The ballroom glittered like a treasure vault, a hundred princesses and noble ladies hoping to catch the eye of Alpha King Bastion. Hala, however, was on her hands and knees, scrubbing a champagne stain from the marble floor. She was a maid, a common wolf from conquered lands, with no title or power to offer. She was there to clean up after the women who could offer everything.
“Three more hours,” she muttered, sitting back on her heels and blowing a stray copper curl from her face. Her gaze traveled across the room to where her king moved from woman to woman, his smile never faltering. That was Bastion’s way—fickle in his attentions, generous with his charm. As if sensing her scrutiny, his gaze suddenly locked with hers across the crowded ballroom.
He winked, one corner of his mouth lifting. Hala scowled in response, determined to look entirely immune to his charms. Tonight wasn’t just any royal ball. It had been orchestrated specifically for him to choose a bride, his advisers finally putting their foot down after too many diplomatic incidents involving noble daughters.
A passing nobleman nearly stepped on her hand. His scent, rancid with arrogance, hit her before his shadow did. “Is there a reason you’re in my way, girl? ” he asked coldly.
“To better lick your boots, sir. Why else? ” she replied sweetly. The nobleman’s face darkened with anger.
“How dare you? ”
A shadow fell over them both, and the man’s face suddenly drained of color. Hala didn’t need to turn around to know who stood behind her. “Lord Kellen,” Bastion’s voice was silk over steel.
“I believe the Emberwood delegation is looking for you. ”
The nobleman retreated without another word. “Enjoying your evening, freckles? ” Bastion asked, stepping into her line of vision.
Hala pointedly ignored him. He absolutely hated being ignored. It drove him insane. “Is that stain coming off as you’d hoped?
” he persisted. As she continued her silence, she saw movement from the corner of her eye. The next thing she knew, red wine was pooling on the floor beside her. She looked up to see Bastion emptying his glass onto the floor with an unrepentant grin.
“Oh, how clumsy of me. ”
“Don’t you have other people you can torture? ” she finally snapped. “Like one of the gazillion ladies who came all this way just to entertain you?
”
“They’re just not as fun as you,” he protested. “I mean, I can hardly ask them to clean up after me, can I? ”
“Yet you can hardly keep your hands off them either,” Hala muttered. His eyes immediately gleamed with interest.
“And does that bother you, freckles? ”
“The only thing that bothers me is having to see it,” she said instead. “Well, for someone who hates seeing it, you stand there gaping for an awfully long time whenever it happens,” Bastion teased. “One might think you were enjoying the show.
”
Hala flushed hot with embarrassment. “I do not enjoy watching you—”
“Your majesty,” a voice interrupted. A noble lady, Lady Elaine from Westold, appeared at Bastion’s side, practically thrusting a crystal goblet into his hands. “Please allow me to fetch you another drink.
”
Haya gaped at the woman. Bastion had sent her packing three months ago without so much as a proper goodbye. Yet here she was, at his beck and call like an eager puppy. Haya would never debase herself like that for any man, alpha king or not.
“Freckles,” Bastion said, his eyes never leaving Haya’s face as he accepted the drink. “Can you fetch me one of those strawberry desserts from over there? ”
Haya stood with a grunt. Fine.
But only because it was literally her job. Jeff, Bastion’s valet, appeared beside her, nervously adjusting his livery. “Can you believe it? Our king getting engaged tonight.
”
“I really can’t,” Haya admitted. “Oh, aren’t you even a little excited? Think of it. A royal wedding.
Celebrations throughout the kingdom. ”
Haya snorted. “That man can’t keep his attention on a woman for more than a few days. He’s not about to do it for a lifetime.
”
“Look at him already dancing with someone new. If you ask me, he only does it because he knows you’re watching,” Clarice, a kitchen maid, said as she slipped in beside them. “He does it because he can’t stand the idea that someone might not worship him,” Haya shot back. She’d long ago realized her indifference was the only thing keeping Bastion’s attention.
If she ever melted under that golden gaze like the others, he’d move on in an instant. And yet, when his eyes found hers across the dance floor, Haya knew she’d never stop aggravating him. She couldn’t bear the thought of those eyes never seeking hers again. “A mating bond is forever,” Clarice pointed out.
“Once he chooses his mate, if he even bothers. ”
Haya cut her off, her heart skipping. “Which I doubt. He’s much too fickle.
”
Steuart Holloway, the steward, strode past with his clipboard, then stopped. “That’s our king you’re speaking of. Mind your words. It was all well and fine for you to play with his majesty as children, but now you must learn your place and show proper decorum.
”
Haya ignored him. Something about Bastion’s movements had caught her eye. He blinked rapidly as if struggling to focus, his steps faltering. “Is he drunk?
” she murmured. “Haya—” Holloway sputtered. “See, this is exactly what I mean. You can’t just imply—”
“Shh.
” She cut him off, straining her senses. Bastion stumbled, catching himself on a table, then swayed. His goblet slipped from limp fingers. “Something’s wrong,” Haya said, her body tensing.
“Bastion. ”
She pushed through the crowd. Bastion never showed weakness in public. If he was faltering now, it was serious.
“Freckles,” he breathed when he saw her, relief flickering across his face. He leaned heavily against her as she grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong? ” she whispered.
His golden eyes tried to focus. “I don’t—” His voice was faint. “I think I—”
His words died as his eyes rolled back. He collapsed, and Haya lunged, catching him before he hit the floor.
His weight drove her to her knees, his body limp against hers. “Bastion,” she whispered, cradling his head and brushing back his dark hair. “Stay with me, please. ”
For a heartbeat, his gaze cleared.
He looked at her face with something like wonder. Then his hand slipped to the ground, and the ballroom erupted in chaos. Guards rushed forward as courtiers recoiled, gasps rippling through the crowd. Someone screamed about assassins.
“Step away from his majesty,” ordered a guard, reaching for Haya’s arm. She jerked back. “Don’t be stupid, Lawrence. It’s me.
”
“Sorry, Haya. Captain’s orders. ”
“Oh, tell Theon where he can shove his orders,” she snapped. More guards closed in, shielding them from the panicked nobles.
Holloway’s voice carried over the chaos, commanding that no one leave. None of it mattered. Haya’s gaze stayed on Bastion’s still form, her heart hammering. Her grandmother, once the royal healer, had trained her well before passing last winter.
Haya steadied herself, pressed two fingers to Bastion’s neck, and nearly collapsed with relief at the steady pulse. His forehead was cool, but not alarming. “Bastion,” she whispered, clutching his limp hand. “Can you hear me?
Squeeze my fingers. ”
Nothing. “Make way for the royal healer. ” A small, wiry woman with silver-streaked hair pushed through.
Madame Lean, her grandmother’s successor. “What happened? ” she demanded, kneeling. “He collapsed suddenly,” Haya said, shifting aside.
As Lean examined him, Haya’s eyes caught on the goblet that had slipped from Bastion’s hand. Ducking past the guards, she snatched it up and sniffed. Beneath the wine’s aroma was something floral and sweet. Her wolf senses prickled.
Tracking was her gift, even if she’d never joined the royal guard as she’d dreamed. The late king had barred women from service. But no one in the palace could match her nose. Scanning the crowd, her gaze landed on Lady Elaine near the doors, wringing her hands.
Earlier, she’d pressed a drink into Bastion’s hand. Their eyes met. Elaine’s widened. “It was her,” Haya shouted, pointing.
“She poisoned the king. ”
The ballroom froze. “It’s not what you think,” Lady Elaine cried. “He’s going to be fine.
I can help him. ”
The steward faltered. “Wait, are you saying you did poison him? ”
“Yes,” Elaine blurted, then backpedaled.
“No, well, not exactly. Not exactly. ”
Captain Theon’s hand went to his sword. Haya seized Elaine by the shoulders.
“What does that even mean? What did you do to him? Is he dying? ”
“He’s asleep,” Lean’s calm voice cut through the tension.
“Asleep? ” Haya repeated. “Yes,” Elaine said triumphantly. “See, he’s perfectly fine.
Just taking a quick nap. ”
“You drugged him? ” Haya roared. “Were you hoping to kidnap him while everyone was distracted?
”
“Of course not,” Elaine protested, tears welling. “I would never harm him. I love him. ”
“She drugged his royal highness at a royal ball.
Clearly, she has bad intentions. ”
“My intentions were pure, driven only by the purest of love. ”
The very idea that this noble woman could speak of love after what she’d done made Haya’s wolf want to tear something apart, preferably Elaine’s fancy gown. “All right, all right,” Steuart Holloway interrupted.
“Lady Elaine, perhaps you could explain why you gave his majesty a sleeping potion. ”
Elaine lowered her gaze. “It’s not exactly a sleeping potion,” she said softly. Haya lunged forward, fingers curled like claws, but Elaine hastily added, “It’s a love potion.
”
A beat of silence fell across the ballroom, followed by an explosion of voices. “A love potion? Isn’t that illegal? She’s trying to enchant his majesty.
”
“Everyone shut up! ” Haya roared, her voice carrying the commanding tone of a wolf who expected to be obeyed. Surprisingly, the room fell silent. “You,” Haya snapped at Holloway.
“Have someone interrogate this lady in detail about what exactly she means by love potion. What was in it, how to cure it, everything. ”
“I can tell you right now. ” Elaine jumped in excitedly.
“It’s—”
“And you,” Haya cut her off, pointing to Captain Theon. “We need a full report on how a guest could have smuggled an illegal potion into a royal function under all our noses. ”
“Shouldn’t we put someone more competent in charge of handling this? ” a foreign diplomat asked, eyeing Haya with obvious suspicion.
Approving murmurs erupted across the room, but Haya ignored them. She approached the diplomat with narrowed eyes, her wolf senses detecting the spike in his scent that indicated nervousness. “Did you help Lady Elaine harm his majesty? ”
“What?
Of course not. ”
“Then why is your heart rate so high? ” Haya crossed her arms. The diplomat swallowed visibly.
“I merely meant that surely his royal highness would prefer someone other than a mere maid to handle his affairs. ”
“You’d be surprised,” the steward muttered under his breath. Holloway sighed, beckoning Haya over. “He has a point.
I have no doubt his majesty would trust you to help. But think of how this looks in front of all these other kingdoms, Haya. You’re not a noble. You’re not a guard.
We have enough on our plates here. ”
Haya clenched her jaw. As much as she hated to admit it, Holloway was right. This was already an international incident.
Having a maid in charge would only make things worse. “I’ll tell you everything I know,” Elaine interjected. “Which includes how to wake his majesty? ” Haya stiffened.
“You mean he’s not going to do that on his own when the drug wears off? ”
Another long silence fell over the room. “Well, not exactly,” Elaine admitted sheepishly. Haya lunged for her again, this time with a scream, only to be restrained by Captain Theon’s strong grip.
“But it’s going to be fine. Really,” Elaine insisted, backing away slightly. “Like I said, this is a love potion, so his majesty will wake up through an act of true love. ”
When her announcement was met with blank stares, she clarified.
“Basically, he must be kissed by the woman he truly loves. ”
Haya’s stomach dropped to her feet. “The woman he truly loves,” she repeated, incredulous. “But he falls in love every five minutes.
How are we supposed to determine which woman he truly loves? ”
“The spell wouldn’t have worked if he didn’t truly love someone,” Elaine explained. “Which, of course, is me. I just needed something to prove it to everyone.
”
“Prove what exactly? ” Captain Theon demanded, his hand still on his sword. Elaine’s expression transformed into one of passionate sincerity as she addressed the stunned crowd. “Bastion and I are in love.
We have been for months. But because his council insisted he find a princess for a mate, he was forced to send me away. I did this to prove to him, and to all of you, the purity of our love. Surely you can’t expect him to marry one of these princesses after magic proves that I’m the one he truly loves and wants as his queen.
”
The ballroom erupted into chaos once more. Haya stood frozen, a cold dread spreading through her. Was Bastion condemned to sleep forever? And what if Elaine was right?
What if Bastion had been secretly in love with her all along? The entire room watched in cautious awe as the lady knelt gracefully beside the king. “My love,” Elaine whispered. “I’ll bring you back to us.
” She bent down and pressed her lips to Bastion’s in a sweet, careful kiss. Slowly, she pulled back, her expression expectant, but the king remained motionless. Elaine frowned. She tried again, cupping his face between her palms and kissing him with obvious passion.
When she pulled away, Bastion was as deeply asleep as before. “If his majesty doesn’t love Lady Elaine,” Holloway said slowly, “then who does he love? ”
A hundred pairs of eyes turned toward the assembled princesses. Each one straightened her posture and adjusted her hair.
This was going to be a very long night. The grand ballroom had transformed from a celebration into a spectacle. Bastion had been moved to a makeshift dais laid out on velvet cushions, and Haya stood at his side, self-appointed as the unofficial kiss coordinator. “The Western Isles princess will go first,” Holloway announced.
Haya narrowed her eyes. “This is ridiculous. She’s never even spoken a word to Bastion. ”
“It’s his royal majesty to you,” Holloway snapped.
“And how would you even know who he has or hasn’t been acquainted with? ”
“I know everyone his worship is acquainted with,” Haya replied, crossing her arms defensively. She’d created an intricate intelligence network within the palace over the years. Jeff told her whoever Bastion met with, the cook reported whoever he dined with, the maids whispered about whoever he looked at, and the royal postman let her read his correspondence.
“The postman lets you do what? ” Holloway spluttered. “It’s for his majesty’s own good,” Haya replied, her attention already shifting to a princess with auburn hair attempting to cut ahead in line. “Get in the back, Isabelle.
He doesn’t like you. ”
As the first princess approached, Haya’s memory raced through a catalog of Bastion’s romantic history. What if one of them was his true love? “Whoa, whoa, whoa.
” Haya intervened as the princess, kneeling beside Bastion, grabbed his hand. “You’re meant to kiss him, not twist his arm. ”
Watching them take liberties while he lay helpless made her wolf howl with rage. “What do you think you’re doing?
” she snapped as the princess leaned forward. “Kissing him,” the princess sounded affronted. “On the cheek,” Haya ordered, crossing her arms. “No one gave you permission to share saliva with him.
”
The princess lowered her mouth toward the king. “For half a second, not more,” Haya added as the girl’s lips made contact. “No, for crying out loud,” the princess exclaimed, furious. “Time’s up,” Haya said, practically dragging her away.
“Oh, and look at that. He’s still asleep. What a pity. Next.
”
And so it went on, princess after princess, duchess after duchess. With each woman who bent over Bastion, Haya’s control frayed further. “No touching his hair! ” she barked as a duchess’s fingers drifted too close to his dark locks.
The panic was slowly driving her mad. What if they never found the right woman? What if Bastion remained in this enchanted sleep forever? Or what if Bastion’s heart belonged to someone they hadn’t considered?
A memory surfaced, one Haya hated remembering. A conversation she’d overheard four years ago between Bastion and his father when the latter was still alive. She’d been bringing fresh linens to the king’s chambers when raised voices from the study made her pause. “Is this a joke?
” the old king had demanded. “A common girl with no land, no dowry, no prospects. ”
“There is nothing common about her at all,” Bastion had replied, his voice raw with emotion. Haya had never heard him so upset, so genuinely furious.
“She means everything to me. ”
Everyone in the palace knew about Bastion’s relationship with Oriel, a beautiful kitchen maid. “I know you’re an embarrassment,” his father had snapped. “And I swear, if you don’t put the ridiculous idea of mating with her behind you, I’ll have her disappear from this palace indefinitely.
”
Shortly after that overheard argument, Oriel had been sent to the country estate, and Bastion had changed. His easy smile had hardened into something more cynical. His playful nature had taken on an edge of recklessness, and he’d begun bringing home a parade of noble women, none lasting more than a week. What if all this time, all these women, had just been his attempt to forget about her?
“That’s the last one,” Holloway announced, checking his list as the final princess stepped away from Bastion. “Every eligible noble woman at the ball has attempted to wake his majesty. ”
A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to Bastion, who remained as peacefully asleep as before. “Well, what do we do now?
” someone asked, breaking the silence. Haya’s throat tightened. “I think,” she said slowly, “I might know who he truly loves. ”
Several heads turned her way.
“Finally,” Captain Theon sighed in relief. “I was wondering when you’d—”
“I think it’s Oriel,” Haya explained. The captain’s face fell. “Who?
”
“The kitchen maid who worked here four years ago,” Haya explained, her throat tight. The council members exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly remembering the incident. “It’s worth trying,” Holloway said finally. “We can send riders to fetch her immediately.
”
Haya nodded, her heart like lead in her chest. If bringing Oriel back meant saving Bastion, then she would do it, even if it broke her in the process. Haya found Mrs. Bramble in her usual domain, the staff quarters adjacent to the kitchens.
“Mrs. Bramble,” Haya called. “I need your help. ”
The old woman looked up, her shrewd eyes taking in Haya’s disheveled appearance.
“You look terrible, child. ”
“Thank you for noticing,” Haya replied dryly. “I need to fetch someone from the country estate immediately. ”
Mrs.
Bramble’s brows furrowed. “Why? ”
“Because we need to find Oriel,” Haya explained. “The kitchen maid.
The one Bastion—his majesty—was involved with four years ago. The girl he loves. ”
Mrs. Bramble stared at her in utter bewilderment.
Haya took a deep breath and recounted the evening’s events: the love potion, Bastion’s collapse, and Lady Elaine’s confession about true love’s kiss. “So that’s why we need to find Oriel,” Haya concluded. “I think she might be his true love. ”
Mrs.
Bramble snorted, patting Haya’s hand sympathetically. “Oh, I’m sure there are things we could try before resorting to that. ”
“Well, we already tried everyone else,” Haya replied, bewildered. “What do you think we should do?
”
Mrs. Bramble faltered slightly. “What do you mean you tried everyone else? ”
“I mean, every available young woman at the ball already kissed his majesty,” Haya explained.
“Nothing worked. ”
Mrs. Bramble’s face fell in utter shock. “Oh, my dear,” she said eventually, looking more emotional than Haya had ever seen her.
“Well, not everyone, I guess,” Haya amended, thinking through the palace staff roster. “Tasha didn’t kiss him. ”
Mrs. Bramble took Haya’s hand and squeezed it.
“I can’t believe—are you all right, my dear? ”
Haya shrugged awkwardly. “It’s been a really long night. ” The memory of the past hours washed over her: the chaos, the fear, watching princess after princess kiss Bastion.
Her face fell. “Of course it was, you poor thing. ” Mrs. Bramble disappeared briefly and returned with a plate of ginger biscuits, Haya’s childhood favorite.
As Haya nibbled on one, Mrs. Bramble pulled out a worn ledger and began flipping through pages. “Oriel was reassigned to the Eastern Estate. We can dispatch a messenger immediately, though it will take a few hours for her to arrive.
In the meantime, perhaps we should try other measures just to be thorough. ”
“What do you suggest? ” Haya asked. “The rest of the staff could attempt to wake his majesty,” she said, eyeing Haya carefully.
“In private, of course, to avoid creating a spectacle. ”
“I’d also like to interrogate Lady Elaine first to ask for more details about the potion,” Haya said. “And there was a diplomat with her who seemed unusually nervous. ”
“You should enlist Captain Theon’s help with that,” Mrs.
Bramble suggested. “Official questioning is his line of work. ”
Captain Theon was in the antechamber outside the ballroom, deep in discussion with several of his lieutenants. “Haya,” he greeted.
“What news? ”
“I’d like to question Lady Elaine further about the potion and the diplomat who was defending her. ”
The captain hesitated. “There’s a complication.
Lady Elaine is actually sister to Queen Sylvie from the Eastern Territories, who married King Caspian last spring. But Lady Elaine didn’t arrive with King Caspian’s delegation. She came with Ambassador Reiner from West Hold, a completely different kingdom. ”
“So, she might be working for West Hold?
” Haya asked. “Could they have ordered her to harm Bastion? ” She felt sick at the thought. “We need to question them both thoroughly.
If this is some plot to manipulate Bastion or destabilize the kingdom, we need to know immediately. ”
Captain Theon nodded. “Let me handle the questioning. You have more important duties elsewhere.
You need to make sure our king wakes up. ”
The king’s bed chamber had been transformed into an impromptu throne room, though its monarch lay unaware upon the massive four-poster bed. A small audience had gathered to witness the staff’s attempts to break the spell: Holloway with his ever-present clipboard, Mrs. Bramble directing operations, a lone guard posted at the door, and Haya herself standing rigid at the bedside.
One by one, the female palace staff entered, curtsied nervously, and placed hesitant kisses on the king’s cheek. Each departure marked by the same disappointment, the same unchanging stillness from Bastion. Finally, Clarice entered, the last of the staff to approach the bed, stopping several feet away. “I don’t want to kiss him,” she declared.
“Not kissing his majesty is treason,” Steuart Holloway exclaimed. “It’s not treason. It’s good sense,” Clarice declared. “If Haya couldn’t wake him, clearly I’m not going to be able to.
”
Haya blinked, confused. “What do I have to do with anything? ”
“Well, if you ask me,” Clarice said, “if anyone could wake him, it would be you. Obviously.
”
“Obviously,” Mrs. Bramble echoed with a sage nod. Haya snorted. The very idea was so preposterous that she could barely form a coherent thought.
Mrs. Bramble stepped in. “Clarice, would you mind not adding salt to the wound? Think about poor Haya’s feelings.
”
“Exactly,” Haya exclaimed, relieved someone was talking sense. Then she paused. “Wait, what feelings? ”
“The poor thing was essentially rejected mere hours ago,” Mrs.
Bramble whispered loudly to Clarice. “Excuse me? ” Haya’s voice rose an octave. “Rejected?
How? I’d have to have attempted something to be rejected, and last time I checked, I haven’t. ”
“Well, you did kiss his majesty,” Clarice said matter-of-factly. “Who is still asleep, despite the spell supposedly being broken if he’s kissed by someone he loves.
That’s a rejection if you ask me. ”
Haya opened her mouth to yell that she had not kissed him, thank you very much, but something in Mrs. Bramble’s suddenly suspicious expression made her pause. “Miss Haya hasn’t kissed his highness yet, though,” Steuart Holloway observed.
“Excuse me? ” Mrs. Bramble’s head snapped toward him. “She hasn’t?
”
“But Mrs. Bramble said—” Clarice exclaimed, eyes wide. “Haya. ” Mrs.
Bramble turned towards her. “Explain. ”
Haya took an involuntary step backward, feeling cornered. “Have your lips made contact with this man or not?
” Clarice demanded, pointing dramatically at Bastion. Haya glanced at his sleeping form, flushing crimson from neck to hairline. “I don’t know what you want me to tell you. ” She felt heat building behind her eyes.
“I didn’t think I had to kiss him. ”
“She didn’t think,” Clarice repeated, throwing her hands up. “You said you tried everyone in the ballroom, Haya. ”
“I meant the princesses,” Haya clarified desperately.
“Why would I count myself? ”
“Why would you not? ” Mrs. Bramble asked.
“His majesty has been obsessed with you since you were children. ”
Haya blinked rapidly. “That’s ridiculous. Of course he’s not in love with me.
He’s a prince—well, a king now, so that’s even worse. And all he’s ever done is mock me and annoy me and parade beautiful women in my face. He interrupts my work and makes fun of my hair and calls me freckles, even though he knows I hate it. He flirts with everyone, but never with me.
”
“Ooh, you mean he treats you differently from everyone else? ” Clarice translated with an eye roll. Haya’s fist clenched. “If he loved me, he would have told me.
What’s stopping him? He’s the king, for heaven’s sake. He can have anyone he wants. ” Unlike her, forever trapped as a maid, forever beneath his notice, except as an object of torment.
“Oh, I see. ” Clarice nodded sagely. “She’s scared. That’s why she didn’t kiss him, if you ask me.
”
“Nobody asked you, Clarice! ” Haya shouted, her composure shattering. In the startled silence that followed, Mrs. Bramble gripped Haya firmly by the shoulders.
“My dear, I understand that after years of romantic tension, you’re a little nervous about finding out whether his majesty loves you or not. But rest assured, you’re the only one in this entire palace, save perhaps the steward, who has any doubt of how this is going to turn out. ”
“Well, she is just a maid,” Steuart Holloway interjected defensively. “How was I to know his majesty was in love with the maid when all he ever does is parade around with a horde of different women?
”
“Thank you! ” Haya exclaimed. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” the guard at the door suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone who had forgotten his presence. “Do you want the king to wake up or not?
”
“Of course I do,” the steward replied, affronted. “Then for the love of all that is good in this world, please shut up and let the girl kiss him,” the guard exclaimed. Pushed by three sets of expectant eyes, Haya found herself at Bastion’s bedside, looking down at his peaceful face. Her heart hammered in her chest so hard she feared it might burst, because of course she was scared.
In the privacy of her mind, at least she could admit that. How many times had she wondered what it would be like to kiss him? How many nights had she lain awake imagining the feel of his lips against hers? And as long as she never tried, she could still hope.
But if she kissed him and he didn’t wake, then even that small hope would die. “Fine,” she sighed, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. In sleep, the king looked younger, the arrogant mask gone, leaving only Bastion, the boy who’d chased her through gardens, who’d argued with her over everything, and who’d stayed up all night by her side the night of her grandmother’s passing. Taking a deep breath, Haya leaned forward.
Her lips were inches from his when the door burst open. “Oriel has arrived,” announced a breathless messenger. Haya jerked back from Bastion as if burned, and the guard at the door unleashed a string of curses colorful enough to make even Clarice blush. Haya jumped to her feet.
“Would you look at that? Oriel is here,” she exclaimed with forced brightness, ignoring the bitter disappointment that sank like a stone in her stomach. Oriel entered hesitantly, her eyes darting between the assembled faces before settling on Haya. She was still pretty in that delicate way, with soft brown hair and gentle eyes.
The memory of Bastion’s voice, rough with emotion as he’d argued with his father over her, echoed in Haya’s mind. “Welcome back, Oriel,” she said, the words sticking in her throat. Oriel smiled politely, though confusion was evident in her expression. “I was told I needed to come see the king immediately.
” Her gaze drifted past Haya to the bed where Bastion lay motionless. “Is he all right? ”
“Yes. Now that you’re here, he will be,” Haya assured her, pulling Oriel forward by the hand.
“All you need to do is kiss him. ”
Oriel stopped abruptly, her eyes widening in shock. “You want me to—to kiss his majesty? ”
“Yes, please.
It’s important,” Haya urged. “Please, miss, if you would,” the steward said with uncharacteristic politeness. With visible reluctance, Oriel approached the bed, leaned down, and placed a chaste kiss on Bastion’s forehead. Haya held her breath, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs.
This was it. This was the moment when Oriel would prove to be Bastion’s true love. But nothing happened. Bastion remained perfectly still, his breathing unchanged.
“Wow, how unexpected,” Clarice muttered sarcastically. “We all really thought he’d wake up. ”
“What was that about? ” Oriel asked, looking around the room.
“What’s wrong with his majesty? ”
The steward stepped forward with a sigh. “Someone gave him a magical potion at the ball tonight. He fell asleep and can only be awakened by true love’s kiss.
”
“A love potion? ” Oriel’s eyes widened. “And you thought I could help? ”
“We did not,” Clarice replied flatly.
“But she did. ” The steward pointed accusingly at Haya. Haya felt compelled to explain her reasoning. “Before you left the palace, you and the king had gotten close.
And once, I overheard him talking about you to his father. ”
“About me? ” Oriel repeated, clearly surprised. “Yes, I think—” Haya paused, her throat tight at the memory.
“I think he intended to claim you,” she murmured, looking away. “But his father refused. ”
“What? ” Oriel gasped, stunned.
“His father threatened to send you away if he didn’t end things. And when you were transferred to the country estate, Bastion changed. ” The memory of those dark days made Haya’s chest ache. “So you see why this doesn’t make sense at all?
” Haya concluded. Oriel bit her lip, glancing at Bastion’s sleeping form before looking back at Haya. “Right,” she murmured, looking increasingly uncomfortable. “But you see, the thing is, I don’t think he was talking about—”
The door burst open before she could finish, revealing Captain Theon with Lady Elaine and Reiner, the ambassador from Westold, in tow.
“Sorry, but I have information I must share,” he announced gravely, pushing the two forward. “Go on, tell them what you told us. ”
Lady Elaine’s lower lip trembled as she pointed an accusatory finger at Reiner. “This is all his fault.
He made me think Bastion was in love with me. He said the king loved me. That he’d heard Bastion had sent me away because I wasn’t a princess. He was the one who thought of the love potion.
How this would prove Bastion and I are meant to be together. And he brought it to me. ”
Haya’s mind raced. “But why?
”
The diplomat looked like he was going to ignore her, but a hard push from Captain Theon made him reconsider. “My actions were taken under direct orders from my king, whose daughter was once rejected by King Bastion. ”
“Rejected? ” Haya echoed.
Reiner confirmed with a slight sneer. “Princess Isidora had fallen in love with him from afar. She was utterly dejected upon his refusal. Her father, my king, was not just disappointed, but personally insulted.
After all, King Bastion has quite the reputation as an appreciator of female company. For him to publicly reject a princess of the West Hold royal line while continuing his liaison with women of far lesser status, it was an insult that could not stand. ”
“Are you saying your king wanted revenge? ” Captain Theon stated flatly.
“He wanted justice,” Reiner corrected with practiced diplomacy. “So you thought to kill him? ” the guard demanded. “Not kill him,” Reiner replied calmly.
“As many have pointed out tonight, he is merely asleep. ”
“For how long? ” Haya exclaimed, furious. “We may never find who he truly loves.
”
“It was never about that,” Elaine interrupted desperately. “By making him realize that despite all his supposed charms and conquests, none of it meant anything,” Reiner explained with cold precision. “Because it was never about him loving someone that would wake him up. It was about having someone really love him.
”
A heavy silence fell over the room as his words sank in. “You mean that to wake him up with an act of true love, the person kissing him would have to truly love the king? ” Mrs. Bramble asked slowly.
“Not the other way around. ”
“Precisely. ” Reiner nodded. “And no one has.
There were noble ladies from all across the continent at his ball tonight, all of whom failed at waking him. None of these women love him. ”
“So you’ve essentially murdered him,” Theon growled. “We have not,” Reiner assured him hastily, for the first time showing a flicker of genuine concern.
“Should no one manage to wake him, he’ll do so on his own within a couple of months. His sleep is enchanted. It’s as if he is frozen in time. ”
There was a pregnant pause, and then, unexpectedly, Haya began to laugh.
“I doubt hearing that a couple of princesses he once flirted with weren’t genuinely in love with him is going to break him. ”
Reiner’s expression darkened. “Perhaps not. But being incapacitated for months would destabilize his kingdom and make him look weak.
Unless—” the word dangled like bait. Haya could see the trap forming. “Unless? ”
“Unless our princess kisses him in the coming days and she truly loves him despite his rejection.
She could wake him up immediately, put the incident to rest. ”
“In exchange for? ” Haya asked wearily. “For the king’s hand in marriage, of course.
She is a princess. She deserves nothing less. ”
The snare had closed, not just to humiliate Bastion, but to corner him into the political marriage he’d already refused. “Well, that sounds like a perfectly reasonable offer to me,” Mrs.
Bramble declared. “Unless, of course—”
“Unless what? ” Reiner asked suspiciously. “Unless someone who loves him kisses him first,” Mrs.
Bramble finished, eyes sharp. The diplomat scoffed. “Everyone has kissed him. Nobody loves him.
We know for a fact he only has short relationships. ”
“Well, you don’t know much if you ask me,” Clarice drawled, inspecting her nails. Haya realized the entire room was staring at her. Her pulse quickened.
“Oh, will you stop? I am not in love with him,” she blurted. She might have admitted it to herself, and it might be obvious to everyone else, but she’d rather die than say it aloud. “Wait.
” Her eyes widened. “Yes, dear,” Mrs. Bramble said patiently. “Now would be a good time to get back to what you were up to before we were all interrupted.
”
Haya shifted nervously. But this wasn’t about her pride. Bastion and the kingdom needed her. “Right,” she exclaimed, rushing to the bed.
“You don’t mean to say she is about to kiss him,” the diplomat cried, moving to stop her. “Don’t you dare,” the guard barked, punching him square in the nose with a satisfying crack. Heart pounding, Haya knelt beside Bastion. What if it didn’t work?
What if her love wasn’t enough? She leaned toward his cheek. “On the lips! ” Clarice shouted.
Haya froze, then pressed her lips to Bastion’s, lingering a heartbeat longer than necessary, breathing in his familiar scent of pine and smoke before pulling back, her stomach twisting with doubt. She opened her eyes and found Bastion blinking awake, golden eyes confused but clear. “Freckles,” he murmured, his voice a mix of amusement, curiosity, and that maddeningly familiar Bastion-ness. Relief and joy surged through Haya, spilling into a bright, unguarded smile.
Bastion frowned at her expression. “Do I have something on my face? ” he asked, genuinely perplexed. Then his eyes shifted, widening at the crowd.
“Well, tough luck for you,” Elaine crowed to the diplomat. “The maid truly loves him. ”
“Of course she truly loves him,” the steward added with surprising vehemence. “Even I knew that.
”
Haya’s cheeks burned. Her most carefully guarded secret was now public knowledge. She turned back to Bastion, half hoping for a sign that maybe it would be all right. Maybe he even felt something in return.
But his face held only confusion. “Haya? ” Bastion asked carefully, reaching for her hand. Dread crashed over her.
Soon he would understand. And then what? He’d lose interest. Avoid her.
She couldn’t bear it. Before his fingers touched hers, she was on her feet and running from the room. Two days had passed since the night of the ball. Two days of Haya avoiding Bastion like he carried the plague.
Bastion had sent the West Hold diplomat home with a firmly worded warning, had spoken with Queen Sylvie about her troublesome sister Elaine (who was now mucking out stables as punishment, perhaps the only satisfying outcome in Haya’s opinion), and was handling everything with surprising diplomacy. And he was looking for her. Jeff, the king’s valet, had become her unwanted shadow, appearing everywhere she went, bearing messages and letters from Bastion. Each time, Haya had the same response: “I don’t have time, Jeff.
”
The worst part wasn’t Jeff’s persistence. It was everyone else. The entire palace seemed to know she had woken Bastion with a kiss. Haya was seriously considering leaving the palace altogether.
She was polishing a table in the library, lost in these thoughts, when she heard footsteps. Without looking up, she sighed heavily. “I don’t have time, Jeff. ”
“Liar.
” A deep, familiar voice that definitely did not belong to Jeff. Haya froze, her heart leaping into her throat. Slowly, she turned to find Bastion standing in the doorway, arms crossed, his golden eyes fixed on her. “Your Majesty,” she dropped into a curtsy.
“I didn’t realize. ”
“Clearly,” he interrupted, pushing away from the doorframe. “You’ve been remarkably difficult to find for someone who lives in the same palace. ”
“I’ve been busy,” she declared.
“So I’ve heard,” Bastion said dryly. “Let’s see what’s so important, shall we? ” He ran a finger along the gleaming table. “I had no idea dusting required such concentration that you couldn’t spare five minutes in two days.
”
She took a deliberate step back. “Thank you for your invaluable feedback on the art of dusting, your majesty. Will there be anything else? ”
“You’re not even going to look at me?
” he asked. “Nothing else, then? Well, please excuse me. ” Haya turned completely away.
Before she could take a single step, his warm fingers circled her wrist, tugging her back around. “Did you even read my letters? ” he asked, his voice dropping to a lower register. Their eyes met, and Haya felt the air leave her lungs.
“Of course I did,” she lied. “And what did you think? ” he challenged. “I think your penmanship is abysmal,” she declared, turning back to pretend to dust.
His scent shifted subtly as he moved closer. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say? ”
“What else would you like me to say?
”
“I don’t know. Your answer perhaps. ”
Haya froze, realizing she’d been trapped. “And what answer were you hoping for?
” she sighed, trying to sound bored. She felt his palm settle on her upper arm. “I’d like you to say yes, obviously,” he told her, his tone suddenly serious. “Well, then obviously it’s a no,” Haya declared with a brittle smile, trying to step around him.
She expected amusement or a flash of challenge. But to her surprise, she saw only hurt in his eyes. Open, unguarded hurt. “You didn’t read them, did you?
” he murmured, disappointment evident in his voice. The expression on his face made her chest ache. “Don’t look at me like that,” she said, voice strained. “Like what?
” Bastion asked quietly. “Like you care. Like I have some kind of power over you. ” She tried again to move past him.
This time he didn’t stop her, and for a terrible moment, her heart cracked at the thought that he was letting her go. “Then I’ll just read them to you,” he said from behind her. “How’s that? ”
“You don’t have them with you,” she pointed out.
“I remember them,” he replied simply. “And then you’d be reciting, which isn’t the same thing as reading at all. ”
“Freckles,” Bastion began, his voice shifting as he quoted his own words. “‘I’ve just been told the most incongruous story about how for the past ten hours I was apparently rendered unconscious, missed my own ball, was kissed by more than a hundred women, and most incredibly yet, by you.
I’d have not believed any of it if not for the fact that your scent still lingers, haunting me every second of every moment since I woke up. ’”
“I was busy,” she snapped. Bastion sighed and continued. “‘Hala, I’m sorry.
I would have come to you already, but I’ve been detained by my council. Will you please come find me so we can talk? Please. ’”
“Well, obviously I couldn’t,” Haya shrugged.
“Haya,” he interrupted, his tone softer now. “Let me be clear. Everyone’s been telling me I was under a spell only sincere love could break, and you’re the one that woke me. Could it be true?
Do you love me? Could you perhaps finally feel for me what I felt for you since I first laid my eyes on you all those years ago? ”
“Enough! ” Haya cried, her heart hammering.
“This isn’t funny, Bastion. ”
“Do I look amused? ” he demanded, his own composure cracking. “You don’t love me,” Haya insisted.
“I adore you,” Bastion countered fiercely. Haya scoffed. “It’s true. I didn’t think—I thought you knew.
”
“Knew? Knew what? How can you even for a second believe that I would take you seriously, Bastion? After years of tormenting?
”
“You torment me right back. And supposedly you have feelings for me,” he retorted. “Unlike you, I’m not famous for my dozens of romantic endeavors,” she shot back. Bastion blinked, his expression shifting.
“So, you really were jealous? ”
“Well, of course I was,” Haya admitted, then laughed, a sad, broken sound. “Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted to hear?
Yes, I love you, Bastion. How could I not? Congratulations. You win.
”
Bastion looked stricken. “Haya, I didn’t mean to upset you. ”
“Oh, so what? You just thought, ‘Let me confront dear old Haya about her feelings.
Flatter my ego a bit. It’ll be fun. ’ Did you not think it would hurt me to be confronted with the fact that while you’re the most important person in the world to me, I’m nothing but your servant? ”
“Did you not hear the part where I said I also love you?
” Bastion asked, sounding genuinely affronted. “You said adored,” she corrected stubbornly. There was a pause heavy with unspoken emotion before Bastion spoke again. “I love you.
I’m in love with you, Haya. I don’t know why you won’t believe me. ”
“Because you’ve had hundreds of women. And it’s always the same, isn’t it?
Did you also tell them you loved them? ”
When she finally turned, Bastion’s expression was a mixture of hurt and guilt. “No. I never told anyone that.
”
“I did, however, tell most of them I loved you,” he added. “That was quite frequent. ”
Haya stopped short. “What?
”
“These hundreds of women, as you say,” Bastion explained, taking another step toward her. “They were never under illusions about how I felt. A lot of them, I just asked to pretend. ”
“Pretend what?
”
Bastion ran a hand through his hair. “It all started years ago, when I realized I loved you, that I wanted to mate with you, to make you my queen. But I was worried about my father and what he would say. I knew he would never approve.
So I decided to test the waters. I asked a kitchen maid to play along, to help spread rumors that she and I were close, intimate even. So when I asked my father about marrying a common girl, he would assume I meant her. ”
“You mean—are you talking about Oriel?
” Haya whispered, stunned. “Yes,” Bastion confirmed. “As you can imagine, father was furious. He sent her away immediately.
”
Haya didn’t have to imagine. She had heard it all. “That was a test,” Bastion explained. “And it showed me he would never let me marry you.
Until he died, there would be no hope for us. But I couldn’t stay away from you completely. So to better hide my feelings, I started developing a reputation. ”
The pieces fell into place with dizzying speed.
All these women, all these affairs, even Oriel had been a decoy. “When you told your father,” Haya’s voice shook, “you were talking about me? ”
“You heard? ” Bastion asked, confused for a moment before understanding dawned.
“You believed it. You thought I was really talking about Oriel. ”
Haya nodded. “Is that why you started pushing me away?
” Bastion asked quietly. “All this time, I thought you didn’t love me back. You were always so closed off, so mocking and defensive. ”
“I thought you really were what everyone said—a flirt, a playboy,” Haya defended.
“Even after your father died, you—”
“After my father died,” Bastion interrupted, “I’d become addicted to the way it got your attention. The way your eyes would follow me across a room when I danced with someone else. The way your scent would change when another woman touched me. I hoped eventually you’d realize you cared for me if you were that jealous.
”
“Oh. ” Haya breathed, too overwhelmed to say more. Years of misunderstanding, years of pain and longing, all because of a misheard conversation and stubborn pride on both sides. “Well,” she said finally, trying to sound practical, “I’m glad we cleared that up.
”
Bastion frowned. “You’re glad—that’s it? ”
“What else is there? ” she countered.
“You’re a king. I’m a maid. ” She turned to leave, but his next words stopped her. “At least let me read you my last letter.
”
Despite everything, Haya felt a smile tug at her lips. “You mean recite? ”
“Yes. Recite.
” Bastion cleared his throat dramatically. “‘To the noble court and citizens of Ironvale,’ he began. Haya frowned. “That’s not addressed to me.
”
“No. This is a copy of the address I made to everyone an hour ago. ‘As many of you are aware, during the recent royal ball, I was placed under an enchanted sleep through the machinations of foreign agents. This plot was an attempt to force our kingdom into an unwanted alliance through manipulation and coercion.
’”
Bastion took a step closer to her as he spoke, his eyes never leaving hers. “‘What you may not know is that the spell could only be broken by true love’s kiss. I was awakened by a woman who truly loves me and whom I truly love in return. ’”
Haya’s breath caught as he moved closer still.
“‘It is therefore my pleasure to announce that I will be making this woman my queen. We shall be wed before the month is out. ’”
Tears welled in Haya’s eyes as Bastion closed the final distance between them, his voice softening. “‘It’s Haya, by the way.
Haya will be my queen. Should she accept? ’ Of course. ” He paused, his eyes searching hers.
“They laughed at that part. I think they assumed you’d say yes. ”
Haya couldn’t help the small choked laugh that escaped her. “Say yes,” Bastion murmured, reaching up to cradle her face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing away her tears.
“Bastion,” she protested weakly. “Please,” he whispered, his lips now a breath away from hers. “Say yes. ”
“I’m just a maid,” she reminded him, her final defense crumbling rapidly.
“A maid who proved she can more than handle herself in a crisis,” he countered, his eyes filled with warmth and pride. “Who spent an entire night protecting me and this kingdom’s interests to the best of her abilities. Who is more than worthy of being queen. ”
Haya gave him a shaky smile.
“And furthermore,” Bastion added, “not just a maid, but a woman—the one I’ve always loved and always will. ”
Before she could think of another objection, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Say yes, or I’m getting my hands on that potion, making you drink it, and waking you up to prove to you the depth of my love. ”
Haya laughed, joy bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her.
Rising on her tiptoes, she closed the final distance between them, pressing her lips to his. “Yes,” she whispered against his mouth, feeling his smile match her own. “Yes. ”
One month later, Queen Haya of Ironvale stood on the palace balcony, watching the sunrise paint the kingdom in shades of gold.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and she leaned back against her husband’s chest with a contented sigh. “Any regrets, freckles? ” Bastion murmured, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below her ear. “Just one,” she replied thoughtfully.
She felt him tense slightly. “What’s that? ”
Turning in his arms, Haya gave him a mischievous smile. “I rather miss having the authority to order you to clean up your own messes.
”
Bastion laughed, the sound rich and warm. “As if being queen has stopped you from ordering me around. ”
“True,” she conceded, rising on her toes to brush her lips against his. “Some things never change.
”
“And some things,” he whispered, pulling her closer, “change for the better. ”
As their lips met again, Haya silently agreed. Some things indeed.
