The Royals' Courtesan

The Waiting Game

Allen's POV

"Will she heal?", he asked Phoebe while looking at the burned Lycan body. "Falkor, you know I can't answer that", she said then walked out of the basement.

'Moon goddess. Bring her back to us', he said then followed Phoebe.

"Both of you should rest. It will take time. At least until morning to get a possible outcome. I have to go see the coven. I have to inform them of the ritual I did today, it used a lot of energy and must have caused restlessness to the elders. You should be ok here. It's where I come when I want to be alone", Phoebe said then left.

"It's funny, she thinks we can actually rest", Ares said with a chuckle. When Falkor looked at him, he had a sad smile on his face. "She's right though", he said making Ares nod and lay back on the couch with his eyes on the ceiling.

He followed and sat opposite of him. "Do you think she'll come back?", Ares asked him. "I want her to... but I don't know. The mate bond hasn't broken yet so I know she's still in there. It's enough reason for us to hold on right?", he said making Ares hum.

The fact that he decided to agree with Conall and let Allen give into his human desires for the first time since losing Philomena was still a mystery to him but after meeting Nava and connecting with her, he understood. Their bond was stronger, more intense, the thought of the past repeating itself made him extra cautious even though it wasn't enough to keep her safe when it mattered.

'It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shouldn't have left her alone', Allen said making him release a breath. Allen was selfless that way. It was one of the reasons he started believing in humans again.

'Don't do that to yourself, Allen. Everything happens for a reason and I believe that Nava's kidnapping was just that. Trust me?', Conall told Allen making him relax a bit.

He stood up and went to sit on the floor next to the basement door. He closed his eyes and the only sentence he kept hearing was Conall's.

'Everything happens for a reason'.

"Let's go check on her", Phoebe said out of nowhere making him jolt awake. "24 hours already?", he asked her and she nodded. "Yes. Isn't this what you have been waiting for?", she asked him and he nodded. 

He was ready to see if Nava was still there.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Phoebe put her hand over the first ring of the circle and it broke. The wind came out of nowhere and blew everything away including what looked like Lycan ashes revealing Nava's human form underneath it.

Falkor started hearing her heartbeat. It made him smile. He heard Phoebe release a breath. "Thank the ancestors. I knew her rapid healing would come to the rescue", she said making Falkor turn to meet her eyes. She had tears in them. "This is a miracle that even I didn't expect. The last time we did this it was tragic. I still see the little girl's crying face whenever I close my eyes. You're very lucky my King", she said with a smile.

"I'm in your debt Phoebe. Nothing compares to this. If you ever want anything... and I mean anything, tell me, and it's done", Falkor said. "My King. There's no need. It is an honour to serve you. Let's take her to one of the guest's rooms. She needs to rest", Phoebe said making Falkor nod and lift Nava's body and carry her to the room Phoebe directed him.

Falkor placed Nava's body on the bed and sat next to her. Just staring at her. "You know that's creepy right?", Phoebe said making Falkor smile. "I prefer being creepy to distant. I almost lost her. I don't care what you have to say", he said making Phoebe chuckle. "Ok then, I'll leave you to it", she said then left the room.

'She made it. Never thought I could ever be this happy', Conall said. 'Me either, when I heard her heartbeat, I was so relieved. Thank you Falkor. I know that I wouldn't have gone through any of this without you', Allen finally admitted after not talking for some time. 'It's quite alright, I'm sorry I had to hurt her. I know it was difficult for you', he said making Allen hum in approval.

She started moving her arms then her eyebrows furrowed. Falkor looked at her with anticipation. 'I can't do this, not yet', he said then gave control to Allen but not before Conall called him 'pussy'.

Allen ran his hand across her face and she smiled then fell asleep again. "I love you so much", he said then smiled. The door opened making him turn, he furrowed his brows the moment Phoebe walked in with a plate of food. "And you're back. Are you gonna accept the meal I brought you and let bygones be bygones or are you gonna give me a silent treatment?", she asked with a smile, clearly recognizing that it was Allen and not Falkor.

"I don't hate you, Phoebe, I just don't like your methods... ", he said making her smile bigger as she handed him a plate of food. The smell of it made his stomach rumble. He took one spoon of the stir-fried rice in his mouth and the next thing he knew; the plate was empty. "Want seconds?", Phoebe asked and he nodded.

Two more plates and a beer later, he was satisfied. "So, tell me what you like about her", Phoebe said while settling on the couch that was next to the bed. "DeJavu", Allen said with a smile. It reminded him of when she asked him the same question after he marked her sister. She looked confused for a few seconds then her eyes went wide with shock followed by a laugh. "I swear it's not intentional. I'm just fascinated by the thought of having a mate that's all", she said making him smile weakly. "I'm sure he's out there saying the same thing", he saying the same thing. I'm even willing to bet that he's as weird as you", he said the last part making her chuckle. "You're so hopeful. I guess that's what you get for having Falkor as your Dragon", she said making Allen smile.

"She's selfless. It's the first thing I noticed about her. Then her warm aura came next. Being close to her made me feel at home like I was meant to be there. I have always had women throwing themselves at me and I wanted to give in but Falkor hated it. He judged me and then one day out of the blue he agreed. Even though it was after being convinced by Conall he agreed", he said remembering the council meeting about the twins choosing mates that were not fated for them for the sake of power and wealth. The idea made him furious and before he knew it, he was at the House of Aphrodite.

What was the point of being respectful to women who were not his mates if even the Royals were willing to sacrifice their own?

They were the rulers and if they thought it was right then he had no right to judge.

"Conall acknowledged her as our mate the moment she opened the door... even though she slammed it on our face a few seconds later. She hated when Ares booked her on her day off, little did I know, she was the mate that the Royal twins betrayed", he said then turned to look at Nava's sleepy body. She looked different. Her chocolate colour was glowing, she was still healing.

"Seems like you two have been through quite a journey. Is she as crazy as Philomena? I remember her giving you a heart attack or two", she teased. "The complete opposite, which is why I couldn't have asked for a better person to deal with Aella than you. Her will and her determination reminded me of Philomena and I just couldn't hurt her", he admitted. "Well, good thing I had Falkor then", she said right when Nava started coughing rapidly in her sleep.

He rushed closer and lifted her upper body then placed her neck in a forward-facing angle allowing her to spill whatever was choking her.

Strange-looking black mucus started coming out resembling coated blood making her take a deep breath in like she was finally able to breathe.

"Allen?", she asked with a low voice then closed her eyes again.