Only You

Heavenly

Aelin scrambled off of Rowan, practically diving to the floor to retrieve her clothes that had been thrown there. Rowan did the same, fumbling to the side of the bed to pull on his pants.

Her heart was beating a million miles an hour as she hurried to dress and place herself on a chair near the window. Rowan strode to the desk and sat himself back where he had been and finally answered.

"Come in."

A young male hesitantly stepped into the room, Aelin grimaced as she realised what it must smell like in here. Not only that, but the scent that her and Rowan must be giving off.

"A letter arrived for you from Doranelle." He moved across the floor to hand Rowan the letter. Quickly retreating back to the door to bow and hastily exiting the room.

Aelin let out a sigh and readjusted her blouse, straightening it up slightly and pulling her tangled hair over a shoulder.

Neither of them said anything, Rowan silently reading the letter.

Aelin didn't know what to say to him. What had happened was unexpected, after the conversations she had had with Rowan about this exact thing... she shook her head slightly.

Aelin had lost control and Rowan wasn't able to help himself either. The fact that they had managed that long without getting that far was a surprise in itself, Lysandra had said as much a couple of weeks prior. Exclaiming to Aelin that most newly mated pairs would hide themselves away for weeks, even months, to get the rawness of the mating out of their systems. Aelin had to then explain that it wasn't that neither of them didn't want to go there... but that there were rules and etiquette in the royal family, and they couldn't be ignored because of a mating bond. Although when had that ever stopped her?

Aelin was brought out of her thoughts when Rowan cleared his throat and stood from the chair.

She hesitated slightly before speaking. "Is... is everything okay?"

Rowan nodded. He held the letter in his hands, his face furrowed slightly.

"It seems there has been some unrest in Doranelle, a few groups who had supported Maeve are causing trouble."

Aelin nodded. "Do you need to go back?" She stood from her chair, stepping towards him. "I'm sure we can postpone everything."

Rowan shook his head this time. "I'll have some of the others go to check. I'm needed here."

He made towards the door, Aelin grasping his hand before he could walk away completely. "I'm sorry... I know you wanted to wait until we had made everything official."

Rowan shook his head slightly. "Can I be honest?"

Aelin let her grip on his wrist fall and nodded once.

"Your father and Orlon asked me not to let things go too far."

Aelin was the one to shake her head this time. She stood there speechless for a moment before returning her gaze to Rowan.

"Did they say why?"

Rowan shrugged. "They were just concerned about the image of the royal family."

"The image?" She blew out a breath. "They're— we are mates!"

"I know. But I wasn't about to argue with the king and your father."

Aelin huffed. "It's stupid."

Rowan pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her and placing a kiss on her head. "I know, Fireheart."

"We're okay?" She murmured into his chest.

"Of course." Rowan let her go and stepped back into the hallway. "Don't forget dinner this evening."