17. Some Alone Time
1422 Words
Sophia
“And your toothbrush, did you get your toothbrush?”
“Yes, mom! I have everything I need.”
Mom wraps her arms around me, crying softly as she hugs me at our front door. Ax got here a few minutes ago and has been grabbing my bags for me. We’re going to Summerville together and alone. It’ll be the first time we’ve been alone since he used to sneak into my window at night.
That stopped when Dad saw him leaving in the middle of the night. Even after we turned 17, we had strict rules. It’s so unfair, truly. I can’t wait for us to finally explore having a relationship.
I never thought I’d go to college, let alone the single best school for fire users in the world. Summerville’s fire program is so exclusive; the only reason I got in was because Ax is my mate, meaning I’m going to be the next Czarina. If it weren’t for him, there was no way I could get in.
“Let me know as soon as you get there.”
“We will.”
I give her another hug when the door opens. I quickly turn around, hoping it’s Dad saying bye, but my heart plummets when it’s Rina.
“I got in!” She squeals as she runs at me and throws her arms around me. I hug her back, my heart pounding as I realize she’s going to be living with us. So much for figuring things out on my own.
We pull away and she bounces back to the limo. Mom places her hand on my shoulder and I turn to look up at her.
“Your father really wanted to be here, but he had work. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay.”
Really. He probably would have threatened Ax again. We get closer to the limo and I can see Damari staring at us through the window.
“All set?”
Mom asks him and I glare at her, then him.
“Please tell me he’s just taking us to the airport.”
Ax locks eyes with me and I know exactly what that means. Damari’s going to be living with us. Of course.
After saying my goodbyes to my mom all over again, we’re finally on our way to the airport. Damari is sitting next to Rina, who’s face had been buried in her phone since we started driving. Ax holds my hand as Damari looks out the windows we pass by.
My phone vibrates and I see it’s Sapphire. I turn my phone to show Ax the message that she and Ruby are on their way to meet us at the airport.
Ruby’s in her senior year, and Sapphire’s going to major in water magic. It’s not their speciality, but it’s still very impressive.
I can’t help but yawn as the limo gets closer to the airport. Ax moves his arm to wrap me up and I lean into his chest, resting my head. I smile up at him just in time for Rina to make a gagging noise.
“Your love is making me physically sick.”
My cheeks redden as I look away and try to pull my hand away. But Ax holds on tighter. I relax in his grip, settling into his embrace.
“You didn’t have to come, Rina. Why are you doing this?”
She laughs as she scrolls on her phone, barely looking up at us.
“I didn’t want to, but my parents are making me. They think it’ll be a good way for me to find my mate. As if I want a mate, so I’m all shackled up like you two.”
It may sound cliche, but she doesn’t know what she’s missing. She’ll figure it out when she does meet her mate. She puts headphones in, and we realize that’s the end of us talking to her.
I look out into the streets of the city I grew up in. I’m going to miss it while we’re gone. But when I come back, I’ll be stronger. I’ll be more capable of being the Czarina the dragons deserve. The Czarina that Ax deserves.
~
“This is where we’re living?”
I’m in complete shock looking at the mansion. Rina ignores us as she strides ahead of us with Damari right in front, pulling the large door open. I catch a glimpse of the inside, noting it’s not empty.
“Who’s in there?”
“The servants. What, you didn’t think we’d have to clean or cook while here, did you?”
Ax takes my hand, walking me into the mansion to show me around. The entire place is absolutely stunning. It’s beautifully decorated and has multiple libraries, sitting rooms, and a huge open floor for hosting guests. We walk to practically the edge of the house, and Ax smiles as he reaches into his pocket, showing me two keys.
I take one of the keys and turn back toward the massive double doors before pushing the key inside. I step into the room to realize it’s basically another house in here. It has everything you need.
“This is our room. It’s away from everything else, so we can have privacy.”
I drop my bag on the floor and run immediately to the fireplace. Ax walks behind me, holding his hand out and lighting the logs there. I put my hands out, loving the warm air against my cool skin.
“This is going to be useful when it snows.”
Ax laughs as he kneels next to me, mimicking my hands to get some warmth. We stay there for a moment, basking in the fire before my curiosity pushes me to check out the rest of our private room.
I walk by the kitchen and can see into the open bedroom. I can’t believe we’re actually going to be sharing a living space. It’s all I wanted before. I run to the bed and immediately get on it, and start jumping. I laugh loudly as Ax comes in and tackles me onto the bed.
He holds me down as we laugh, the freeing feeling of being together without our parents starting to sink in as he stays on top of me, his arms around me.
I stare into his deep brown eyes; the euphoria of being here is starting to wear off. I timidly lift my hand to run my fingers through his short hair, but I stop myself, watching his eyes study my face.
“You’re beautiful, you know that, right?”
My stomach drops at his words as he leans down, pressing his lips to mine. I give in, immediately kissing him back and getting the courage to run my fingers through his hair. We’ve been together for years, but we’ve never had a chance to really be intimate.
His tongue pushes into my mouth, causing a sensual reaction deep inside me. My hands trail down his back, my nails digging in and feeling his muscles move as he adjusts on top of me.
He pulls away for a moment, our eyes locked together as a smile crosses his face. His dimples pop into place as he sits back and runs his hands through his hair, slicking it backward somewhat. But he doesn’t get off of me. He stays there, leaning back and kneeling as he looks me up and down.
Since he’s checking me out, I do the same. I mean, I do it every chance I can. I watch as he brings his fingers to the bottom of his shirt, pulling it over his head to toss it to the side. I can’t help but trail my eyes from his chest to his abs, looking lower where his belt holds his jeans up.
He runs his fingers over my legs, getting closer and starting to sneak into my dress as he studies my face for my reaction. I grab his forearms, feeling his hard muscles under my fingers. He stops moving, and just as I’m about to pull him to be on top of him, we can hear Rina outside the room.
“What are you two doing in there? Sapphire and Ruby are here.”
“So much for privacy.”
Ax gripes as he gets off the bed.
“We always have tonight.”
His smile deepens as he walks over to his shirt, pulling it over his head and covering those beautiful muscles.
- Writer
