^^River in white xD^^

Hey, guys! So I decided to split the mating party into two parts because it came out much longer than I thought it was going to be. This part alone is almost 3300 words. Enjoy~!

Chapter 52

River's POV

Gold tapestries hung from the walls, silk against stone walls as the palace doors flooded in with nobles and dukes alike. It was the day before the mating ceremony and the palace was in a state of havoc, maids ran back and forth in a flurry of hysteria as the kitchen hurried to finish their menu in time for the first party.

It was customary for the royal couple to hold two parties, one before and one after the mating ceremony, representing the couple's status changing from before and after the ceremony. Though I viewed it as nothing but an excuse for the nobles and dukes to suck up to their prince. A chance to gain access to his favor right before he becomes king and then a second time to be the first to speak to him on his first day as king.

It didn't seem quite fair for the nobles and dukes to have all this access to him when the peasants and commoners didn't. They all should get a chance to personally speak to their ruler.

My hand tightened against the arm chair as I sat in Alastair's study, watching as he finished some last-minute paperwork. Ink stuck to his fingertips as he immersed himself in his work, teeth chewing on his upper lip as his eyes narrowed at his starched paper.

"Alastair," he turned to the sound my voice.

"Yes?"

"Pass me some of your pile and I will help," I motioned with my hands as I eyed the large pile beside him on the desk.

He eyed the pile with a sigh.

"You can read over the ones dealing with politics while I read over the easier requests," he remained silent, quill in hand, "I've helped you with paperwork previously have I not?"

He nodded as his fingers searched through the piles, pulling a couple papers from within, "Here," he slid a couple in front of me as I scooted my chair closer to his desk, "these deal with commoner requests. They should be rather easier than foreign affairs."

I nodded as I took a quill and got to work.

It was after a couple dozens of papers that I came upon a request from an orphanage in Westgate.

My eyes popped beneath the inked words. The poor children didn't have enough blankets and linens for the wintertime along with enough money for coal which had risen in price in the last month since winter was on the horizon.

A request for eighty pounds.

It was definitely a large amount, enough money to feed a large family for a very long time but it wouldn't break the royal treasury.

I dipped the quill into the small container of ink, signing the royal signature by the line as I placed in the pile along with the other accepted requests. Just as my fingers brushed against the next paper a knock resounded against the door.

"Come in," Alastair's voice rose as his eyes remained on a document, fingers tapping against the hardwood desk.

My eyes pulled from him to the door as it screeched open, revealing the face of a maid.

"The party is going to begin in an hour. His Highness sent me to remind you to be punctual," her words came out shaky as his Alastair's eyes rose from the parchment with a narrowed gaze.

"Tell him not to worry," his voice came out ragged, exhausted, "I will not be late to my own mating dinner."

The maid nodded, scurrying out of the room and shutting the door as Alastair returned to his work.

My eyes remained on him. I placed my quill back into its canister before raising them to Alastair's face. I brushed his hair behind his ear, fingers playing lightly with the silken strands as he let out a low breath and dropped his quill on the desk, dark liquid spreading across the wooden surface.

His eyes rose to my face, bright hazels locked on my face as he merely watched me. My fingers gently swept through his hair, pale fingertips against dark-raven strands.

"What's wrong?" I asked, thumb drawing light circles against his cheek.

"I am just merely not looking forward to the amount of nobles I am to banter with tonight," Alastair laughed lightly.

"Aah," I nodded, "though, you will not stand alone amongst the bantering of the rich and noble," I laughed.

"No, I guess I will not," he smiled as his finger crooked beneath my chin and pulled me closer, "I will have my mate by my side to pout alongside me," his soft breath rolled passed my cheek as he playfully brushed his nose against mine.

"Oh, how did you mingle with wealthy before I came along?" I joked.

His eyes flashed briefly before turning his head to face away from me. His eyes locked on the clock behind him as his voice returned.

"We should begin getting ready," he lifted the quill that had now almost become one with the wood and placed it back in its canister as he rose from his chair.

I followed suit, rising from my chair and following him out the door as he led me back up to his room. Our ceremonial outfits laid on our bed, white against white. It was but customary for the royal couple to wear white during the entire mating ceremony from the first mating dinner to the dinner the night after, once officially titled as a mated couple.

Though I had thought perhaps it represented the purity of the couple's relationship, Alastair had explained to me that it represented a clean slate, a new title alongside a new life.

A new title. From prince to king.

We dressed silently, only the sound of rustling clothing could be heard throughout the room. As I pulled the thin material up my torso, I turned to Alastair.

"Can you button the back for me?"

He nodded as I turned so my back would face him. He pressed against me, fingers brushing lightly against my skin as he buttoned each small ring with a pace that was oh too slow. My breath hitched as his soft lips pressed lightly against my shoulder blade with a released breath.

His hands pulled to my waist, turning me until our eyes met and fingers brushed.

"This dinner is more of a pleasantry party. Nobles and dukes from far and wide come to try to gain our favor during our happiest time in an attempt to gain something. It's not the best of affairs but it is tradition," he let out a sigh, fingers wrapping around mine as his forehead rested against mine, "Isaiah's going to be there. I know how you two get along," a small smile pulled to his lips before falling, "if it becomes too much, you can always go to his side," his eyes closed as his lips lightly brushed against mine, barely pressing yet just as passionate as any other kiss.

"What about you?" I breathed against his lips.

He pulled away slightly, eyes slowly opening, "What about me?"

"Who are you going to go to when it becomes too much for you?"

He seemed momentarily stunned by my words before a ghost of a smile pulled to his lips, "There is none, love." His finger lightly swept against my bottom lip. "It's my duty to remain there, to listen to their words of pleasantries. There's nowhere to escape to."

"Duty as their prince?"

He nodded.

"And as the mate of the prince, what is my duty?"

His finger moved from my lip, "To be by my side."

"As an equal?"

His eyes narrowed beneath my words, "Of course. Where is this coming from, River?"

I shook my head, "A place of insecurity is all," my eyes turned to the clock beside our night table. "What time did the maid say the party is?"

Alastair's eyes turned to follow mine. A sigh pulling from his throat as they set on the clock, "In a few minutes. We should start heading down now." His hand wrapped around mine as we headed out.

The gold room shone beneath the bright chandelier in the center of the room. Diamonds hung from the large golden chandelier, setting small circles across the ballroom floor. Tapestries of expensive silk hung from the ceiling as men and women of status mingled by columns, drinking from crystal wine glasses.

All eyes fell on Alastair as he entered the room, women leaving their men to exchange pleasantries with the gorgeous man. His hazel eyes fell to mine, squeezing my hand as he pulled me closer to his side.

A woman dressed in a sparkling pink ball gown curtsied before Alastair, offering her hand as Alastair smiled and dropped a light peck against her pearly white hand. I had to bite my lip from screaming as women by women approached Alastair, each with the same array of pleasantries and puckered lips.

It felt as if the entire room had filed in to greet Alastair, women with flushed skin and fluttering lashes and men with rolled back shoulders and tight smiles. We had barely made it to the wine table before another herd of nobles caught up to us.

It was then, amongst the fake pleasantries, that a familiar man appeared before us. The first of the rest to allow his eyes to linger down to my small form by Alastair's side. Most had spoken solely to Alastair, unable to pull their eyes from his power figure to exchange the same pleasantries with me. Though I didn't mind, it allowed me to silently sip at the wine Alastair had poured me without having to pull on a fake smile to match Alastair's.

His mustache quirked slightly to the side as a smirk pulled to his lips and fingers played with his beard, "How nice to see you have finally chosen to continue on with the ceremony," his eyes remained on mine but words remained directed on Alastair.

"Yes, and how kind of you to leave your position on guard to come to our ceremony," Alastair's voice came out clipped.

"Of course, I would never miss the mating ceremony of my future king," the man took a drink of his wine nonchalantly yet his eyes burned holes into Alastair.

"How so very kind of you, Victor," Alastair smiled tightly.

Victor.

A name so familiar yet so hard to place.

"Father," a hand landed on the man's shoulder as Hyde turned to greet Alastair. "Your Majesty," he nodded then looked down at me, "River," Hyde nodded in my direction. His eyes then pulled back to Alastair's, "I apologize on my father's behalf. He isn't in the right mind at the moment. He has just returned from the battle zone and is still recuperating, I am afraid."

"And you?" Alastair rose a brow.

"I have not been back on the battle zone for quite a while. Feyona...she is not in the right mind at the moment either. I have been by her side," Hyde's eyes fell back down on me as I took a careful sip from my wine glass.

"I hope you can forgive her for her past actions. She is not in the right mind. She has not been for a long time."

I had never seen Hyde so serious. It caught me off guard. The only other time I had ever seen him in any state but a joking manner was with Isaiah and even then he didn't appear as solemn as now.

I nodded, unsure what to say.

"Have you seen Isaiah?" Hyde's voice came hushed as his locked on mine.

Did he not want anyone to know he was looking for Isaiah?

I peered behind him, nearly jumping when I locked eyes with a narrow-eyed Victor.

And like that, the puzzle pieced itself together.

"No," I whispered back, "but if you find Derek-" I caught myself.

"It's alright, River." A soft laughter escaped his throat though his eyes were sad, "If he were...not with Derek. Where would he be?"

Without Derek...? What was going on?

"What would be his reason to not be beside him?" I tried for nonchalance but Hyde caught on as his smile fell.

"A sliver of pride, perhaps. None enjoy being used, after all."

"And Derek has used him?" My words came out chipped.

The thought of Derek hurting Isaiah did not set right with me. It ignited a flame within my chest as anger lifted to my eyes, angry tears bunching.

"Has he hurt Isaiah, Hyde?" My voice rose slightly, this time more demanding.

Hyde remained silent. Suddenly, his head turned, locking eyes on Isaiah by a table of colorful teas, corned by a man who seemed to be unwelcome by Isaiah's drawled expression.

"Goddess," Hyde hissed, completely forgetting my question as he nipped his lip, watching the scene play out only to completely lose his cool moments later when the man placed his hand on Isaiah's shoulder. That's when Hyde just about had it and took off in their direction.

Though Hyde would probably hate me for thinking it, I couldn't help but compare him to Derek. They were both so similar when it came to Isaiah, similar reactions when it came to anything Isaiah related. That's why I couldn't help but deny what Hyde had said. For someone so protective of the Isaiah, I couldn't see him ever purposely hurting him.

I continued to sip my wine silently, watching as men and women greeted Alastair, exchanging laughter and fake pleasantries as I watched Hyde approach the man, whispering something into his ear that caused him to turn white and take leave. My eyes narrowed, trying to read their lips as Isaiah's eyes narrowed and Hyde seemed to try to take his hand in his, only to get shoved in the chest as Isaiah made a break for the balcony. Hyde seemed startled, wide-eyed as he hurried after Isaiah, disappearing from my view.

"River," a voice chirped. I jumped slightly and turned my head forward, only to squeak as a familiar bright-eyed woman filled my vision.

"Anna," I breathed through a widened smile, wrapping my arms around her neck as slightly jumped in excitement, "I didn't know you were going to be coming."

I pulled away as she laughed, "Me either, honestly. I didn't think we were going to make it with the kind of notice we were given. For Goddess' sake River, who gives a two-day notice for a mating ceremony?" She asked exasperatedly yet her voice remained jokingly.

"If you want to blame someone, blame me," Alastair laughed as he pulled away from Beatrice's tight hug. "He wanted to wait a week because he knew how long your travel was going to be but I wanted to our mating ceremony as quick as possible. Before he could change his mind," he winked.

Beatrice laughed at that, slapping Alastair lightly on the shoulder, "Good choice, otherwise, he might wake up and realize he's far too beautiful for an oaf like you."

"Is that why you mated with Anna so quickly?" Alastair threw back, taking a drink of his wine as Anna cupped her mouth and burst into laughter.

"Why of course," Beatrice seemed unfazed by the insult as her arm wrapped around Anna's waist. "Someone as gorgeous as her. I had to make her mine before she awoke and realized what a complete mess I was."

"Am, darling," Anna laid a kiss on Beatrice's cheek with a giggle, "you haven't changed that much."

Beatrice pouted.

"You owe us," Beatrice pointed at Alastair, "you don't understand what we went through to make it here on time."

Alastair patted Beatrice on the head, "Would you like a new dress?" He joked.

"Asshole," Beatrice grumbled beneath her breath.

"Oh, how unladylike," Keith's voice rose from behind Anna as he rounded her and side-hugged Alastair.

"How are you doing so far?"

"Fine," Alastair sighed, "Though, Beatrice is starting to give me a headache," he rubbed at his temples for emphasis as Beatrice sent him a narrowed gaze.

"Or it could be from all the wine you've drunken," Michael appeared from behind Keith as he bent down to pull me into a tight hug.

"You too?" he eyed the glass in my hand as he pulled away. "What are you doing giving River wine, Alastair?"

"He's not a child, Michael," Alastair grumbled.

"This better have been your first cup," Michael eyed the glass in my hand.

"It is," I reassured him, "I've been slowly sipping it throughout the night."

"The same cup?" Keith scoffed to which Michael hit him upside the head with a napkin.

Michael brushed his fingers through my hair, "Good boy." He smiled and then peered down at my glass, "You seem almost done with your glass. How about instead of more wine, I'll get you a nice steaming cup of tea?"

I nodded with a smile.

I could already feel myself getting a bit tipsy from that one glass, I didn't need anymore.

"Great," Michael chirped, "What flavor do you want?"

"Chai, please."

"Will do," he laughed lightly as he sent a last glare at Keith and headed to the tea table.

"What did you do this time?" Alastair asked once Michael was far enough.

Keith sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "Nothing."

"You know, being stubborn isn't going to get you anywhere," Beatrice commented as she pulled a chair out for Anna. "Let's sit, yeah?"

Everyone nodded as Beatrice sat Anna down at a nearby table and we all took a seat by her.

"Now," Beatrice sighed, taking a seat by Anna's side, "tell us what's really going on."

"Nothing," Keith began only to sigh when Beatrice sent him a drolled look, "the usual banter, that's all."

Beatrice rose her hands, "Okay, okay." She dropped them on the table as she turned to Alastair. "So tell me, are the rumors about Feyona true?"

"That depends on what you're referring to," Alastair took another sip of his wine.

"That she spent a week in a brothel and claims to have fallen for a prostitute," to this Anna seemed to rise in her seat, suddenly interested in the conversation.

"If what Hyde tells me is true."

"Wow," Beatrice let out a sigh, falling back in her seat, "the Feyona, falling for a prostitute. I never thought I'd see the day."

"What's there to be surprised about?" Keith asked just as Michael placed a cup of tea in front of me.

"There didn't seem to be any Chai left so I made you mint tea, hopefully, you'll like it," Michael whispered as to not disturb the conversation.

"Thank you," I smiled as I took a sip, "it's very good."

Michael nodded with a smile, rounding the table to take a seat beside Keith. Keith bent down to whisper in Michael's ear just as Beatrice began speaking.

"Well, she's from such a respectable family. For a noble to fall in love with a prostitute. It's unheard of," Beatrice exclaimed as Anna nodded beside her.

"One doesn't get to choose who they fall in love with," Michael's eyes narrowed as his voice rose, "You of all people should understand that, Lady Beatrice."

And like that, the table grew silent.

Anna seemed to get rather uncomfortable beside Beatrice, growing antsy in her seat.

"I do understand that," Beatrice's voice grew low, "I for one fell in love with someone of a much different background than mine," her hand wrapped around Anna's fidgeting one, "but with Feyona...I can't help but feel as if her love is more drama-induced than genuine."

Michael nodded, "to that, none can disagree," he chuckled.

And it was then, amidst the laughter and gossip that a certain cherry-lipped foe appeared through the double doors, heels clicking against the marble-floored ballroom as she headed straight in our direction.

"Speak and the devil appears," is all I heard as her red-painted lips pulled in a devilish grin and dark eyes trained solely on mine.