CHAPTER 15 - NEW HOME - SIRI'S POV
1611 Words
I was beyond over this hospital bed. I had been here an entire week, and I was fully healed, but my mate. I still couldn't believe he was my mate, he wasn't letting me leave, insisting that I fully recover.
He was at work right now. He had been preparing his army in case my old pack attacked, so I chose this moment to slip out, avoiding the nurse's nervous, watchful eyes.
I started walking down the hallway when a man stopped in front of me.
''Luna.'' He bowed his head, ''I'm Liam, your personal guard, and according the King, you are not meant to be going anyway. Please return to the hospital bed.''
''I have a guard?'' I asked in confusion. The twins hadn't given me a guard to protect me. Though, they were far too busy with their mistress and fake child.
''You do, your majesty.'' He answered, ''Now if you'll please go back to.''
''I'm not staying here anymore,'' I cut him off, I felt well enough to handle leaving the hospital. My body was back to normal. ''I am sick of the hospital, I'm going ho...'' I paused. I was going to say 'home' but it occurred to me that I don't have a home. Was I staying with Brayton? ''Where is Bray right now?''
''He's at the training grounds, I believe.''
''Then please take me there.''
He frowned but nodded, ''Yes, Luna.''
We walked over to the training grounds, heart pounding when I saw him. My mate, was shirtless, and he moved with the grace. His muscles rippled beneath his sun-baked skin.
I gulped nervously, and my stomach twisted. The desire I felt for him was stronger than anything I'd felt for the twins. Was he really only my second chance mate? How could I feel a stronger connection to him, than I had for the twins?
My gaze followed him as he fought the other man. I was captivated. His body, a warrior's body, sculpted by years of dedication, left me with a strange longing. The desire to run my tongue over his chest was strong.
Brayton tossed his opponent over his shoulder, and turned to me. His eyes hardened with alarm, and he frowned at Liam before he ran over towards us.
"Sirena?" He shouted, "What are you doing here? Why aren't you in the hospital?"
"I'm fine," I said, trying to calm him down. "I wanted to leave.''
"But you shouldn't be out of the hospital!" He stood up, his voice laced with worry.
"I've healed." I wanted to reassure him. But it was useless. Brayton continued to urge me to go back. ''I'm not going back, and I want to go home, but I... I don't know where I'm living now?''
He looked at me, his eyes softening. ''You'll be living with me of course.'' He told me.
''Oh,'' I blushed and tried not to linger too long on his chest, ''I left all my belongings in the woods, I don't have clothing or anything.''
''It has already been taken care of.'' He said, as he gently brushed my hair behind my ear, ''If you're insisting on leaving the hospital, then you can go home to rest. I will link the staff to let you in and get you anything you need. Liam, take her to the castle.''
''Yes, my lord.''
''You're not coming?''
He smiled and kissed my cheek, ''I am training my troops,'' He told me, ''And then I have a lot of work to do. I will be back with you in the evening.''
''Oh, okay.'' I smiled.
''I expect you to rest,'' He said firmly, ''If I hear that you've left my suite, I will punish Liam, not you.''
I looked at Liam, and nodded, ''Okay. I'll stay in and rest, even though I'm completely fine.''
He smiled, ''You were always so stubborn.''
''You are,'' I smiled back, but he just laughed and turned around.
I watched as he walked back to the troops, before leaving with Liam.
''He wouldn't really punish you, would he?'' I asked, as we walked towards the castle.
''I hope not,'' Liam smiled, ''I'm way to pretty to be all bruised up.''
I giggled, ''Don't worry, I won't leave the suite.''
''I appriciate that.''
Once we arrived at the castle. Liam led me up a private staircase, until we reached the fourth floor.
A man greeted me with a warm smile as the guards opened the door to the Kings suite. He was older than Brayton, and had a strange comforting presence.
''Good morning, Luan Siri.'' He greeted me, ''My name is Max. I am the Kings butler. I take care of the home. He let me know you were coming. I can take her from here, Liam''
''Take care of her.'' Liam ordered, and Max nodded.
''If you'll please follow me, Luna.''
Max led me through the magnificent chambers, the walls adorned with tapestries and massive paintings depicting ancient battles, and past Kings and Queens.
The furniture was a beautiful dark wood and gold, and everything looked extremely expensive. It was nothing like the modest manor I'd grown up in.
Housekeepers, who were dusting and wiping things down, would pause as we passed them, and bow to me, before continuing their tasks.
Max finally opened the stunningly carved door, and gestured for me to go inside.
''Your walk-in closest is on the left,'' He told me, ''Would you like one of the maids to come prepare you a bath and help you get dressed?''
''Oh, no.'' I blushed, ''I can do that myself.''
''Very well, Luna. Have you eaten breakfast?''
''No, not yet.''
''I will prepare you something, and you can eat on the balcony. It's a lovely sunny day, and the sunshine will help you recover after all you've been through.''
''Thank you, but oh, um. I'm allergic to grapes, so please don't give them to me.''
''Very well, Luna'' He repeated, before he bowed and left.
I turned and looked at the room. It was huge. Windows spanned the walls, letting in the soft light. The King bed was massive and covered in a thick black silk blanket with matching pillows.
A worn wooden cabinet was on either side of the balcony doors. A few simple trinkets were placed in it, and I smiled when I noticed most were gifts I'd sent Bray over the years. A small, intricately carved wooden Phoenix bird I'd bought while in the Phoenix realm for a holiday with the twins and their parents. A smooth stone polished by time, and sparkled purple and silver, that I'd found when I went to the beach for the first time, and a worn leather-bound book. A first addition of his favorite book, on Fairies, that I'd worked two months to save up for. The Queen had told me she'd give me the money for it, but I'd insisted on working for the money, and a few other items he clearly treasured.
The weight of the situation finally crashed over me, and a knot of anxiety filled my stomach. What if I did something wrong? What if Brayton turned against me too? Could I survive losing him too?
''He wouldn't.'' Ada told me gently. ''He loves us, look at this. He kept all of these things, because they were from us.''
I took a deep breath, and walked toward the bed, my gaze settling on the soft linens.
''Do you think he'll want to make love tonight?''
''I hope so.'' Ada said excitedly.
I blushed at the idea. We'd never slept with anyone. To get my mind off that idea, I quickly showered in his equally massive bathroom, that had a hot spring bath filled with warm water, I dressed and went to mind Max and the food.
Max had outdone himself. Tiny, colorful tarts, delicate cakes, tiny sandwiches, fruit, tea, juice, dips and many other items. Elegant silverware sparkled next to beautifully designed plates and glasses. He'd even folded the napkins into amazing creations, one sitting in a glass and one on my plate.
''Wow,'' I mouthed as I looked at him, ''This is amazing, but you really didn't need to go to so much trouble. I could never finish all of this.''
''It's alright Luna, the chefs were excited to make you something.''
''Well, please tell them that they can eat what's left over.''
''Thank you, Luna, that's very kind.'' He smiled, ''Would you like some tea?''
''Yes, thank you.'' I smiled awkwardly, ''I don't mean to sound rude. I've never had a butler before, but you really don't need to wait on me. I... I don't know how things were with Sarah, but I am used to serving myself.''
Max's eyes darkened at Sarah's name, but he smiled at me after a moment, ''I don't mind. I enjoy my work, and the previous Luna, was very demanding. She was not a kind person. We were all thrilled when the Alpha banished her, and we're even more thrilled now that he's found a new mate. Forgive my boldness, but he has spoken about you for years. We love seeing him so happy.''
I blushed a little, ''Well... I hope I can be a good Luna, and mate to him.''
''I'm sure you'll do great.''
''Will you help me?'' I asked, ''If I do something wrong or out of the norm for your pack?''
''If you'd like,'' He said, as he passed me my tea, ''But the Alpha wants you to be yourself, flaws and all.''
I smiled and nodded.
''Please call me if you need anything else,'' He smiled, bowed and left me to my food.
- Writer
