Fated

Chapter 27

I wasn’t prepared for the overwhelming display of reverence when Ash opened the door and led us out. Twelve castle guards immediately fell to their knees at the sight of him, their heads bowed low. Goosebumps rippled over my skin as I took in their silent devotion. The guards moved to surround us on all sides as they escorted us through the castle to Ash’s chambers.

The king’s chambers were magnificent. As we entered, Ash casually said, “Willow, turn on all of the lights, please,” and the lights immediately flickered on, illuminating the room.

I raised my brows, offering him an impressed look. Ash caught my expression and smiled, as if he were used to this type of effortless control over his surroundings.

We stepped into a sitting room with the softest, most luxurious gray carpet I had ever felt beneath my feet. At the front of the room stood an intimate round dining table, while a set of elegant cream-colored couches encircled a dark wooden coffee table in the center. Overhead, a dazzling silver and crystal chandelier shimmered, casting delicate reflections across the walls. At the far end of the room, a large desk had been positioned in front of towering windows giving way to breathtaking views of the castle grounds.

The sitting room led seamlessly into Ash’s bedroom, where the same plush gray carpet continued underfoot. At the center of the expansive space stood a massive bed, draped in the fluffiest white bedding and adorned with a half-dozen invitingly stacked pillows. To the left, a set of glass doors opened onto the balcony. Across from the bed, a grand fireplace with an ornate mantel anchored the room, and beside it, a door led to the opulent bathroom.

The farthest wall featured an intricately carved wooden vanity, flanked by a full-length mirror framed in exquisite silver. Beyond the mirror, a door opened to what Ash called a ‘closet’—though the word didn’t do it justice. The sheer size of the room and lavish contents left me speechless.

Built-in white drawers lined the walls and above them, racks held an array of men’s shirts crafted from the finest materials, along with regal dress coats fit for royalty.

In the center of the closet stood glass cases, each displaying pairs of crowns, six in total.

For every male crown, there was a coordinating female counterpart, each set unique.

Some were gold, others silver.

One pair, a deep, elegant bronze, was adorned with turquoise-colored diamonds, while another was solid black, embedded with black diamonds gleaming ominously under the light.

But one set in particular caught my eye. The male crown was silver, adorned with large, oval, white sparkling diamonds, regal and bold. The female crown, however, was nothing short of exquisite. Crafted from the most delicate silver, it appeared to have been fashioned entirely from thousands of shimmering diamonds, every surface glistening in the light. As I moved around the case, the crown twinkled and shifted, casting a dazzling array of reflections.

I hadn’t realized Ash had moved until his arms wrapped around me from behind. He stood close, watching me as I traced my finger around the glass case.

“They’re breathtaking,” I said.

Ash’s breath was hot against my ear as he whispered, “I want to see you in this one first,” his hand covering mine as we touched the glass. His other hand slid down my arm, igniting a trail of heat. “I want to see you in only this.”

My breath hitched, and my body trembled under the weight of his words.

“I want to kneel before you …” His voice dropped lower, “… while you wear nothing but this crown.” His lips grazed my ear. “I want to taste every inch of you, worship you with my mouth until you are breathless, trembling, and completely mine.”

He kissed the curve of my ear, and a deep shiver coursed through me, taking my breath away.

A knock echoed from outside the closet, startling me and snapping me back to reality.

My face flushed, and I kept my gaze locked on the glass case, letting my hair hide the burning in my cheeks. Ash stepped to my side, holding out his hand with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me. I hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, trying to compose myself as we made our way to the door.

When Ash opened it, an older male and young female servant greeted us. The girl gasped at the sight of Ash, her eyes widening in awe before she immediately bowed, dropping her head low. “Your Majesty,” she whispered, her voice trembling with reverence.

The older male servant—his warm smile never faltering—slowly bowed before Ash, but rather than bowing his head entirely, he met Ash’s gaze with affection. “My king.”

“Humphrey.” Ash’s face softened, and he stepped forward to embrace the man. “It’s good to see you, old friend.”

Turning to me, Ash introduced the man.“Areya, this is Humphrey; he’s been with me since I was a child, my most trusted servant as well as my dear friend.”

I returned his smile, already sensing the loyalty between them. “It’s a pleasure, Humphrey.”

“The pleasure is mine, Areya,” Humphrey replied, bowing his head before stepping aside.

Meanwhile, the young female servant remained standing, head bowed, her posture taut with nervous energy.

Ash’s gaze moved to her. “I don’t recognize you as one of Reize’s ladies,” he said.

“That’s correct, Your Majesty,” she began, humbly. “I was not one of Reize’s ladies. My name is Keltra, and I’ve trained my entire life to lead the ladies of the future Queen of Ambrosia.”

“Who sent you?” Ash asked.

“Your mother, Your Majesty.”

Her words caught me off guard, sending a jolt of disbelief through me. Future queen? I blinked, trying to wrap my mind around what she was saying. Nadia had sent Keltra for me? I glanced over at Ash, catching the faint, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Keltra, this is Princess Areya. For now, I need you to attend to her. She will be staying here in my suite, and she will need a full wardrobe for every occasion. Wherever I go, she will go. The empty side of my closet now belongs to her. Tonight, she will need something fitting for her introduction to the kingdom. Can you make that happen on such short notice?”

Keltra didn’t hesitate. She studied me intently, her eyes scanning my figure with an expert’s precision. “I believe, with just a slight alteration, something of Princess Reize’s will fit perfectly if I have permission to pull from her collection, Your Majesty.”

“Take whatever you need. Reize would be fighting to dress Areya herself if she were here.”

Keltra nodded and Ash turned back to Humphrey. “Humphrey, I want to catch you up privately while Areya uses the suite to get ready.”

Humphrey nodded in understanding. “Of course, Sebastian.”

Ash then faced me, his gaze tender. “Will you be all right? Keltra will take care of everything, and if you need anything, I’ll be right across the hall.”

Despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me, I nodded. “I’ll be fine, Ash. You go do what you need to do.”

With a final nod and reassuring squeeze of my hand, Ash left the room with Humphrey, leaving me alone with Keltra.

Her eyes were on me again, but this time, there was a gentleness, a kindness in her expression.

Keltra had a simple but pleasant face, her light brown hair pulled back into a neat, low ponytail. Her slender figure was clothed in the same gray dress and white apron the other female servants wore. She had a calming presence that put me at ease despite the overwhelming situation in which I found myself.

“Tomorrow, I will have you measured for your own wardrobe, but for tonight, I’m going to pull a few pieces from Princess Reize’s collection and be right back. Is there anything you need before I leave, Princess Areya?”

Hearing her call me a princess felt strange, like a title I wasn’t meant to wear. It made me feel like an imposter, and I couldn’t quite shake the discomfort. I cleared my throat and smiled weakly. “Um, if it’s not too much trouble, I could really use some water. And there’s no need to call me princess; Areya is fine. The title is new for me, and I’m honestly not used to it yet.”

Keltra gave me an understanding smile. “Of course, Areya. And it is my job to attend to you, a job I’m honored to have. So, if you need anything, it will never be any trouble. I will have water sent right away.” She smiled, bowed, and then left the room.

Alone in Ash’s grand room, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. I wandered to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, the plush mattress sinking beneath me.

I missed Ash’s presence terribly, but I knew he couldn’t be with me every moment.

Another reason I need to ask him to break the compulsion, I reminded myself.

My thoughts drifted to what Ash had said in the closet, his whispered words still sending a tidal wave of heat flooding through me.

My cheeks burned at the memory, and a flutter of nervous excitement filled my stomach.

I forced my mind to shift to something else, to standing in front of Ash’s entire kingdom. The idea of it made my heart race. I’d always had terrible anxiety in front of crowds, but ever since gaining my divine status, I’d found a new sense of confidence, at least more than I’d possessed before. Still, this was no ordinary crowd. It was the entire Kingdom of Ambrosia.

I had to trust Ash.

He wouldn’t have asked me to do something if he didn’t believe I could. And I’d come so far from the shy, afraid, girl I used to be. I had traveled to a new world, faced down vampires, found new friends and family, and fallen hopelessly in love with a king. Like it or not, I was a princess now and if I wanted to stand at Ash’s side, I would need to become a queen.

I swallowed hard.

A knock interrupted my thoughts. When I opened the door, Keltra entered, followed by a team of six other women, all dressed in matching servant attire. They moved efficiently, each woman carrying something specific. The first pushed a cart filled with beautiful combs, ornately decorated brushes, diamond-studded pins, and various intricate hair accessories.

She began placing them into the drawers of the immense vanity in the room.

Another woman approached with a large, elegant box, which she carefully set on the vanity. As she opened it, layers of brilliant, elegant jewelry pieces unfolded before my eyes—pieces unlike anything I had ever seen, glittering with stones that seemed too exquisite to touch.

The next woman quietly placed a tray atop the vanity, holding a pitcher of ice water and a glass. She poured the water with practiced grace, filling the glass and placing it within easy reach.

Following her, another woman pushed a cart full of makeup, the shades and colors more abundant than I had ever seen. She began holding swatches to my skin, meticulously matching them to my complexion, while another woman brought in trays of nail polishes and supplies.

The last woman carried a large garment bag.

She hooked it onto the back of the closet door and unzipped it slowly, revealing the dress inside. When she pulled it out and held it up for me to see, my breath caught in my throat.

It was a deep blue evening gown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves made of delicate, sheer fabric. The bodice was fitted, hugging the waist before cascading into a voluminous, layered tulle skirt that floated to the floor. Every inch of the gown was embellished with subtle, shimmering details, catching the light perfectly.

It was stunning—elegant, regal, and overwhelming all at once.

I stared at it, my heart pounding. This was no ordinary dress. This was a dress fit for a princess. I had never worn anything this exquisite, this impossibly perfect, and for a moment, it was as if I had stepped out of my own life and into a fairy tale.

Keltra moved as if she had done this a thousand times before, commanding the room with ease. “Areya, sit at the vanity. Thea will handle your hair while Ava works on your makeup, and Ella will choose some jewelry for you to try on. Lorna will do your nails, and Jolie will keep your water refilled. If you need anything else, just ask. Is the dress to your liking?”

I glanced once more at the gown, still overwhelmed by its beauty.

“It’s perfect,” I breathed, trying to steady myself. “Absolutely perfect.”

Keltra smiled and everything moved quickly from there. I barely had time to think as Thea, Ava, and the others went to work.

My chair faced away from the mirror, so I could only feel the light touches as they transformed me. Soft brushes swept across my skin, and hands expertly wove my hair into an intricate style, the delicate tinkling of jewelry being laid out on the vanity filling the air.

After what felt like mere minutes, Keltra guided me into the bathroom to change into the dress. As I turned to face the mirror, a gasp escaped my lips.

I barely recognized the woman staring back. My makeup was flawless, perfectly matched to my skin tone, enhancing my features in the best possible way. My face was positively glowing, my skin radiant, and my hair … Oh, my hair was a masterpiece.

It was elegantly swept back and twisted into a loose, voluminous updo. Silver leaf-like accents were woven delicately throughout, glinting in the light as wispy strands framed my face.

Keltra had given me new undergarments, ridiculously soft, lacy pieces that still had the tags on them. I couldn’t help but marvel at the thought that these tiny, delicate items probably cost more than my entire wardrobe back home.

When I stepped into the gown, pulling it up my body, I felt the fabric hugging me in all the right places, a soft, disbelieving laugh bubbling up inside of me.

The dress was perfect, as if it had been made for me.

I had never felt so beautiful in my entire life, and suddenly, I was longing for the moment Ash would see me. My heart raced at the thought of his gaze taking me in, the way his eyes might linger. The mere idea sent an uncontrollable flutter through my stomach. For the first time since I’d met him, I felt as if I might actually be beautiful enough to stand beside him.

Smiling, I opened the door and stepped into the bedroom. Keltra zipped up the back of my dress and stepped back beside the other ladies, all of whom were grinning proudly at their work.

I took a seat at the vanity as Thea slipped sparkling diamond heels onto my feet, while Ava fastened a dainty silver necklace and matching earrings on me, complementing the delicate leaves woven into my hair. I felt absolutely giddy, barely able to contain my excitement as I stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning this way and that, admiring the view of myself from every angle. The gown shimmered with each movement, the soft fabric whispering around me. A soft chuckle came from one of the ladies, and I turned toward them, my face glowing. “Thank you so much! I’ve never felt so beautiful.”

They smiled and bowed before Keltra stepped forward, speaking softly.

“His Majesty awaits you in the sitting room.”

My eyes widened, and I placed a hand over my mouth as a rush of excitement surged through me. I took a deep breath, shaking my hands slightly at my sides, trying to gather my composure.

Then, with one final deep breath, I turned and opened the door to the sitting room.

The moment I stepped through, all thoughts abandoned me. Ash stood there, and the sight of him took my breath away. He was dressed in solid black, his long coat draped elegantly over his frame, adorned with intricate silver embroidery that caught the light. But it was the crown on his head that made me stop in my tracks.

It was pure silver—simple yet undeniably sophisticated—with deep blue gemstones embedded within it, their gleam perfectly matching the color of my gown.

Power radiated from Ash in waves, the air around him seeming to hum with authority and prestige. It wasn’t just his presence—it was the way he carried himself, commanding without effort. A shiver coursed through me as I absorbed the sight of him, the undeniable aura of a true king standing before me. My fingers absentmindedly brushed against the goosebumps that had risen on my arms.

His gaze locked onto mine, darkening as it slowly traveled over me, taking in every detail. A slow, appreciative smile curved his lips, sending a flutter through my chest. In that moment, with his eyes fixed on me, I felt like the only person in the world.

I was vaguely aware of the soft shuffle of footsteps as the servants quietly exited the room, the door clicking shut behind them.

The moment we were alone, Ash was there, standing so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, his presence an overwhelming force that made my pulse race. His eyes were dark with longing as they searched my face, his fingertips brushing a loose strand of hair from my eyes.

“Ash,” I managed to whisper, my voice trembling with the overwhelming sensation coursing through me.

“Areya,” he answered, his voice low.

His fingers found their way to my chin, tilting it up as he leaned in, barely grazing his lips over mine in a touch so light it sent a shock of chills rushing down my spine.

Then he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear, his voice a molten whisper. “You’re exquisite, Areya. Every time I look at you, I feel like I’m losing myself.”

A soft gasp escaped my lips as his mouth brushed my neck, his lips trailing slowly down to the curve of my shoulder.

“I don’t think I can let you leave this room,” he murmured. His lips moved up to graze the shell of my ear. “Not when all I can think about is laying you on that bed, taking my time, and discovering exactly what unravels you—” his voice dropped lower, rougher, “again and again.”

My knees weakened, my breath quickened, and my pulse thundered in my chest as his words sank in, each one more devastating than the last.

Then he claimed my lips in a slow, deliberate kiss, his control and hunger blending in a way that left me trembling. “I want to make you forget everything,” he whispered against my lips, his voice a low, husky promise. “Everything except for me.”

A soft knock echoed from the door, startling me, pulling me from the haze of desire.

My heart was racing, thudding wildly as Ash pulled away, his gaze lingering on my face. His thumb brushed over my lower lip, pressing gently before he leaned in to place a tender kiss to my cheek. Then, with one last look, he turned toward the door.

The tension in the air immediately lifted, and I released a breath.

Focusing on calming my pulse, I tried desperately to appear composed, willing myself to bury the heated thoughts still swirling through my mind.

I recognized Humphrey’s voice behind the door and though I could barely make out Ash’s words, it sounded as if he had told him to give us a moment.

I hadn’t moved an inch from where he had left me, still caught in the spell of his presence. When Ash turned back from the door, his eyes softened as he strolled toward me. “In case it wasn’t obvious,” he said, his voice low and sincere, “you’re beautiful.”

I wanted to open my mouth and tell him how impossibly attractive he looked as well, but my mind struggled to form the right words; nothing seemed worthy enough. He took my hands, and with a deep, steadying breath, his demeanor shifted into calm authority. “The palace grounds are packed with people waiting to hear the royal news. I’ll speak directly to the crowd, but the broadcast will be sent to every household in the kingdom.”

“Like on TV?” I asked, my voice still unsteady.

“Something like that,” he replied with a faint smile.

I nodded, the reality of what was about to happen settling in.

“You don’t have to worry about speaking,” he reassured me. “I just need you by my side.” He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to my lips.

“Together,” he whispered.

“Together,” I echoed back, and the world felt a little less overwhelming at his side.