Chapter 9

Clara

Nora took my arm and guided me out of the room.

“What were you doing just now?” she asked.

She sounded hurt and uncertain. I needed to explain myself quickly. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt my only friend.

“It was an accident,” I signed. “I spilled wine on Gideon’s shirt. I was trying to wipe it off.”

“Oh, I see,” Nora said. “But why were you alone with him?”

I explained that the other maids had been bullying me, as usual. I didn’t mention why I had tried to stand up to them. Nora didn’t need to hear the kinds of things they said about her.

I told her how Prince Gideon stepped in when the other maids attacked me. He gave me tasks that kept me safe from the bullies. One of those tasks was bringing dinner. Of course, I failed that task in the most embarrassing fashion I could imagine.

Nora patted my arm. “I’m sure he’s not mad about the wine,” she said.

“He looked upset,” I signed.

“Well, the wine was probably cold. Anyone would be unhappy to have a sudden lap full of wine,” Nora said with a gentle smile. “I’ll explain everything to him, don’t worry.”

“You will?” I signed, hopefully.

Nora nodded. “You can go get your own dinner and go to bed early. You’re still recovering from your injuries.”

“Thank you,” I signed.

Nora smiled again and went into the room. I was going to leave, but I wanted to be certain that Prince Gideon wasn’t angry about the wine. I only planned to stay for a moment.

“Hello, Prince Gideon,” Nora said. “Let me help you with that wet shirt.”

“It’s fine,” Gideon said.

I slumped in relief. He didn’t sound angry.

“I hope you’re not angry with Clara,” Nora said. “She really did not mean to spill wine on you.”

“It was an accident,” Gideon replied. “Tell your friend not to worry about it.”

“I will. She’ll be glad you’re not angry,” Nora said.

I meant to leave right then. I did. I had no business spying on my best friend and her mate. But Nora’s next words caught my attention.

“Gideon, I need to confess something to you,” Nora said.

Confess? Nora hadn’t done anything she needed to confess. I froze, worried for my friend.

“Prince Gideon, I,” Nora hesitated, and then her voice strengthened. “I am your fated mate.”

Oh. Nora was confessing her love. I hesitated. This was a private moment. But I was so happy for her finding her mate.

Gideon was silent for a long time. I was confused. Wasn’t he happy? Why didn’t he answer her?

Well, there was a huge difference in their stations. Gideon was not just a prince, he was the First Prince of the Lycans. He would be king someday. Nora was a servant.

It made sense that he would hesitate. Just moving her into the palace had sparked vicious rumors. Naming her as his mate would make things even more complicated.

I suppose it made sense that a noble would be cautious when they found their fated mate.

I left then. They had serious matters to discuss. Nora and Gideon deserved privacy.

Within me, I felt my wolf stir unhappily. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe she was worried that Nora’s mate would reject her the way mine had rejected me.

But that would not happen. I was sure of it. Prince Gideon was kind and fair. He was not cruel like his brother. He would accept Nora in time.

Gideon

“I’m your fated mate,” Nora declared.

I looked up at her, startled. She thought we were fated? I shook my head silently. I felt no connection to this woman. My wolf did not react to her at all.

“I know you might not feel it yet,” Nora said. “I can wait to get married until you’re sure, too. I don’t mind being your mistress until then.”

Nora had saved my life. I was willing to improve her life in return. It was only fair.

But I had no intention of marrying her. I had simply never considered such a thing. I was a prince, and I had a responsibility to choose my wife carefully.

“I’m sorry, Nora,” I said, trying to be as gentle as I could. “I cannot marry you.”

It would be wrong to lead her on. I had named her as my mistress simply as a reason to move her into a better place.

Letting her believe there could be anything more between us would be cruel.

“I understand,” Nora said. Her voice was soft with sorrow.

I hoped that would be the end of it. I wanted to help Nora. I just could not marry her.

Nora dropped to her knees next to me, and took my hand in hers.

“Please,” she said, “give me a chance.”

“Nora,” I began, but stopped when I saw the desperate pleading in her eyes.

I nodded for her to continue. The least I could do was hear her out.

“Give me three months as your mistress,” she said. “I know you’ll fall in love with me.”

I opened my mouth to refuse, but Nora continued to plead. I saw the shadow of bruises on her throat. I remembered gripping her neck when I was blind, and how she couldn’t even plead for mercy then.

I allowed her to continue to speak, feeling guilty for having silenced her once already.

“If you still don’t feel that we’re mates, if you still don’t love me, then I’ll step aside. I’ll let go and I’ll never bother you again. Just give me this one chance to prove I’m your fated one. Please.”

I always thought I would instantly know my mate the moment I laid eyes on her. But there were plenty of stories of fated mates missing each other because one felt it and the other did not. And I had been poisoned and gravely injured when I met Nora. It was possible my wolf was confused.

“All right,” I said. She wasn’t asking for that much, just a little time. “You have three months.”

“Thank you,” Nora said, throwing her arms around my neck and kissing my cheek.

I allowed the affection although it felt strange. My wolf stirred unhappily within me.

I was sure I would not fall in love so easily. Three months would make no difference. But I allowed the compromise to make her happy.

“We should eat our dinner before it grows cold,” I said, motioning to the tray that Nora had brought.

“Of course, my Prince,” Nora said. “Or should I call you Gideon in private?”

“You may call me what you like,” I said.

I had made her my official mistress. It would be strange if she called me by my title in private.

“All right, Gideon,” Nora said. “May I pour you some wine?”

I held out my glass and allowed her to pour. She poured herself a modest amount, and made a point of waiting for me to take the first bite of dinner before eating anything herself.

Dinner was pleasant. Nora did not have the refined manners of a court lady, but she was soft spoken and earnest.

My wolf, though, stirred and whined within me. He called out for his fated mate. Maybe my caution towards Nora upset him. The wolf would insist I claim her immediately. Our wolves did not care for politics or royal responsibilities.

It was strange, though, that when my wolf again begged for our fated one, my mind wandered to Nora’s friend, Clara.