Her Forever

Annan’s POV

Willa has been a blessing to Orion. She trusts him wholeheartedly and I am happy for them both. However, Willa knows how to work her mate to her advantage because the punishment of her friend, Violet was too lenient. This could be a good or bad thing, I chuckled out loud. This will only leave openings for further intimidation or future assassinations to the throne if Violet isn’t given a better punishment. I hope Willa has something special in store for her.

In my own chambers, I must sit and wait. Orion needs to claim Willa, and I know he is a bit reluctant due to do so with her being half-human. The situation has fared far better than expected for her to be half siren but we still do not know the repercussions once she is marked. Fae just don’t claim humans, it hasn’t been done. We will have to leave it into the goddess’ hands that she will be alright. I don’t think I could stand seeing Orion hurt if something happened to her. He has gone through so much that he has yet to tell Willa. He lets his charm cover the scars of who he really is.

Orion was in a dark place for at least 200 years of his life, sure he had some concubines and messed around and that’s what Willa was worried about, but the savageness he had when he was younger is almost impalpable. His own family had to stay away and continue to stay in the far northern part of the kingdom for fear of his anger once he took the crown. ‘Cool, calm, collected’ was the mantra he used to say after his warpath. His own father was in shock as he took down hundreds if not thousands of rogue vampires on his own to save Eamon, Fionn and Brenden’s tribe from his first battle.

It was marked in the history books as a glorious win and everyone regards Orion as a hero, but those who were there to see his savageness would know how it truly was.

Torture and savagery, that is what it was. He fought with more evil in his heart than any fae I had ever seen. Plucking their eyes before them and letting them wander the battlefield. There were no swift deaths, just torture as they called out for their brothers to save them. Orion wanted his enemies to know his wrath when The Light Kingdom was messed with.

Rogue vampires were vicious, sure. They wanted b***d and a lot of it but his father, Nyx was worried about his son’s savageness. There were rumors to pass the crown to one of his younger brothers. Thank the gods it didn’t happen though. His brothers were more warrior like than Orion. A fae king was supposed to be delicate, soothing, and commanding according to his father but Nyx’s sons did not get that memo. His wife, Nissa, and he had bred a new breed of fae royalty, which scared them into hiding.

Several hundred years after the battle of the Vampire Rogues, Nyx thought his son should take over after years of classes and meditation to control his anger, only for it to blow up in his face. Orion was livid and let his father know that he was to protect his nation along with an army rather than sit and watch his people burn at his command.

I’ve never been one of excitement when it came to King Nyx, he was truly an elegant king that relied on his generals for the bloody warpath they could create. Orion was never of the sort, only showing what his father wanted until the crown was passed. I was glad for it, growing up with Orion he instilled in me my own power to protect the people of The Light Kingdom, maybe that was why he chose me to be his right hand.

King Nyx was a passive king that let the Court take over, while his son rectified it. I’m not sure if Orion would ever forgive his father for the passiveness of his nation yet ruled Orion like an iron fist.

Taking a sip of nectar I heard a knock wrapping at the door. It was Fionn, I would know that knock anywhere. “Enter,” I stood up from my desk as I walked towards the door.

“Fionn, it’s late. Everything alright?” Fionn did a slight bow, even though he knew he didn’t have to. He was our brother but he still felt indebted to Orion so he would always bow to his leaders.

“Molly is talking, she wants to give us information, but she has taken a Faithful Tonic from whoever she was working for and needs the antidote.” I rubbed the stubble on my chin.

“In the morning, let her fester on it awhile,” I turned to retreat to my bed chambers, but Fionn stopped me. “You can’t hold her betrayal to you over her head. You would have done the same if you found your mate.” I growled out in frustration.

“No!” I yelled. “I would not have! I would have told Orion immediately, mate or not. She damn well knows we were like family to the cause, and she chose the wrong path. This is more than just some petty lie she told me that she had found her mate. Let her suffer the night and we will send for one of the alchemists in the morning.” I sighed as turned my back to him, he was disappointed in me.

I fell too hard for Molly even though she wasn’t mine, to begin with, but that was beside the point. We all had an agreement, the brothers, Molly, Eudora and Orion, and me. We all agreed to overthrow the Court and she betrayed us.

“It’s been a long two days, Fionn. Just let it be for the night. I’m sure Orion would appreciate some time alone with his mate.” Fionn left without a word as I continued to my room to sleep

….

Morning came too quickly; the light sources had barely breached the Eastern Sea as I rose from the bed. My heart sunk realizing I must deal with Molly today. I wasn’t angry with her, just the situation. She strung me along for weeks while plotting away with the enemy. How could she have lied to me, I thought our relationship was more than that. More than just passionate nights and secret meetings.

I dressed swiftly; the attention of Molly could not be put off any longer. Orion needed to know who else could possibly be trying to get the throne or overthrow the almost mated couple.

The Palace hallways were golden in color as the pink and gold light lit through the windows. There was a reason why they called this The Light Kingdom, the light sources were unprecedented. Not bothering to knock on their chamber doors, I marched in right into their living room. It was still early, and I knew they were to be asleep.

Knocking lightly, just enough so if they were doing anything I wouldn’t see Her Highness. With no answer I cracked the door sightly, Orion was curled up next to Willa, she was covered and had her arm over Orion’s who clutched her waist delicately.

One day, one day I will have that.

“Orion,” I whispered, gently tapping his shoulder. His eyes flew open and as quick as a snakes’ bite as he gripped my wrist as his claws buried into my skin. “It’s just me!” I whisper yelled. Orion was not known for being this aggressive and drawing b***d. Orion has gripped my neck and thrown me to the wall but it was mostly in jest. Never enough to hurt me. His eyes went back to his golden color as he let go and looked down at his sleeping mate.

“Get out,” he growled as he turned to tighten his hold. Willa whimpered and snuggled deeper into the pillow. Orion’s aggressiveness was back this morning after so long, something is amiss.

“Did you mate her?” I question harshly. If he had mated with her without leaving his bonding mark this would make him territorial and more aggressive. All the hard work he had laid down so many years ago would be put to the side until he officially bonded her.

There was a rumble in his chest, ears started to grow, and his fangs were out of his mouth. Hell, his wings started to unfold before my eyes. I hadn’t seen him since his last battle some centuries ago. “I’ll go, I’ll go.” I waved my hands in defense and walked out the door.

Orion’s POV

Rage went through my body as I felt Annan’s hand touched my shoulder. This bed chamber is our safe haven, Willa’s smell was floating throughout the room and Annan was in here smelling her trying to see what was mine. I let out a low growl as I squeezed Willa’s body tighter to mine.

She purred and started to stretch as she turned her body towards mine. “What’s wrong handsome?” she giggled as she kissed my neck. Kissing her temple, I felt her body rub against mine as she put her arm around my body feeling my wings.

“Darling, don’t start something you can’t finish.” She giggled again and I pecked her lips. “We need to get up, Annan needs us in the office area. I think it’s urgent.” Willa g*****d and I swatted her arse playfully while she shrieked.

“Don’t be whiny,” I nipped her bottom l*p while she hopped out of bed.

We both dressed and I held her by my side closely, I had mated her body last night, but my mark had yet to be placed so I was on edge. My body knew she was ours, but our souls were yet to be intertwined and that made me nervous. She could leave if she wanted, and it could kill us both since I wouldn’t be able to find her. The bond would always help me find her if she were ever to depart from me.

Going into my office, Eamon, Fionn and Brenden stood at the doorway while Annan sat in the chair across the desk. I pulled Willa with me and sat her on my lap. She instantly cuddled into me but wiggled her body to get comfortable.

“Sore?” I whispered nipped at her neck. A small blush went across her cheeks while she nodded.

Willa’s POV

I wanted to stick ice cubes up my cooter that’s how sore I was, but I wasn’t going to say it out loud around the boys. Gods in the heavens when I went to the bathroom this morning, I thought I was going to die from the sting, but it was a good sting. It reminded me of all the pleasure I had last night, he was a regular Casanova. I was hoping for a long bath with him this morning to soothe my muscles but Orion wouldn’t let me out of his sight. “You can’t leave my side!” he told me darkly. Alight then.

Orion had always been possessive, not werewolf possessive but enough to show everyone I was his. Now he was acting like I was going to disappear. A hand always graced my back or waist, not one inch was separated between our bodies.

Orion gave Annan a slight growl and pulled me closer if that was possible. Goddesses have mercy on my lady bits.

“What is going on, Annan that you had to disturb us this morning?” Orion was pissed, his voice was deep, and his brows were furrowed. Orion was the calm and collected one and here he was showing all his emotion on his sleeve. Did I do something wrong? Did something happen?

“Yes, I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Annan cleared his throat.

“Molly has some information to give us, but she was, indeed given a Faithful Tonic and will need the antidote to free her from her secrets. We need your permission to retrieve an alchemist.” Orion started writing on some parchment while Annan lit a candle. Taking the wax stick he dripped a few drops on the paper and Orion placed his seal.

“Don’t bother us again for the rest of the day,” Orion barked. They all looked at Orion as he stood up and carried me with one arm behind my back and one under my legs.

“Orion, you are being all being grumpy. You don’t act like that to your friends.” Orion grunted and took me around the desk.

“They are looking at what is mine, I’ll take you where I damn well please to get their f*****g eyes off of you.” My heart fluttered and my thighs inched together. Was it me? Or was that extremely hot?

Then Eamon took a few steps forward to speak to me but Orion whipped his head around and let down his fangs.

“Orion!” I yelled and gripped his tunic tighter. The grip holding me was so tight it was starting to hurt.

“He needs to mark you, Willa. The sooner the better,” Eamon used his deep voice. “You think wolves are possessive, wait until you get a fae that didn’t complete the bond.” Everyone nodded while Orion growled again.

“I know what is best for my mate, so stay out of it!” he snapped while he stormed out of the room.

Talk about PMS.

“You need to calm down,” I demanded softly. Orion didn’t take us back to our chambers but led us outside. His cape still drug behind him as he went down the massive steps at the front of the palace. Guards were stationed in every entryway, and a few began to follow as Orion came close to the gates.

“Leave us,” he commanded, and the guards stood back looking at one another. “Did I stutter? Leave us!” Orion yelled again.

One of the guards dared to step closer, “Your highness, we are checking on the princess. You don’t look well.” Orion was about to put me down to take care of the problem until I spoke up.

“Please, go, I’m fine,” I waved one hand in front of our bodies. “He needs to mark me,” I whisper yelled and both stood back. Taking a bow, they walked backward to watch what Orion would do.

Orion’s cape fell to the ground as he untied it and I gripped my arms around his neck. His wings exploded from his body and with one leap he had us flying into the air. Where we were going, I wasn’t sure but I knew one thing, he needed to mark me today.