Chapter 71: All Hail the King and Queen

(CORRINE)

As the day of the ball arrives, so do the attendees. The Eastern Wolf Kingdom and its nobles are the first to appear. I watch from our window as Erik greets them. I recognize nearly all of them from my youth, and for a moment, my heart trembles at the memory of what I suffered at their hands. But as soon as that fear rears its head, I feel a warmth sweep through me, a warmth sent by Locke through our mating bond.

He comes to stand behind me. “If you want, I can crush all their pompous heads for you, feathers and all,” he comments nonchalantly, and I study the fancy peacock plumage sticking out of the nobles’ hats.

The image makes me snicker. “Thanks for the offer. It’s just that it’s my first time facing everybody. I don’t care what they think of me, but my life in the Eastern Kingdom is like a terrible nightmare that I’d prefer to forget. Seeing them brings it all back.” When he doesn’t say anything, I glance at him. “You’ve never asked me what happened there. You never wanted to know about my life with Ravenna? How come?”

Locke pulls me into his arms, my back pressing against his chest now, and he rests his chin on top of my head. If any of his men saw the way he is with me, they’d fall over their own feet.

“I don’t ask because it’s not relevant. Your whole life, you were in survival mode. Whatever they did to you, Corrine, you crawled out of that pit and made something of yourself. I respect the woman you were, and I pity the child you were, but I admire the woman you’ve become.”

His words bring tears to my eyes. “Thank you,” I whisper hoarsely.

He holds on to me as we watch the guests enter the palace. Erik doesn’t budge, though, and I soon find out why. A few minutes later, more attendees arrive, this time from the North.

My fingers dig into Locke’s arm, which is wrapped around my waist. Ravenna.

She’s dressed to the nines. Bella is escorting her, along with a man who has me hissing quietly, “Xavier.”

“Who?” Locke asks.

“He’s one of Ravenna’s friends from the Eastern Kingdom,” I murmur, bile rising in my throat. “He’s also the man who—”

I’m suddenly unable to speak, and Locke holds me tighter. “Is he the one Ravenna made a bet with to sleep with you?”

Even the memory is sickening. “He pretended to be kind to me. That was a luxury for me back then. I must have been so easy for him. A few nice words, the most minimal effort to make me feel like I mattered. ” I let out a shaky breath. “He was awful in bed. Selfish. I didn’t know any better at the time.” I glance up at my mate, my lips curving, somewhat amused. “Before I met you, I didn’t know what sex could be like. Or that it could be so big.”

I press closer to him, and when I feel him hardening, I chuckle, the previous tension forgotten.

“So, in comparison, I would be…” Locke growls, his mouth settling against the mating mark on my neck. He bites it, and I moan, sharp desire piercing me.

“Comparison? What comparison?” I groan. “He was terrible.” I turn around in my mate’s arms, my own going around his neck. “You, on the other hand, are not terrible.”

“That’s not exactly a compliment,” Locke complains.

I make a thoughtful sound. “Maybe you should remind me why I should compliment you, then.”

He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, making me laugh. His hand smacks my ass, and I know I’m going to have a hard time walking for the rest of the day.

The guests are placed in the west wing of the palace, while Erik and my family are all in the south wing. Even though Erik is certain there won’t be a problem, I don’t let Finn go outside.

“Just one more day,” I comfort my son as Sigrid helps me into my dress behind a screen. “Then, it will all be over. Don’t pull that out!”

From over the top of the screen, I can see him trying to take off his ascot, and he winces. “I don’t like it. Why do I have to wear these clothes?” “Because I have to,” Locke informs him as he enters the room. “Are you ready?”

I suck in a breath and look at Sigrid, who nods and says, “We’ll be right there. As soon as Finn is introduced, we will conduct a blood test to confirm his legitimacy and then take him back to his room. Nobody will be able to get to him.”

I give her an unsteady smile. “Okay, yeah.”

She fixes the bottom of the dress and then helps me off the stool. “It’s time.”

My stomach is in knots. I walk around the screen, and the first thing I see is Locke, dressed in his royal uniform: a fitted, deep blue waistcoat lined with silver panels, a white shirt, and blue pants. The royal cape is carefully fitted on his shoulders. His dark boots are ankle high, and his hair is slicked back.

My mouth turns dry. He looks incredibly handsome. Is this really my mate who wanders around in casual, loose-fitted tunics and black pants, his hair always unkempt?

Locke sees me watching him, and when his gaze settles on mine, there is heat in it. I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair, which I’ve begun to let grow, is slightly past my shoulders, and Sigrid has styled it so that the edges are dipped in some sort of dark, glittery substance. My eyes are lightly done up, as is my face. She has only used a little bit of makeup on me, but I look good.

“I never use makeup,” I murmur, touching my face. “I look so different.”

“You look like you, Mom. Just prettier,” Finn says bluntly. “Dad looks weird.”

Locke smacks him gently on the back of his head. “She looks beautiful.”

“I just said that!” Finn grumbles, rubbing that spot. “She looks like Mom. Mom’s always pretty.”

I beam at him. “I raised you right.” Leaning down, I kiss him on the cheek. “Ready?”

He nods.

“You remember what we told you?” “Don’t speak and don’t listen to anyone.”

“Sigrid will bring you back upstairs to your room, and you’re not to leave under any circumstances,” Locke warns him.

“I know.” Finn makes a face. “I’m not a baby. You don’t have to keep telling me!”

“Okay, then.” I give Locke one final look. “Everything is ready, right?”

He nods. “Stop worrying. It will be fine.”

I believe him, but this lump of anxiety sitting in my throat isn’t going anywhere. Nevertheless, it’s time to get the show on the road. With Finn by our side, we make our way to the ballroom.

Erik’s staff has done a marvelous job of decorating the entire palace. While we stand by, waiting to be announced, I watch in awe as the lights glitter on the marble floor, causing it to sparkle. There is one large chandelier in the center of the ballroom, casting a beautiful, warm glow over the entire room.

I recognize most of the people in attendance, which is not surprising considering I’ve spent time in the East, the North, and the human world. From the corner where we are standing, my eyes search for Ravenna, and I see her next to Xavier. His arm is around her waist, and the way the two of them are huddled so close together makes me wonder what’s really going on between them.

Royal families are always announced, and they are to formally greet the royal family of the hosting kingdom. Erik walks past us and gives us a nod. My hands tighten on Finn’s shoulders, and I whisper to Locke, “It feels like I’m readying myself for battle.”

“I’ll be right here with you.”

His words are reassuring, but the fact is that I’m about to come face to face with people who have tormented me endlessly and whose cruel eyes will land on my son. I’ve always vowed to myself that I will protect Finn no matter what, but right now, it feels like I’m throwing him into the hands of the enemy.

“The king and queen of the Northern Kingdom!”

Locke and I step forward, and Finn moves in behind us as he was told to do. I see Ravenna excitedly walking toward the center of the three-tier, winding staircase, where Erik is standing. She must have known that Locke was here.

She hasn’t seen us yet as we come to stand in the spotlight at the top of the staircase to the right. But others have noticed. A hush falls over the ballroom, and the announcer says loudly, “King Barrett Locke and Queen Corrine Hale!”

Ravenna, who has nearly reached Erik, freezes. My eyes are fixed on her as she lifts her head and looks directly at me. I see shock enter her eyes when she meets my gaze. The announcer is not done, however.

“And the crown prince to the Northern Kingdom, Prince Finn Raine!” Hushed whispers break out among the attendees, but my eyes are on

Ravenna. The color drains from her face when she sees Finn, who is a carbon copy of Locke. Her lips part, but she can’t seem to utter a word. I see movement behind her, and my eyes dart to a figure heading toward the staircase.

Bella.

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