"That went better than I expected." Aiden said.
I scoffed. "Clearly, we have very different views of 'better'."
"As much as I would like to disagree, Aiden is right. This meeting could have gone south very quickly. In fact, I must say, you handled the situation very well. Lady Hailey has been teaching you well." Derek said.
I looked at him, surprised. But before I could say anything, another voice cut in.
"Crown Princess Elina."
"Luna Queen Tatiana, Alpha King Dorian. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." I said, bowing my head lightly in their direction.
"Likewise. My, you're even more beautiful up close." Queen Tatiana said. I blushed out of embarrassment.
"Er..thank you. It's nothing when compared to you." I said, making her laugh.
"I apologize for the riot earlier, Your Majesty. I understand it isn't polite to start fights when you're a guest of the High Kingdom." Alpha Dorian apologized.
"The situation was quite...frosty. I completely understand, Alpha." Derek said. "That aside, would you like to stay for lunch? I assume you are quite famished."
"We would love to, Your Highness, but you see we left our pup alone at the palace and Ariana has been feeling under the weather lately. I want to go back to her as soon as possible and hear what the pack physician has to say about her condition. The situation's rather frightening right now. I hope you understand." Luna Tatiana said.
"Why didn't you say anything? Never mind, I'll drop by to visit Ariana. No, I am not listening to you Tati. I'm going to Avrael as it is." Aiden said.
The Luna sighed but smiled at Aiden and gently pat his hand.
"Do you require anything from here? Medicine? More physicians?" I asked, concerned.
"Our physicians and medicine will be of no use to Werewolves and Lycans." Derek informed me.
"Oh..alright. I did not know that..." I trailed away not knowing what else to offer as help.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Crown Princess. But, we've got it covered for now. I'll be sure to reach out if we require additional help." Alpha Dorian replied with a warm smile.
"Yes, please be sure to." I said, offering a smile of my own.
"We'll take your leave then, Your Highnesses. It was a pleasure. We hope to meet you again soon under different circumstances." Alpha Dorian said.
Both the Alpha and Luna bowed and took their leave. Luna Tatiana stopped to hug Aiden and even surprised me with one.
"I'm sure you will, but as a mother I just want to say, take good care of my boy. He's got a heart of gold. I can see that he loves you more than anybody in his life, so please don't leave him alone to suffer. Make your decisions well." She whispered.
I only managed to nod, wondering what she meant. King Kai and Queen Talia left next, promising to send in all the help they can offer. The governers were having a word with Derek when Queen Maylea approached Aiden and I.
"I will taking my leave now. I sincerely hope, Your Highness gives that filthy serpent the punishment he deserves." She said.
I couldn't help but snort at her choice of words. I knew for a fact that royals rarely expressed themselves or used words that are impolite in public, so hearing her call Gavriel a serpent, was surprising but also funny.
"We certainly will, Your Highness. Have a good trip back to Eleandra." Aiden promised. Queen Maylea bowed and left with her fleet of guards.
"I'm definitely adding that to my vocabulary." I giggled. "I don't know how you two did this all this time. It's exhausting." I mumbled, resting my head on Aiden's shoulder.
"You'll get used to it." He reassured me. "I guess, it's my turn to leave now."
"Yeah."
Neither of us moved nor said a word.
"Walk with me till the stables." Aiden said, atlast.
We walked in silence. Something like dread filled inside of me at every step I took. The stables were bustling with stable-helps and guards who were leaving with Aid.
"I'll introduce to Glide, come on." He said. We maneuvered our way through dragons and finally reached a midnight blue dragon with bluish silver scales on his head and underbelly. I had gotten quite used to seeing dragons going up and about from the time I got here but never really adjusted to the idea of having them so close to me yet. Aiden went ahead to pat and fondle Glide for a minute before urging me to come closer.
"Glide, meet Rora. I told you about her remember? And Rora, meet Glide."
Glide regarded me with his sharp silver eyes. For some reason, I felt the need to make a good impression on this dragon. Or any dragon for that matter, really. I still am not over my fright. Though it is getting better. Standing this close to a dragon means something right?
"Hello. I'm Elina. Nice to meet you, Glide." I said.
"You can touch him. He won't bite. Hard." Aiden said, looking amused. I frowned at him but slowly reached out my hand in an attempt to pat Glide's neck.
Glide's eyes followed my hand cautiously but he didn't flinch when my hand touched his scales. His body was rigid under my touch.
"You're really beautiful." I whispered. That seemed to do the trick for his muscles relaxed considerably. "Much better looking than your friend, here." Glide made a sound that somehow sounded pleased to my ears. I laughed and got a bit closer to his warm body. He lowered his head to give me a little sniff and then a nuzzle with his snout.
"Flattery will get you both no where." Aiden complained looking slightly astonished at Glide's reaction. Glide growled in response.
"He likes you." Aiden said with an affectionate smile.
"Your Highness! We're ready to leave." One of the soldiers called out.
"Alright!" Aiden called back. "That is my cue to leave. Take care of yourself and stay out of trouble."
"Have a safe trip."
Aiden reached over to hug me. I circled my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. Tears welled up in my eyes, unconsciously.
Get a grip, silly! He will be back in a few days
"Are you..? Rora, look at me. Rora..."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to-I'm sorry." I sniffled, pulling away to wipe my eyes.
"Don't be sad. I promise to be here for your birthday in two days. I'll work really hard." He said.
"Be careful. Remember to eat and sleep well, too." I said, busying myself with my sleeve.
Aiden lifted my chin up to meet his eyes. He wiped a few stray tears and smiled softly.
"Don't miss me too much, okay?" He joked. I rolled my eyes at him. The breeze ruffled my hair, making it fall in my eyes.
I brushed them away and managed a small smile. "I won't, you dork. Now go, everyone's waiting for yo-"
I was cut off by Aiden taking my face in his hands and pressing his lips on mine. For a few seconds, I just stood frozen. My amulet flickered. The bond mark on my neck felt hot. Tingles and sparks shot down my body. I shut my eyes close in fear of more tears falling out and kissed him back with every held-back emotion in my body, finally being set free. I held onto his coat tightly.
Breathing and not breathing at the same time, hearts beating so fast between us that I could feel it in my head. And he's so close, I can't feel my legs anymore. I can't feel my fingers or the breeze or the possibility that half the palace might be watching us, even though I'm quite sure Glide kept us fairly hidden. But at this moment, I could care less. All I feel is him, everywhere, filling nooks and crevices I didn't know existed.
Aiden pulled away and whispered in between breaths, "I'm sorry." He said. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't hold myself back anymore."
"You don't have to apologize." I managed to tell him.
And then I reached up and kissed Aiden. His eyes widened for a fraction before his arms gripped my waist pulling me closer. His lips are softer than anything I've ever known. Soft like the first snowfall. It feels like I'm floating in air, lighter than a feather.
When we pull away, our chests rise and fall in need for oxygen. Aiden leans his forehead against mine.
"I love you." He whispers, like it's a prayer.
"I love you more." I whisper back.
"Not possible." He chuckles and presses a soft kiss on my forehead. "Please stay safe for me."
"I will, strong little dragon remember? You do the same for me." I reply with a smile.
His ocean eyes shine as Aiden looks at me, like I'm the only thing he could see and feel around him. He lets me go and gets himself settled on Glide. I place a kiss on Glide's snout.
"I want you to be safe too, okay Glide? Be careful out there. Protect him for me, please." I whisper. The dragon growled lowly at me in response.
"Goodbye!"
Slowly, one by one, each dragon took off. A portal opened up in the sky and the dragons disappeared into it in a flicker. I waved at them from the ground until the last dragon took off into the portal. My fingers brushed against my lips where I could still feel Aiden's warmth on them.
"Alright, time for me to get some training in, now that Jase and Hailey are back. I've had enough rest." I told myself.
Jason met me at the doors leading back into the palace. He offered his arm that I gladly took.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Melissa and Aid took good care of me while you guys were gone."
Jason gave me a look.
"He'll be back soon. He promised. This honestly feels like the calm before the storm. There hasn't even been a problem after Isabella." I said, glancing outside as we passed by a window in the hallway.
But deep down in my heart, even though I didn't realize it then, I knew that the storm had already begun its course.
I'm so sorry for disappearing on you guys like that!! I had my semester finals and a bunch of assignments to complete but I'm free now!
Got quite a long vacation which I fully intend to use and wrap up this story.
Keeping that aside, they finally kissed! 🙈
I've been wanting to include it for quite a while now but I wanted it to be somewhat special and meaningful for the rest of the chapters as well, so here we are,
Well, tell me what you think and don't forget to support and show your love for Aiden and Rora by~
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P.s. Who else loves Ocean eyes? I was listening to it while writing and thought it fit the mood of this chapter perfectly! Also, drop some suggestions for a playlist for the rest of the chapters! Let's do this together ❤
I love each one of you for putting up with me and staying with me in this journey. Stay safe and healthy ❤