The Alpha's Temptation

Biham had this strong urge to go along with Tania and meet Kinshra, but then, should he? He started to walk behind her, but he halted in his tracks. He wasn't the one who would steal the time between mother and daughter. If he went along with Tania without invitation, the moments would soon become very awkward. He watched Tania leaving as his eyes burned at the back.

When Tania heard that he wasn't coming, she too stopped and looked behind. "Father?" she called him. "Aren't you--?"

Biham took a deep breath in and gave her a thin smile. "Later..." he said and then turned to go back to his room.

Tania started to go after him, but Eltanin stopped her. "Don't go, Tania. It's better if they have 'alone' time when Kinshra is ready."

Tania's heart squeezed with sadness. She sent a little prayer in heaven that her mother allowed her father to meet her.

As soon as they reached the tower where Kinshra lived, the guards opened the doors for them. The servant led them through a spiral staircase that was lit with sconces. The place looked so aloof and lonely, it was as if no one came to meet her there ever, or she purposely stayed alone. They reached a landing that led into a small foyer which led into a circular and spacious room.

"Please sit here," said the servant. "I will inform Lady Kinshra."

The room was beautifully decorated. There were plush sofas that lined the walls. A thick round rug, the color of sky, sat in the middle. Orbs of yellow lights floated in the ceiling, illuminating the room into soft hues. There were two arched windows that were on the east of the room that had gauzy curtains drawn on the side. Gray light from the outside filtered through them showing the bleakness of the sun and the day. And just outside the windows was a covered balcony where someone was sitting.

Surprised, Tania walked to the window to see who that was and she saw a man. A fae man. His soft gray wings were hanging on the sides languidly. He was sipping tea and eating pastries as he watched the snow flurries falling down on the distant hills and homes.

Tania's eyes became wide with anticipation as to who he was. All at once, she heard a rustle of fabric and spun on her heels to see that a woman was entering the room. Her mother. She was stunned.

Time froze when the gazes of mother and daughter locked.

Tania's breath became ragged. Her mother was a lovely woman. In fact the most beautiful woman she had ever met in her life. She had pale blond hair, just like hers. Just as tall as her, Kinshra had a soft and petite face that would melt the hearts of many. Tania's eyes welled with tears as she realized that she had met her mother for the first time and that what it would have been to spend her time with her mother. Would her destiny be different?

Her wings rustled a little as all Kinshra could do was stare at her child. She had never ever once showed her emotions to her father or mother regarding the baby they never allowed to enter in Vilinski. Her father was so angry with her and Biham that he gave her a punishment of never getting her baby and he even sealed all the portals with his magic to Araniea so that she never ever once went back. Kinshra had cried and begged her father to get her baby, but Lord Krail had refused.

And look at her daughter? She had grown to be so beautiful that no one could equal her beauty. She raked her gaze on her wings, her face, and then the man who had come with her, Eltanin.

Kinshra's knees wobbled and her throat choked with a thousand emotions. It was impossible for her to even take a step ahead. "Lusitania..." she murmured and the little control she had on her, broke. Her tears rolled out and Kinshra sank on the rug. With a loud sob, she spread her arms for her daughter, and Tania came running to her mother. She threw herself in her mother's arms and the two embraced each other tightly as they cried.

Kinshra showered her daughter with a flurry of kisses all over her face as she giggled and cried. Tania had thought of this moment so many times in her life. And she knew that it would be most awkward. It was anything but awkward. It was their natural love that came into play. The bond was undeniable and it set it instinctively. They were both so deprived of each other's love that all they managed to do was stay in each other's arms.

A warm smile kicked up his lips when Eltanin saw mother and daughter's first meeting. He stared at the two and didn't intervene even once. It was such an emotional moment that even he was shook from the inside.

Tania didn't know for how long, but she realized the presence of the fae man in the room from the corner of her vision.

"Kinshra..." the man said in a low voice as he came forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Get up..."

Kinshra looked at him through her teary eyes and nodded. They both got up. She cupped Tania's face and said, "You don't know how long I waited for you to cross that portal and come to me..."

Tania leaned in her mother's palms. "I am here now..."

The man nudged her to sit. Kinshra left Tania and looked at Eltanin. "And you must be her mate?"

Eltanin gave her a tight nod through a wide grin.

"Come here," Kinshra said.

He went near her and bowed to her. Kinshra held his upper arms and looked proudly at him. "I am so happy that Lusitania found a mate in a man so devoted as you."

Eltanin's chin lifted in pride.

Kinshra turned to see the fae man whose hands were still on her shoulders. "Meet Lord Haftr."

Eltanin bowed to him, but the way he was holding Kinshra's shoulders so possessively, it didn't bore well with him. "Your brother?" he asked.

A low growl came from Haftr's throat.

"No!" Kinshra laughed. "My brother is not here. He has gone to collect the tax from the lands."

Eltanin pursed his lips as he shifted on his feet uncomfortably. 'Poor father-in-law,' he thought. But his mother-in-law was such a hot piece that it shouldn't be a surprise if she has suitors.

They all sat down with Tania sitting next to Kinshra on the sofa and Haftr and Eltanin sitting on chairs opposite to them. The maid brought them a tray of hot tea and a platter full of cheese, pastries and baked tuna.

Kinshra offered her daughter tea and pastries. "I know why you have come to Vilinski," she said as she sipped her tea. "And I am ready to start teaching you whenever you like," she said with eagerness.

"That would be lovely," Tania said. "I can start from today!"

Kinshra laughed. Her daughter was just as impatient as her mate. She looked a lot like her, but she had her father's stubborn chin.