Little Queen

17

Draven's POV

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I knew how hard saying goodbye to her family was going to be on Idalia, what I wasn't expecting was how much her pain hurt me. I've never wanted to stop something so badly in my life. I'm the only child of two dead people I've never met and was raised by a piece of shit uncle who created the evil inside of me. I don't have a reason to care enough to stop someone's suffering. But watching Idalia cry and seeing how much she cares for not only her father but her guards as well makes me want to force my way into her heart.

My helicopter was filled with her things and is already at the estate where maids will begin setting up her new room. I could have had my men drive her things out but I want Idalia to have more than an hour to mourn her old life before seeing her new home.

I'm sitting barely two feet from her but she hasn't so much as glanced my way. Her head is leaned against the window and her back is slanted towards me but I can still see the silent tears that flow over her soft cheeks.  We're two hours into a long ten-hour drive and as much as I want to pull her into my lap and stop her tears I don't think my presence is helping her be any less upset.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, frustrated that I don't know what to do when it comes to comforting someone.

A movement to my right catches my eye as I watch her small hand come up to cover her mouth and her body retches as a soft sob escapes. Before I can even think about what I'm doing I have her unbuckled and curled up on my lap.

"Shh, it's okay little one. It'll all be okay," I say softly, stroking her hair.

She breaks down and shoves her face into my neck. Her body shakes with sobs and I feel her tears soaking my neck and suit jacket but focus on holding her tight and running my hand over her hair. Her body starts to relax into me after a while and eventually, she falls asleep.

My hand keeps running down her hair almost subconsciously as I stare out the window. She may not want to come with me now but I'm going to make sure that by the time her father comes to take her back she won't want to leave. Soft music plays from the speakers as my mind wanders. I stare out at the empty farmland trying to figure out how I'm going to get Idalia to forgive me. I'm allowed a few minutes of peace before my phone chimes. I rush to silence it so Idalia doesn't wake but she doesn't flinch at the noise, simply digging her face further into my neck.

There's another.

A string of cusses slip from my mouth but I make sure to not be too loud. Texting Drew back around Idalia's body puts my arms in an awkward position but it was the only way I could respond without shifting her around. I feel bad that I had to take Idalia a day earlier than planned but with everything going on I can't afford to spend any longer away.

Bring him in, tell him not to be too loud.

I hate doing anything over text, especially when it has to do with the family but I already told everyone that I'm not to be bothered today. Drew has things handled until I get back and get Idalia settled in so until then I'm going to use these few hours to revel in the warmth she provides.  The hours pass by quickly with Idalia curled around me but just under half an hour out from the estate she begins to stir.

Her tiny fists rub at her tired eyes and she stretches arching into me. Her butt presses down into my lap and I quickly shift her over forcing myself to take deep breaths.

"Feeling any better little one?" I say brushing some fallen hair from her face.

She lazily nods her head that's still resting on my shoulder. Her lips brush my jugular as she yawns.

"How far are we?"

I turn to press my lips to her forehead, "Not much longer, you slept for most of the night."

I feel her back tense against my hand and then she's pushing away trying to slide off my lap.

"I'm so sorry you must be so uncomfortable did I hurt you?"

My lips twitch at the hilarity of her concern, "no I'm not hurt little one, stay where you are."

Her struggle to get off me stops but she's still leaning away hesitantly, "Are you sure? I can sit over there I'm sure your legs are asleep by now."

She was right part of my legs had fallen asleep a long time ago but I didn't mind. I wrap my arms around her tighter and pull her into my chest again.

"I'm sure little one, relax we'll be at the estate soon."

Her body collapses into mine and my hand mindlessly goes back to stroking her hair, it's soft and shiny, falling down to the middle of her back. Soft curls bounce between my fingers as they move down her head. Idalia's breathing slows again but when I lean down to see if she's fallen back asleep her big brown eyes are staring up at me through thick lashes.

I smile at her innocent face and peck her nose before sitting back. I can see the estate in the distance and know that in a matter of minutes she'll be seeing her new home.

"My little, take a look out the window," I whisper against her hair.

She straightens up using the door handle for support as her nose presses against the window.

"Is that your home?"

I hum, "and yours, at least for a little while. Your stuff is all put away and once you get settled in we can redecorate it however you want. We can even make it look like your old room if that would make you feel more comfortable."

A thoughtful look crossed her face before she shakes her head no.

"It's not what I would have chosen but Papà thinks living with you is best so I'll live with you, not in a fake version of my home. There's no point in living in the past, especially because we don't know how long I'll be here."

Her maturity astounds me, anyone in her position would be upset but considering she's never even left the estate or really ever interacted with other people, she's handling her situation with such grace.

I nod and give her a squeeze, "Well whatever you want to do to your room you let me know and I'll have my men get it done."

She smiles shyly at me shaking her head, "I'm sure the room will be perfect the way it is."

We roll to a stop at the main gates and they're slid open by the guard once I roll my window down for him to see me. The surprised look on his face when he sees Idalia sitting on my lap doesn't go unnoticed but I'm guessing that most of my men will be sharing that same look when I let them meet her.

"Your home is beautiful!" Idalia gasps sticking her head out the window, I'm ready for her this time though and my arm was wrapped around her torso the second I rolled my window down.

"Thank you little one," I pull her back into the car once we're in front of the door so we can get out.

A maid rushes out to open the door for us ducking her head as she backs away. Idalia launches herself from my lap and out into the courtyard. She spins in place taking in the large circle drive and fountain that sit in front of the mansion. The moonlight illuminates her face making her smile all the more beautiful.

"Welcome home Little one."

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