Near Death

AYSU

About two days later, Aysu was declared fit enough to be discharged from the royal healing ward. A few minutes after she was discharged, a rather excited Ximun informed her that her coronation was in the next three days. And as one of the gifts he had for her, he released Gideon and Magnetino who cried ugly tears the moment they saw Aysu.

Days and nights rose and fell and without stress, the coronation day arrived.

On that fateful morning, Aysu met her coronation gown, a beaded attire that possessed a blueness that spelt royalty.

“I could drown in the beauty of this gown,” Gideon commented from where he was seated. “The seamstress did a good job.”

Magnetino nodded and walked closer to Aysu who was staring at the hung cloth from a distance. “I heard the King picked this design. He has good eyes.”

“I am sorry, but I don’t appreciate talks about the King right now.” Gideon pouted immediately. At the same time, he casually grazed the little bruise he had on his right hand. “He jailed us without evidence.”

“The fact that we were always with Miss Aysu during the suspected crime time was the evidence, Gideon,” Magnetino commented. He didn’t seem as bothered about the lockup as Gideon was. Perhaps that was because he was used to the dealings of The Night Crimson Pack.

“Whatever. I am just glad the culprit was caught and that Aysu is doing fine.”

“Yes. I am glad that she is alive. And…” Magnetino glanced at Aysu who remained quiet despite the amusement their conversation brought. “... I am glad that she is glowing. It seems someone gave in to her mate bond while we were away.”

“Yes,” Gideon piped in immediately. He was barely gloomy anymore. “You and Alpha Ximun have been rumoured to be closer than before.”

“Tell us,” Magnetino scatteredly moved closer to Aysu. “What is going on between you two? Have you broken your intent to hate him?”

“Well,” Aysu nudged Magentino away, “things happened and I no longer hate him.”

“Damn, I hope this doesn’t mean that we have to hear you two go at it for a while,” her help continued, he was oddly excited about it.

Aysu frowned. “Go at what?”

“You know what?”

She shook her head and sneered. “I don’t care about what you are saying. Call in the seamstress and her assistant. The ceremony will start soon.” Aysu briefly looked at her gown then she looked ahead at the mirror. “I just hope nothing goes wrong today.”

“It will go well, don’t worry. Besides, anyone that tries nonsense will be very stupid because the wolves of our pack have long desired to have a Luna Queen.”

Aysu faced Magentino’s image in the mirror. “So, nothing will go wrong?”

“It will all be fine.”

She sighed. “Alright. Gideon?”

“Yes, Aysu?” Gideon replied with a tone that was a tad repressive.

“Has my father reached out?”

“No.”

That was enough to depress Aysu who had been trying not to think about her father’s seemingly betrayal ever since she woke up. But she shrugged off the feeling and once again told the boys to leave and call in the people who would help her put on her gown.

Moments later, Aysu was walking out of her room, Gideon and Magnetino moved beside her while some women helped guide the movement of the back of her gown.

“How do you feel?” As their little steps led them closer to the throne room where the coronation would be held, Gideon checked on Aysu.

“How do I feel?” Aysu released some suppressed air from her lungs. “I don’t know. I feel weird, happy,” her right hand rested on her chest, “and I can’t wait for this to end.”

“It will go well,” he assured her and nothing else was said for the rest of the short journey.

Soon, calm, royal music filled Aysu’s ears and that moment started to feel more real. The doors flung open to expose a heavily decorated hall that welcomed her with a scent that reminded her of Ximun. That scent thankfully relaxed her and made her itch for Ximun’s presence. If the gown wasn’t delicate, her feet would already be rushing past the next door.

But her impatience was cleared once those doors opened to expose the throne room where Ximun and some people were waiting with firm stances. Aysu recognised some of those people from the council room where she and Ximun first mated.

Aysu decided not to make eye contact with those people. Instead, she looked ahead and focused on Ximun who was sporting a slightly soft expression beneath the very serious look on his face. On his body was a very official wear that made him look like a civil official about to report for duty.

With the help of the men beside her, she climbed the stairs and settled next to Ximun.

“We may begin the ceremony,” a voice from nowhere said.

Ximun then reached for Aysu’s hand. And his voice filled her head as he said, ‘You look very beautiful, Aysu.’

Her brows lifted in excitement. ‘I can hear your voice!’

‘I told you it will happen,’ Ximun replied, a masked excitement in his voice. Still, holding hands, they both focused their sight on the High Seer officiating the event while they continued their mind discussion. ‘We will celebrate later, but for now, let’s focus on making you the Queen of the greatest pack in the whole terrain.’

‘That’s very cocky of you to say,’ Aysu was almost visibly sneering, ‘but okay, I will behave. It would be weird if I laughed out of nowhere.’

‘I think it will be fun. This event has barely started and it’s already very serious.’

‘So,’ Aysu looked up at him, ‘are you giving me permission to create a little mess?’

‘Yes, I am. Have I told you that you are beautiful?’ Ximun repeated.

Aysu stifled a giggle while her face almost hid in his arms. ‘Stop it.’

“Miss Aysu, please take two steps backwards and kneel in front of the throne,” the Seer said, his voice piercing the little conversation the two were having. Aysu noted that the man was the one who officiated their wedding.

Aysu did as asked and she surprisingly didn’t struggle with the action. From there, she became expectant of what was coming next.

But the moment the Seer intended to move towards her, a loud bang followed, and a scruffy-looking man stormed the room to everyone’s surprise.

“Who are you and what do you want?” The guard named Zion questioned from the corner he was standing while other guards sprung into action, their weapons ready to strike.

The unfamiliar man failed to reply. He assumed one of the battle positions, pushed his hands forward, and out of nowhere, a bright light of burning flame was hurled in Aysu’s direction.