The Taste of Seduction

Timothe gave her a playful smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he did.

"Thank you Timothe." Meredith replied and smiled warmly back at him before shifting her eyes

towards Aurora.

Aurora gave a tight lipped smile which she returned.

The man sitting beside Aurora nodded at her once, his face as hard and unreadable as stone.

Meredith glanced at Marcus next, who was gazing at her with a calm, unreadable expression. He casually leaned back in his chair.

When her eyes fell upon Elvin, he flashed her a wide smile. Meredith gave him a brief, embarrassed smile before immediately lowering her gaze, trying desperately to suppress the nervousness felt. When she peeked back up at Marcus she found him frowning slightly.

She was sure he could feel her nervousness.

Meredith took a deep breath and thought about Atlas to calm herself down.

"Your father used to lead these meetings and now you're sitting at his place. I'm sure he must be proud of you."

Aurora said, breaking the silence in the room.

Meredith's eyes flickered to Aurora and nodded, "I think he would be more proud to see a unified Kingdom. Since he had sacrificed himself for that, don't you think so?"

Meredith's words might be simple but everyone in the room knew what she meant. My father had sacrificed himself for a unified Kingdom but all of you have failed him.

Aurora stiffened for a second before she gave a curt nod.

Her eyes slid to Marcus and his eyes flashed with a surprised glint for a brief second before his lips curled up in amusement.

Elvin stood up and introduced everyone in the room to her.

The man sitting beside Aurora was Talon, a witch and the other men were Roy and Leo. The two women along Aurora were Freya and Leia. "

Talon stared at her impassively, almost as if he was bored or disinterested. Freya and Leia's

expressions were surprisingly welcoming. Freya was a witch and Leia was a werewolf.

However Roy and Leo caused anxiety to run hard and fast through her veins

Roy stared at her with cold eyes as he blatantly looked her up and down. Meredith shuddered hard.

And Leo's expression oozed displeasure and

irritation. Both of them were vampires.

Meredith wondered what she had done to already

cause them to dislike her so overtly.

She tried telling herself maybe they were finding it hard to have a new ruler but for some reason she just couldn't believe it.

Once the introductions had been completed, Elvin faced her and began carefully, "This is Meredith Elizabeth Rossi, the lost princess and heir to the throne."

"And how sure are you, this." Roy paused, disgust laced in his tone.

"This human is the lost princess?" The suspicion in his eyes increased.

"Are you even a vampire,witch or one of those dogs?"

The sharp question came from Leo. His face was screwed into a look of fiery contempt. Meredith recoiled back slightly, startled by their level of animosity.

Tension filled the room as Elvin and Timothe let

out soft growls of warning.

Marcus remained perfectly calm, the corner of his lip pulling up into a lopsided grin.

"No," Meredith answered his question.

"Well if she isn't supernatural , why the hell do you think she is the lost princess? Also her mother was such a beauty I don't think her daughter would look this hideous!"

Meredith flinched but remained quiet.

"First of all she bears the Alpha's Mark. You all know what that means. Secondly she is wearing a camouflage spell meaning her true form has been sealed along with her powers and the witches here can confirm that.

Thirdly the brotherhood was after her that should mean something."

Leo snorted, "The Alpha's Mark? How sure are you that's is not an illusion or imitation?"

Elvin rolled his eyes, "Whether you believe it or not she is the lost princess and you're going to give her the respect she needs or you can walk out of this council."

Leo snorted and glanced at Roy and an unspoken message passed between them. They both knew the advantages they had as members of the council and they weren't ready to let go of it. Humans were naturally selfish and would do anything to stay in power. They were no different.

Roy cleared his throat, "Well.it's hard to believe you found the princess since everyone believed she was dead. Also I'm sure people will be doubting her identity. How are you going to prove she is the one?"

Leo smirked as he stared at Elvin waiting for his answer.

"We will do a public ritual." Meredith finally spoke.

Everyone's gaze fell on her. She met each one of their bewildered stares and continued.

"Once the fae King agrees to do the ritual. We will do it publicly. Every citizen should be present to witness the beginning of a new era. A unified era."

"No." Marcus frowned.

"Pardon?" Meredith asked. She was surprised he had spoken.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. You will be in extreme pain." Marcus said, his brows furrowed together.

"Hmm the doctor told me so I'm well aware of that."

Meredith replied, determination glimmering in her eyes.

"I know people will doubt and start spreading rumors about my identity.."

Meredith said her unwavering gaze settled on Roy and Leo who fidgeted.

"Which is exactly why I want to do it. I want everyone to witness the beginning of a new dawn with me and that I'm truly the lost princess or they will never fully accept me."

"Princess, I know you have the best interest of the people at heart but we do not know how your body will react to the surge of power that is going to come over you and if it will cause any casualties."

Elvin said concern etched in his voice.

Meredith turned her gaze to him,and flashed him a soft smile

.

"I know you're worried but can't the witches create a magic barrier or a protective spell?"

"We can princess, don't worry. We will make sure no one is harmed during the ritual."

Aurora replied.

Meredith nodded, "Good then it's settled."

She said, meeting Marcus's intense gaze.

"We will send the Fae King an invitation for your welcoming ball. If he agrees and comes then we can ask for his help."

Elvin said.

"And if he doesn't?" Meredith asked.

"We will find another way to remove the seal." Elvin replied.

"Alright we will have the welcoming ball in three days. It will give us enough time to send the fae King an invitation." Said Timothe.

Meredith swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Alright."

"Does anybody have any issue he or she wants us to discuss?" Timothe asked.

Everyone was silent and Meredith knotted her fingers trying to calm down her beating heart.

"No? Then the meeting is adjourned." Timothe continued.

Elvin approached her after the meeting ended and patted her shoulders.

"I have to say I'm impressed. You did well on your first day." He said,flashing her a smile.

"You will make a fine Queen, one day."

"Really?" Meredith asked. She had no knowledge of being a queen and didn't see herself as one.

"Yeah just believe in yourself."