Fantasy Land

Chapter 16

Playfulness

Jayna

The next morning, I walk into the dining hall to find everyone gathered there already. Damon has a grim look on his face, Gabie is silently eating a bowl of fruit, Lest is nursing a large cup of coffee.

"Morning." I say tentatively, trying to assess the mood of the room. I sit down beside Gabie, seeing a bowl of fruit for me already there.

"It seems the safety of my pack have been breached." Damon sighs after I start eating. "We have had a rogue problem for years now; however, it has never been as bad as it was last night. For that, I must apologize. This is supposed to be the safest place in the world; however, it seems the rogues have become too much to manage." Damon has a serious look on his face, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

"Is the council not gathering soon?" Fafnir asks, breaking the heavy silence that had settled. Damon groans like a child, closing his eyes and sinking deeper into his chair. It seems like he's trying to hide under the table.

"You didn't have to remind me." Damon wines like a child. Lest smiles at him, sharing a look with Gabie.

"Isn't there usually a big party to celebrate the council coming together?" Lest asks in a teasing manner.

"I hate you all." Damon grumbles, glaring at Lest over the lip of the table.

"It sounds like it's your turn to host the council and you've forgotten about it." Gabie smiles kindly at him. Damon shifts his glare to her then.

"Would you two like to plan the damn thing then?" He asks, more sarcastic than serious.

"I guess we'll have to." Gabie sighs in a teasing way, finishing her breakfast and heading out of the room with Lest not far behind her.

"What just happened?" Damon asks, looking at me.

"Gabie has always wanted to be a party planner. She loves parties and never got to plan or attend our prom." I smile at the door she left through. "So, clearly she's going to jump at the opportunity to plan a royalty worthy ball." Damon lets out a hum as he turns back to his empty plate.

"Jayna, I'd like you to oversee Callum as he heals." I nod in agreement, standing to go and get dressed for the day. I dress quickly, walking to the medical wing with the help of one of the men walking in the hall.

"Thank you again." I tell him as I push the door open.

"It's no problem, ma'am." He says kindly, but curt as he heads back down the weaving halls. I walk into the medical wing then, taking in the area around me.

Men and women are laid of beds covered in an assortment of bandages in a range of conditions. Some beds are separated by large cloth curtains. I spot someone in a white jacket, talking to a patient. I walk over, waiting for them to be done talking before I gently tap their shoulder.

"I'm looking for Callum." It dawns on me I don't know his last name at all.

"Ma'am, mates are not allowed in the medical wing to 'tend' to their lovers. I have to ask you to leave." The doctor begins to push me out of the room then.

"No, no. I'm not Callum's mate at all. Damon sent me to watch over him as he heals." I explain frantically. The man stops dead in his tracks, giving me a weird look. He simply points to one of the beds sectioned off by curtains. I thank him, walking past towards the bed. I gently push the curtains aside, walking into the area. There's a chair already set on the side of his bed beside a large bowl of water.

Callum seems to be sleeping peacefully. He has this sandy blonde hair that is stuck to his forehead with sweat. He has a boyish face, no sharp angles or brooding features like Damon and Fafnir. Or any of the other men here I've seen thus far. His jaw is the only sharp thing about him but even then, it doesn't come off as rugged or anything like that. His lips are a rose colour, plump and seemingly set in a permanent smirk. Freckles dot his cheeks and nose, making a constellation across his pale skin.