Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

I woke up in a lonely bed. Nikolas’s side was cool, so I knew he had left early. I did not know if it had anything to do with what happened yesterday, but I hoped he was fine.

What transpired between Isabelle and me played in my mind. I was grateful that Nikolas handled it instead of finding ways to manage it.

He chose me, and that boosted my confidence in what we had. I wanted him to be King and hoped everything would work out.

I felt nauseous even though I was a bit hungry. I went to the bathroom to look at my reflection in the mirror. My complexion was a bit pale, and there were beads of sweat on my face. I felt warm, too, so I turned on the water and damped my face with cold water to make me feel better.

I tried a breathing exercise, and it worked.

The issue with Isabelle must have shaken me to make me feel sick, but I could not let it spoil my day.

It was Saturday. It was time to visit my father.

I knew Ania and Lisa were ecstatic about it because they visited some friends living in Riverhead on Saturdays too. It wasn’t part of the agreement, but Nikolas decided to allow it so I could get some privacy with my father. I was grateful for it.

“Good morning,” I linked to Nikolas. Wanting to hear his voice to complete my morning. I wished I had seen him in the morning, but he had an important matter to attend to.

“Sleep well?” he linked back, and I giggled a bit. He always gave me butterflies, and as every day passed, I let down my defences more and more. He affected me so much that I could not hide it anymore. I was in love.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was blushing. How could he have such a strong hold on me? It was an amazing feeling.

“Yes, you?” I finally replied.

“I held you all through the night,” he replied, telling me he slept well.

“I know you are excited to see your father today. Try to have fun and relax, okay. My mother won’t trouble you again,” He linked me and sighed.

“Thank you,” I said, and he was silent.

“Do not make me miss you too much,” he said, telling me not to linger into the night, and I giggled.

“I won’t,” I replied, and the connection was closed. I could tell he was busy, so I did not want to prolong our conversation. Nikolas was very kind to me. I appreciated his kindness.

I got dressed and headed out of the room. I saw Gezel at the bottom of the stairs and did not want to get into any altercation with her.

I did not look in her direction and tried to walk away quickly when she stopped me.

I really did not want anything to spoil my mood for the day. I had much to discuss with my father, and my mental state was crucial when I got to him.

“May I have a word with you, Aliana?” I heard Gezel say, and she sounded nicer than usual. I wondered what was up her sleeves. Even though Nikolas protected me and had my back always, I did not want to occupy his time with trivial matters.

“Yes, Gezel?” I asked as nicely as I could. I did not want to come across as bitchy, but there was a possibility she wouldn’t say anything nice. “I want to apologise for yesterday. I had no hand in it. I also want you to know I do not hate you and won’t trouble you again.” She said, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

there was no point in

Honestly, I do not want that. If you are ever nice to me, it should be because you want to, not because you are afraid of punishment. I know you had no

moon. It is enough to be jealous over. We are taught from a young age to hate werewolves, and they are beneath us. It is a must for us Lycans. I cannot tell you I have had any issues with a werewolf, and being mean is tedious, so I want to be nice for a change

knowing if

just wanted to get out of the place and see my father. I

means a lot to me,” I said, smiling and hurried to the front door and

was clear that two days with the ‘queen’ had done a number on them. I chuckled while I walked towards my father’s house, Imagining the horror they would have gone

house and knocked on

must have spotted me from the glass

and looked towards the kitchen counter. My father had outdone himself. There was a spread of food on it for breakfast. My stomach growled, and I was hungry. The

said and went to hug him. He kissed my

your boyfriend,”

is he, by the way?” My father asked, and i t was an odd

I said, and he

I touched it immediately, and he let

happened to you?” I asked,

They killed a few residents, but Nikolas and his men came to the rescue. I heard the hunters came with warriors from Snow and Hill,” he said, and I

could not believe that Nikolas did not tell me h

mother. How was 11 o know it was a miracle that

pouring me a glass of juice. I lifted the glass and

a fight

know. Maybe he didn’t want you to have that look on your face,” He said, pointing at my face,

putting down the glass and touching my

now. The look of

for openings to tell him about Isabelle. I did not want him to

the dishes together, and my father wanted us to work on

been a long time since we did something like that together. I looked forward to it. I was feeling a bit nauseous, but I tried to control myself. I did not want my father to worry, but

coming to Forest?” he said

I asked him, yet to figure out what I wanted to tend to in the garden. The nausea was preventing me from bending down.

for werewolves,” he said, and I frowned because that was not a good thing. If Forest is labelled as safe for werewolves, then it means the

true,” I argued, and

almost like the time of King Mathias when we were free,” he said, chuckling, and this

around his small garden. He, too, was wondering what plant to tend to

son?” I mentioned quickly, and he looked at me in total shock.

Isabelle, the feral woman I was caring for. She gained her sanity two days ago.” I said, and he ushered me back into the house. I could feel his anxiety and

led me to the sitting room close to

she regained