Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

We soon arrived at the palace. It was an old stone wall building like mine. It wasn’t in disrepair, and they had upgraded the place, but they had maintained the old features, which gave it an elegant and antique look. We alighted the car, and Qusack handed the car keys to the valet to park. My mother stood at the entrance and looked at the building. I saw tears stream down her cheeks; she was reliving her memory of the past. She was frozen to the spot.

“Fred didn’t let me enter, you know,” She said and looked at me.

Tears in her eyes. This was a real pain, not the pretence she put up just so she could have her way.

My mother was wearing her pain on her sleeves.

‘‘He did not let me in. They took my nannies from me. I was heavily pregnant, and Fredrick could not look upon me with pity,” she said.

“I was kneeling here pleading that he let me in. I told him my husband was dead and those werewolves had taken over Forest. I told him I needed shelter. This was also my home. I grew up here,” She said, wiping away her tears.

“He said I was useless. He called me a disgrace. Said I should have died with my husband. Said it was shameless of me to accept a werewolf’s kind gesture. He said he had no kingdom to share with me since I could not rule what was already mine by marriage,” She said and sniffled.

“I told him I just needed shelter and would return when my child was of age, and he laughed. He took my nannies and chased me away. Looking back now, I wonder how I made it alone. Out there with no one to help me and nowhere to go. I thought of crossing the sea, but the three kingdoms were all I had ever known. I was trapped,” she said, and I went to hold her. She had never shared this pain with me before. It was profound, and it hurt her deeply. I wondered why Fredrick would be cruel to his own sister. It was a shame.

I held her hand, and we entered the palace. My mother looked at the place like a stranger. It was clear the building had been modified a great deal.

We were ushered to the hall where the meeting was to be held.

People were already present.

I somehow knew King Aleksander was around.

With just thirty minutes to go, I knew everyone would be around other than Fredrick. We entered the hall, and people began to murmur when they saw us.

We were led to a place that had seats reserved for Forest. There were six seats altogether, but only four of us had come.

I noticed people looking and whispering. Some even pointed at my mother and me.

I did not know what to make of their actions, but I ignored them. I looked at the throne, and there were two seats there. King Aleksander was already sitting on one.

He looked at me and winked, and then his eyes fell upon my mother. It didn’t linger when he looked away. I knew they might have history, but I wondered how deep it ran.

There was a long table with chairs on one side. It was on a lower level after the throne. Some men were seated there, and they were all looking at us. I knew those were the committee leaders.

There were three empty seats on the table, which were apparently reserved for my nominees and me. The rest of the hall had people. They were just representatives and members of the committee, preferably floor members.

Soon the tall doors on the other side of the hall opened, and a tall, brawny man walked through. Everyone except King Aleksander stood up to pay their respects.

I saw the man emerge, and he looked like my mother.

The resemblance was striking, and I could see myself too.

He was indeed family.

I knew it was Fredrick, and the thought of that alone made me want o sit down and blatantly disrespect this man.

He looked dangerous, with battle scars on his right cheek. He wasn’t peaceful, so he was expected to sustain injuries on his wicked missions. That was what I called what he did. Taking people by force against their will was wicked. I was taking back what was mine by attacking the Forest, but he was stealing what did not belong to him by attacking and bullying others. I had no respect for the bastard.

He went to his throne and sat down. Aleksander extended a handshake, and Fredrik took it. They both bowed to each other, showing they were equal before he sat.

The meeting started.

told us what was on the

and the rightful heir to the throne of Forest. He is here to demand his rights. Although he has conquered the territory and taken it back from the werewolves.

and bowed to greet the kings and

claim to be King Mathias’ son. I am his son, and I have come with my mother to testify to that,” I said,

lad, you do not know why

colleague and I have many reasons why we have decided not to give

you been, Isabelle?” He asked my mother, and she stood

with venom in

laughed, and some people laughed with him. I was mad but

you would have that much fight in her. Pray, tell me what you ate while in the bush,” He said, and it was out of

you can see, she is well, and she isn’t denying that she is my mother, I think my point has been proven,”

shook his

did not tell you about her escapades in the palace before you were conceived.” He said, and I

him from what he was about to say, but

whore. A power-hungry one at that. Then she became a

my mother, and she couldn’t

no interest in Mathias. Leon was the love of her life. The key to making her a queen. Her key to the Forest kingdom. Leon did not tell my sister his mother was a concubine and that

after she had married Mathais. Some of the Rendezvous was held here. Am I lying, Izzy?” He asked her, and my mother quivered in shame. He wasn’t lying at

suspected it, but she denied it every time. Then Leon got killed by werewolves, and she was alone. That was when she became cheap. She slept around a lot after that. Some of her lovers

her down, you know? My spies told me of her many advances to the

discuss my mother, your majesty,” I said

am telling you this so you will know why I doubt you

was pregnant by Mathias at the time of his death, and there is no way to find out. So,

hold?” I asked Abraham. “I am afraid so. If your mother’s fidelity is in question, then there is no guarantee you are Mathias’s blood. She

took the Forest from the current leader, so it is yours regardless of what he thinks about your mother,” Abraham linked me

know I am King Mathias’ son. Nonetheless, I still have the right to be crowned because I conquered Forest and took it from the people ruling it. It is my

there are many boxes you have to tick. You must achieve a long list of things

Isabelle.

showing that their opinion

was beginning to feel alone.

bastard by my dear sister Izzy and Mathias’ illegitimate heir by his fated werewolf mate whom I have raised as my nephew for years,” Fredrick said, and people gasped. I didn’t. I knew

bastard!! How could you, Fred!!” my mother called, and Olsen banged

had insulted my mother and his sister, and no one cautioned him, but my mother’s outburst was reprimanded immediately. It was a sad

buried her and the child.” My mother said, and

to be heir to the Forest kingdom, so he sold the child to me as a slave. I raised him as my distant relative,”

didn’t seem like the King

conniving bastard. If he wasn’t, why bring his lover to my father to marry? I had a

forward, your Majesty?” Olsen asked

give him the crown assuming his Mathias’ son say, Aye,” Fredrick said, and

did not

of those in support was counted, and it

say, Nay,” Fredrick said

The Hill king had stuck his neck out

alphas from the

in the council and they voted in favour, it would not show

that we look at the other matter,”