The Alpha's Temptation

Nora gulped, seeing the magical power that the queen recently displayed. The faes were dangerous and had very strong magic. This was all beginning to look like something else. If the queen hadn't had her tea, then what was she asking for? And why did she require her? Surely, Flora could do everything for her.

"Then what would you like me to do for you, Your Highness?" asked Nora. "Should I prepare a bath for you? You look very tired. Though I doubt that you would need my help with that too," she chuckled.

Tania laughed. "I don't want to take a bath."

Nora was confused, but she kept quiet, waiting for the next order. The queen had gone insane or just because she had got so many servants, she was trying to show her powers to all of them. She bowed to her and said, "In that case, may I take your leave, Your Highness?"

"No, you may not," Tania replied.

Nora snapped her eyes to the queen who was gazing intensely. Tania pointed at the cup of tea and very softly said, "I would like you to drink this tea for me."

Nora instantly broke into sweat. "Wh— why?" she stuttered.

Tania picked it up and sniffed the tea. "I want to know what all you have mixed in it. I am sure you can tell me by your sniffing prowess."

"I— I never prepared it for you, Your Highness!" she sputtered. "It is the cook who made it."

"I know," Tania replied and came to stand in front of her. She pointed at the tea with her chin. "But I want you to taste it. For me."

"I ca— can't do that," Nora said, stepping back a little in order to gain some distance. Her shoulders had stiffened with so much tension that she glanced right and left to look for ways to escape. "This tea is for you. How can a lowly servant like me do this?"

Tania crossed her hands across her chest and then lifted her right hand to look at her nails "Well, your queen just ordered it to you. So drink it, or I ask Gordon to put you in dungeons."

"But why are you asking me to drink it? After you gave me the order to get tea, I just asked the head cook to prepare it for you. I went away shortly after that. My husband is not feeling well. I have to prepare food for him. Another maid must have brought it for you! So if you allow me to go, I will take my leave." Nora tried to get out of the situation.

Tania tilted her head. "I know," she replied very sweetly. "I know that you didn't bring it, but that is irrelevant. Why are you explaining the situation to me?"

"B— because—" Nora stared at the queen. She was trapping her. Nora knew that the queen was trapping her, but she couldn't do much about it. Tania wasn't only going there. She was not even interested in who got the tea. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead when she realized that fae was trying to deal with her smartly. "Because I have to reach my home fast. My husband—"

"That's fine, Nora. Please don't worry about your husband. I will ask the cooks to pack meals for you and your husband for the night," Tania said. Then in a very strict but soft voice she added, "Now go and have that tea."

Nora froze at her place. If she had the tea, she was sure that was going to die a horrible death. "Why, Your Highness?" she squeaked. "Are you suspecting me of something?"

"Why would I suspect you, Nora?" Tania replied with a shrug.

"I know you are very kind, but please don't trap me into this game. I will leave the position of the head maid and gladly give it to Flora. I know that you want her as your new maid." She sank on her knees and clasped her hand as if to beg her. "Please don't play this game with me." She spoke loudly, so that the guards outside listened to her. "Besides, if the king sees that I am sipping the queen's tea, he will behead me."

"The king won't behead you," a deep voice from behind came. Nora snapped her head and saw King Eltanin standing behind her. Shock grasped her chest in a vise-like grip. "Drink that tea as the queen has ordered." Eltanin's eyes were now streaking silver. His aura was so strong that it was impossible for Nora to even move an inch.

Her lips trembled. She was now fully trapped. She looked at the queen who was gazing at her nonchalantly.

Tania glanced at Flora. She nodded and picked up the cup of tea to bring it to Nora. Nora didn't even touch it, so Flora had to keep it on the ground in front of her.

"Drink!" Eltanin ordered.

His power was so strong that Nora couldn't counter it. She was forced to pick up the cup. Tears ran out of her eyes. She was getting trapped in her own ploy, knowingly. She lifted the cup to her lips. The tea smelled strongly of wolfsbane. She closed her eyes and took a sip. She lifted her gaze to see Tania who was watching her intently yet again like a hawk. Nora couldn't even decline the king's orders because she had no base. Had the queen accused her, she would have denied it vehemently, but not now.

Her mind started forming more plans. She would drink one more sip and then keep the tea down. She would play the victim card. After all, the king didn't know what it was about. She drank once more, hating the bitter taste and then kept the cup back on the floor.

"Drink it all," the king ordered.

Nora didn't pick up the cup going against his command. She got a terrifying headache. She started panting.

"Drink it," Eltanin growled.

She picked up the cup and drank half of it.