Leighton

51.You know what you we want you to know

Estelle

I could feel the barrier I had quickly tried to place around my heart fracture with each word. I tried to avoid looking at him at his anguished look made it very hard to remain impassive.

He had hurt me, why did I care about how he was feeling. As quickly as my sorrow for him arrived it was replaced by anger. Anger that he , the only wolf that I believed would never let me down had done so.

“He forgave you for leaving him and getting yourself marked.” Raine whined in my head each time I looked at the rejection potion.

I didn’t want to accept any blame, it was

Another emotion I couldn’t handle right now. I hadn’t willing let the Prince do anything to me.

“But we gave up on Leighton and we went …”

“You would just forgive him ?” I argued with my wolf, surprised by her attitude. She normally held no prisoners. Over the years she had quietly disagreed with some of my decisions, she had usually let me rampage uncheck through life, as long i didn’t step too far out of line. It was odd to hear her defend him.

“I think they were chosen as our mate for a reason and so much effort has been put into keeping you apart that, that must mean something?” She just left she question hanging and I could feel the tension radiating of Leighton as he watched me intently while I silently battled my wolf.

I thought back to how he reacted about my mark, as I resisted the urge to feel the area. He had been angry but he hadn’t directed that at me, he had been upset I left but then tried to understand. Maybe I owed him that at least.

“Make me understand ?”

He looked confused and I sighed, some of the fight leaving me as his scent filled the while room now.

“I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me about her.”

“I told you, I was ashamed. You were so happy and I wanted everything to stay like that. I know it was stupid …”

I thought back to what he said about not being King.

“Would you stay here, if you weren’t King?”

He looked up so quickly he almost staggered backwards.

“I’d stay anywhere that was with you.”

“Who said flattery doesn’t get you anywhere.” Pipped up my wolf. I wasn’t going to be swayed by his pretty words and meaningless promises.

“To be fair princess he hasn’t actually broken any promises he has made to you.”

I huffed as I realised she was on his side. I kind of couldn’t blame her, as apologies went Leighton certainly knew which words to use. I could feel my anger evaporating further, his scent clogging my senses wasn’t helping.

I needed some fresh air, so I could think more clearly. I needed to think like a Queen and not some horny shewolf fresh out of school.

Leighton instantly blocked me, his large frame far too close for my fragile control right now. I had made the mistake of starting to feel again.

“I nee need some air.” I stuttered out.

Smooth Estelle,

I couldn’t respond to my wolf and all my words did was cause Leighton to press closer.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He replied huskily.

The moment his arm brushed my I felt a shock so electric I jumped, backwards, away from his arms. His reflexes, however were faster than mine and before I could blink he had his arm around my back, trapping me.

I tried to ignore the tingles now spreading across my back, but with him this close and his hard chest just inches from my fingertips I knew I was doomed. He knew it too, as he didn’t even try to hide the smirk that was playing with his lips as he watched me trying to control my reaction to him.

His arm moved down my back and I fought to keep the moan inside my mouth as I felt him press my lower back, pushing me closer to him. I placed both hands on his chest, firmly keeping him at as much of a distance as I could but all it did was remind me of how good it felt to touch him.

I drew a shaky breath, my senses overwhelmed by everything that was him but the stubborn steak that lived deep inside me wasn’t ready to give out just yet.

“Leigh…” My warning was cut short by his mouth. As he bared down upon me, my lips lit up with sparks as I felt the rest of my proest die inside. As he kissed me I felt my hands grip the fabric of his t shirt, pulling him closer.

I didn’t resist as I felt his tongue slide inside, as he pressed his body even closer to me.

He broke away after a moment, both hands cupping my chin he forced me to stare into his eyes.

“I love you.”

I could see the sincerity in his eyes and I knew he meant it.

“I love you too.” I whispered back, knowing those words cemented my fate. I loved him too much to risk anything happening to him. I believed every word he said about what had happened and I knew that accepting him meant I had to accept that and move past it.

A weight lifted from my chest, but Leighton hadn’t moved. This time I reached my arms up around his neck and kissed him. His initial surprise quickly passing as he kissed me back with vigor.

There was a cough behind us, and Leighton let out an almighty growl that caused me to try and jump away but his arms locked around my frame pinning me close to him.

“Get the f***”

“The King wants you.” I heard Seamus’s voice, in a terrified tone I hadn’t heard before.

“F***” Leighton hissed, still not turning round.

I found my voice again. “We will be along momentarily.” I told him, my eyes not leaving Leighton’s.

“He said now, there is a witch to see you.” Seamus backed away as he spoke, clearly not wanting to be the subject of Leighton’s wrath again.

Leighton kissed me again, this time he didn’t let up and I could feel myself becoming slightly dizzy. This time he was quietly swearing as he pulled away. I looked down and I could see a large bulge that I couldn’t help but smirk at.

“Are we okay ?” He asked as he tried to adjust himself.

Still smirking I nodded and I let him take my hand as we set off after Seamus.

By the time we arrived at my father office, Leighton looked a little less uncomfortable but there was no witch waiting with him.

“She requests an audience with you.” My father slowly stated as we walked in.

“Who is she ?” I asked.

“Not a friend, hence why she is trapped outside. I’m hoping one of you recognise her, she might be the dark witch helping King Adalfudis.”

Leighton squeezed my hand. “Is it safe to meet her.”

“I don’t know, I think if you stay inside the spell walls then yes but be careful.” My father told him.

“You aren’t coming?”

“She only requested you, both.”

My brain was trying to work out what she wanted as I lead Leighton out to the far end of the castle.

Soon the witch came into view and I couldn’t help but shiver as the temperature appeared to fall. Hand still linked together whether it was consciously or not Leighton pulled me closer to his side.

The witch before us looked vaguely familiar, there was something about her I recognised. As I clocked the long dark hair, adjourned with lots of little braids I wondered if she was the Uilana I saw with King Adalfudis when I tried to escape his castle.

“Oh, how …sweet. Are we trying love conquers all ?”

I chose to ignore her.

“What brings you here ?”

“Straight to the point. I like that. I suppose I could drag this out but seen as I’m clearly not getting invited in I’d rather spend as little time in this dreary Kingdom as possible. The King wishes to meet with you, to discuss an alliance.”

Leighton snorted, but I stopped him with my hand on his chest. Without letting go of my hand he had positioned himself between me and the witch but I pushed myself forward.

“What does he propose?”

“Estelle…” I squeezed Leighton’s hand to shh him.

“He wishes to discuss this in person.”

“Of course he does.” Leighton didn’t hide the fists in in his voice. Suddenly the witches face turned sour.

“Watch your tone wolf.” She snarled herself and I could feel Leighton’s wolf fighting him to take control.

“Why should we do that?” I asked trying to keep my tone neutral, I didn’t want to waste this opportunity to gain some idea of what King Adalfudis’s plan was.

She tilted her head to look at me, her glare reducing slightly.

“You have got yourself into a nightly pickle young princess, you should be happy the King is willing to entertain an alliance, he could just bring war to your door. Not only have you broken a promise and his trust in your kingdom but you cost him his son and heir.”

I had a feeling that somehow King Adafundis wouldn’t be as devastated by the latter as he should be.

“The King can try to waste our time all he likes. We know his plan and we will stop him. Go back and tell him that.”

She cackled at Leighton’s words. “Stop him, ha as if you could. Oh my I have to say your confidence is attractive. I can see why the princess is so smitten with you. Did she like your little presents ?”

“We know what you are up too, you clearly underestimate us if you think we wouldn’t spot a fake.” Leighton almost taunted her.

“Oh no my child. YOU think too highly of yourself. You know what we want you to know. Watching your downfall will be all the more entertaining when your ego helps us destroy you.”

There was a crack in the air and in a puff of smoke she disappeared.

I turned on Leighton, pulling my hand from his.

“You couldn’t control your temper for one minute. We could have got something useful from her.”

He grabbed my hand back, almost annoyed that I had taken it away. Bringing it to his lips he kissed my knuckles.

“We did Princess.”

I wasn’t following as he pulled me back down the long path to the courtyard, pausing before we got to the castle.

“We need to speak with Ara.” He didn’t look like he really wanted to, so I was now desperate to know what he had learned, and that I missed.

“Okay, she is likely to be with my father in his office if she hasn’t gone back to her spell room.”

“In fact, she can wait. We have something to sort first.”