[SILVER RAYNE WILLIAMS]

He hadn't even looked my way at all. It had all been in my head. Not at all. Not even for that sliver of a moment. My mind was playing tricks on me, I reassured myself.

The prince had been clear. I was insignificant and he did not care for anything of me which is why he acted as such. I did not wish him to care either.

Insignificant was good. Insignificant could move undetected and could watch the quarreling of the rich, unbothered.

Although the Prince had not looked my way, as it had been at breakfast, the mere fact that I was in his presence made my heart beat harshly within me as the Prince and his Sworn took a seat at the head of the table.

All the Lords had gotten up, bowing lowly, as did I and the rest of the guards. Two royal guards perched behind the royal couple, tshiny, and secure as compared to our rather dull uniforms.

Standing amid all this security I did look ridiculous. I didn't need anyone to tell me that. I was the shortest, my clothes were oversize and my large helmet kept slipping.

To make matters worse, my neck was cramping from tilting upward and I just wanted to take a seat.

My gaze moved to the Prince who was only a few feet away, Lord Graydon to his left, His sworn to his right.

He seemed, well, dull. He was like his pictures, lifeless if he didn't blink from time to time, though I knew he didn't have to blink to survive.

It was weird because even with all his awkward mannerisms, the flatness in his expression, lips in a thin line, and his gaze a mimic of a still ocean at midnight, there was something beautiful about him.

Something that held your attention when he spoke. Something that refused to let you stop looking. He had such dull features but most elegantly and beautifully done. It was another kind of mesmerizing.

Every Fang had that quality, to hypnotize and sustain. Perhaps it was because he was Tribrid, a three in one, it was much stronger than the rest.

My gaze managed to break the spell, falling from his face, finding themselves on his Sworn. 

A woman I was yet to study, especially this close, and my heart rammed within me when I realized she was looking at me too.

Quite suspiciously or curiously,  I couldn't decide.

I swallowed, my eyes quickly moving away from her, stuck on the table.

Reason told me, I'm sure she was curious that a human was here.

I mean it wasn't so hard to tell I was human. No Fang wore glasses. I pushed them back up my nose at this, licking my lips as I risked a glance back at her.

Her gaze was now on her mate, and I watched her curiously. Her hair was luscious and full, a pretty brunette. Her eyes were green, and she was certainly very easy on the eyes.

She looked prettier than the photocopy in the magazine and despite being human, she didn't seem too uncomfortable in the presence of the Lords that I noticed.

I guess she had nothing to fear-

Unlike me, she was soon to be Queen. The most powerful woman on the planet. And beside her as a loyal mate- gag- was the deadliest being on the planet.

I mean add a whole world of military power and how safer could you get?

I, on the other hand, would remain shaking in my boots, and for good reason.

Her eyes darted now and then to the Prince as if waiting for a word to escape his lips and, so was everyone else.

Everyone's gaze was on him, even as maids were called by the man in the tuxedo, and they poured each person a glass of wine, moving back into position.

I was glad I wasn't the only human now.

"Lord Selects." The Prince started.

Those two words in that dull voice, left everyone hanging on his lips, anticipating what he would say next. It was weird to be drawn to person who could very well kill you in a second.

His gaze was stale but held the attention of every lord and even side gazes from the guards on him, "Introduce yourselves to your new Queen."

The command was rigid and cold but dropped in blatant authority.

"Ah, of course, your majesty," Lord Bane grinned before anyone could start, getting to his feet, he bowed lowly before the Sworn.

"Lord Bane of House Cornelius, True Blood, and Heir. He bowed low, as he took her hand, his forehead touching her hand.

"You are simply Divine, Your Highness. Your rule by our new King's side will be exquisite. I hope to be by your side as you rule the empire to come."

He bowed again and she smiled, once again glancing at the Prince who remained unfeeling.

"It is my turn then?" Lord Heil asked, getting to his feet as Lord Bane sat with a notable eye role.

"Lord Heil of House Loche, True Blood, newly ascended Alpha," he bowed low.

Repeating Lord Bane's actions, forehead resting on her hand. She nodded, once again glancing at the Prince.

It was Lord Graydon's turn.

He stood up, eye contact certain.

"Lord Graydon, House of Collins, True blood and only heir," he calmly stated, bowing low, before taking a seat again.

The Prince's gaze remained stale.

"You may begin." He stated.

Maids immediately began filing food onto plates. It was quite a lot, and it certainly smelled delicious.

I bit my lip hoping my stomach would growl on me.

Ah, it would be so embarrassing.

My neck was cramped and so I lowered, unable to do much for myself, though my knees were cramped now.

When the maids were done, the whole company remained quiet, none touching their food.

I found this strange, as the prince's gaze traveled amongst his company, sighing for a moment, before picking up a fork, tasting a slice of meat as everyone watched, until he swallowed.

It was only then everyone began to eat as led by Lord Heil.

My mouth watered as I watched them eat, but I remained paused.

"Lord Heil,-" The Prince began after a hit, "the tribe selects you."

Lord Heild quickly wiped his face, nodding as he swallowed, "Yes, your majesty."

"They select you for your strength and courage. They say," he continued with another sigh, "that I need a courageous man as my Hand." He paused, gaze shifting up to Lord Heil's eyes, capturing them,

Just leaving the sentence hanging, as Lord Heil anxiously watched, unable to eat-

"Do you know the laws by heart?" He asked saltwater gaze steadily in his.

"Y-yes your majesty. Every lord is required to learn at a young age." He replied, still unable to eat, probably struck immobile by the Prince's gaze.

Heavens knows I knew how that felt.

The prince remained silent at this. Steel Gaze on him for an icy moment longer making the lord squirm momentarily adjusting himself in his seat.

When a man as large as Lord Heil was uncomfortable, it was certainly for good reason, I noted to myself. That was one thing that was certainly not a lie in Fang Court. They feared the Tribrid.

The Prince's gaze traveled to Lord Bane,

"Lord Bane, The Queen selects you. She describes you as a man who reads,"

Lord Bane smiled at it, a prideful look adorning his face.

"She believes I need wisdom to aid my prosperous reign, a man familiar with history and present." He spoke and the lord nodded, "But do you know anything of war?"

Lord Bane nodded, "Yes, your majesty," he bowed at this, "I am familiar with all the tactics used in war. I have read even tactics used by Alexander the Great. It is quite intriguing your majesty."

The Prince paused at this too, and I began to wonder what he was getting at when his gaze shifted to Lord Graydon.

"Lord Graydon, the King's Hand selects you. He said you're a man of Balance."

My heart paused at this. It was certainly a word I had not expected. But come to think of it, it was a good word to describe Lord Graydon even in the little time I had gotten to well- sort of know him.

"He says I will need Balance in the new Empire as it forms."

"And what do you say, your highness?" Lord Graydon breathed, his tone raspier than Normal, but his gaze remained steady even as the Prince's gaze stopped in his.

The Prince's gaze paused longer than it had the others, and for a moment I feared for Lord Graydon though I did not know why exactly.

"Their input is appreciated, but a balance can be tipped, reading is not wisdom and courage," he snapped to Lord Heil, "is not determined by how many wars one wins."

His gaze snapped back to Lord Graydon, "I know what I want. However, the tribe, The house of Veridian, and The Royal Court must see it too, and that want I desire is worthy to be my hand. It is only then that the 3 races may be truly United for the first time in a millennium."

Lord Graydon nodded at this, whilst my hands became itchy for a moment.

"The Trials begins tomorrow," he announced, "there will be an opening, here. The King and Queen will be in attendance as will the tribe and Royal Court."

All lords nodded.

"3 Trials as the law states. Decided by the tribe and judged by me." he finished, eyes tracing back to his food, "that is all."

I raised an eyebrow at the abrupt ending, my gaze trailing to the opposite guard who remained paused, his head held high.

The man was certainly stiff. I could hardly see him blink, then again, vampires don't require to do these things.

"The crowned Princess is ....divine," Lord Bane began, eyes trailing from the Prince to the Sworn-

"Princess?" the sworn echoed, raising an eyebrow

"It is your title- do you not know?" Lord Bane grinned though he was surprised.

"Well, I—"

"You are wrong Lord Bane." The Prince cut him off rather harshly, "She is not a princess."

It was very quiet in the space after this. Even I raised an eyebrow at his interruption but the Prince's gaze remained unhinged, tone straight and factual.

"She will be a princess when we marry or mate, whichever comes first," The Prince calmly stated, "and Queen once I ascend." his gaze narrowed on Lord Bane, "I thought you were a man of the law."

Lord Bane cleared his throat, "Forgive me, your majesty, I simply thought-"

"You thought wrong." the Prince interrupted.

Lord Bane's mouth closed.

"Forgive me, my liege," he bowed low, "what am I to refer to your Sworn and our future Queen?"

"Lady," he stated plainly, "She is a lady of the Court at this moment, A lady who is sworn to me."

I found it a bit harsh to be honest, an unsure gaze traveling to the sworn beside him, guarding her reaction. She was his sworn, I'm surprised she wasn't marked by now considering she already looked of age. Then again, I was sure Royal Fang and their tradition.

I studied the sworn. She had frozen at this response, glancing at the Prince who had returned to his meal quite oblivious about his remark.

Her gaze trailed back to Lord Bane, a practiced smile on her face, a hand resting above the prince's as she turned back to the lord, a bold move in itself.

I could barely speak to the prince, let alone touch him.

"Lady Elise is quite alright Lord Bane. Status does change in a blink of an eye after all," she gleamed, "Was there something you wished to say?" she asked.

I barely heard all she was saying, staring at the connection she placed over the prince's hand with a held breath.

To be honest, everyone was staring at it, including the prince himself.

Everyone was probably scared of his reaction which surprised me. It was his Sworn, he will have a soft spot for her naturally, but I guess like me, even the lords found it hard to believe that a man with a saltwater gaze like he had could truly bend for a woman.

The Prince stared at the connection for a moment longer, and we watched in anticipation but he casually looked away, taking another bite of his lunch, making no move to remove her hand.

I could feel the whole room let out an air of relief, even Lady Elise's eyes seemed to have a sliver of it.

It was only then Lord Bane smiled wider as if he had gotten some sort of confirmation by this action, his gaze drifting back from her hand to her eyes, "Yes. I heard you came from the Region of Cyle. It is a free state."

Her smile seemed to falter at the mention of Cycle. I did not know much about the Free states. Dad did not want me to read too much about them, but I heard there were regions in the far north, free from the crown and rule of the house of Veridian, who treated humans differently as compared to regions under the crown.

"I did," she smiled, "things are done slightly differently there."
She seemed uncomfortable at the question, her hand falling from the prince who did not seem to pay particular attention.

It was like Hunter said. He always looked busy yet not busy at all.

"I can only imagine," Lord Bane huffed as a made placed a bun on his plate, "In my studies, I journeyed to several free states. The Region of Cyle was quite unwelcoming. I fear it will be one of the hardest regions to convert."

I could see the light in her eyes slowly drain, but none of the lords seemed to notice. It was like I told Vella. The Fang does not truly understand human emotion unless you tell them.

"They do not like outsiders." she simply responded.

"Evidently," Lord Bane chuckled, "They say you were found only a few months ago. As the sworn mate of his Majesty the Crowned prince," Lord Bane continued, bowing once again to the prince, who merely side-glanced his way-

—"who is a Tribrid of all three royal kinds, I am quite in awe of how they managed to protect you outside the boundaries of West House for so long. I can not imagine how many Damned you needed to outwit. We certainly have a warrior queen in our midst," he flattered.

It was quite clear he was doing a good amount of ass-kissing. But he was not wrong.

How did she survive outside West House for more than 5 years? As the mate to the most powerful Fang in existence, her strike should have drawn the worst kind of Damned to her.

And yet she survived away from the safety of West House for over 5 years. I was not sure of her age, but she looked older than me and closer to the age of the Prince.

She smiled at the flattery, "Yes, it was quite a many battles," she grinned, "I guess it is good to have lightning on your fingertips," she smiled, raising her slender fingers which she wiggled slightly, a small dark cloud and flashes of lightening suddenly forming around it.

My eyes zeroed in on her strike for a moment, quite in awe, almost falling on my face but I managed to maintain balance.

Lord Banes's eyes shined, "Q-quite impressive my lady."

Wielder of storms.

It was quite an impressive strike, I would have to say. Rare. I would have to see the extent of it, but that alone- her forming was quite excellent. For a Sworn who had no training, she was impressive.

I glanced at her once more, blinking softly as images from the magazine overlapped with her physical image.

Yes- she was truly a future Queen. Stronger than I would ever be. She was someone.

"Why is my Marwari running free?" the Prince suddenly spoke. His emotionless gaze settled forward.

What is a Marwari? Wait, I heard that name before.

A horse weighed loudly in the distance and my eyes widened when I watched it come galloping over the bridge toward the grounds where lords and ladies moved for the beast, and guards rushed to hold it down, but it was much too clever to avoid them and ran off into the direction of the trees.

I stared at the trees, pushing my glasses back and blinking at the sight.

Silence loomed on the table-

"Silver." Lord Graydom gritted.

My body stiffened as I glanced down at the lord. Though I couldn't see his face because I was directly behind him, I saw a clear view of his hand tightening around his glass and the sternness in his voice was honestly a great tell of his growing anger.

"Silver?" Lord Bane echoed in confusion, glancing at Lord Heil, "What does silverware have to do with a stray horse?" he huffed.

Lord Graydon did not reply to this, and neither did he turn.

"Did you tie her tight as I told you?" he gritted once more.

I knew I had to speak now.

"I-I don't recall my lord," I whispered.

But that whisper was enough to draw the attention of the whole room, including the Royals. My gaze trailed all of them but it utterly refused to meet the eyes of the Prince.

"What the hell is that? Is it wearing glasses?"Lord Heil huffed, looking at me in a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"Is that your guard Lord Graydon? It looks like a blind penguin," Lord Bane scoffed with a chuckle.

"Only in that suit. Out of it, she is only human," Lord Graydon replied, turning slightly to look at me, "Go fetch then."

My jaw dropped at this.

"I-I go?—" I froze knowing I was too frozen to argue, "Yes, yes, My Lord!" I screeched, bowing quickly before walking as fast as I could down the short steps.

My trousers were long and I fell forward, rolling down the remainder of the steps something digging into my knee.

"Silver?" Lord Graydon called, getting to his feet.

The sting was sharp and deep but I swallowed the pain up quickly much too embarrassed already.

The Prince was watching for Pete's sake!

"I'm okay! I'm okay!" I squirmed back, quickly getting to my feet, glancing back with a huge smile on my face to hide the pain of my injury.

Lord Graydon raised an eyebrow before I quickly marched the way the horse ran.

"What an unbalanced fool. Will he be punished then?" Lord Bane scoffed behind me.

"She's already under punishment," I heard Lord Graydon mumble just before I moved out of earshot.

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