The Rogue King's Wolfless Omega

Solid and Safe

Chapter 9: Solid and Safe.

Aria's POV.

I had never felt this tired before. I got up again, meeting my surroundings to be the same ones I had left before, running right after them, in search of Marcus.

I remembered everything, but in small bits and pieces, not letting me think or breathe the same. I got up, finally going out to open the windows. It was evening, the sun setting slowly, painting the sky in oranges and reds.

“I see you're awake.” I looked behind me. The sage was standing at the doorway with a bowl of steaming liquid. She moved towards me in a slow, gentle manner, like there was something more that she could give me. Something more I could get from her.

“Evening, sage.” I greeted, taking the bowl of steaming liquid from her hands as she offered it to me. The concoction was a light green, and I guessed it was probably tea. Our eyes met.

“It's tea. You should drink it. It's good for you.” I nodded, slowly, taking a deep breath as I poured a little of the steaming liquid into my mouth. It was hot, but inviting, and I took in more of it, realizing it was a tad bit sweetened, just enough that I could take it in.

I felt myself relax, the liquid warming my insides. When I was done with the bowl, I handed the bowl back to her, calmly. I offered her a small smile to show that I felt a lot better, and I did.

“So, sage, can I ask you a number of questions? Is there a possibility that you have time?” I asked immediately. There was no time to hide between ruses and lies.

I wanted to know. I needed answers. I couldn't stay here any longer, not knowing what fate had in store for me. She sat down on my bed immediately. She sat down on my bed immediately.

“Ask,” she said. My smile widened. I sat beside her, looking at her intently, ready to get all the answers I needed.

“Did you know about all of this, about the curse?” She nodded slowly, gently, like she was urging me on, like she was ready to give me the answers I sought, if I would just ask. I followed her lead.

“So why do they need me here? Why won't they let me leave?” My face contorted in a grimace, the original weight of it weighing down on me.

“Because you are important, my child. They need you to break the curse. You are the most important thing to them right now, especially the first one, the oldest. He's much closer to the curse than you realize.” She nodded at me, the bowl still in her hands. I nodded back, accepting the poignance of what she had just told me.

They needed me. It went without question.

That was all the answers I needed.

Because I wouldn't admit it either, but I needed them too. I had no home outside of this place. I had nowhere else to go.

I had been rejected by the one place I thought was home. And now he thought he could just come back and get me again, and I wasn't having any of it. So I would stay. I would be their solace. A solace to every single one of them. I would love them.

If they needed me to break the curse, I would do it if it meant I got to keep them. I cared about them. And as long as there was anything I could do about it, they'd be okay.

“Thank you, wise one. That's all the answers I need.” I smiled at her. With that, she got up gently and left. Her hair was almost like she was floating. As she reached the doorway, she stopped and turned around.

“Take heed, my child. Be careful. There's a lot you don't know. A lot that can ruin you. Keep your eyes peeled. Eyes on the ground.” She left the room with a flourish, the door closing behind her.

It didn't take long for the door to open again. Kael was standing there. Just staring at me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, uncomfortable with how much staring he was doing. “Come in.” I urged.

He followed my lead, walking into the room slowly, his footsteps resounding. His presence was a comfort. A calm, strong, solid comfort. I didn't know why.

My heart filled with warmth for this man that kept such a cool, expressionless face. He didn't look like he wanted to talk to me. He looked like I was the enemy. And still, my heart filled with all the warmth in the world.

“Wanna talk? Sit down if you want.” He sat down. He kept staring at me intently, unwilling to remove his eyes. I could not understand what he wanted.

Why was he doing this?

There had to be a reason. He said nothing, but just continued to stare.

“What is it about you?” The voice took me by surprise. “What is it? You have my brothers falling over themselves, over you. Damon’s practically tied to your fingers. What is it about you?” He continued to stare. I looked back at him, unaware of what to say.

“I don't know what it is about me. I barely even know myself now, as a large part of my identity rejected me before everybody else. So I don't know. There's little else to say but the fact that I don't know.” He took my hand, running small strokes over it with his thumb. He began to knead it to his face still expressionless, gaze still lingering.

“I don't want to trust you. But I do. There's just something, I don't know what it is, that keeps drawing me to you. And it won't let go, no matter how hard I try.” His expression was finally breaking. Signs of a frown finally began showing through his face.

“I want you, Aria. And beyond everything else, I want to take care of you. I want you to be safe. I just can't get past the trust thing. I don't know what it is.”

“So if you're hiding anything, I think now would be the best time to say it. Because if I let myself feel anything, and I find out anything later, the consequences would be more than dire. Aria.” I moved close to him, our faces just inches away from each other.

I cupped his face and put my lips to his.

Slowly, gently, seeking entrance. He let me in, and we went to perfect unism. It was calm. Unwilling to be harsh, it was solid and safe. I pulled away, thumbing his face with my, thumbing his face with my fingers.

“Still feel that way?” That was all I asked. His eyes gave me all the answers in the world.