Bonded by Fates; The Core of Life

12. Connection

Aubry POV:

I was waiting for Melian at night. It was late, almost midnight.

I was at the end of the hall, as she told me to do.

Where was she? Did she leave me?

Oh no. I knew I couldn’t have let Melian inside the restaurant’s kitchen.

I had no idea she would poison our Queen, I just thought she would put some pepper or laxative on her food.

I was so scared and lost at that moment.

Melian was my friend and if she hadn’t tricked the competitors, she would have worked in the same place I was.

But now, I don’t recognize her anymore.

She always wanted to be with King Werloth, she had her ways to reach him. Which I never approved, but I also never said anything about it.

It was not up to me.

It was her decision, not mine.

I tried to advise her many times, she just couldn’t listen and now, here I was.

I was in trouble because of her.

I should just stay and tell them everything but I was so afraid.

I never did anything bad in my life. I wasn’t a criminal.

We had a law in the Elves Realm, we couldn’t kill each other.

We have to be fairly judged or Werloth could use his power to check if the ‘criminal’ can be redeemed.

That might sound amazing, but it wasn’t always like that in practice.

There was too much impunity and many innocent people locked up because of the other elves' wicked ways.

Whilst Elves like Melian were around trying to kill our Queen, she tricked the whole realm for her own purpose. And I was locked inside the dungeon because I'd been tricked by her.

What could I expect now?

It was too late for me; I was Melian’s accomplice.

Things weren’t fair at all in the Elven Realm. Maybe becoming a criminal could be something good.

Melian was the living proof that crime pays.

But still, I couldn’t. That’s not how I was raised, but I am too scared right now to stay inside my cell and hope for the best.

I had hope that with a strong and fair Queen, we could have a low crime rate, but now I couldn’t hope for the best because I was literally locked up as Melian, the one who should be there instead, was walking freely in all the areas of the King’s castle for decades.

She could just do us all a favor and die, honestly.

I’ll never forget everything she has done to me and this realm.

I heard some steps coming in my direction and I froze in my spot.

“Aubry”, I heard Melian’s voice calling me and I exhaled sharply.

“You scared me, why did you take so long?” I asked her and she frowned.

“You should be thanking me, not questioning me” she said firmly, and I looked down.

She handed me a paper with a number and a cellphone.

“I want you to call him and say exactly what’s written behind this paper, got it?” She asked me dryly and I nodded.

“Fine, now you go before I regret and kill you, myself” she threatened me and waved her hand in a snotty way for me to leave like I was a piece of thrash.

But right at that moment, I was scared and I just wanted to leave this place.

I entered a small passage and made my way out of the castle.

There was a dark robe with a hoodie outside. I wore it.

I put my hands in my pockets and I felt a piece of paper, I took it off and unfolded it.

“Go to The Silver Spade tavern near the mountain”

I walked for almost all night but I reached the place.

The tavern was empty. An Elf man came standing like a statue behind the counter and he crossed his arms waiting for me to say something.

“Huh, do you have a room?” I asked him.

“Yes, are you going to pay in cash or s*x?” He simply asked and I gulped hard.

What kind of place was that?

I looked down and I put my hands inside my pockets again. I felt a small pouch.

I took it out and the fabric looked old but there were some gold coins.

“Cash” I simply replied.

“This way”. He said, motioning for me to follow him.

He opened the door for me.

“You can still save your money and have s*x with me, you could stay as long as you wish” he stated, smirking, and I just forced a smile.

“Thank you. Maybe, some other day” I tried to be nice.

I was scared and I didn’t know if this man was wicked, he could do something to me and I had to play a role for now.

“I can’t wait, I’ll be in that room” he said, directing his finger to the door “if you change your mind”.

I just nodded and closed the door.

I sat on the edge of the bed and I just cried. I felt humiliated. I had s*x only once and I regret it badly.

I was young and reckless. I promised myself I’d never do it again if the elf wasn’t my mate.

The room was woody, small and had a bed with a dirty sheet, it seemed.

I have to call the wizard. I’ll sleep for a few hours and then I’ll leave this place.

I checked the paper and grabbed the cellphone.

I dialed the number and placed the cellphone in my ear.

“What have you got?” I heard a man saying.

“Huh, hello. Melian asked me to call you and say that…” I glanced at the paper and read it; “the money was sent; you’ll receive it by morning. The dragon girl is there and we need a plan attack”. I read.

My eyes opened wide in surprise as I put my hand over my mouth.

Melian was really up to killing Angeline.

Oh Goddess. I couldn’t let that happen.

“Fine, I’ll send them at 3o’clock in the afternoon” I heard, and the man hung up.

I was thinking about it non-stop, pacing around in the room, my foot was almost caving a hole in the floor.

I paced for about an hour or so.

I decided I’d go back. I couldn’t sleep and my fear was diminishing and the guilt was taking me over.

I couldn’t let an innocent die because of me.

I was tired but I had to find a way to go back.

It was a long road and I’d walk slower than before, but I had to do it.

It was 8o’clock in the morning. If I leave now, I’ll be arriving just in time.

I had no other number and no family to mind-link.

I sighed and made my way out the room to leave.

.

Werloth POV:

I woke up and had Angeline in my arms.

She looked so serene and at peace. I ran my hand through her silk hair and just enjoyed that precious moment.

I almost lost control yesterday, it’s getting even harder to control myself.

But I wouldn’t mate her if she didn’t ask me to, I was craving to mate her, to make her officially mine and make her my Queen.

I didn’t want to scare her.

Today I’m going to teach her archery. I’m going to love watching her practise. I’ll love it even more because I’ll be the one teaching her and I can stay close to her.

I kissed my Angel’s forehead and she held me closer, laying her head on my chest.

Having her in my arms was still feeling like a dream come true. Sometimes, it didn’t feel like it was real.

She was so caring, sweet and beautiful.

I was reminding myself of the day she was born.

It explains the pull I felt towards her. How could I be so dumb?

I was blind, because if I wasn’t, there’s no way I couldn’t have figured it out.

Suddenly, I felt her hand caressing my neck and she moved up to press her soft lips on the crook of my neck, making me feel goosebumps all over my body. I groaned.

I held her closer.

“Good morning, my Angel” I whispered to her.

“Good morning, my Elf” she whispered back at me and I smirked.

She glared at me, resting her hand on my chest and her chin on her hand. It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

Her beauty was mesmerizing.

I took some strands of hair off her face and she smiled at me.

I smiled back at her.

“How was your night?” I asked her.

“The best night of my life so far” she whispered.

“So, can it get better?” I asked her teasingly. I realized what I asked after the words came out of my mouth.

She smiled and bit her lips in response.

“You know it can” she replied teasingly back at me.

I gasped. Could she feel the lust I was also feeling every time I was around her?

I’d never had s*x before but I’m old enough and I knew that it was different between man and woman.

I shook off this thought by kissing her. Her sweet taste always brings me to heaven and I felt at peace.

We parted after a while and she laid on the bed again as I stood up and made my way to the bathroom. I sneaked a peek at her again and she was laid beautifully and sensually dressed with her silk nightgown. My gaze found her collarbones and the swell of her breasts, then followed to her feet and her legs.

She was pure perfection.

I was gawking at her and she noticed it.

I took a few steps toward her again, I knelt down beside our bed and I couldn’t keep myself from touching her feet gently, sliding up to her ankles, leg and her thigh.

She felt goosebumps all over her body. I wanted to keep going up but I also knew that if I did that, I wouldn’t hold myself back anymore and my Angel deserved so much more than that.

Maybe I could take it slow and try something else some other time to see how she reacts to me.

She sat in front of me on the edge of the bed.

“You’re so beautiful” I whispered, before I kissed her again.

She wrapped her arms around my neck and nibbled my lips.

Everything about her was sweet and seductive at the same time. I felt like I was being intoxicated by her and I was enjoying it.

We parted and she was circling the tips of her fingers around my chest.

“Werloth…” she called me, her voice wasn’t louder than a whisper.

I stared at her beautiful and round eyes.

“There’s something I want to give back to you” she let me know, and she was looking for something in the bed.

Until she looked down, her robe was on the floor. She took it and she put her hand inside the small pocket.

She took a handkerchief out.

When I unfolded it, I remembered the day I gave it to Liam and Alice. I smiled.

“You know, when you were born, you didn’t stop crying. I handed it over to your parents, and your mom gave it to you. You stopped crying at the same time”, I told her, as the memories were also coming into my mind.

“Thank you for saving my life that day”, she told me. I hugged her and I pressed my eyes shut, feeling my heart clench.

I almost made the biggest mistake of my life the day we recognized each other.

Afterwards, we parted our embrace and I glanced at it again.

“It was my mom’s handkerchief”, I let her know and she was caressing my forearm in a soothing way.

“Thank you for giving it to me, back at that time. It might be very important to you” she whispered, and I smiled at her again.

“It was, but you’re more important to me than anyone or anything ever will” I said, and I stood up again.

She also did the same. We dressed and went to the kitchen for breakfast.

Melian and Balin were there.

“Good morning” they said in unison.

Melian was expressionless and Balin had a smile on his face.

“Good morning”, we greeted them.

Mary and Carmen came in to serve us and Dain and Alais came after them.

“Queen Angeline, King Werloth” the kids greeted us and we chuckled.

“Respectful and polite, maybe I should give them the position as my second in command”, I joked. Balin laughed.

“Maybe, I’m sure they’re better than me” Balin stated, winking at them and they chuckled.

“Good morning Mary and Carmen, please join us” Angeline asked them and they smiled at her.

Melian stood up and left without saying a word.

We sat next to each other and we all had breakfast, even the kids.

“King Werloth, is it true that you can create and manipulate all the elements?” Dain asked me. The curious way he was staring at me, made me feel somehow good and proud of myself.

I've never felt this way before, but this little elf boy was making me feel such an unexplainable connection.

“Don’t need formalities, Dain. And yes, I can show you later. I’m going to take Angeline to the training ground today, anyway”, I told him and Angeline wound her arm around mine and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Yes” Dain cheered.

Dain was a very special boy, he was outgoing, respectful and I felt the urge to always have him around.

He’s the kind of kid who brings joy in those dark days.

Dain had bright blond hair, his skin was as bright milky as mine, blue eyes and somehow he reminded me of myself when I was at his age.

Alais was also very nice to be with, but Dain, he was brave and he had a light in his soul. Besides, he could manipulate fire.

I’m sure he’s very powerful and special indeed.