A Court of Lost Things

Part 9

         I awaken before the sun fully rises and creep out of the room. At the door I look back at Calev. He looks so young with the mop of white hair over his eyes. The cream shirt he wore was open enough that I could see his tattoo curling around his abdominal muscle. Taking a deep breath, I walked back to him. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I gently ran my fingers through his soft hair.

"I love you." I whisper. Figuring out how to be lovey dovey with him was going to be difficult. I have never been good at the whole 'feelings' thing. Pursing my lips, I walk out of the room with a glance back. Not only could I not guarantee Calev coming home with me but I had to worry about being a good mate. My booted feet landed softly on the stone steps as I ascended to the roof top. I ran my fingers through my thick black hair, my hair cascading down my back before easing it back into a high ponytail. Walking forward, the heavy wooden door leading to the roof leered before me as I shoved it open.

Standing at the top of the castle I could see all of Terrasen. The night wind rushed up to meet me. Smiling, I threw my hands wide so the wind played with my fingers. I let my powers burst free and night swirled around me, weaving around my body and wings. I tip my head up to the wind, my hair whirls with my magic and the Terrasen wind. Flaring my wings wide, I tip over the side and fall down before my wings catch the wind. With a few flaps, I was soaring over the forest. Letting the shadows weave around my wings. The sun rises, painting the world in golds and I felt at peace for once in my life.

Flying back to the castle, I saw Calev standing on the roof. Why the hell was he out of bed?

I was going to punch that idiot. Landing swiftly, I tuck my wings in and kept walking till I am in front of him.

"What are you doing out of bed, fangs?" I snap with a glare.

"I woke up and you were gone! I feared the worst!" Wait, he was really scared for me?

"I don't understand...why were you afraid?"

"You could have been dying for all I know?" he exclaims.

"Paranoid much?"

"Of course I'm paranoid! If I lost you I don't know what I would do." he puts his hands on my hips. Pressing my hand to his chest, I gently push away.

"Probably the same way as before." I said.

"Seren...I don't understand." I pull away from him, looking away.

"I am afraid to hurt you. I don't know what I'm doing or how to feel." I whirl to look at him, "We are mates and maybe that's why I'm afraid. I don't know how to give myself to someone."

Calev walks up to me with understanding in his eyes.

"Seren, I love you. You being yourself is enough for me. Better than enough. I just want to be with you. To see you smile and laugh. To help you when you need me. You needn't give yourself to me. I love you so much that just standing right here looking at your beautiful face makes me happy."

"I don't know what to say to that." There were tears in my eyes now. "I don't know how to tell you or show you how I feel. I cannot put this into words." He steps towards me and we are a breath apart. "Calev..."

"Shh... we needn't talk at all; your words don't do your eyes justice." His lips press against mine. I nip at his bottom lip which earns me a deeper kiss. I run my hands through his snowy hair, pulling us closer together. Calev pulls away from me and gently nudges my shirt off my shoulder. He trails his lips down my neck and closing my eyes, I savour the feeling. I felt his teeth trailing over my shoulder then he bites me and I cry out. Gently, he licks my blood from where it pools.

"Why did you bite me?" I breathe.

"It's what males do to their females in my world." he murmurs, his lips still over my neck.

"Oh, well, clean the blood off." i retort. He chuckles and kisses me thoroughly.

We all sit at the dining room table that night. Calev and I feel awkward due to the fact that he is too scared to tell his family about us and the fact that he wants to leave with me. I forgot about the bite on my shoulder when I put on the dress which is slipped off my shoulder. The queen, who I am sitting to the right of, keeps giving me a look I can't read.

"So Seren...what happened to your shoulder?" My eyes flick to the queen in confusion.

"My..." I look down to look at my shoulder which has two holes in it. Despite myself I glance at Calev who kept his face down on his plate. "Oh It must have been an accident..."

A dangerous gleam fills her eyes. She elbows the king and nods to my shoulder. His face goes pale as he gives Calev a berating look.

"Calev," the king's voice booms. "Why does Seren have two holes in her shoulder?" The whole table goes silent as all the faces have stupid grins.

"What do you all know that I don't?" The queen says with a frown. Lysandra looks like she's going to burst. Alistair is grinning at me and Anya looks like she wants to bolt as Alistair elbows her. Calev clears his throat and all eyes go to him. Beneath the table, I put my hand on his knee.

I am here for you. I love you, I say to him. He gives me a small smile and places his hand over mine.

"Seren and I are mates."