chapter one
1085 Words
Emerald Pov
The hot steam in the shower wakes my senses. It has been a long couple of days. The muscles in my body ache as much as my head. I lie my forehead against the tiles with my eyes closed.
Rogues have been attacking our borders for days now. Twenty or so at a time. They have injured a few of our fighters but luckily nothing fatal yet. We are trying to determine where they are coming from. Arlo is coming to visit and bringing some more of his soldiers to investigate. We have just been holding the fort until then.
‘Easy’ Jamie scoffs with confidence.
A heated body suddenly slithers into the water behind me. Hands immediately roam over my back in a soft massage.
“You are all tense Princess,” Elijah says as he rubs my muscles. He moves closer and plants a kiss to my shoulder.
‘Yes, I agree’ Jamie pants.
I turn to face him and pull him to me, smashing my lips to his. His tongue swipes along my bottom lip so I open my mouth for him. Elijah does not waste time as he explores my mouth. His hands roam over my hips and grip my ass. He lifts me up in a swift motion and my legs wrap around his waist. He presses me into the cool tile and a gasp escapes me at the chill.
Elijah chuckles as he pulls back from my lips and I slap at his arm playfully.
“Put me down you goof,” I tell him but he shakes his head.
His grin widens as he slithers his head down to my neck. Anticipation gnaws at me when he finally closes his lips over my mating mark. The tingles shoot through me and my core clenches.
“You know,” I hear Ethan say and look over to him. He is leaning against the shower door with his own smirk. “Your brother has just crossed the borders.”
“What?!” I shriek and push Elijah, jumping down. Jamie snickers at me.
Ethan laughs, “you would know if you weren’t blocking your mind link.” He winks at me.
Elijah laughs but steps to let me past him.
As I step pass Ethan he quickly pulls me back to him by my wrist. He plants a quick kiss on my lips, “good morning beautiful.”
I roll my eyes at him before grabbing my towel.
-
I rush down the front steps, hair still wet and stuffed up into a messy bun.
The car pulls to a stop and Arlo climbs out the car with my niece in his arms.
“Come to Auntie Em,” I say excitedly as I hold my arms out. However, baby Jada has other ideas and turns away from me. She buries her head in Arlo’s chest.
‘Try letting me out instead’ Jamie says excitedly. I don’t want to scare Jada though, she is only a baby.
My pout is evident as Arlo chuckles at me. “Sorry Em, she is a little grumpy. Car nap and all.”
Only then my mates walk down the steps and Jada’s little face lights up. Her arms shoot straight out for Uncle Elijah.
‘It’s that drop dead gorgeous smile’ Jamie says with an eye roll. I have to agree.
My mouth drops agape before I narrow my eyes at Jada. “Traitor.” I whisper to her and Arlo laughs again.
“Where’s Raven?” I ask Arlo and look into the car behind him.
He tenses and tries to avoid eye contact, “she stayed back at the palace.”
I eye him warily, “everything okay?”
He sighs and puts his arm over my shoulder. “It’s fine Em.” We follow the twins back inside. Elijah has Jada in fits of giggles as he carries her inside.
-
“Where’s my baby?” Jessabelle demands as she walks through the doors. She shoves Ethan’s head out the way to get a look at Jada sitting on Elijah’s lap. She reaches out and picks her up.
Jada smiles at Jessabelle and I roll my eyes at her.
‘The kid must really dislike you’ Jamie chuckles causing my frown to deepen.
“She isn’t your baby Jessie,” Arlo says with his own eye roll.
“She is,” Jessabelle sticks her tongue out at Arlo. She wanders out the room with Jada. No doubt going to find Reggie. The two are super glued together, I swear. They are never apart. Dad tried to fight Jessabelle on Reggie sleeping here but she was sneaking him in regardless, so he gave up.
“Where’s my niece?” Megan says excitedly as she comes into the room with a wide smile. It drops off as she looks around.
“Jessabelle,” myself and Arlo say in unison.
She grumbles something before taking off in the direction Jessie went.
“They better not smoother my granddaughter,” my mother laughs lightly as she walks in. Then she engulfs Arlo in a bear hug. “How is my baby doing?”
She treats him like a fragile little kitten. He is absolutely my mothers favourite. And my sisters are my fathers favourite. Which leaves me.
‘Woohoo! Pity party’ Jamie says sarcastically. ‘Pull yourself together’
I roll my eyes at Jamie.
Arlo gives my mother his charming smile and I watch in awe as she melts for him. “Good mom, she is good.”
She smiles again, “I meant you.”
“Oh,” he says with a small chuckle. “I’m good too.”
“Want some breakfast?” She asks him.
“I would love some,” he says and she starts leading him to the kitchen.
“I would love some,” I mimic quietly as they leave the room.
Ethan and Elijah are watching something on their phone and I suddenly realise that I am alone. Everyone has just ignored me completely.
Jamie snickers at me which peaks my annoyance more.
Ethan must sense my sulking as he turns to me with a small smile.
“What’s the matter beautiful?” He asks softly and nudges his head, inviting me to him.
I oblige and walk over to him before dropping between both their laps.
“I’m fine.” I tell them and they both kiss my cheek.
‘Liar’ Jamie adds quietly.
- Writer
