Their Princess

Chapter 13

No matter what Rey does, I can't sleep. He has been trying to put me to nap for the last hour, but I'm so full of energy that I can't stop talking. 

“ Rey Rey. Tell me.” He is rocking me back and forth to get me in my sleep mode. But so far it hasn't been working. 

“ I already told you, princess. Nobody bullied me as a child. I was strong. We all brothers were. Tell me about you. Did someone try to hurt my sweet girl? Just give me the name, and I will handle the rest.” I guess he has finally given up on making me sleep.

I giggle at him and rest my back on his chest. “ No, Rey Rey. You can't escape me. You've to answer honestly. Zed told me already that someone bullied you as a child, and Alerix had to come for your rescue. You're lying.” Rey frowns at this.

“ That little piece of….” He sighs but then looks at me mischievously. “ Do you want to know Zed's secret baby?” When I nod eagerly, Rey continues. “ Zed had a crush on one girl in his class. One day, he sneaked her in his room at night without letting anyone know. But father got suspicious of his behavior at dinner time. He went to his room in the middle of the night and caught him red-handed. Zed was so scared that he peed his pants right in front of his crush.” 

We were laughing so loudly that we didn't see when Alerix entered my room. He was looking at me in adoration. 

“ Alerix.” I greeted him excitedly. He picked me up and peppered my face with kisses. 

“ What's my baby doing? Hmm?” He rubs his beard with my soft cheek. I giggle at the sensations and start to tell him everything in detail while he patiently listens. 

I don't know how, but I ended up with Alerix in my bed. He is patting my bum lightly while I'm sucking his collar in my mouth sleepily. Trust me, it's a perfect way to fall asleep. My body is relaxed, and my mind is calm. Just perfect.

“ I tried to stop her from giving her the details, but then Princess got curious.” Rey speaks. 

“ That family is crazy. I want to keep them as far from her as I can. But Zed…. Make sure Zed doesn't bring Leya or her family near our princess.” Alerix orders.

“ We have already discussed that. We will keep them as far as possible.” Rey stops and continues after a few seconds “ I think she wants to go to the ceremony.” 

Alerix’s hold tightens around me. I whimper around his collar and nuzzle in his neck like a kitten. He relaxes and tries to calm me. “ Shh… I'm sorry. I'm calm now. Just go to sleep.” 

“ She can't be there. That place is not made for someone as pure as her. She is so delicate, Rey, it can traumatize her. I don't want her anywhere near that ceremony. It's final. I'm not sending her there, not now or ever.”

“ I agree. I don't see any reason to get her to that ceremony.” Rey sighs heavily and puts his warm hand on my back. “ She is not made for this tough world, Alerix, where there is danger on every step. She doesn't see it because we are standing in front of her. But sometimes I can't sleep, worrying over her.” 

“ What if that monster would have kidnapped her that day? How would we have survived knowing she is unsafe or, worse, hurt somewhere? What if…”

“ Quit talking, Rey. I don't want to think about that day. It still gives me nightmares, and they feel so real that I have to get up and come to her room to check if she's really there. I don't want…” Alerix stops talking and clutches me to his chest. “ She is here now. Safe and warm in my arms. That's all that matters.”

“ You're right.” Rey huffs and continues. “ I hope she forgets about the ceremony because if she asks to go there, I don't know how we are going to say no to her.”