Freeing Starr✔️

Chapter 40 ~ Are you confident?

Soreness galore.

That's what greeted me when I awoke the morning after.

I blinked my eyes lazily as my body twisted and turned in the sheets bunched around me. I could feel Leon's presence right beside me yet the space next to me was empty.

I squinted my eyes as I looked up curiously, finding him back behind his computer in full focus mode. I leaned up and rested an elbow on the bed, leaning my face into it and just watched as he typed away on the computer.

"Good-morning," he muttered, eyes glued to his screen.

I asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

"I'm making a report of the recent observations in the Triden district."

"The Triden district?"

"Yeah, it's a country in the kingdom that's known for its constant crime and violence. It's been really quiet lately so I have reason to believe that something is going on. I'm sending someone to investigate once I'm done with the report. I'd have loved to check for myself but my actions are somewhat restricted right now."

I frowned, "Why?"

"Glacial City. They're keeping tabs on my movements right now, so I can't move around recklessly. The second I turn my attention off of them, I know they'll launch an attack on us."

A thoughtful look entered my eyes, "Is that why you've been on standby with the whole rogue king rumors?"

"It's a part of the reason, yes."

I got off the bed with the sheet clutched in my hand and wrapped around my naked frame, then padded carefully towards him, my lower region a bit sore from our recent late night activity.

I tried to peer over his shoulder curiously but was surprised as he quickly turned around and pulled me down to sit on his lap, his lips instantly claiming mine in one fluid movement. My gasp died on my tongue as I melted into his kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck to stabilize myself, our tongues dancing to our own music. Raw, emotional and goddamn was it spine tingling.

When he pulled away, my eyes glazed over at the smile that crossed his lips as he said, "Hi."

Warmth burst from my chest as I giggled and replied, "hi."

He turned back around with me in his arms and continued his report, "you wanna watch me work before we get ready for the day?"

"Sure," I turned my eyes to the screen, "do I have to do reports like this as well?"

He shook his head, "Do you want to manage the patrol squad?"

I hesitated, unsure on how I should respond, "I don't mind if you want me to?"

He chuckled, "You're not familiar with the territory, Peach."

"I can learn."

"And you will. Mom should be coming by to drag you off to your lessons soon, now that the ceremony is over."

"Then will you let me?"

He hesitated, "if that's what you want, but I don't think it's something you'd like to do since there's a lot to manage within the castle."

"But you can help me, can't you? We can help each other," I muttered, wanting to help him as much as I could.

Leon placed a kiss on my neck, "you're right. We'll help each other."

Satisfaction bloomed in my chest as I adjusted the sheet properly around my frame. Things were finally falling into place. I found my soulmate like I wanted, I escaped my father like I wanted and I left Zion... like I wanted. Now all I had to do now was maintain this flow of happiness in my life, and the only way to do that was to bury my past.