


    of this kingdom?”


    Far better than you ever will.


    “I, Yileyna De’Lacor, ept and acknowledge this position. I vow under the moon of Selene and before


    this gathering that I will always uphold the rules, decorum, and values of this pack and of this kingdom.” I


    repeated, before continuing. “And to always be true, just, and fair to all, regardless of rank, species, or


    status….”


    I saw the small frown on the king’s face, but it was fleeting as a murmur rippled through the crowd once


    more.


    “Then I bind you to it by an oath of blood.” He took the knife from Gamma Henry, slicing his own hand


    before I held mine out. He took it, making a deep cut along my palm. I made sure the blood didn’t drip


    onto my dress as I ignored the sting of pain. We then shook hands, sealing the oath by blood. Everyone


    pped, and Charlene passed me a cloth to wipe away the blood.


    “Congrattions, my angel.” She said, hugging me. “Thank you, my queen.” I replied, hugging her back


    tightly.


    I held her close for a moment, before I was pulled away from her and everyone began congratting me.


    Andrea, Zoe, Gamma Henry and Grayson, who looked a little pale despite everything, all gave their


    congrattions “Now we move on to the engagement of my daughter Yileyna and Theon of Westerfell.”


    The king said clearly. “The rings.”


    Andrea held out a ss tray that held two rings on it.


    “Theon…” The king said with a grin on his face, like a man whose birthday hade early.


    Theon frowned slightly, before reaching into his pocket.


    “I bought my own.” He stated emotionlessly, taking not only me but several others by surprise. 2


    The king chuckled. “Ah, of course!” “Nice move.” Ryan remarked. I stared at Theon as he flipped open


    the box. Theon got a ring… for me… My resolve was crumbling, my heart pounding as he took the ring


    from the box. Stay strong… This was only a political agreement… I pressed a hand to my stomach,


    trying to control the wild fluttering that was taking ce inside of it.


    Any resolve I had left melted the moment those smouldering eyes turned on me. Locking with my own.


    “So, shall we do this?” He asked, holding his hand out to me. 3 And just like that, the walls I had fought


    so hard to build around me shattered, the tidal wave of emotions hitting me hard as I looked at the hand


    that he now held out to me…