Bear Prince: Shifter Paranormal Romance (Royal Bears Book 1) (11 page)

***

He allowed his mate to leave his presence reluctantly, then turned back to his mother.

“What's going on?”

“Don’t you growl at me, boy,” she snapped, bringing her fist down on the desk for emphasis. It was no show- she was a Sahakian Bear, and the strength in her throws was nearly equal to Andrei’s, only differentiated by the vagaries of gender. “If you'd done this the proper way, we wouldn’t now be in a defensive position.”

“What. Is going. On. Mother?”

“The Assembly has reservations over recognizing Hannah as Princess, and your cub as Heir. You know the laws on human and common brides.”

He exploded. In his mind, Bear rampaged through the room, taking apart every item of furniture, shattering glass, punching through walls. He closed his eyes, allowed his mind to burst through the study doors, Bear running with the full speed of his form toward the chambers, taking every last major and minor Lord into between his paws and-

“Snap out of it, Andrei,” the Queen said. “We don’t have time for your daydreams. There
is
a legal precedent to deny an Heir with a human mate- the throne must be secure with a Bear who can shift. There is always a possibility a half human-”

“Not a large possibility.”

“There is always a possibility that a half human cub will be born single-natured.”

He sighed, aggravated. “As if the strength of the Sahakian line lies solely in our Bear. Our child will be fit to rule, regardless.”

“Of course,” she agreed, unruffled. “But they are using a legal precedent and if I overturn the vote it will weaken us for some time- I can’t afford that when there may be a war brewing on our borders.”

He knew that. “Fine. Then I'll fight law with law.”

CHAPTER

12

“
You have beauty, and natural grace
,
” Miahela said, indicating she should sit
.“
And Mother has already seen to your clothing, so w
e’
re several steps ahead. I'll tutor you in the etiquette you'll need, and we'll discuss some of the questions the Assembly may ask you
.
”

Hannah felt certain there was something at stake the Princess wasn't disclosing. “What's happening? Please tell me.”

Miahela sighed. “The Assembly does not want a half human cub on the throne. They refuse to recognize you as Princess.”

Hannah stilled. “But... I don't need to be a Princess. And if the baby can't be a royal, it doesn't matter.”

The look in Miahela's eyes stopped her
.
“Hannah, if you are not Princess and the cub is not Heir, then Andrei still has a duty to find a female and produce the next King or Queen after him.”

For a moment her vision went dark. It was lucky she was already sitting because breath whooshed from her lungs. 

“You mean we aren’t really married?”

The Princess frowned. “I understand humans place importance in marriage and it makes sense- you need the legal bindings because you can’t mate. But you and Andrei are mated. Nothing is more sacred among our people. The legitimacy of your mating isn’t in question- it is your legal status as a Sahakian Princess.”

Her parents wouldn’t give a fine fiddle for a Bear's idea of sacred. They would only recognize a judge, a minister, the words “I do” and a signed legal document.

“Then what is the point of me meeting the Assembly?” Hannah asked. “I can’t learn how to be less human.”

“No.” Miahela smiled. “But we believe their reaction is knee jerk- perhaps if they see you are fit to be Princess, they will relent- at least enough to agree to a workaround of sorts. If the cub can't shift, the crown can pass to one who can. Or to my heir when I have one.”

“You're mated?”

The Princess smiled, sadly. “It's complicated.” She rose. “Come, let's begin with walking.”

She practiced walking, sitting, where to place her hands. How to tilt her chin to convey emotion. Maintaining a serene facial expression. Modulating the voice and proper forms of address. They discoed questions the Assembly might ask her regarding her parentage and background. Her education.

“It feels like a deposition,” Hannah quipped.

Miahela didn't smile. “It is.” When her response sunk in, she continued. “What do you know about Casakraine?”

Hannah bit her lip. “Not very much. My education was... focused. Few women left the community. There's no need of knowledge of history and geography beyond what's required to understand our community.”

“Unfortunate, but... perhaps not. Your upbringing isn’t so very different from one of our own rural folk.” The Princess pursed her lips. “That's how we'll play it. Emphasize your similarities to our own farmers as much as possible. Let me tell you about Casakraine.”

It was the fastest history lesson Hannah had ever received. The Sahakian's themselves were a youthful dynasty- Hannah snorted- only five hundred years old. The current capital city lay about thirty minutes’ drive from the castle, a deliberate act on the part of Miahela's family. They owned the vast tracks of forestland that backed into the not quite distant mountainside Hannah had observed on the drive in. They preferred the quiet and solitude. There were government offices and a townhouse in the city, but during the summer the Queen and Assembly gathered at this country estate for several months to address governmental issues as was tradition. The rest of the year they stayed in town and on their various estates, commuting as needed.

“We're more developed than several of our neighbors- Khaihalland-of-the-Mountains is a bit wild yet. And since Izobelle took the throne, our interest in the Arts has increased greatly. But we still have several provinces that are agricultural economies. Large corporate owned farms and small family farms. Many of the smaller towns still rely on more of a barter system and prefer not to engage in the exchange of currency much.”

Hannah nodded. “We're the same. Many of the younger men have jobs in town and some of the women sell goods, but we're largely self-sufficient.” Hannah paused. “Though farmland is becoming nearly impossible to buy outright if it isn’t inherited. We've had to adapt.”

Hannah didn’t say what her parents refused to speak- that their way of life was endangered. She set the worry aside and focused on Miahela
.
Soon the Princess pronounced they'd done all they could and rose.

“You aren't scheduled to appear until before the dinner hour. I’m sorry to be abrupt, but we must move quickly to control what goes to the media. So far the focus has been on your dance. You have time for a nap and something to eat.”

The Princess led Hannah to a beautifully appointed guest suite in the family wing.

“You can’t move into Andrei’s suite until you've been formally acknowledged,” Miahela said quietly. “Unfortunately there are constraints on royal life.”

At that point, Hannah was too weary to care. A meal was brought. A creamy soup and the fanciest roast beef sandwich she'd ever tasted, with sliced fruit and even a piece of cheesecake. Hannah sipped juice and water during her meal and then curled onto the large bed. And fell asleep.

***

A caress of lips on her cheek woke her. She turned her head, capturing his mouth for a proper kiss. Sinking into the warmth of him as her blood slowly heated. After a moment Andrei drew away.

“No time, I'm afraid,” he said.

She opened her eyes, studying the grave expression. Her hand cupped his cheek. “It will be alright.”

He smiled at her. “The strength of my mate. I'm supposed to be giving you reassurance, not the other way around.”

“You just did.”

She climbed out of bed, startled to see Miahela a few discreet feet away, head turned as she studied the view out of the window, giving them the illusion of privacy. Once Hannah stood, the Princess shooed Andrei out.

“Come, we'll get you dressed.”

The floor length tunic style gown had long wide sleeves and a high neck. A deep purple, Mia wrapped a wide golden sash around her waist, thick with embroidery that matched the cuffs and neckline. The ends of the sash draped down the center of her body to the floor. A stiff matching cap was placed on her head with a sheer veil that draped loosely over her shoulders. Her hair was left free, tumbling down her back in untamed curls. When Miahela emerged from the dressing room she wore a similar ensemble in an emerald green.

“It’s the traditional dress of our family,” the Princess said in response to Hannah’s expression. “Every Casakraine family will have a similar designed dress, with the colors and embroidery being unique to the family line. Mother will wear red, probably. Only the Sahakian females wear this dress. It will send a message that they had better vote correctly. The Sahakian’s do not make comfortable enemies.”

Hannah's looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize the exotic, aristocratic stranger staring at her. Concentrated, and shifted her expression into Miahela's serene, slightly aloof lines.

“Come,” the Princess said. “You look every inch a Sahakian. Don't allow the Assembly to cow you.”

***

Hannah had expected an ornate chamber with high ceilings and crummy acoustics. The Assembly room looked more like a university amphitheater than anything else. Rows of desks, generously spaced, on each half-moon step at which men and women sat. She couldn’t quite differentiate the nobles from their aides- Miahela had told her it was the aides who did the real work.

The Queen and Prince sat at their own table on a raised dais in the front of the room. Izobelle did wear red, her son in a knee length tunic almost identical to what Hannah wore, and slim silk pants. Andrei rose as Hannah and Miahela entered. The general hum of conversation softened as people noticed where Andrei strode.

“
Perfect
,
” Miahela murmured
.“
They must be on a break between dockets. I do hate interrupting
.
”

Andrei reached them a moment later, meeting the women halfway. Hannah's training took over, her walk and posture perfect, expression stage ready. Calm, warm, but aloof.

“Highness,” she greeted, and curtsied. Miahela had informed her showing her mate such respect might win her a few points- show she was grateful to be raised above her position as a commoner, etc. etc. And that it would not insult the Queen to bow to her mate first, since this was not a formal occasion.

Andrei caught her hand, brow and mouth quirking with amused irritation as he shot his sister a quick look. The Princess inclined her head, continuing past them to her mother.

“Are you ready?” he asked softly, voice not carrying beyond her ears. His hand caressed her cheek briefly.

“Princess Miahela was thorough. I’m a trained performer, after all.” She smiled at him. “Even if I am a small town country girl.”

“You are a Princess, and a Sahakian.”

He took her arm and escorted her down the wide steps. When they cleared the final tier and stood before the Queen, Hannah curtsied low. Slightly smug her dancer's training meant her lines were smooth, strong. Perfect.

“Hannah,” Izobelle greeted. “Come sit with us. The break is almost over.” Hannah took the seat on Andrei's left, Miahela settling on the other side of her mother.

“Lords.” When the Queen spoke, silence descended, save for the rustle of cloth or paper.

Hannah was impressed.

Andrei rose. Hannah stiffened, an involuntary reaction to the mantle of menace now cloaking him. His eyes sparked as he slowly scanned the room. He took Hannah's hand, drew her to her feet.

“I am honored to introduce my mate, the Princess Hannah, and to announce she carries my firstborn Heir. I apply for the Assembly's blessing to recognize our mating and the legitimacy of our child, and have their names recorded as members of the Sahakian line.”

The request sounded more like a threat. Hannah controlled her grimace.

A man rose, three tiers up. Elegantly dressed in a black and silver tunic, dark hair interspersed with iron grey.

“We have concerns, Highness, which we've made Her Majesty aware of.”

Andrei inclined his head. “Indeed. I thought the main concern so foolish it warranted little enough of my concern.” Broad shoulders shifted. “Really, Wadim. Her
humanity
disturbs you? I'd thought better of our nation's war hero.”

Lord Wadim's gaze remained unruffled. “Human mates do not always produce Bear babes.”

Andre shrugged, deceptively light. “They we will try, try again.”

“Admirable how willing our Prince is to do his duty.” Hannah stiffened, but the ribbing underneath Wadim's grave tone seemed good natured. “There is the question of the girl herself. Is she worthy to be Consort to a Sahakian King? We are uncertain.”

“I have said it is so.”

Hannah wondered if the combination of stony expression and soft tone went over their heads.

“You understand why we cannot take your word for it. You are her mate. Naturally you’re biased.”

“Then what do you propose, Wadim?” Izobelle asked, voice cutting through the strained pleasantries.

“We would like to speak with Lady Hannah, with your permission.”

Andrei nodded. “Of course.”

They took their seats. Hannah faced Lord Wadim, relaxing her body. It wouldn’t do for shifters to sense her anxiety.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Hannah,” Lord Wadim said.

She inclined her head. “I'm very pleased to be in Casakraine, my Lord.”

“Ah. And is this the first time you’ve traveled outside of America?”

She smiled at him, pleasant, just a hint of warmth peeking through her reserve. “It is. My parents are farmers. We had little time or means for travel.”

His iron grey brows rose. “Farmers, my Lady? How interesting. Casakraine's economy is still largely agricultural.”

“So I understand. We're third generation farmers.”

“And is that your desire as well? To farm?”

She allowed her smile to widen. “No. I'll always love the land, but I’m a dancer, my Lord. I study ballet at a university in America.”

“The Princess is a gifted dancer.” Izobelle said. “I'm hoping she will help me expand our Arts program in the capital. So many of our young females would be well suited to dance, don't you agree?”

“Indeed,” Wadim said. “You dance, an accomplishment. And are all of your friends dancers, as well?”

“I’m afraid I'm a bit boring,” Hannah said. “I haven’t yet made friends. I train very hard, which leaves no time for socializing.”

“Stop beating around the bush, Wadim,” a woman snapped.

Hannah glanced at her, saw narrowed eyes and a sleek chignon. “We want to know what kind of dirt we can expect the media to dig out of your closet, girl.”

“I won't remind you again to address my mate as Highness, or my Lady at the very least,”Andrei said
.
For a moment no one spoke. The naked threat in his tone was enough.

“Lady Hannah,” the woman said after a moment, the name a thinly veiled demand.

“I understand what you’re asking, and I even understand the reasons for the question,” Hannah replied. “But I still find it distasteful. Please accept that I have no skeletons which would shame my parents, or my mate.” She turned to Andrei, meeting jewel bright eyes. “Andrei is the only man to ever tempt me away from my studies.” They stared at each other, a long, humming moment before he touched her cheek to break their connection. Hannah took a deep breath. Turned back to the woman. “And I am a law abiding woman.”

“Come, Lady.” The skepticism was thick. “No provocative photos on social media? No naughty secondary school parties? Nothing?”

Hannah's mouth firmed. “I was raised in a community where we believe in living off the land provided by God, and in family, and in leading moral lives according the scriptures. You won't find one picture of me except those taken during my school performance.”

Silence in the chamber. Hannah was proud she'd managed to keep her tone civil- though barely. What the woman implied irked her even more than she'd anticipated. And she realized how proud she was of her conservative heritage. How proud she was to have been raised by simple, hard working parents. She felt no shame in being unworldly. True, she wanted things beyond the scope of what most women in her home community usually wanted. In that she was a bit of a rebel. But in comparison with worldly women? Hannah stifled a snort.

“This must all be very new for you.” Lord Wadim drew her attention back to him. “The pressures of a royal life are many. If you’re as sheltered as you say- no, Andrei, I'm not doubting your mate's word- then do you feel you are able to shoulder the burden of being our Prince’s Consort? A burden greater than even Mia's, I'd say. You have a lot of learning ahead of you.”

Hannah wondered at the suddenly dropped honorifics, but nether Andrei not Miahela corrected the older male, so she assumed there was a relationship of some sort there.

“I'm certain it will be challenging,” Hannah replied. “I can only take it one day at a time. Most important to me is that I remain with my mate.”

“Well said.” Approval in Wadim's eyes. Then he looked at Izobelle. “Majesty, I'll want to speak with Her Highness later in more depth, but for now the Assembly is satisfied. When the fetus is at an age for testing to determine genetics, then we will make our final determination.”