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.

do, there was no point in continuing to be

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

not hate you, Aliana. Most of us are just jealous. Alpha is a big catch, and none of us could attract his attention, but you did it easily. It is as if it was ordained by the 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 and be myself. Since it is clear that Alpha is relaxing the laws around here, I hope we won’t only be civil but can be friends too. I do not want to hate werewolves for no reason anymore,” she said, and I smiled at her. I wasn’t buying it and would not give her a chance to hurt me, but I didn’t have to be a bitch about it, either. If she was being genuine, then it must have taken

not knowing if it was

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

you so much for clearing this up. It means a lot to me,” I said, smiling and hurried to the

and Erica had up their sleeves, but it 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 through having to serve the ‘queen’.

house and knocked

princess,” I heard his voice, and I knew he must have spotted me from the

a spread of food on it for breakfast. My stomach

hug him. He kissed

your boyfriend,” he teased, and

way?” My father asked, and i t was an odd

I said, and

noticed a bandage on his wrist. I touched it

asked, surprised at

border yesterday. They killed a few residents, but Nikolas and his men came to the rescue. I

believe that Nikolas did not tell me

dealt with was my issue with his mother. How was 11

matter, princess?” My father asked, pouring me a glass of

fight or anything like that,” ‘I

look on your face,” He said,

asked, putting down

one you have on right now. The look of worry,” He said, and I laughed. Maybe he was

and I kept searching for openings to tell him about Isabelle. I did not want him to choke on the food, so

father wanted us to work

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 as things were,

to Forest?” he said while tending to

yet to figure out what I wanted to tend to in the garden. The nausea was preventing

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

I argued, and he laughed

was almost like the time of King Mathias when we were free,” he said,

his small garden. He, too, was wondering what

of the Late king, Do you know that Nikolas is his son?” I mentioned quickly, and he looked

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

and I nodded. He led me to the sitting room close to

has been giving me hell since she regained her senses,” I said,