MINE.

Chapter 16: Odds

-Kingston-

As my sleep retreats slowly and consciousness returns to me I can feel Dion is not with me. Even before opening my eyes my hand glides across the cold sheets in search of his small, soft body. When my fingers fail to locate my mate I open my eyes to search about the room. The only trace that he had ever been there is the delicate smell of him on my skin and sheets.

It's quiet in a way that makes me anxious. The terrace doors are open letting the early morning sun in as the long curtains move from a soft breeze.
I stretch my arms over my head and a stinging in my biceps has me looking down to survey my body. I'm covered in scratches from Dion's long nails. It's strangely comforting. It's as if he's marked me.

The thought has my body tightening as images of me sinking my teeth into his neck to place my mates mark. His blood coating my tongue as I thrust deep inside him. We're married but the mating bond won't be fully sealed until we mark eachother. The act is actually choosing the bond and deciding to wholeheartedly surrender to it.

As I move to stand there is a knock at the door.

"Come in." I call.

The door cracks and a servant girl pops her head through the doorway.

"Good morning Your Highness. I hope I'm not disturbing you." She says politely before I wave her in.

"What is it?" I ask as she pushes open the door to reveal a service trolly filled with heavy clay vases.

"The Queen has sent me to prepare your bath."

"Dion?"

"Yes Sire. He has requested to have breakfast together before you depart."

"Where is he?"

"He's taking a bath in his new private quarters."

"I will bathe with my queen."

A puzzled look crosses her face as her body stiffens visibly.

"What is it?" I ask.

"It's only that the Queen rather insisted that you both would feel more comfortable bathing separately."

"I'm quite sure my Queen alluded that I felt the same as him. I don't." I say as I reach for my robe.

I cover my nakedness and by the time I have turned back towards the door the servant has already disappeared the offending trolly.

I find that she has pushed it almost completely around the corner and out of my sight as I step out the door.

She leads me in the opposite direction. I follow her down the hall, around the corner, and up the stairs. I'm a bit weary, never having been on this level. When Amani and I were children The empress told us that the ghost of a child eating witch haunted these halls.

I hadn't thought of that in so long but as it comes to mind it's very obvious he was lying. Still for some reason he didn't want us up here.

At the top of the stairs is a short hallway with a single set of double doors at the end.

The servant walks ahead to open the doors for me. Inside is an expansive suite.

It's a rather large open space with a sitting area and two sets of French style glass doors overlooking what appears to be a double terrace. Both sets of glass doors are open along with the curtains to let sunlight in.

I take note of the European style decor. As a trader I find myself cataloging the finery and cost of having it transported when the servant clears her throat.