Mated To The Cruel Prince novel Chapter 867

867 /921

Chapter 867: Chosen Queen

With her previous dress destroyed by Azreal, he had another one brought for her. Being a king with wealth at his disposal certainly had its perks. Back in the Fae realm, Gabbi would never have dared to ruin the few good clothes she could barely afford.

Unlike her first dress, which had been chic and fashionable, this new one was undeniably regal. The striking black gown had a deep V-neckline, and the feathered texture gave it volume and movement, creating a dramatic and luxurious appearance.

The asymmetrical hemline, shorter in the front and longer in the back, gave it a high-low effect that added even more elegance. With her long, flowing hair complementing the dress’s bold style, Gabbi looked every bit the queen.

"You look good enough to eat," Azreal said, his dark eyes locking onto hers as he took her hand and kissed it.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, your majesty," Gabbi playfully hit him on the chest. Despite her teasing, she felt confident in her skin.

The dress had transformed her, making her look every bit the queen she was meant to be. Not to mention, the color matched Azreal’s wings, making them look like a formidable power couple.

Presenting a united front, they stepped out, her arm looped around his. The moment they emerged, all eyes were on them. No one passed without taking a second or even third glance. Gabbi held her head high, undeterred by the attention.

Azreal had told her his people would meet them. Various tribe leaders, important subordinates, and elders awaited in the grand hall. As they arrived at the doors, Gabbi paused to take a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" Azreal asked, sensing her hesitation.

"Yes, I am." Gabbi steeled herself, tucking away her emotions like she had seen Azreal do countless times. "Let’s do this," She thrust her chin up.

Azreal nodded, and at his command, the large doors were pushed open, creaking loudly as they announced their arrival.

As soon as they entered, all eyes were on them. Despite the initial shock of having so many eyes on her, she didn’t falter. Azreal’s presence grounded her, giving her the strength to move forward.

As they walked deeper into the room, Gabbi realized Azreal hadn’t been exaggerating about the tribes’ different traits, despite their shared Ravenkind lineage.

One figure had a completely raven-like head on a human body, while others had beaks for mouths, and some had replaced their legs with bird limbs.

Gabbi was grateful that Azreal had given her time to adjust before this moment. Had she been exposed to all of this at once, she might have shrieked or fainted from shock.

Seeing the Ravenkind in their natural forms was unnerving, and for the first time, she understood Drusilla’s betrayal a little better. It was hard to imagine anyone being comfortable in the presence of beings that looked like nightmares come to life.

But not everyone was so monstrous. Some held human traits, with strong wings folded behind them like Azreal’s, while a few appeared completely human.

The latter surprised Gabbi, though she knew better than to think they were truly human. It was all a façade, perhaps meant to calm their queen and prevent her from fleeing in terror.

It was clear now that some factions of Ravenkind were opposed to her, hoping to frighten her into fleeing. Well, they had miscalculated. She had Azreal, the king of monsters, by her side. So why fear any other creature when the fiercest of them was her mate?

As she scanned the room, Gabbi made mental notes of those who appeared more human. She would need allies if she were to survive in this kingdom. After all, they had already planned to kill her while unmated. Who knew what they would do now that she was mated?