The Genius and The Prince

Chapter 14 – Potions and Chances

“Oh my God! He is your MATE!” Margo declares, looking at me with eyes the size of quarters. I just close my eyes and put my face in my hands.

“Margo sweetheart you really need to work on your tact.” Seline says, giving the back of her head a slap. I can hear it all. I can feel Margo move my hand from my face and mouth, sorry. I just nod and roll my eyes. “So now that we have that settled, let’s move along,” Seline says. “I had no idea when she came to me crying with her mother that it was for the prince. I had a feeling she was not truthful, so I may have given her a potion that, once used, would make the other person…” She stops and looks from Richard to Thomas. “Or should I say werewolf? Well, anyways, if the one receiving the potion is not their destined mate, it would make that person slowly dislike the person or see the other's true self.” Seline looks at Jackson. “You are one stubborn wolf!” Jackson just nods in understanding.

“I agree, I am a stubborn wolf.” Jackson replies, still looking at me. I just roll my eyes and shake my head.

“Ms. Clairmont…” Thomas starts.

“Please call my Seline, your majesty,” Seline says as she bows her head a bit. Not showing complete submission, just a matter of honor.

“Only if you call me Thomas,” He says with a smile as Seline nods. “Do you have anything that can prove that they were there? Some type of receipt?” He asks bringing his laced hands to the table.

Seline puts a finger up as to say one minute as she opens her rather large tote bag, which she brought with her and started placing things on the table. First there were several apothecary glass vials all with different color liquid. I look at Margo and she just shakes her head and puts her hand over her eyes. “Oh Lord, here we go.” She mutters and I pull my lips in and bite them trying not to laugh out loud. Next were bags of herbs. “Mother. REALLY?” She says looking at her. As Seline pulls out a small black thumb drive.

“Ah ha! Here!” She says holding it up in the air victoriously. “This is the footage from the day she came in. I had a feeling I would need it.” She says as she hands it to Richard. She turns to Margo and me, “What did I always tell you girls?”

“A feeling is almost as good as a premonition.” We both say monotonously. I think we even both rolled our eyes. I have heard it for 8 years; I am sure Margo has more than me. I look over and Richard has pulled a laptop from somewhere and a screen comes down from the other end facing him. Braxton walks over to the credenza and picks up a remote and we all start watching footage from Seline’s shop.

“See there she is! I couldn’t forget her; I knew something was off. The way her so-called mother was, so rude and not even comforting her. I should have known better…” She says pointing at the screen.

“How did they know you were a witch that would help them?” Richard asks.

“Well, I asked, and they said they found my name in a list of known witches, from a friend at the palace. They said they lived in the palace and the King approved of them coming to me for help,” Seline said. “I have a feeling now that was even a lie.”

“Feelings are as good as premonitions,” Margo and I say again. Braxton covers his laugh, and Jackson just shakes his head.

“Do you have a list?” Jackson asks his father.

“No, at least not one I am aware of.” Thomas says, looking at Jackson.

“But, for them to leave and come to Georgia, they would have had to get approval…” He says still looking at his father.

“That means we have a conspirator on the inside, because I do not remember authorizing them to come here.” He says and then looks at the screen. “That date, that is a week before…” Thomas stops, and I take that as my cue.

“Gentlemen, if you don’t mind, I think you have all you need?” I ask Thomas and then look at Richard.

“Oh yes, Thank you Seline.” Thomas says. “I would also like to extend an invitation to visit us in the palace at any time. Any friend of Emily’s is trusted.” He tells Seline and Margo as he stands and comes around to shake their hands. I watch as Jackson follows his father as does Richard. Braxton comes around and stands behind me.

“You know the way out?” Braxton asks me and I nod.

“Thank you all for listening and if you should need anything please let Emily know and we will assist however we can.” Seline says, shaking their hands and then walks to the door.

As they walk out, I am behind them and feel a tingle sensation as my hand is grasped. I let out a small sigh knowing who it is. I turn back and see Jackson with a sad look. “Emily, please can I have a second?” He asks sincerely. I look back at Margo and she nods.

“I remember the way, call me later?” Margo asks as I nod, and she leans over and presses her cheek to mine. It is a thing we have done since we first met, odd but it’s our thing.

“Alright, come with me.” I say pulling my hand out of his. As we get back to my office, I open the door and walk through it and head right for the desk to use it as a block between the two of us. I watch him shut the door behind him and then look at me.

“Please, I didn’t know.” He says as he starts to walk towards me. I put my hand up for him to stop.

“I understand, and I am not saying I won’t give you a chance.” I say crossing my arms around myself. “I just need time. I also have to deal with my parents.” I say bringing one hand up to rub my forehead.

“Let me deal with them with you.” He asks as he starts to walk closer to me. I put my hand back out and he walks up to it and holds it over his heart. “Please. I know I messed this whole thing up. I just…” He says closing his eyes and lowering his head still holding my hand.

“Well, my parents will be here tonight.” I tell him, pulling my hand away and taking a step back. “Lemon probably already has some plan to get them to let me stay.” I say, shrugging and looking out the window that is behind my desk. I look over at him, and he has his hands in his suit pockets, nodding. “Look, I am not and never was one of those girls that fall all over guys. I honestly though it would be a while before I found my mate. At least I was hoping for that.” I tell him as I sit on the edge of my desk with my back to the door.

“Why?” He asks as he takes the same stance as me and leans back to sit on the other side. My chair putting space between us.

“I worked hard to get here.” I say holding my hands out. “I wanted to prove to my dad, I guess.” I say putting my hands on either side of me holding onto the desk. It was the first time I told anyone any of my feelings. Well, anyone outside of Celeste and Margo.

“What do you have to prove?” He asks coming to stand in front of me trying to get me to look at him instead of the fascinating gray carpet. “When I met him at your pack yesterday, I could feel the pride he has for you.” He tells me as he puts his finger under my chin to make me look at him. “He was almost arrogant about how you can do whatever you want because you worked hard and are so sought after. I wish I could say my father was that proud of me.” I could feel his sadness as he removed his finger and found his spot on the floor fascinating now.

“From the way it sounds, you didn’t have much choice, but to think she was your mate or something like that.” I tell him.

“I knew she wasn’t though; I just was so frustrated. I felt like I loved her from the moment she met me at the party we were having for the Harvest Moon.” He says looking over my shoulder. “She handed me a drink, and like a fool I drank it.”

“But you didn’t know.” I said to him gently.

“No, but I felt it months later. I just wanted to prove my parents wrong, that she could be…” He started but shook his head in regret.

“It doesn’t matter, I should have stopped when I found he with someone else, but I was so caught up in proving to my father I was right.” He still shook his head. “I am a fool and because of that I hurt you.” He looked into my eyes. “I am so sorry.” He placed his hands on my arms and ran them down to my hands and placed them in his. “I will forever be trying to make it up to you.”

I just shook my head. “I understand, I really do. I just need you to give me some time.” I tell him. “I don’t want to be the one the tabloids start making up stories about. I also want to get to know you, the real you not the one they have made up.” I tell him and he nods in agreement.

“I can do that; I will do that.” He now has a slight smile. “Does that mean you will give me a chance?” He asks me with so much hope in his voice.

“Yes, I will give you a chance…” I say as he brings me into a hug. My hands are now at my side as he hugs me. I take in his sent and close my eyes, enjoying the feeling for a moment I bring my hands to his side. He leans back and looks at me, still holding onto my arms. “But I don’t want anyone else to know about us being mates. We have enough people that know now. I want to go slow.” I tell him and he just nods.

“I understand. And I can work with that.” He smiles as he reaches up and moves a stray hair behind my ear. “Does that mean tonight we can discuss this with our parents together?” he asks as I nod.

“Yes.” I say as I let out a sigh. He nods with a wide grin. One I have not seen before in any of the pictures in the magazines. I can’t help but smile back at him.

“I guess that means I will see you tonight?” He asks as he steps back.

“You were going to anyways, remember?” I tell him as I let out a slight laugh. He nods and chuckles as well. He starts to walk to the door.

“So, I will see you later.” He says shyly. And I nod, then I remember.

“Oh, one more condition.” I say as he is about to open the door.

“Okay, what is it?” He asks cautiously.

“Braxton, you cannot get mad or hurt Braxton in any way!” I tell him as he stops and looks at me now clenching his jaw. “He has been there for me and is like a brother to me.” I wanted to make sure he knew I had no feelings other than brotherly affection. I watch as the jaw unclenches, and he starts to give a small smile.

“You have my word; nothing will happen to him.” He says with a nod and walks out the door. I let out the breath, I didn’t realize I was holding and pulling my chair out and flop into it.

“Well, this has been a wonderful first day.” I say to myself.

“You’re tellin me!” I hear Amira in my head and let out a laugh.