Chapter 3

Hazel’s POV

My eyes landed on the very familiar face of my father as Isabella and Tiana were clinging to his arms. They were a few feet away from me and I was able to hear everything.

“Look at my beautiful daughters.” He said with pride dancing in his black eyes. “I am so proud of you girls.”

“Honey,” Irene smiled brightly as she embraced his torso before placing a kiss on his cheek. She pointed toward her daughters, “Aren’t they beautiful? See how beautifully they’ve grown.”

“They are your daughters, nothing less is expected from them either,” he smiled as he kissed her lips. “Where is my daughter?” He asked and I nearly rolled my eyes. Now he remembers.

“All of them are here,” Irene said.

“Hazel, Liana, Irene. Where are Hazel and Liana?” he clarified.

Irene rolled her eyes. “They must be somewhere acting like a brat—”

But before she could complete it, I decided to grace them with my presence. Liana tried to grab my arm but I beat her to it and instead grabbed hers before she could retaliate.

I side-stepped from my hidden spot and walked toward them. Isabella’s eyes widened as Irene looked angrily at me. The golden dress was flowing behind me elegantly as I smiled brightly at him.

“There are my girls!” Father said excitedly as he quickly approached me. I glanced at Irene as her jaw clenched looking disapprovingly at me.

“You look stunning, Hazel. Just like your mother.” He said taking my face in his hands as he kissed my head softly.

“Thank you, Father.” I smiled at him as he walked me over to another side of the room. I glanced, over my shoulder and smiled at Irene.

“Liana, my love.” He said as he embraced Liana and looked down at her lovingly. Her soft curve was enhanced in a silver sequined ball gown, diamond jewelry complimenting her flawless complexion and her hair braided at her sides. She looked mesmerizing as he green eyes looked at him.

“Hazel,” Father said getting my attention.

“Yes, Father,” I said looking at him.

“Just for tonight.” He said and looked at him confused. “Tonight it’s very important for me. Be considerate to your mother and sisters. Don’t create any trouble.”

I frowned.

He sighed. “Hazel—”

“I understand, father.” I quickly slipped through his arms and walked past him. I heard him sigh as I moved away from him.

I looked around as I tried to calm my senses.

“Someone stole your smile?” I jumped startled when I saw Dominic leaning against the table next to me.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I smiled brightly.

“My apologies.” He grinned. “Are you ready? They’ve just arrived.”

What was I supposed to do? Welcome them? Well, fuck them!

“Where’s Liana?” I asked smiling, sliding my arm in his as we walked towards the stage. The bright red and golden decorations were all over along with balloons and flowers shimmering over the place.

“She’s handling your mother,” Dominic said as well moving towards the long table where my family was. Isabella and Tiana were surrounded by a group of men as they giggled at nasty jokes they were throwing their way.

Ruby was in the corner with her mother who was introducing her to some men and my loving father was with a few men dressed in suits. And Liana was standing next to Irene. Since she was the eldest of the family, she needed to be with her.

Dominic sighed as Isabella motioned for him to come over.

“Will you join me?” He asked hopefully.

“Indeed.” I smiled as well and moved toward them.

“He’s my guard, Dominic.” She exclaimed as several of the men laughed. What was there to laugh at anyway? I rolled my eyes as Dominic shook hands with them.

“Pleasure.” He mumbled.

“Are you ready for the night?” The woman with short black hair and pouty round pink lips said.

“I hear they are handsome! And wealthy with thousands of chains of businesses with huge profits! Nithilorcs are known for their god-like appearance and passionate and savage behavior! I can’t wait!” Isabella giggled. I rolled my eyes as Dominic stiffened suddenly.

I felt his arm wrapped around my arm tightening as he looked past his shoulder. I followed his line of vision as I heard the room get quiet as a few tall figures walked through the doors.

“Oh my god! They are here!” Tiana squealed. I had never seen them so fizzy. And for what? A man? A rather handsome man… I wasn’t able to see much but from where I was standing I could see his dark black hair swept back in a neat hairstyle with a few strands falling on his chiseled face.

I could see his back as his black shirt came into view. The tightness was telling me how much muscular he was underneath. The rumors I had heard before their arrival were not doing him justice. The way his silk black shirt clung to his muscular, toned physique had everything women and even some men in the banquet hall sweating, for different reasons.

“Why isn’t he coming my way?” Isabella mumbled impatiently.

“Calm Bella…” Tiana said as she bit down her lower lip.

“We’ve all night…”

“Why is he alone? Where are his brothers?” Isabella asked.

Ruby and I exchanged glances as we rolled our eyes. I stayed silent as I watched my father talking to this fine stranger.

“They’re not his brothers—”

“Whatever! At least they live with each other.”

“They are high-ranked warriors of each realm, each species,” Ruby interjected. Isabella and Tiana quickly straightened their high-fashioned gowns as they waited for their father to introduce them to their potential husband.

“This is my wife, Irene,” Father said as Irene walked over to them swaying her non-existent hips.

“My lord,” I looked around as one of the castle guards gave me an anxious look at my father.

“What is it? I’m busy.” Father said a bit annoyed. I looked towards Dominic who just shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s rather… important.” This seemed to catch my father’s attention as he apologetically nodded toward the stranger and took his leave.

“Come, Lord Cassius, I’ll introduce you to my daughters,” Reina said smilingly. The stranger remained silent as he eyed the woman standing in front of him.

“This is my daughter, Isabella. She’s an enchanted beauty and hundreds of young princes are begging for her to marry them.”

Reina said walking the stranger down the line and introducing him to Isabella, who politely smiled up at him.

“This is Tiana, my loving daughter. She’s a musician. Her voice is like butter,” Reina continued, walking down the line.

“My youngest has the voice of an angel.” Tiana looked at the stranger and smiled charmingly. “And my beautiful Ruby,” Reina said proudly. “She’s a healer.” Ruby looked nervously up at him as she smiled softly. Reina introduced Soni and Irene and I rolled my eyes. “This is Liana, the eldest.”

It was a ritual to have the eldest be introduced also but like always she forgot me. I held back the urge to roll my eyes and sidestepped when the tail of the dress was suddenly stretched and before I knew it, I stumbled forward.

I lost my balance and when I opened my eyes, I was met with a pair of leather boots. Anger engulfed me as I eyed Isabelle she smirked at me.

This bloody wench.

My hands clenched against the floor.

Create any nuisance? What about her? Wasn’t anyone going to blame her? Only because she possesses a beauty of a goddess and the antics of a retarded person, my father expected me to be polite when she was humiliating me in front of everyone. I heard several gasps as I sighed heavily.

I pushed against the floor trying to get up when my hand slipped against the surface, I closed my eyes and anticipated the collision of my face with the floor when my upper arm was clasped in a tight hold and with a gasp, I was hoisted up. My arms flared for support as I extended them. Before I knew it, I was clutching the silk fabric. My eyes widened in reality as I looked up at the owner of the arm.

“Are you alright?” I was staring at his chest when I heard his voice. Was he asking me? I slowly raised my head and felt all the air leave my lungs. Being this close. When did he move so close?

His face looked as if it was sculpted by the gods. And he had the softest baby blue eyes I had ever seen. His chiseled jaw was covered with rough stubble and the tips of his lips had a mole in between them. The few stray strands of his dark hair fell above his eyes, shielding his intense gaze.

Reina scoffed. I felt my heartbeat quicken as the stranger held my gaze. Why was he looking at me like that? I shyly nodded before lightly pushing him, creating some distance between us. I could feel several eyes on us.

“What is your name?” He asked in such a deep voice that it nearly startled me.

“H-Haz-Hazel.” I managed to get out.

“Hazel…” He said with a bit of tenderness in his voice. His eyes slowly raked over my body in such a way that they ignited the fire in my belly.

“Oh my god! Are you alright, dear?” Irene asked quickly before blocking him from my view. I was in pure shock and utter embarrassment. When did she start caring if I was alright or not?

I frowned and nodded before dusting off my dress. Why does this evening have to be this difficult?

“She’ll be fine. Come, I’ll show you the table.” She mumbled eyeing me up and down and scowled before grabbing his arm. I scowled looking at her retreating.

What a pretender.