by Alice Knight
Another set of double doors open, this room is easily the size of my whole apartment, guards line the room, a couple groups of people wearing long coloured robes are dotted about and seem deep in their conversations.
But what really has my attention is the back wall, a staircase on either side curving up into the second floor balcony.
Between the staircases, a 3 stair height stage that looks out into the rest of the room. Two elegant thrones made of stone, with roses entwined around the legs continuing to grow up the back, I can spot the dark purple cushion above the heads of the two currently occupying the thrones.
Taking a deep breath, I stop admiring the decor this place is currently owning.
Me and Aireme continue forwards while the other 3 hang back.
Walking up to the steps of the stage, my eyes finally meet those of a woman. She has tears silently forming and falling onto her cheeks as she looks me up and down. Damn do I really look that bad? I glance towards the man at her side and he is doing the same but a much better job of holding the tears in.
I take in their appearances, neither of them look a day over 30, The King has dark black hair with a slight case of salt and pepper grey on the sides, A angular face shape, straight nose with bright green eyes that rival my own.. He is wearing dark purple robes.
The Queen has bright red hair piled high on her head, I guess I now know where I get my good looks from, her eyes are dark ,without a closer look I couldn't begin to guess their colour. Looking down I notice she is wearing the same type of dress I first saw Aireme in. A long deep indigo dress being held up by a silver metal corset made up of twirls and rose vines.
“Our girls” They are the first words I hear from my mother as she reaches over to her husband looking for some sort of support. The king holds onto her hand and addresses us finally. I was beginning to get uncomfortable.
“Daughters welcome home.” He rises and comes towards us with our mother in tow. What do I do? I don't have any words for this moment. I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. Do I bow? I’m really hoping my face does not give away my internal panic.
Breath Sister, they have been looking for you for over a century. Please hug mother before she has a mental meltdown.
I don't get a chance to heed Air’s words before the Queen is throwing her arms around me, in what can only be described as a bear hug. I feel her tears as she cries against my neck, finally able to hold the daughter she thought she lost.
As many questions as I have at the moment, I can't stop myself from offering her some sort of comfort. I may not remember her or growing up in this place but I can feel her love, loss and hope all in this hug and it has me squeezing her back and crying with her. I cry for all the time we lost, Aireme joins us and she is also crying.
The King is the biggest of all of us and manages to wrap his arms around all three of us. His family being held in his protective arms for the first time in a decade.
After a few more minutes we all pull away and gather ourselves.
“So when’s dinner?” I ask to break the ice, maybe I’m a bit serious as well. Chuckling at my words “You have not changed in all these years my darling Sky.
Dinner will be in a few hours, for now let's get you all settled in. Maybe it will jog your memory?” The Queen replies, the last bit held far to much hope then I’m comfortable with.
Now I feel bad for what would of been my next question, What the fuck do I call them? Your majesties? King and Queen? Mum and Dad? I feel like a crap daughter for not asking Air for their names before we came here.
Ava and Rai, Aireme saves the day once again,
Thank you.
“Can we speak more later?” I ask my parents.
“Of course, we will be here to answer any questions and to hear about your life in London.” Rai replies.
“One more thing, I’d like to introduce you to Freya, She has been my family for the a lifetime.” I wave to where I see her standing watching our interactions. She comes over to where we are all conversing, suddenly holding out her hand to the King and talking a mile a minute.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, your home is lovely. Skylar is a great gal pal to hang out with, though I doubt the rest on London would agree with me. We have a tendency to leave a few fires when we are out and about.- “
Once she realises whats shes saying her stuttering starts and I’m almost in tears again, but this time it's from laughing at my friends word vomit. I begin to tell her to chill out before her head explodes but my mum beats me to it.
“A pleasure Freya, Where some people might not have liked the fires to much they help us find her so we are very grateful for all the trouble you two seem to cause.” She chuckles lightly at the look on Freya’s face.
“We also know that you saved her life on more than one occasion and for that we are forever in your debt.” She finishes her little speech by hugging Frey and it warms my heart seeing Freya being welcomed with open arms. Her parents are complete assholes who only want her for the power she has but the Queen is genuinely accepting Frey into her home without question.
“Welcome to the family Freya” Rai is next to embrace my friend. Frey smiles brightly turning towards me, “So now thats all done and dusted did you get an answer about dinner? I’m starving.” I hear the slight rumble of her belly and roll my eyes.
“Few hours still I’m afraid but I’m sure if we can find our rooms, the kitchen should be no problem.” I reassure her. “Well then, what are we all waiting for let's go!”. Grabbing both my hand and Air’s she pulls us back towards Lucien and Thorn who break away from the group of people they were talking to and start walking towards us. I twist around catching the King and Queen holding each other, watching us make our way to the left hand set of stairs.
Is this whole place just made up of hallways and staircases? It feels like hours until Aireme finally shows us to our rooms.
We leave Freya in the one next to mine to get settled in and have a look around. Lucien and Thorn are leaning on the wall opposite us. Air swings the door open, standing to the side to let me enter. My breath leaves my lungs as I take in the room, “Holy nutcrackers” Aireme laughs at me, “I thought your old room would be helpful to the whole missing memories snag.”
This was my old room? I need to be reminded why I ever tried to leave. I turn to Air and see Thorn staring at me from behind her, Oh yeah arranged marriage to the wrong brother. I frown “So we are all here and ready to play happy families, but I can't help but notice a certain someone is still missing?” I aim the question to my sister and make it sound as nice as I can, but the more I think about Drake the more I miss him.
I’m pissed as all hell at him, he knew this was going to happen and how I felt about it. Why wouldn't he want to be here with me? The woman he apparently loves? And risked breaking a load of laws for?
“He will be here tonight, he has been missing for as long as you. Drake has responsibilities of his own and actions he must answer for in his own kingdom”. Lucien informs me. He makes it sound like a pleasant questioning but in my head I just see him standing in front of a judge and jury. “Please just tell me as soon as he arrives.”I plead with my sister.
“If he makes it” Thorn growls my way, before I can ask him what the fuck he meant by that he phases out.
“Don't listen to grumpy, okay so have a look around get comfortable then we will head down for dinner, I’ll get something sent up to Frey, so she does not starve to death before then.” “Thank you Air, that means a lot. I’ll catch you guys later then” We embrace each other afterwards her and Lucien phase out, I’m guessing to their own rooms. Shutting the door behind me I let everything that has happened sink in.
This room is huge! A door on the left reveals an ensuite bathroom, thank God their plumbing seems to be modern, not as old looking like the rest of the buildings. While their lighting is mostly candles, they have seemed to have updated some appliances.
Their is a small counter
in the corner past the bathroom door, cups and glasses on a shelving unit, a simple coffee machine with a little sink. A cupboard underneath with snacks in, apparently it has been freshly stocked, which I am very thankful for. Next to the kitchen area is a large sofa and fireplace. Bowls of fresh fruit are all over the place, picking up a few grapes I eat them as I explore more of the room.
I open the last door on the right and it reveals a large bedroom, the middle being dominated by a King size bed, pillars on each corner and a canopy hanging over the top. Old as shit looking but still the best looking bed I have ever seen.
Candles are lined up on the walls, bathing the room in a soft warm glow. A flat screen TV is mounted above a fully loaded bookshelf.
One last door brings us to the walk in wardrobe, I’m pretty sure my eyes are bugging out of my head, shoes and bags line one of the walls. The back wall is holding up all kinds of beautiful dresses. Drawers and more cupboards are on the last wall. If Freya has the same in her room, I’m confident she will not leave it to see the rest of the palace.
I run my hands over the dresses and find a little dark purple number, I take it off the rack. It's perfect for dinner later.
Decision made, I take some black strappy heels that compliment the dress I found. Heading towards the ensuite I place the shoes on the floor and hang up my outfit on the wall hook. Looking into the mirror above the sink, God have I been running around looking like this? I roll my eyes at myself, turn back to the bath and start turning on taps. Bubble baths and bath salts line the shelf in the corner, I pick up one with a smell that reminds me of vanilla tipping the bottle under the running water, I pour in a healthy amount and put the rest back on the shelf where I found it.
Searching the draws under the sink I find the fluffiest towels I've ever felt, I put one on top of the vanity unit and another small on folded on the end of the bath. I test the water temperature and turn off the taps before I flood the bathroom, stripping out of my clothes I begin sinking into the hot bubble bath and relax back resting my onto the soft towel.
I visualise all my trouble floating away, I phase my phone to my hand while it's still dry and put on some music coursing me to relax even further into the water. I'm in here for 30 minutes then my fingers start to prune and the water starts to get cooler. I raise out of the water bubbles seeming to cling to my skin just as Drake appears in the bathroom doorway.
The coolness from the air should of had me shivering as it hits my warmed skin, but the look in my mates eyes has the opposite happening. The desire and lust in his eyes has me heating up and a new kind of moisture appears in between my thighs. His eyes slowly glide down my body, I'm so tempted to give my hips a little shake or a wiggle but I'm reminded that I'm pissed at him, so I just phase the dry towel to my hands and wrap it around myself, keeping his greedy eyes from seeing my naked bubbly body.
“Well look who the cat dragged in” I comment full of sarcasm.
“Mate” he growls at me, I can hear a mixture of emotions in his voice none of which I have any interest in. Drake comes to stand in front of the bath, holding me by my hips he lifts me out of the water and slowly slides my body down his. I can feel his arousal up against my stomach. Well hello sailor, I stop myself from licking my lips as anticipation crawls up my spin, I growl at my inner goddess warning her to keep it in her pants. I pull away from Drake and wave him towards the door.
“If you don't mind I'd like to get dressed for dinner and this show isn't free” I begin tapping my foot impatiently waiting for him to get the hell out. He gives me one more lingering look before he starts moving towards the door.
“I want to talk to you before dinner-” This comes out his mouth sounding like an order thankfully my mate appears to be a fast learner as he adds “Please” on the end.
“Okay we will talk, but if anything stupid comes out of your mouth I’m kicking you out. One and only warning Drake.” He nods and removes himself from the bathroom so I can finish getting ready in peace. I dry myself quickly and slip on the dress, well, looks like he will get a little show after all, damn dress is done up from the back. Brushing my hair I leave it hanging in its natural curls and forgo putting on makeup, I finish up by putting on my heels and give myself a once over in the mirror. Damn I’m looking good. Mate eat your heart out, I wink to myself and go towards the living room.
It doesn't take me long to find him, I just follow the sounds of lust filled growls, I find him sitting on my sofa with his eyes now glued to me. I give him my best saucy smile and slowly make my way over to him, adding a gentle sway to my hips. A constant growl is vibrating from his chest, smiling to myself, I stop just in front my him and turn slightly holding my hair over one shoulder.
“Would you mind? Mate” I ask in a sultry voice. I feel his chest vibrate as he stands up flush against my back, slowly sliding his hand down my spin leaving tingles in his wake, I suppress a groan, this is his punishment but I can no longer remember why. I feel the bite of the zip as he does up the back of my dress, once he is finished, he leaves a trail of kiss along my neck. I crane my neck to give him better access and let out a breathy moan when he bites me where my neck and shoulder join.
My body breaks out in goosebumps, I only just stop myself from leaning back into him. Instead I release my hair so it falls against my back and take a few steps away from him. “Skylar” he groans at me full of desperation and desire. Turning head on towards him, I cock my hip to the side and plant my hand on it.
“Why did you leave without so much as a ‘I'll see ya later' I thought we were mates, and yet as soon as you got the chance you hop skipped and fucked off.” I'm proud of how calmly that comes out considering inside I'm torn between slapping him silly or humping his leg like a dog in heat.
“My mother found out where we were staying she sent her elite guards to bring me back here. I didn't get a chance to tell you, they phased in, announced the order and phased me out before I knew what was happening.” He explains to me, I can accepted his explanation but I can't shake the feeling he is still keeping things from me. Right now I want to go talk to my parents over dinner, I really need my mate with me. “okay but whatever it is your keeping from me just know, you can't hide things from me forever but I'll let it go for now.” He pulls me towards him and kisses the rest of my words away. I pull him closer to me by his hair and we slowly begin to walk backwards his legs hit the back of the sofa and he sits down. He pulls me onto his lap, I continue to kiss him heatedly.
I feel Drake lifting up my dress so it sits around my waist giving me more room to place my legs on either side of his thighs. He begins grinding up against me, Oh God help me.I can't stop myself from pushing down onto him more firmly.
Moaning into his mouth, I reluctantly pull away from him. “We don't have time-” I whisper against his lips, “Dinner will be starting soon”.
“Love, I can't join you at dinner.” I’m only just able to hear him, and its enough to put out the fire he started. I lay my hands on his chest and push back so I can look into his eyes.
“What?
Why are you not coming with me?” I’m genuinely confused.
“Air may very well be happy to let us be together but in your parents eyes, your going to end up with Thorn. Me being the one to lead your astray I’m not welcome here”.
“You are fucking kidding me!” I blast back at him, not meaning to aim my anger at him at all.
Finally being able to meet my parents I completely forgot about this stupid supposed marriage.
“You think they will still expect me to marry him?” Looking down into my mates eyes, my heart drops.
“I’m so sorry kitten, but for as long as we are here, that will always be your fate.”
He encases me in his arms and I bury my face into his neck, breathing deeply. What are we going to do? Hell will have to freeze over before I marry Thorn.
“Go to dinner, talk and get to know your parents, I will be here when you return and tomorrow I will take you on a
trip down memory lane.” I know he is trying to cheer me up but, damn, we got a black cloud hanging over us and no amount of outings will make it dissipate.
“We need to find a way to fix this Drake, because I will never marry another man. I want my mate, I want you”
For the first time in what feels like forever, my mating marks hum with emotion and my eyes bolt to Drake's. I see the love he has for me shining back. He gives me one last lingering kiss before I have to stand and leave.
I exit my room at the same time Freya emerges from hers. She looks like we had the same idea about the swimming pool sized bath.
“Show me the food” She demands as she opens her arms in a dramatic gesture. Laughing at her forwardness we link arms and make our way back downstairs.
“So are you going to tell me what's the matter or am I going to have to beat it out of you?” She asks after a long silence stretch.
Damn nothing gets past this girl, She’s like a bloodhound for sniffing out drama and gossip. We stop in the middle of the hall, I turn towards her taking a deep breath.
“I think my parents are going to try and force this marriage shit again, I don't want to bring it up because I want to get to know them before I go and start an argument. Let's face it if they try and push this we are so out of here.”
It feels good talking to Freya about this. She seems to be the only person here without an agenda.
“My honest opinion?” She offers.
“Always” I answer, “Treat the topic like a band aid, just whip it off. I understand you want to get to know them but it will hurt so much more later if they try and cart you off.” Damn this girl and her logical answer. “A band aid huh.” I consider this as we once again make our way towards the thorne room.
Aireme catches us at the stairs, She takes up the spot on my other side and we loop arms.
