My breath catches in my throat, and I open my mouth to speak when the door slams open. I let out a shriek and scuttled behind Quill, trying not to care that he's nude. It's Leopold, and his gaze meets Quill. "Sorry for the interruption, but there's trouble, my lord!" he exclaims before leaving the room. Quill whips on a robe that was dangling on his bed post, slipping on clean underwear, and running out of the room, the moment broken. I frown, our moment clearly ruined, and grab my own thick robe that will hide the fact that I'm not wearing a corset, and run after him, stopping just around the corner of the living quarters. The couches are filled with what I assume is Quill's pack, their wounds being attended to by the nurse maids, and a medical doctors. One of the pack members has a bandage around his head, and he tries to scratch the back of his head, but can't. "...report." I hear Quill say, his voice calm, and full of authority. "Before
The sound of a violin beinig played wakes me. It's sweet, and loud, filling the room with music that sounds so...energetic. Quill is gone, having woken up before me, and I ring the bell that's placed on the small end table next to the bed. The three maids appear, bringing in the basin, and a rolling cart. They curtsey getting everything ready, and I wander off to the restroom, washing my face, and then getting ready for my bath. Rose oil is added into the bath, and soon the smell of flowers overcomes the room. Once the maids have served their purpose, I dismiss them, submerging my entire body in the hot water. Though my body is relaxed, and I shouldn't have a thought in my mind, it's racing. I overheard that conversation last night, and it is something to be worried about. Death laughed at me, saying that I don't know truly know men. But was that men in general or just Mason? The thought of Mason starting a war over being scorned makes me want to laugh. Because
"Kelpies. Those are tricky little creatures. You have to be careful if you ever see one, Cece." my mother says, as she brushes a curl from my face, and gives me a kiss on my temple. "Do we have any here, Mama?" I ask her, and she chuckles. "No, your father made sure that kelpies would never enter this land. But that's not the case in all places you'll visit when you grow up. If a kelpie tricks you..." water began to drip down her nose, and then her eyes. Frightened, I grabbed my blankets close to my chest, scooting away from my mother. "M-mama?" I stuttered out, water pooling out of her mouth as she tried to grab me again. "If...a...kelpie..manages to trick you..." she says, and as she talks, more and more water flows out mouth, drowning out the rest of the words. I don't understand, I can't hear her, or know why she's talking about kelpies of all things- A boy emerges from the waters spilling out from my mother. He has his hood up, and
"You know, you lot are a hassles to keep up with." Death says, rolling his eyes as he swings his scythe lazily. I frown, crossing my arms as the faint sounds of the dead sounding behind me. I'm curious what he meant by 'lot', but decide to focus on other things instead. "I feel like I keep you entertained though." I say, innocently twirling the bridle/bracelet on my wrist. "You aren't the only one." he mutters, then places his scythe back on his back. "I keep telling you not to die, but I have a feeling the moon mark I gave you is what causing this." I touch my cheek, staring at him in confusion. "That would make sense. A mark from death is going to attract certain actions or things to want to kill me. But thist mark, you gave me because you lov-" "Don't flatter yourself, Cece. We have a deal is all." he replies flatly, and I can't help but smile at him. "Okay, okay, I just tease, honest. Plus it would be oh so scandolous; I am a betrothed woma
The conversation flow is natural, though Cersei partakes in little of it. Lip now and then shoves her arm with his book in an attempt to get her to say something. She says naught, rolling her eyes at him, then going back to eating her food, and drinking her orange juice. Luckily, Quill is busy talking to Elex, Eryx, and Xolo, and I try to listen in, though most of it is just about the problem with the trade in. In a more hushed tone, I can hear him ask Elex, and Eryx about Mason. I lean in to hear better when- "Oh! My lady, forgive me, I almost forgot if you settled your ownership of the kelpie yet." Lip asked, making my turn to him in surprise. "I haven't yet-" "I forgot! Lady Cece managed to take the bridle of a kelpie! That sounds so amazing." Xolo exclaimed, stopping the conversation between the twins and Quill. Quill smiles, but I can see the worry in his eyes, and how he pushes the remainder of his food away. I want to know what ex
We walked in no hurry to get back to the estate while I looked at the icicles dripping off the trees in wonder. Quill tells me about his childhood, talking about his relationship with his parents, and how his father was the one that carried the alpha gene. Apparently, the chances of getting the werewolf gene were determined by the father since there was no account of female werewolves until Cersei came along. The werewolf gene, though common from past ancestors passing it down from the father's side. The Alpha gene was a bit more complicated to explain though. "Cersei really was the first one born with it?" I asked, slipping my hand in his. "It's a bit more complicated than that." Quill said, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair, the curls sticking up a bit. "Yeah?" I asked, trying not to seem too invested. But I was. In all my years of being alive, I didn't know much of the werewolves. Having them treated of the norm was still kind of a new thing
I stand next to the lake, keeping an eye out just in case. The kelpies prance around in the waters, disappearing and reappearing in a different spot. My bracelet's chain sticks straight up, the clasp tickling my palm. I'd been on edge since Mason's arrival, and the fact that he had a truce with the Fae didn't help. So instead of cowering into fear, I'd practice summoning kelpies in any type of water, not just the lake. I asked Quill if he'd place a huge fountain in the common area of the castle just in case. He'd agreed, noticing that I was more strained than anything. "Do you want to go back home?" he asked, and I shook my head, sending out a message to my father to pull out all trade and businesses he had with Mason. And to send a servant out here with more of my clothes, and boots, because I was going to spend more days here. I knew Mason feared my father more than he feared me; my father could hold his own in Ovylian, but I was determined to keep Quill and hi
Quill looked at me as if I had asked him to behead a baby chick. His hands were placed on my cheek, and though I should have pulled away, I leaned into his caress, closing my eyes. I got my answer from that motion, and Quill kissed my temple as he pulled me along with him. "Where are we going?" I asked him, but he said nothing as we went back into his estate, and he pulled me along into our shared room. Slipping off his tunic and pants, he stood there half naked and pulled me to him. At first, I was stiff, not sure how far this was going to go. But Quill simply took off my dress carefully and undid my corset, letting it drop to the ground. The pins and ribbon in my hair were pulled along with the dress, my hair half loose, and half free. I was nude yet only wearing my underwear, and as Quill worked out my hair to be loose, I shielded my body from him, feeling shy. Quill made no move to pry my arms downward, walking to the closet and