Wolf Heart

During the night, the streets of Athea, the capital of the great Kingdom of Nodor, were mostly quiet. Only in the poor part of the city, where brothels and taverns frequented by shady persons, music and occasionally shouts could be heard.

It was in one of these taverns that a person wearing a long dark blue cloak entered. The cloak's hood hid the person's face. The small figure and the way the person walked gave away the fact that beneath the cloak was a young woman.

The woman stood in the door frame while surveying the interior for long moments. When her eyes found the person she was searching for, the woman walked towards him. Her steps were elegant, and while she walked between tables, men looked at her.

When she was in front of the table, she lifted her head and looked at a young man.

She sat at the table in front of him while her eyes studied him. He was around nineteen years old. His short hair was black, and his blue eyes shined with intelligence. His mouth was beautifully shaped. She had always found him to be very handsome.

Even if he had a piercing in the bridge of his nose, indicating that he was a bastard born in poverty, at first glance, he could easily be mistaken for someone born in high society.

"Rosalyn," he whispered the woman's name.

The woman looked around her with soft brown eyes. When she was sure no one was paying them any attention, she looked back at the man, "You can't use my given name while we are here! Someone might hear you!"

The man looked at her with apologetic eyes, "I am sorry, Lyn! It won't happen again."

Rosalyn inhaled deeply and talked in a low voice, "Why did you summon me here, Jayden?"

Jayden looked at Rosalyn with eyes full of sadness. "We need to talk. I rented a room, but I can order something if you are thirsty or hungry."

Rosalyn shook her head, "I am fine. Let's talk because I don't think I can stay too long."

Jayden and Rosalyn stood; he guided her up the stairs to the last floor. When Jayden opened the door to the last chamber, Rosalyn entered. Magic crystals illuminated the chamber, and Rosalyn walked over to the bed. She looked at it as if it was something foul and took her time inspecting the blanket and the sheet. When she was sure that it was indeed clean, Rosalyn took off her cloak, put it on top of a chair, sat on the bed, and looked at Jayden.

The young man looked at her with an amused expression. He knew how much she hated staying in dirty places.

"What did you want to talk about?" Rosalyn asked. She knew Jayden would not summon her during the week if it weren't something important.

Jayden walked over and sat on the bed next to her. He cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly. "My Rosalyn. I am afraid I have to give you unpleasant news."

Her heart was beating like crazy in her chest. "Did something happen with your apprenticeship? Did your Master throw you out?"

Despite being a bastard born and raised in a brothel and never going to school, Jayden taught himself how to read and write, and even Rosalyn said he had beautiful handwriting. When Jayden found a Master willing to take him in and teach him how to be a scribe, he didn't hesitate. For the last four years, Jayden has been the apprentice of Master Mihel.

Jayden knew her family was rich, and she was used to luxury, and he was determined to work hard to give her the life she deserved.

Jayden shook his head, "No." He inhaled deeply, took her hand into his, and looked into her soft brown eyes, "You know that my Master is one of the most important scribes in Athea. And now, with the war that started between our Kingdom and the Kingdom of Litus, King Baswein asked Master Mihel to send as many scribes as possible, even apprentices. I have to go as well."

Rosalyn's eyes filled with tears, "For how long?"

Jayden felt his heart breaking. He hated making the woman her loved cry.

"For as long as I am needed," Jayden said. He caressed her cheeks with his knuckles. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "Wait for me," he managed to say.

"Always," Rosalyn promised him.

His face contorted as if he was in great pain, "Do you swear?"

"I swear it upon our love."

"I love you so much, Lyn!"

Jayden hugged her, inhaling her sweet scent. She always smelled like lavender and jasmine, and he could never get enough of her sweet scent. He buried his nose in her long blond hair and stayed like that while listening to her heart beating.

"When are you leaving?" Rosalyn finally asked him.

Jayden looked at her, "Tomorrow morning. I wasn't supposed to go, but this morning Master Mihel told me that he also needs me."

Rosalyn's lower lip trembled, "I thought we had more time until you left."

"Me too," Jayden said and kissed her.

She grabbed his cloak and kissed him back.

He broke the kiss only to look into her eyes, "Can you stay a little longer? I don't know when we will see each other again, and I want to be with you tonight."

"Just a little longer," Rosalyn said. "I asked Juicea, my maid, to make an excuse for me in case my cousin, Minerva, is looking for me. You know how she is, constantly checking what I do or to whom I speak. I wish my father would send her away."

Jayden knew all about Minerva. While his Rosalyn was sweet, gentle, beautiful, and generous, Minerva was cold-hearted, arrogant, and even cruel. He hoped the war would not last long because when he returned, he wanted to go to Rosalyn's father and ask her hand in marriage. He might be just a bastard, but he wanted to make things right with Rosalyn. Ever since he became an apprentice, Jayden has been saving up money in the hopes of buying a house for when he would marry Rosalyn.

He pulled out a little box from his pocket, opened it, and took out a silver bracelet. "I know you deserve so much more, but when I return, I will talk to your father and ask for his blessing to marry you. If you want me."

In the Nodor Kingdom, when a man gave a woman a bracelet, and she accepted, it meant she promised him that one day she would marry him.

Jayden stopped breathing while he waited for her reply.

Rosalyn stretched out her hand, "Of course, I want to marry you!"

Jayden inhaled deeply, put the bracelet around her left wrist, and looked at her. "I will work hard to give you the life you are used to!"

Jayden kissed her while he started undressing her. Even if he had a few hours left until he had to present himself to Commander Maneld, Jayden wanted to spend as much time with Rosalyn as possible. It wasn't the first time he made Rosalyn his, and he knew what and how she liked.

After their joining, both Jayden and Rosalyn dressed and left the tavern. He stood with her until she secured a carriage that would take her home.

Before Rosalyn entered the carriage, Jayden pulled her in for one last kiss.

"I will miss you terribly, Lyn. I will write as often as I can."

"I will also miss you. And I hope that you will return quickly."

As the carriage started moving, taking Rosalyn farther and farther away from him, Jayden felt his heart breaking. He didn't want to go to the war, but he had no choice.

Before turning on his heels and going to the little room he had been renting above the butcher shop, Jayden prayed to Inoss, the Fire God, asking him to keep Lyn safe until he returned from war.

A year later

Minerva, or Mina as everyone called her, was sitting on a bench inside the great Fire Church of Athea. She wasn't looking at the altar and the couple that was about to get married; she was looking at her hands. She was trying hard not to let the tears fall down her face.

She should be happy for Prince Liam, she kept telling herself, but how could she be happy when the man she had been in love with for as long as she could remember was getting married to her cousin?

Her father, Duke Adinet, has been a good friend of King Baswein, and Mina spent a great part of her childhood at the Royal Palace. She had fallen in love with Prince Liam from the moment she saw him, and she had always hoped he would love her back.

When her father and mother died in an accident, Mina went to live with her uncle, Duke Tedric. Mina knew that her uncle and her cousin Rosalyn did not love her, but they accepted her into their home because of the great fortune Mina had. As her legal guardian, Duke Tedric would be the one to administer her money until she got married.

Even if she stopped going to Royal Palace, Mina sent parchments to Prince Liam as often as she could. He would not write as often as she did, and she knew it was because he had to fulfill his duty and obligations to the Kingdom. After all, one day, Prince Liam would be the next King of Nodor Kingdom.

Mina was eighteen years old and considered to be of age to have a husband, but Duke Tedric said she was still too young to receive invitations to balls. She had been sad when the Duke told her she could not attend the ball that Prince Liam had organized. Rosalyn, who was one year older than Mina, had spent a week trying on different dresses and hairstyles while she kept reminding Mina that she was not allowed to attend the ball. Or any other ball.

Prince Liam had also known Rosalyn since they were children, but they hadn't seen each other for years. And from what Rosalyn told Mina, Prince Liam fell in love with Rosalyn when he saw her again at the ball. They had danced together all night long, and a week later, he proposed to Rosalyn, and she accepted it immediately. This happened six months ago, and since then, Mina has had to listen every day to how Rosalyn talked about her upcoming marriage to Prince Liam.

Rosalyn read Mina's journal, and it was from there that she found out about the love Mina had for Prince Liam. Every chance she got, Rosalyn would remind Mina that Prince Liam didn't love her because not only that her mother was from the Yeton Kingdom, but she was not beautiful enough to win the Prince's heart.

Mina knew Rosalyn was right. If only she had been half as beautiful as Rosalyn, maybe Prince Liam would have fallen in love with Mina and not Rosalyn.

The Fire Mage cleared his voice, and Mina lifted her head and looked at the altar. She regretted it a moment later. Her heart stopped beating as she looked at Prince Liam. He was even more handsome than usual. The light filtering through the windows made his blonde hair appear golden. He was wearing brown trousers and a knee-long white jacket. He was staring with his grey eyes at the woman that was about to become his wife.

Mina looked at Rosalyn, knowing she could never compete with her beauty. Rosalyn had blond hair, brown eyes, and soft pale skin. If she were in a room full of men and Rosalyn smiled, each man would turn his head to catch a glimpse of her.

Mina looked nothing like Rosalyn. Her long hair was brown, while her eyes were green. Her skin was darker than Rosalyn's because her mother was originally from the Yeton Kingdom, home of the hundred caravans of gypsies. When Mina's father met her mother and fell in love, he did not care that she was a gypsy. But in the Nodor Kingdom, people with gypsy heritage were not well seen in the high society of Athea.

"We have gathered today to celebrate the wedding of Prince Liam LaRue with the Dutchess Rosalyn Castex."

As the Fire Mage started the marriage ceremony, Mina blinked several times, not wanting to let the tears fall down her cheeks. Not only would she embarrass herself, but she knew her uncle would not be pleased with her.

Duke Tedric was her father's younger brother, and he had always resented Mina for being a woman and the daughter of a gypsy.

'Not only that my brother married a gypsy, but she only gave him a daughter! It would have been easier if you had been a man!'

Someone grabbed her left hand and gave it a small squeeze. When Mina looked to see who it was, she saw her cousin, Hugo, smiling at her. He was not fighting in the war because a dark spell almost cost his life, and he was staying in the capital until he got better.

"You look as if you are attending a funeral instead of a wedding," Hugo said.

While Mina did not get along with Rosalyn, Hugo was her friend and confidant. She missed him terribly while he was fighting to save the lives of Nodorians. The war started over sixteen months ago when King Eurion, the King of the Litus Kingdom, allied with a Dark Elf, who was also a great Necromancer and started a campaign of conquering the Kingdom of Nodor.

Mina smiled weakly at Hugo, "It feels like a funeral for me because my heart died."

The Fire Mage continued with the ceremony, but neither Hugo nor Mina paid attention.

"You are young, Mina. Barely of age. You will meet many young men, and I am sure many will approach my father with a marriage request," Hugo said softly.

Mina shook her head, "I know I will never love another as I love Prince Liam. Besides, you know how others always look at me because of my heritage."

"Many are fools, Mina, but there will be men that would see you for you are and would want to marry the daughter of Duke Castex."

Mina hated her family name. Not only her father had been one of the most influential persons in Athea, but one of the richest too. And because of that, the high society was constantly watching what she was doing, how she dressed, or with whom she talked.

Ever since the death of her parents, Mina had tried hard to prove to the other noble families that she was indeed worthy of being a Castex.

Rosalyn, with her fair complexion, had never had to endure the gossip and the stares of others while in public. But Mina had to keep constantly an eye on Rosalyn. About two years ago, Mina had seen Rosalyn with a young man marked as a bastard. When Mina asked Rosalyn about the man, Rosalyn got nervous and told Mina it was not her business with whom she talked too.

From that day until she got engaged to Prince Liam, Mina made sure Rosalyn didn't commit an imprudence.

Mina was about to reply to her cousin when she heard the Fire Mage speak. "Prince Liam LaRue, do you accept Dutchess Rosalyn Castex as your wife and promise to always protect and love her?"

"I do!" Prince Liam said the next moment.

"Dutchess Rosalyn Castex, do you accept Prince Liam LaRue as your husband and promise always to obey and love him?"

Rosalyn looked into Prince Liam's eyes, "I do!"

"Inoss, the Fire God, blesses this union!" the Fire Mage said. "You are husband and wife now and until the end of time."

Those present at the ceremony clapped their hands and cheered the new couple, but Mina could not do the same. When Prince Liam dipped his head to kiss Rosalyn, Mina closed her eyes.

Later that day, at the Palace, Rosalyn approached Mina.

"While I will sleep with my husband tonight," Rosalyn said and smiled cruelly at Mina, "remember that you will be sleeping alone. And I don't think that will change soon because who would want to marry someone like you?"

Mina gripped the skirts of her dress until her knuckles turned white but did not say a word. She knew that Rosalyn was only trying to provoke her. "I wish you all the best," Mina said. "And I hope you make Prince Liam happy."

Mina turned on her heels and left the party. She needed to be alone.

A week later, Wolf Army Campament

When Jayden left the capital around a year ago, he was just a scribe apprentice. But four months later, Jayden demonstrated to the Commander of the Wolf Army that his true talent was on the battlefield. Jayden had been training both with a sword and a bow, and in only eight months, he became one of the best soldier from the Wolf Army.

In the last week, news about the marriage of Prince Liam with the Dutchess Castex spread like fire around the Nodor Kingdom's armies.

It was around noon when Jayden received a parchment from Rosalyn.

'My beloved Jayden,

My cousin Minerva married Prince Liam last week, just as I told you.

I miss you, and I hope to see you soon.

With love, Rosalyn.'

Jayden crushed the parchment in his hand and was about to throw it into the fire, but stopped at the last moment.

'I hope, for your sake, Lyn, that you have not betrayed me. Because if you are the one that married Prince Liam, no one will save you from my wrath,' Jayden thought.

Three years have passed since Rosalyn and Prince Liam got married. Duke Tedric has been an honored guest of the Royal Palace and visited his daughter, Princess Rosalyn, as often as he could. And every time Duke Tedric went to the Royal Palace, he took Mina with him, claiming that a young lady should not be left home alone. Mina had begged her uncle not to take her to the Royal Palace, but no matter how much she pleaded, Duke Tedric never listened.

A year after their marriage, Rosalyn gave birth to a son, and Mina tried to be happy for them but failed. There have been many days when Mina thought she was a bad person because she wished Nolan, Rosalyn's son, would have been her son. Mina loved Nolan with all her heart. And how could she not love little Nolan, that looked at her with eyes identical to those of Prince Liam?

Duke Tedric still refused to let Mina attend balls, claiming she was still too young. Even if women younger than her were married and many already had children, Mina had fallen into a routine and was content with her life.

Some days she would go to the Fire Church to help the Fire Mages and the novices. And other days, she would visit her friend, Ivy. But most of the time, Mina would sit in the garden or the Drawing Room doing embroidery or cross-stitching.

Hugo returned from war two months earlier. His blue eyes, once full of life and joy, were sad and full of pain. Mina had tried talking to him, but Hugo kept brushing her off. There had been many days when Hugo locked himself in his room, drank wine, yelled, and destroyed all the furniture. There were also good days when Hugo would spend time with Mina in the Drawing Room. They would sit on the sofa, Hugo would put his head on her shoulder, and she would sing for him. Hugo had always told Mina she had a beautiful voice.

A month after Hugo returned home, the Kingdom of Nodor won the war. The final battle took place in the Litus Kingdom, on the Cursed Mountain. For five days, the Nordorian forces fought against the Necromancer.

The Necromancer was winning; his army of undead was almost unstoppable. But a young Norodrain Commander and his warriors attacked the Necromancer from behind, taking him by surprise.

The Necromancer was strong, but the Commander was faster. After a long fight, the Necromancer was badly injured, and he ran to his tower. The Forest Elf Seer sealed the tower, trapping the Necromancer inside.

Even if the army of Nodor had yet to reach Athea, celebrations had been held in the name of the young Commander and his warriors.

One morning, after breakfast, Mina and Hugo went to the Drawing Room while Duke Tedric went to do some errands.

"Hugo, I am worried about you," Mina said after they sat on the sofa. "Ever since you returned, all you do is drink or–"

Hugo interrupted her, "You haven't been there, Mina! You haven't seen what I saw! What he did to them!"

Mina didn't have to ask to know to whom Hugo was referring. Since returning, Hugo has had nightmares, and he would yell in his sleep.

"I might not have been there, Hugo, but I see how much the war has affected you. And I want to help you, but I do not know how."

Hugo looked at her with tormented eyes, "Just sing for me, Mina."

Mina was about to start singing when they heard the bell from the main gate. She wondered who could be visiting so early. Usually, people visit in the afternoon.

"Are you expecting someone?" Hugo asked.

Mina shook her head, "Ivy is visiting some family in Ora Dorei. She won't be back for the next five days."

Ora Dorei was the second biggest city in the Kingdom. Mina had never been outside the walls surrounding Athea, but she had heard stories about Ora Dorei. Elves and humans lived and worked in harmony behind the tall walls of Ora Dorei.

A few Forest and Air Elves lived in Athea. Mina wished more Elves lived in the capital, but the families from the high society did not look with good eyes at the Elves.

"Maybe some man that wants to court you?" Hugo said.

Mina snorted, "What man, Hugo? You know uncle Tedric refuses to let me go to balls. I haven't met any man."

Hugo shrugged, "Perhaps he saw you on the street. One look in those green eyes of yours, and you stole his heart."

"One look at my skin and he would have ran as if he would have seen an Ogre," Mina said and looked out the window. She had seen many people take one look at her skin color and avert their gaze as if she was something impure.

"Look at me, Mina." When Mina did not look at him, Hugo put a finger under her chin and tilted her head so he could look into her eyes. "You are beautiful, and I know that you will find someone to love you one day. Not for your skin or the family or your money. But for who you are. And not only that you are beautiful, Mina, but you are gentle, sweet, and caring. And your voice, Mina, is more beautiful than those of mermaids."

Mina rolled her eyes, "As if you ever heard mermaids sing."

Hugo was about to reply when Anette, the maid, entered the Drawing Room. She looked at Mina and appeared to be a little embarrassed.

Hugo shifted on the sofa and waited for Anette to talk. "What it is?" he finally asked.

"I am sorry to interrupt," Anette said, "but there a... a gentleman wanting to see the Dutchess."

Mina's eyes went wide. Who could possibly want to talk to her? She rarely spoke to men that were not from the family.

Hugo arched an eyebrow and looked at Mina, "A gentleman, you say? Lead him in!"

"But, young Duke, I have to warn you that–"

Before Anette could finish her thought, a tall man with short black hair, blue eyes, and breathtakingly beautiful entered the Drawing Room. He was dressed in black pants, a brown tunic, and a black jacket. On the left shoulder of the jacket, three wolves were embroidered. He had tall brown boots on his feet, and next to him was a big black wolf.

But Mina was not looking at the man's clothes or his wolf. She was looking at his face because he had a piercing on the bridge of his nose. A long-forgotten memory of Rosalyn talking to a young man that was also a bastard born came to her mind. Mina had a bad feeling that the man standing before her and the young man from her memory were one and the same.

Mina and Hugo stood.

"Anette, bring some fresh-made juice and some of those cookies we made this morning," Mina told the maid.

"Of course, Lady Mina," Anette said and left.

The man walked until he was standing just a few feet away from Mina and Hugo. When he stopped walking, the wolf also stopped and sat on its haunches.

Hugo looked at the man for a few moments before speaking, "Commander Jayden?"

Mina looked at Hugo, "You know him?"

Hugo shook his head, "I haven't met him before, but I have heard of him. Mina, this is the man that won the war–Commander Jayden of the Wolf Army."

Mina has heard many things about Commander Jayden. He has been on the lips of everyone ever since he managed to defeat the Necromancer.

The Bastard Commander some called him, while others named him the Wolf Commander.

She wondered why the most important man after the King and Prince Liam came to visit her. She did not know him.

"I didn't come here to chat," Commander Jayden said. "I am here to see my fiancee. Where is she?" Commander Jayden asked in an irritated tone.

'Oh, Gods!' Mina thought. She had a very bad feeling. And she prayed it wouldn't be what she thought. Surely Rosalyn hasn't been this foolish. Because if Rosalyn has promised this man to marry him and she married the Prince, a big scandal will start.

Mina wondered how Rosalyn and Commander Jayden knew each other and in which circumstances she ended up promising him she would marry him.

Hugo frowned, "I don't know what fiancee you are talking about."

"Dutchess Castex! Where is she?" Commander Jayden asked in a loud tone.

Mina spoke before Hugo could say anything else, "She is not here. There is nothing for you here. Please, leave."

Mina hoped the Commander would leave. She was glad that Duke Tedric wasn't home because he was known for his short temper.

Hugo looked at Mina. Then at Commander Jayden. "Who are you talking about?"

"Where is she?" Commander Jayden asked Mina, ignoring Hugo.

"I already told you, she is not here!" Mina said. "Leave!" The wolf growled. "And take your beast with you!"

She took a step towards the Commander wanting to make him leave before her uncle returned home.

The wolf growled again, and Mina stopped walking.

Commander Jayden said in a loud tone, "I am not leaving until I know where Rosalyn is!"

Hugo growled, "What do you mean Rosalyn is your fiancee? She is married to Prince Liam!"

Jayden stilled, "What did you say?"

"You heard my cousin!" Mina said. "She is married. Just leave!"

Commander Jayden snarled, "She married another after she became my woman and promised to wait for me?"

Hugo turned pale, "She did what?"

Commander Jayden folded his arms, "You did not know that she gave me her virginity and accepted a bracelet from me saying that she will marry me when I return from war?"

Suddenly Mina felt sick. If only she had watched Rosalyn more closely, nothing would have happened.

"Commander Jayden," Hugo said, "I have no idea what my sister did, but she is married now. She even has a child. Forget about her. You are an important person now, and I know many young women will want to marry you."

Anger flashed in the Commander's eyes. "I do not want any other woman except my woman! And I am going to have her!" Commander Jayden turned on his heels and started walking as fast as he could. "Aksel, we are leaving!" he said, and the wolf followed him.

Mina knew she had to stop Commander Jayden. He could not go to the Royal Palace. Dear Gods! The scandal!

Her legs started moving. "Wait!" she yelled after the Commander.

Commander Jayden did not stop walking. In fact, he was walking so fast that Mina had to lift her skirts.

Anette was returning with a tray with cookies and three glasses filled with juice, and Mina almost bumped into her in the hallway.

"My Lady, I did not see you," Anette said, but Mina did not hear her.

"Commander Jayden!" Mina yelled, seeing the man and his wolf turning left in the hallway. "Wait!"

"Mina! He can't go to the Royal Palace!" Hugo said from behind her.

"We have to get there before him!" Mina said.

She grabbed Hugo's hand, while in the other, she still had her skirts and started running down the hall.

When Mina and Hugo made it out of the mansion, they saw Commander Jayden on top of his horse, going out through the main gate. His black wolf followed him.

"I will ask Paulo to prepare the carriage!" Hugo said.

"There's no time!" Mina said and tugged Hugo after her. "We will have to rent one!"