Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Aliana POV

I sat on Nikolas’s lap in his mother’s room, waiting for her to wake up I wasn’t happy that day because I realised my father was made to work long hours.

His health wasn’t good, but I dared not bring it up with Nikolas.

I felt like a failure.

I felt like I was betraying my father, but there was just so much I could do in a temporary relationship.

What if I say or request something that would annoy him?

I did not want my people to be worse off than they already were. I was tom.

I cared about Nikolas a lot, but I also knew it would end one day.

Discussing the birth control pill with him was very important because I doubted he would understand if I got pregnant, and I did not want to bring a child that would be rejected into the world.

I was yet to ask Ania and Lisa why they were referred to as halfbreeds. Still, I somehow knew it had much to do with why they were maids and why Lisa always warned me to be cautious. Could it be possible that they were rejected because they were half-werewolves? If that was the case, what quality of life would my child have?

Going on birth control was for the best. Nikolas had bent so much already, I did not want to push it.

If he was going to make any change, it should be because he wanted to and not because I pressured him

The physician entered the queen’s room and handed me a packet of pills. He told me when to start taking it and how I should take it. He also warned me not to stop taking it, or it would be ineffective.

Nikolas was there for it, and he did not say anything. I collected the medication, and the doctor left.

There was an awkward silence between us for about five minutes long before Nikolas finally spoke.

“I will figure something out, Aliana. Do not write what we have off.” He said, rubbing my back gently, and I smiled at him.

“I am not sad, Nikolas . I am happy that I wouldn’t have to resort to drinking that painful tea. Thank you,” I said and got off his lap to place the medication in my pocket. His eyes said he did not believe what I was saying, but he let it rest. Honestly, it would have been nice to have a family with him. Ruthless or not, he was a loving and responsible man. He would have been a wonderful husband and father. I took comfort in knowing we would have a good king.

We cared for the queen when she woke up, and as always, he left me to attend to pack matters while I returned to the room.

I slept early that night. I did not bother staying up for him or looking out the window to see what he was doing in the garden. It had become a routine, and I wanted to break it.

I felt him in the night when he came to bed and pulled me close to his b*ody.

smelled of alcohol, so I knew he must have drunk a lot before coming to bed. I wondered what was bothering him so much that would make him drink

depressed. I doubted he would want to share

day. Lisa and Ania accompanied me, and I was nervous to see him. I got to

know how I would feel

will be able to communicate genuinely.

knocked on the door, and my father answered. He opened it and was shocked to see me. “Princess,” he said, and tears streamed down my face. He looked tired, and I

wanted my father to

in. I knew I reeked of Nikolas, but I could do nothing. He had marked me with his scent, and we slept in the same

at him, and he

won’t tell,”

trusted Ania, but I guess he needed to be sure of Lisa. My father sighed

he sat beside me. “I am so happy to see you, Aliana. I wondered if I would ever see you

know it is an illusion. I also know he isn’t as bad as we thought

I wonder why,” my father said, and I sighed. I knew that part of Nikolas too. So I

of her daily/’ I said, and

there with you ?” He asked,

and he somehow blames werewolves for her predicament. I take care of her every day. She is docile now since we feed her well,

need to blame someone for it. Maybe it makes him feel better,” my father said, and I shrugged because Nikolas had never told me what happened. I was also afraid to ask because he is emotional about the things that concern his mother. I did not want things to go back to the way it was. If he cuts me off this time, I will

in

me well. We even sleep in the

Lycans never mate with werewolves. Remember what he said when he took you. He said you would have no honour and would never wear his mark. I

heart beat in a certain way that I could not explain. There was no way that I could tell him that I fantasised about spending the rest

for you?” I asked him, wanting to change the topic and pamper him a bit before I left. He

you to know what is going

us have resulted in growing our food. I have a vegetable garden at the back, but there is only

and hopefully, they continue to multiply.” He said, and I was appalled by what I heard. “But Werewolves are

to us, and the place allocated for us in the market is too expensive. We can’t afford the rent. They also cut our wages whenever they like. The free groceries that we are supposed to get are limited. They give the first hundred people, and the rest

werewolves have been cooperative, and we share the free groceries among ourselves, but

make their lives easier. Was this the easiest he meant? I fed and cared for his

way to solve this issue,’ Raven said,

some,” My father said, and I shook my head. I

much time together, and soon

know when Nikolas would let me see him again, but I hoped this wouldn’t be a one-off

palace, and