“I’m not here to defend him. I only want to tell you my story and maybe answer some of your questions. I am sure you have plenty.”

She was right, I had tons of questions and she seemed harmless enough. “All right.”

“You aren’t the first human woman to fall victim to a Pteron royal.” She paused, looking to make sure I followed. “I was a few years older than you when it happened, but I trust the experience wasn’t too different.”

“Okay.” She had me intrigued.

“I’m not sure what you have been told, but you are incredibly important to our people now.”

“I gathered that, but how so?”

Helen lifted her left hand revealing an identical ruby ring. “Each heir to the throne gets one of these rings. Once the ring is given and the relationship consummated he can never be with another.”

“What do you mean, can’t be with another? What’s to stop him?”

“Honor. Power. The knowledge that New Orleans would suffer another great hardship.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Our family only retains power if we continue to have an heir. An heir can only be born from the king, or future king, and his mate. The ring marks the mate, which is why the ring can never be removed. If Levi steps out on you in the slightest, he forfeits it all.”

“But what does this have to do with hurting New Orleans?”

“If our family loses control, the seat of power moves to where the next leading family lives. If the seat moves so does the entire base of the supernatural community. We’re talking a lot of money and influence—things our city can’t afford to lose. ”

“You’re trying to tell me that if I don’t have an heir with Levi, the power structure changes completely?”

“Yes. Of course, no one is expecting you to have a child now. It’s enough that there is a potential. Levi’s father and I were together for years before having him.”

“Oh, but what if you, well, what if you couldn’t have a child?”

“If a woman wasn’t able to carry a Pteron child for him he wouldn’t select her. It’s a simple matter of survival instinct.”

I didn’t think there was anything simple about it. The conversation was making me sick. I didn’t like being in the same room with Levi, so talking about having a baby with him was way too much.

“I know this is all a lot to take in, but you must remember that you don’t have to act on anything immediately. We are only asking you to stay in the city so we can keep you safe and to keep up appearances.”

Wow. Talk about bluntness. “Keep up appearances?”

“I realize how that must sound to you, but it’s essential that we don’t set off any panic. If anyone were to think a power shift was possible, it could set off a war or worse. Trust me, it wouldn’t be pretty.”

I didn’t dare ask what could be worse than a war.

“So you want me to stay in New Orleans and pretend to be your son’s girlfriend?”

“I’d rather you not pretend, but maybe the two of you just need time. I believe that eventually you will forgive him and realize how right you are for each other. You wouldn’t have been drawn to each other if you weren’t. Not to mention that he needs you. He needs a woman who will stand up to him and force him to be the best man he can be.”

“You make it sound so easy, like it’s nothing.”

“I certainly don’t mean to. I only want to spare you from repeating my own mistakes.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t tricked the way you were, but I still didn’t understand. Robert told me that intimacy after accepting the ring would bind us forever, but I didn’t really think about what forever meant. When we got into our first fight, I rushed out of the city back to my family home, much as you tried to do. Only, I lived closer and I actually arrived.” Helen looked wistful.

“What happened?”

“Suffice to say I was followed back and my sister was the one to pay. But that’s a story for another day.”

Noting the sadness on Helen’s face, I didn’t press for more details, but I could tell the story didn’t have a happy ending. I hadn’t even considered that my family could be at risk. How could I leave my mom vulnerable? It felt like the walls were closing in on me.

“Like it or not, you are part of this world now. You can’t run from it, whether you want to or not.”

“But Levi said I could leave. He said if I wasn’t convinced after the party—”

“I know what he said and he means it, but it doesn’t mean your actions won’t have repercussions.”

“Have you ever felt like your life was just a series of mistakes?”

“Sure I have. I think that’s what we call growing up. But sweetie, we aren’t defined by the mistakes we make, but by what we learn from those mistakes and how we move on.”

Words stopped on the tip of my tongue, what if we don’t know how to move on? I kept the thought to myself.

“I’m glad you came here.” Talking to Helen gave me an insight I doubt anyone else could have and it gave me more to think about, especially when it came to protecting my family.

“I’m glad too. I know things seem bleak now, but it will all work out. In some ways, you are saying goodbye to your old life, or maybe just the life you planned to live, but in turn, you are getting a new one. You have the chance to be something great, and make a big difference. Not too many people get that opportunity.” Helen patted my knee lightly. “Now, I should let you get some rest.”

“Rest?”

“Thursday is going to be a big day.”

“This Thursday?”

“Yes. The party isn’t until the evening, but there will be a whole day of preparation before.”

“Preparation?” I asked.

“Relax. I’m talking about a spa day.”

“Oh. I guess I also need to shop.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. I already found the perfect dress for you. I’ll have it sent over later.” She smiled.

“How do you know my size?”

“Levi has an eye for sizes.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I groaned, wondering how many other girls he had “sized.”

“I wouldn’t let it get to you. You are the only girl that will ever matter to him now.”