Mated Enemies

Shit! I watched as the mark formed on her throat. She’s going to have a heck of a time explaining that one to her meddling ass sisters tomorrow.

Sabrina

“Where is his royal highness now?” I couldn’t stand still and paced my room in the eternal palace restlessly; something I have been doing for days on end. Ever since the day I learned of Lucien’s imprinting and impending nuptials in fact, I have been on edge. Though I knew that this day would come, I have never been quite able to prepare myself for the reality of it.

Always I’ve held out hope that just maybe I will be the one. I’ve even dreamed of him spurning whatever woman he might imprint on in favor of me. Nothing had ever impeded those dreams no matter how impossible they seemed.

Because even though it may cause him some discomfort to deny his chosen mate, it has been done before and I was sure that after his many years of rigorous training that he could withstand it. For years I’ve lived off of that dream, had done everything in my power to make it so, until it was shattered just a few short days ago.

I’m still fighting to come to grips with the injustice of it all. It had all happened so suddenly and right at a time when I was finally beginning to think that it might not happen. Lucien was nearing the end of his mating age and it was widely suggested that maybe he might be one of the lucky ones who got to choose his mate and not suffer the restrictions of an imprinting.

Everyone knew it was a hopeless cause; that there was no way the powers that be would leave something as important as choosing his mate unattended. But those whispers had fed my hope and kept me going for a long-long time.

It’s so unfair! We’re a perfect match him and I. Even though I was born to a lesser family and was of less regal birth than his, and my parents had been caught up in a rebellion that had cost them their lives, I’m still better than her, than all the women he’s taken to his bed.

We spent most of my childhood together even though he’s much older than I. And when everyone else made me feel like an outcast, he, the heir to our kingdom had always been by my side. Sticking up for me, and using his place and prestige as heir to the throne to protect me from others.

Even when I crossed the line, when I ran off anyone who he showed an interest in, or anyone who got too close, he never scolded me too harshly. Doesn’t that mean that he harbors tender feelings towards me? I’ve always thought so.

He never once believed anything bad of me, never took sides against me, though he never took my side when he knew I was wrong, that was okay, that’s just what the heir to the sky kingdom should do and I never blamed him for it, those times I got caught doing something I shouldn’t and was taken to task by one of the elders.

He’s been away these past many years while I’ve been stuck here but even then I lived for the times he visited though they grew far and in between as the years went by. I was never allowed to join him on these earthly escapades. And though I’ve had moments where I thought he’d done this to escape my grasp, those moments of doubt never lasted for very long.

Each time I’m plagued with one of those awful thoughts I only have to remember those many days and hours spent together just him and I, studying, or sometimes I’d watch him train with the sword for even longer.

I never grew bored with his company, not even the times when he’d ignore me for hours on end. That was just his way, he was so focused, so hardworking, because he was born knowing that he’d one day be the ruling monarch, not only of our kingdom, but of all the kingdoms of the universe.

“Speak, where is the crown prince? Why have you not answered?” I knew from my servant’s hesitation to answer that I was not going to like what she had to say. “He’s with his mate in the dream world.”

The words sent shocking pain riveting through my system. How many times have I tried luring him into one of my dreams? Not once has he ever answered the call. He’s known her for what, a few days? And already he’s been to his favorite place to think of her and now this.

“You say she’s a fairy, nymph mix?”

“Among other things. Her grandsire is also the elf king and….”

“So what? That’s still nowhere near the pedigree of woman our prince should be coupled with.”