Annabeth walks over to the queen with confidence in her step. The floating lights move to capture both Annabeth and the queen. “Hello Annabeth, how does it feel to be the first to get their affinity?” The queen asks, giving her full attention to Annabeth.

Annabeth smiles smugly “It feels great, I’ll be the first to show the kingdom what I’m made of.” The queen smiles “Are you having any problems with suitors so far?”

“Of course not, have you met your majesty?” They both laugh, making me want to roll my eyes.

“You are representing the elves are you not?” The queen asks with a smile. “Yes I am, I love their ways. My maid has taught me so much since coming here. I can’t wait to entertain you all.” Annabeth looks into the lights with a flirty smirk.

“This is too painful to watch…” Sona whispers beside me, I nod “Tell me about it…”

“Alright let us see what your affinity is, lady Annabeth!” The queen motions Annabeth to sit while the elf from before places the hat atop her head.

The hat moves to life again, causing Annabeth to make an uncomfortable expression. I do my best not to laugh at her scrunch-up face.

“Hmmm...cunning….snarky….full of herself.” The hat says I have to cover my mouth from the look on Annabeth’s face. This is just too funny, I’m guessing that the hat can read a bit of our personality to determine what our affinity is.

“Mind control…” The hat declares, causing everyone to go silent. The queen even looks shocked, but she quickly replaces it with a smile. “Oh my, what a powerful affinity Annabeth. Your maid will explain in detail what your affinity means.” Annabeth nods, looking smug as ever.

She returns to her seat with us chosen. The queen continues to call up other women to find out their affinity, but I don’t pay any attention until Lucy is called.

She looks nervous as she walks over to the queen. “Hello, Lucy! I hope you’re doing better than the last time I saw you.” The queen says with a soft touch to Lucy’s arm. I can tell from here that Lucy gives her a forced smile.

The queen doesn’t give her the usual questions, probably already knowing the answers to them. Instead, she lets Lucy take a seat at the chair, the elf placing the hat on her head.

Lucy does her best to not move, looking rather uncomfortable. “Hmm….kind….scared?....” The hat pauses before looking at the queen and continues “Forced?”

What does that mean? “Warm-hearted.” He continues again before declaring “Will-o-Wisp.”

Huh? What’s that? I look to the queen and find a huge smile on her face and a warm look in her eyes.

She whispers something into Lucy’s ear before motioning her to go back to her seat.

“Sona.” The queen calls, but I can’t pay attention to anything she says. My mind is swirling with what happened with Lucy.

Why would that hat say forced?

I’m so wrapped up in my head I don’t hear the queen call my name until Sona taps me on the shoulder.

I look up seeing everyone’s eyes on me, well that’s not embarrassing. Down the line of seated women, I can hear Annabeth snickering. Ugh.

I get up gracefully, walking over to the queen with faked confidence. She gives me a warm smile “Hello lady Beatrice. How are you coming along with suitors.” The queen gives me a playful smirk, I blush slightly with a nervous smile. “Not too bad actually, I’ve met a couple of nice suitors,” I say keeping my eyes on the queen.

“That is great to hear, at the moment I’ve heard you’re the talk of the kingdom.” The queen gives me a sly smile, looking into the lights pleasingly. “You had gone out and played with some of the centaur children. It caught everyone’s eye, and not in a bad way.” The queen practically purrs with delight.

Oh my goodness how did that become such a big deal?!

I blush “yes I had a lot of fun with the fillies, I wish you all could see how they braided my hair. It was really lovely.” I say honestly, giving the queen a real smile. Her own brighten her face “I can see you had a good time. I bet you those fillies had a blast.” We both giggle warmly.

“You represent the fairies, Beatrice? How is that going so far?” She asks with a softness in her eyes. I nod with a warm smile “I feel truly blessed to have the fairies by my side. They are nothing but determined and wonderful. I’m happy to represent such an amazing magical race.” I say wholeheartedly.

“I’m happy to hear it, I know the fairies already treasure you deeply.” The queen giggles softly, motioning to the chair. “Let us find out what your affinity is!” The queen says with much excitement.

I take the seat and let the elf place the hat on my head. “Hmmm….adventurous….hunger for knowledge….Freedom as she pleases.” I blush at that last one, causing the queen to giggle.

“Sounds about right.” Some of the women giggle at the queen's comment.

“Emotion manipulation.” The hat declares the room goes silent, the queen’s eyes growing big. She opens her mouth to say something before she closes it again. She gives me a smile taking my hand as I get up. “Your maid will explain to you about your affinity.” She says softly for only me to hear.

I nod walking back to my seat, the session soon ends. It goes by in a blur before I realize I’m in my room again.

“You’re able to make people feel things you want them to and can also sense what they’re feeling,” Arabella explains, standing next to my door. Kefi jumping onto my lap as I sit on my bed, I pet his soft fur to calm my thoughts.

“Why did the queen look so shocked?” I ask, looking up at her. She gives me a soft smile “Because the queen also has this ability. It was her first.” My eyes widen and my mouth drops “I have the same affinity as the queen?!” I say bewildered.

Arabella giggles “Yes, and I’m not shocked at all my lady. It’s a very powerful ability! I’m sure many more suitors will be after you even more than before!” She claps her hands excitedly like she’s sending her daughter to marry.

“I guess it makes sense that I have this affinity. I somehow have always been able to sense how people were feeling at times when I tried.” I explain to her, she nods in understanding.

“It makes sense with who you are, my lady. You care so much about others close to you, and you pay close attention to how they’re feeling.” She says sweetly, her eyes softening with love. “I will help you understand your affinity in detail, and how to control it. Before long you’ll be able to do anything you like with it!” She gives me a pumped-up fist in the air, causing me to smile.

“Thank you, Arabella, I mean it.” I smile softly at her, “I know my lady.” She nods respectfully.

The rest of the day she explains to me about my power and what I can do with it. The more she explains the more I understand myself. It’s crazy that everyone has an affinity like this but just doesn’t know how to unleash it.

Before I knew it the sun had gone down. “Good job my lady!” Arabella claps in her little fairy form.

We decided to move some of my training out in the garden. The fresh air and quiet help with my concentration. Since my affinity is mind-based, I mentally need to be in control and calm.

Who knew brain work would be so tiring though. I take a deep breath giving myself a break. “Good work, lady Beatrice.” A deep voice with accent praise. I turn to find the naga from before “Emir Erebus, it’s a pleasure to see you.” I say politely, giving him my full attention.

He gives me a smirk, his fangs showing like a threat. Strangely I do not feel in danger, I decide to use my affinity. I sense cockiness and enjoyment, no threatening emotions.

“Pleasure you say?” He arches a brow, the enjoyment on his face plain to see now. I nod trying to fight back my smile.

He slithers closer, his height is taller than anyone I’ve ever met even in Kroba. My heart beats faster at his closeness, my cheeks flushing. He slithers around me, checking out every angle. Before I realize his snake tail and body surround me.

Arabella squeaks in alarm “Erebus!” She starts to fly toward us full-on before a puff of black smoke and mist appears out of nowhere, surrounding the both of us. Arabella pulls back quickly, eyes widening in fear. “Erebus!” She yells this time, looking at me with terror in her eyes. Why is she so scared?

“Calm down pixie, I’m not going to hurt her,” Erebus replies in a bored tone before looking down at me again. Arabella glares at him, flying around the smoke carefully.

He caresses my cheek with his nail, catching my full attention. “You are something special, my smoke tells me so.” He hisses, his tongue tickling my face. I try my best not to giggle.

He adjusted his body to bring me closer, moving his head lower down my neck. My cheeks turning red, my body heating up from his snake tongue touching my skin.

“Such a sweet little thing, though I can sense you’ve been up to naughty things.” He smirks up at me, my eyes widening. He can sense such things?!

He brings his head down to my lips, devouring them in a branding kiss. My body lights up, feeling like a fire is running through my veins. I cling to him tightly, the only source giving me a cool sensation.

What is happening? My mind goes fuzzy all I can think about is him and this kiss. I don’t want it to stop, I don’t want him to stop. I need more, so much more.

I moan into our kiss that scorches me like the sun itself. I crave more, I can feel him moving his body around me. I devour his kiss, like a thirty woman begging for a drink of water.

His tail wraps all around me, squeezing me in the most sensitive of places. He rubs and strokes my body with his powerful tail, bringing me pleasure I’ve never known before.

He pulls back from our kiss, I take a deep breath of fresh air. “So hungry my little chosen.” He hisses seductively into my ear, my nipples perking from his voice.

I feel drunk off him, I’ve never felt like this with any of the other men. I feel so needy with him, this is crazy, what is happening to me?

He looks down at me with possessive eyes “You will be mine, Beatrice Coldwell.” He hisses with a promise.

I look up, my vision distorted from the lustful haze. “I already am…” I reply softly, looking up with the same possessiveness. “I won’t let you go either.” I declare, the possessiveness growing inside my chest.

He smirks handsomely, amusement clear to see. “Such bold words form a little thing.” He rubs my most sensitive bud, my moan muffled by a gasp. “Good girl.” He praises, watching me wiggle against him.

“Such a soft and pleasurable little thing. When the time is right, I will make you completely and wholly. Every part of you will be mine, you will carry a part of me first.” At the time I hadn’t known what his words meant.

All I felt and remember is what he gave, a bite to my chest. A brand for all to see and know, I am promised to the Emir Naga.

My first claim and promise of something I didn’t understand at the time.

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