The Queen's Conquer

Chapter 16 : Glittering Goddess

Philocaly • [fill-o-ka-lee]
The love of beauty.

🖤

~+~

A woman's blaring voice is what startles me out of the king-size bedsheets by daybreak. Somewhere off in the house, the noise continues to echo through the walls as my eyes dart around Samuel's bedroom, half expecting to be in the middle of a nightmare. But when fiery red hair flashes from across the room, swiftly slamming the door to the hall shut and locking it, I realize it's only Sterling...who's carrying an assortment of bags and boxes—struggling to carry the haul.

"What the hell...?" I choke out, still rubbing the drowsiness from my eyes.

"Sterling, you can't just—" Samuel growls, his voice somehow distinct through the heavy wood of the door.

"Are you truly deaf, or did you not hear me say no?! You'll just have to wait until we're done! But you can kindly do us the favor of making me and your mate some breakfast while we get ready!" she yells in such a mocking tone that it's alarming.

He swears something inaudible under his breath. "You don't get to—"

"Whatever you want to say won't change my mind!" she barks back, finally turning on her heels to take in my dazed features. "What did I say about getting your rest? You look like you visited hell in your sleep." Her motherly attitude shocks me into confusion, and all I can do is ogle at the things she brought while setting them beside me on the bed.

She whips the sheets off of my bare legs, permitting the cool air against them. Goosebumps run up my body—but not just because of the exposure. I suddenly remember what day it is—why she's on her toes, moving a million miles faster than I can keep up with.

I ignore her comment and inhale an unsteady breath. "What time is it?"

"Nearly noon and you're not even up yet," she grumbles, pulling me off of the enormous mattress only to herd me into Samuel's bathroom.

I slept in for that long...? How late were we in his study last night?

"Take a shower and then I'll help you with everything else," she instructs before adding, "And shave, Anastasia. Everywhere."

My cheeks burn with heat, but she mercifully closes the bathroom door just before she can witness my flushed features. I run a hand down the side of my face, strolling over to the large mirror above the sink only to take in the restless look over my features. Sterling was right, I am a mess.

Yes, you are, Delphine suddenly retorts.

Delphine! Where the hell have you been?

Busy. Mostly attempting to tame our powers after whatever you did a few days ago, she grumbles.

I didn't realize it was that detrimental, I say softly, now leaning my weight into the counter with my hands propping me up.

Actually, it was quite the opposite. The amount of energy you used was so overwhelming that it was almost impossible to control any of it.

I pause for a moment, staring down at the sink. That might explain the outrage of emotions I experienced afterward, I begin, my thoughts trailing off. I'm sorry. I didn't know it would get so out of hand...I didn't know I was capable of doing such things.

It's fine. I took care of it. I'd rather you worry about today, anyway.

A smile slips over my lips as I start to strip from my clothes before turning the dark-tiled shower on, allowing the water a few minutes to heat. Are you excited?