The Crown and his Queen

Chapter 23 - Memories and Dreams

Hearing a moan, Casper reposition himself in his sleep. Both Maylyn and Tabitha silenced until he breathes deep in sleep again.

“I feel asleep and my mind,” Maylyn pointing to her head. “I see him coming into the bedroom and getting his things. He didn’t come close to the bed. He didn’t say goodbye, Tab that MF didn’t even look my way! He just walked in and out, like he lives there alone. Like, I don’t exist, like I’m nothing to him.” Sighing loud, keeping tears from her eyes.

“I’m sorry girl. I know guys suck sometimes and it’s got to be harder because he’s the King.”

“You know Tab. Maybe you can tell me something about Gavin.”

“I can try May.”

“Trent said something that made me think.”

“Okay?”

“He said, Gavin was trying really hard not to show his colorful side. What does that mean?”

“Oh! That?”

“Yeah, so Tabitha, do you know what that means?”

Maylyn looks at her, “Well, okay, so I’ve known them both all of my life. Now Trent has always been the one with lots of personality. Gavin on the other hand.”

“What?”

“May, Gavin isn’t a nice guy all the time. Well I guess that’s wrong too. He’s just… he doesn’t like people a lot.”

“What Tab? He’s a King, how does-”

“So, like, we’d all be talking at lunch. Gavin would be there, but he didn’t talk to anyone. He was always bored or couldn’t be bothered. We could always depend on him to do what is right or stand up when it was needed. But he always looked really bothered. I think what Trent meant is he was trying not to be that person around you. But I’ll be honest May, when you passed out and I was worried about being dead, sure. I was more worried that Gavin would start treating me like he did in school… like I was bothering him. Since I found out Trent was my mate, he’s been good to me. When Trent was bad to me, Gavin’s was good to me. I wouldn’t say we’re friends. But as long as he’s nice to me, I’m good.”

Maylyn sits up, placing Casper’s head softly on the raft. Untucking her grey summer dress from under her thighs and looking at the sky in front of them, “I wish I would’ve known that guy. I wouldn’t be so hurt, and I would have more understanding where we are. Why he’s treating me this way.”

Glancing at Tabitha when she sits up, “What are you going to do May?”

“I’m going to wait and when he comes back, he’s going to get a mouth full. He told me before I left my pack, he would never need or love anymore more than me. His words to me, when I found out he was the King. I asked him what he should be to me. He told me, I am your Mate, your protector, your lover, your confident, your King and Alpha. In that order! Tabitha, I’m going to hold him to that, in that order. He might have a cold annoyed side to him, but I’ll be dammed if he thinks he can treat me bad. King or not!”

Looking at Tabitha when she has a low growl laugh, “I can’t wait for this show down May. My money is on you. I’m sure Trent’s will be too.”

The mood changed, “Maylyn can I ask you something?”

She nods, knowing this is something serious.

“Why hasn’t Gavin marked you?”

Putting her hands on her hips and looking back at the blue sky. Recalling the conversation they had once about marking.

“Gavin, will you ever mark me?”

“I don’t know if its wise for me to do that.”

“Why?”

“With marking comes impulsiveness. I am responsible for a Kingdom and its big. There are lots of level-headed decision that need to be made on the regular. Marking you, my thinking and Kingdom’s priority could be affected. As the King, I can’t afford to be driven only by love. I need logic and a clear mind to make clear decision.”

“And you can’t make them marking me?”

He gets quiet and taking her hand, “I don’t know. My grandfather and father never marked their mates, any of their mates. I don’t know if it can be done. I only know to not mark. We can still live happily and choose each other.”

“How do you know unless you try Gavin.”

He releases her hand and shaking her head, “I can’t. I can’t risk the Kingdom to a try. I know this method works. My mother and father have been in love for years without marking and the Kingdom has never been in jeopardy.”

“But Gavin-”

“I’m sorry Maylyn. I cannot give you what you seek.”

“Gavin, I wa-”

“I accepted you exactly how you came. An old mate, shy, scared of me, even with your preconceived notions of what my s****l preferences would be. I ask you to do the same for me. I promised and I intend to stay with the decision of you being my forever. No mark on your body will make that conviction any greater for me.”

Feeling like she just wanted to say her peace. Knowing its not going to change anything, but just to be heard. “Gavin, please, please, just let me say it, so I can have peace.”

He nods.

“I understand what you’re saying. But this is something I’ve dreamed off all my life, being marked by my mate. Will you not even consider a change in this.”

“No Maylyn, I can’t. Please my love, take me as I am. I have given you all of me, this is the one thing I can’t give.”

Pressing her lips together, “I understand. I will hold to your promise of being with me forever.”

He grabbed her face and kissed her like it was the first time.