Love and Chaos Series
His Forbidden Mate Chapter 32

The smile on Rue's face was implacable as she stared at her to-be husband, Oliver, who held her hand, smiling right back at her. She was adorned in a golden lacey gown that flowed on the floor behind her and a golden veil to hide her face until she was wedded. Oliver had the same golden lace on, sewn into a long robe that stopped on his knee and a pair of matching trousers. The two look so happy and glorious. It was the best love story I'd witnessed.

Being the bride's family, we sat on the left side of the temple and the groom sat on the right. Prince Edward was the first to catch my attention in his royal purple robe and black trousers well designed and created to meet his royal title. The robe's long sleeves had gold cufflinks, which served as an attention grabber. A few maiden's heads also turned at his presence, knowing who he was, and they swooned at his sight, but he paid them no mind. He looked my way a few times, and I felt the heat of his gaze. But as interesting as his gaze was, I didn't give him the satisfaction of looking his way.

We made a promise to keep everything low-key, and that was what I intended to do. In a few hours, Rue would wed and we would no longer have to be so careful, but until then I placed my attention on the couple that would begin their journey forever from today. My heart swelled with joy at seeing how happy Rue was right now. "Before the moon goddess and the people of Lurds, the wester region of Wahala kingdom, we gather to join these two in the sacred matrimony of becoming husband and wife." The priest picked up a silver bracelet and handed it to Oliver, which he accepted, and then took Rue's hand in his.

The priest continued speaking. "Do you swear to take this woman before you to be your wife and mate to honour and cherish from this day and forever?"

"Yes, I swear," he answered and placed the bracelet around her small wrist, still smiling happily.

The priest then picked up the second silver bracelet and handed it to Rue. She collected and took Oliver's hand.

The priest continued. "Do you swear to take this man before you to be your husband, your mate, to honour and cherish from this day and forever?"

"Yes. I swear," Rue nodded, her voice happy. She placed the bracelet around Oliver's hand and a cheer went through the congregation gathered at the temple.

"Then, by the power vested on me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now unveil and kiss your bride." He instructed.

Oliver unveiled Rue, his smile getting bigger with every moment that went by showing his joy. He pulled Rue closer and took her lips between his for a passionate kiss. Everyone seated rose to their feet, applauding thunderously. They pulled away and turned to the crowd, with their entwined hands held up in the air as they ran out of the temple.

My eyes travelled to the right side of the temple and they locked in the prince's stormy ones. My stomach tightened, wondering what had gotten him so upset. Then I realized I had ignored him all the while I sat watching the young couple wed.

I did not love to anger him. There was no victory in it, but I had no choice. We both agreed and one of us didn't want to keep to it.

My gaze dropped from his and I fell in line with the others exiting the hall, but I felt his heated gaze not leaving. I knew if he laid his hands on me, he'd want to punish me for sure, and that oddly excited me.

I sat not so far away from the wedded couple at the reception hall. I tried to get Edward's attention and signal to him that we had to talk, but he did not look my way even though I knew he could see me from the corner of his eyes.

This was his turn to play the 'ignore game' and to add to it, he gave his attention to a few of the maidens that came up to speak to him. He also added a few flirty smiles while he spoke.

This was an intentional ploy to get back at me, and it was working. I never considered myself possessive or jealous until today. I didn't like the way his lips lingered on the back of their hand when he kissed them. Nor did I appreciate the flirty smile that danced at the corner of his lips. Or the way his eyes flickered when they giggled.

The attention he gave them flared me up, even though I knew it shouldn't. He wasn't mine in any way or form. We hadn't placed a label on what we were. He could damn well be with anyone he wanted and so could I. Yet the sight of him smiling and having fun without me didn't sit well with me. I wanted to be the only one he'd have eyes for, the only one who'd make him happy.

What the hell was wrong with me? I needed to get out of my head. He shouldn't have this much effect on me. It was just s*x and a bit of 'more'. To this point, I still didn't know what 'more' entailed. The line was too blurry.

"Say hello to your father for me, okay?" I overheard him say to the lady with blonde hair and blue eyes while he flashed her a small smile. Sure he'd know her father. She looked like a lady from a noble home, one that would fit his title in the kingdom. No match would be better for the crown prince than the daughter of a nobleman. He could deny it and say he could choose anyone he wants, but in the end, he would choose the one that would make him look good before everyone. The very thought angered me even more, and it was unlike me.

Knowing that a nobleman's daughter would always stand a better chance of becoming the Prince's mate didn't anger me before, but now it did.

I couldn't sit down and watch this go on. Yes, other things were happening at the reception that I could focus on, but that would never happen as long as the prince kept giving his charming smile to every maiden here.

I rose to my feet and made my way from underneath the tent where everyone sat, trying to go to a place I would not have to look at him every second. I hurried towards the women's room when someone caught my wrist. I turn around and saw a strange man I had not seen before.

"Are you okay, my lady?" his brown eyes pierced through mine, seeking answers.

I would have taken his concern as genuine if his grip wasn't so tight for a stranger.

I nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. I just need to use the women's room." I told him, trying to pull my hand away, but he didn't let go.

"You sure about that?"

I yank at my hand again, but he didn't release it. "I am sure. Now let me go!"

He didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip around me. "Such a rude way to speak to a man only looking out for you, don't you think?"

"I don't need you looking out for me. I can do that on my own. Now take your f*****g hand off me." I snapped at him irritably.

He released my hand, mumbling 'cunt' underneath his breath, and I turned away from him.

My hands trembled because I knew this could have gone the other way and it wouldn't be the first time. I wouldn't say this is an open space and such wouldn't happen here because it could, and it had happened before. The memories were the ones I tried to avoid. "Kailani," I heard Edward's voice, and I turned to replace him standing not very far away, but whatever he saw in my eyes made his drop in remorse

He hurried over to me and, getting close; he gathered me into his arms. I didn't fight or object to his hold. I just let him hold me because his arms were the only ones I've ever felt safe in.

"It's fine, you're okay. It's fine."

A few tears dropped, and I wiped at them before finally pulling away. "People shouldn't see us together." I sniffled and took a step back. Where we stood was further away from the reception tent and had little to no one, yet I didn't want to risk it. "Why not?" he asked, looking clueless.

I almost rolled my eyes. "They might get the wrong idea, especially those ladies you were flirting with at the reception."

He had a look of guilt in his eyes. "That was me getting back at you for ignoring me at the temple."

I knew it, this handsome devil.

"I didn't ignore you. We had an agreement to keep it low at Rue's wedding, and you were gawking at me."

"I wasn't gawking at you, and even if I was, I had good reason to. You were gorgeous," his gaze raked over the silk peach gown I had on which seemed to hold all my curves in the right places, "but you didn't even glance my way!" pain appeared in his voice and I didn't know if it was genuine or if he was faking it.

"I did glance when he first came into the temple," I admitted with a small voice.

His eyes lightened up. "You did?"

I bit my lips and nodded. "Yes, I thought you looked glorious in your purple robe, which flatters your eyes and makes it look dreamy. I couldn't look at you because I knew if I did, I wouldn't stop staring."

He had a beam on his face as I stopped speaking. "So you looked."

I nodded, "I did, but I couldn't stay there and watch you flirt with those maidens, so I came here."

"And then what happened?" his eyes dimmed.

"Uh?" I asked, a little taken aback by his question.

"You were shaken up when I came," he further explained.

I shrugged, "It was nothing."

He tilted my face, making me look up at him. "Tell me."

I didn't like the power he had over me, the power to make me do what he wanted, the power to make me trust him with my body, mind, and soul. The power to make me tell him things I wanted to hide. "I'm sorry," he said and his hand balled into a fist, "he's a sorry excuse for a man."

I chuckled, and his eyes narrowed at me. "I haven't seen you mad before and I think it's weird, but cute!"

"You won't think so when I set him on fire," he growled.

"I think you're cute either way." he sealed my lips and when we pulled away, he placed his head against mine.

"I want you to come with me."

We couldn't step out together. He knew better than to ask me to step out with him now. That would steal the spotlight from Rue on her day, and I didn't want that. Still, I asked. "To where?" "To the capital."