Her Forever

Willa’s POV

After three rounds of morning fornication, yes, three, we finally arose from the dark duvet of our bed by mid-morning. I could feel the warmth of the air start to infiltrate the hut as we heard people milling about outside. Orion was continuing to pepper k****s on my bare back as I hummed in contentment.

“Could we just stay here?” I mumbled into the pillow. “No one bothers us here.” I felt Orion’s smirk on my back as he reached the nape of my neck.

“I wish we could, Darling, but we have much to do in very little time.” Orion stripped the duvet over my body, leaving me bare and the cold air of the blankets rushing by hit my skin, and I tried to curl up in the fetal position. Orion pulled me from the bed, over his shoulder, and pulled me into the shower. The warm shower eased my sore muscles; Orion had definitely given me some yoga poses to work on for the next time he wanted a romp in the park but for now, the warm water would have to ease my ailments.

After stepping outside and greeting Amora and Adam we had to discuss a plan in regarding the witches and sorcerers. It was believed that Creed would have to step in and help, despite Adam’s reluctance. The Alpha leader of the tribe didn’t trust Creed or just didn’t like him. Creed had been nothing but hospitable to us, and Amora took a liking to him. The information that Amora graced me with only churned my stomach to think this was all a jealousy thing because he was not the firstborn of his mother and Creed could have had rightful leadership to the tribe. Their mother was the alpha dragon and the last female born dragon so her mate became her equal and both partook of the Alpha roles.

Once we convened and spoke over a few hours of a plan, the werewolves would come to help aid the dragons, even with the reluctance of some of the tribe members. Dragons were prideful and wanted to take care of their own, but losing a mate or even a child was far more significant when they were gone protecting their territory. The King and Queen of the Moon Kingdom were to come personally to help aid them while taking on the B***d Coven on our own.

The treaty that Orion had signed when I had first arrived at the Warrior Pack proved to be beneficial to both kingdoms. One protects, while one fights surely making their kingdoms almost incomparable in numbers and strong in defense and offense.

After a heartfelt good by to Amora and a stiff nod to Adam we departed and the Red-Headed Fury accompanied us all the same. Their jokes and jeers on how some of the women looked terrified of them gave them the best belly laughs. Many of them hadn’t seen faes let alone strong warriors of their kind. They were both fascinated and terrified of their red beards and muscular bare chests.

As we began our flight back, I had an aching in my heart as began to fly closer to the palace. My mind kept wandering to my father and how he was doing. He was must reluctant to leave me with Orion, he had not entirely accepted him being my mate nor was he excited to go me after just finding me. The nudging in my chest only grew stronger as we landed at the front gates of the palace. Our bags were taken swiftly by some attendants as I looked around at some unfamiliar carriages.

“Whose are those?” I asked Fionn as he took off his bag. Orion had started talking to one of the servants and left me to my devices. “Those are spare carriages from the storage unit. I’m not sure why they are out,” Fionn questioned as we approached.

“Goddess,” Fionn breathed as he opened the door. Looking inside, we saw several gaunt-looking faes; their eyes were lifeless, and their bodies looked weak. Nissa landed beside me, which startled me, but her hand came to my shoulder to comfort me.

“I’m sorry for sneaking up on you,” Nissa smiled sadly. “I hope you and Orion don’t mind, but I brought those at the unmated house here to the palace. With the great celebration coming up and many unmated supernaturals to be here, I’m hoping they will find their mate. At least, maybe have a good time and find the light they need to carry on.”

My heart clenched at the thought of the seven carriages that held the unmated. Would Orion have been the same if I never showed up? Several attendants came by and opened doors, helping them all out one by one. Servants grabbed their bags and led them to the palace. Even though my heart ached, there was one person I wanted to see, Elaine, Sibille’s mother and hopefully the redemption I had hoped Sibille will take.

Nissa led me to the first carriage that carried only Elaine, she had a quilt draped over her shoulders to keep her warm. The long, deep purple hair covered her face as she exited—the bright light blinding her, causing her to keep her hand over her eyes. “Elaine, it is an honor to meet you,” I spoke as I held out my hand to hold hers. Elaine gave a small smile and took her other hand to pat mine.

“I’m so sorry about my daughter. I tried to instill in her wisdom about how important mates are. I have failed yet again as a fae to teach her these things.” If her eyes could go any darker into despair, they would have. The once light, flawless skin was now grey and lifeless. Shaking the shock from me on her appearance, I shook my head.

“Sibille has told many how she wants to protect you, I am hoping this is the truth and if she hears your words I pray to the goddess she will ask for forgiveness and drop this whole thing.” Elaine nodded her head in understanding.

“Don’t be so sure, Your Highness,” she gave a sad smile. “Onyx is a cunning man; his words tasted like honey to her. She looked up to him yet despised him at the same time. It is not only me she wants to protect, but her thirst for power is there. His bad b***d runs through her veins.” Nissa and I stood in shock as Elaine lowered herself from the carriage as we walked in.

There may be no hope for Sibille at all. Her mother had given up on her, and she hadn’t seen her for years. Who was this Onyx, and how could it be so cruel. The few times I had met him, he was cunning, tricky like the rumors of how faes were. Brainwashing Sibille may have been his tactic, and there is no hope for her.

I suppose not everyone can be blessed with forgiveness.

I took extra care with Sibille, and I wanted to personally see her to her chambers. Her story had become heartbreaking to me and forced into a loveless bonding, begging for him not to bond her. Her own mother had the same fate yet Elaine was more substantial than her mother, hoping she would find her mate. However, from the looks of her ragged body, her time was almost gone. If she didn’t find her mate soon, she would give up and no longer have the strength to breathe.

Nissa and I tucked her into the bed and left her so she could rest. The trip had tired her out too quickly. Before leaving the room, Elaine beckoned me to her bed and used all the strength she had to hug me. Shocked at the initial contact, I quickly hugged her back.

“Thank you,” she sobbed as I rubbed her back. “For trying to give Sibille a chance.” Before I could respond, her head lulled into my shoulder, and I saw she had fallen asleep. I was laying her down gently as you would a baby. I put an extra blanket on her fragile body and stepped out of the room. As much grief and pain, I felt in my heart, I could also feel a pull, and it was pulling me to another room.

Orion was in his study, discussing with Annan and Nyx the plans for the next several days while Nissa was tending to the unmated faes. Following the pull, I was led down a quiet hallway I had never gone down. Several servants bowed until the head maid greeted me. “Your Highness, your father, and brothers have arrived. We have put them in the southeast wing on the bottom floor so they can have easier access to the ocean.” A smile graced my face as I rushed out a ‘thank you’ and ran towards the pull.

It was my family! The pull that Luke used to talk about when I entered the water that he felt, I felt it here on land. Running quickly, my wings fell open all on their own as I pushed in the door to the guest-chamber.

My father turned from looking out over the waters of the sea with his hands behind his back. He looked everything like an older king should look—regal, robust, immaculate in his shell-adorned attire. Dad looked everything like a land king would look like. Royal blue suit, cuffed with pearls and his dark scruffy beard for his human appearance made him look handsome.

“My princess!” He spoke in his smoldering tone while he held out his arms. I ran to him, and he engulfed me while caressing my cheek. “My beautiful Willa, you have changed.” He stared in awe as he played with my hair.

“It seems you have more of me in you than I realized. You took on my hair and our family colors after you have mated.” Father gritted his teeth at the last part, now knowing his daughter was now deflowered. I blushed, and he pursed his lips as he shook it off.

“All grown up, and these wings?” He looked over my shoulder. “These don’t look fae at all; they look….”

“Like a butterfly, I know. I guess colorful wings instead of scales?” I wanted approval, and his glistening eyes only confirmed he loved it.

“They are gorgeous, princess.” Father engulfed me in another hug as he took a sniff into my hair. His body stiffened as his caressing of my back stopped. Pulling away, he held me at arm’s length. I was giving him a questioning look he gave a small smile.

“Who have you been with today?” Not understanding what he was asking, I named off several people until it dawned on me.

Elaine.

“Why are you asking me who I have been with?” My father stiffened again and rubbed his beard.

“There is a slight smell to you, and it intrigues me.” My eyes opened wide, and I covered my mouth.

“Come with me,” I whisper yelled as I grabbed his hand. Father started laughing as I tried to pull his body to the door.

I prayed to the goddess that my intuition would be correct, that this entire problem would be solved. Killing two birds with one stone, my heart leaped as I tried to pull him faster. “What is the rush, princess, where are you taking me?” My father was absolutely oblivious; how in goddess name could he not know. Well, he probably gave up too. The only reason he hadn’t succumbed to depression was his sons and me; he had something to live for.

Unlike Elaine. She had given up on her daughter.

We stood outside the door to Elaine’s room. Father looked at me questioningly as I opened the door slightly. The door made a small m**n as we entered the darkroom. Holding onto my father’s hand, I continued to lead him to the other side of the large bed. Elaine had opted to sleep close to the nightstand so she could reach for water if needed. Her chest rose slowly up and down as we got closer.

Her face was pained; she was either dreaming of her past with Onyx or the loneliness in her heart. My father had a look of pain on his face. “Who is she?” he barely spoke.

“Elaine, she has a terrible past but in short, she is starting to give up on finding her mate.”

My father clutched his chest as he knelt beside the bed. His fingers pushed back the dark, purple hair as he took in her scent.

I backed away from him so he could study her, I wanted to scream for her to wake up but this was too precious of a moment. His crown stood still on his head as he brushed her lips with his fingers. Elaine moved her head closer to his hand, and my father’s fist clutched to his side.

The easy breathing Elaine was exposing was now sporadic; she was waking up. With hardly any movement, she opened her eyes and glanced at my father. Both of them stared at each other until Elaine gasped.

Girard’s POV

(Willa’s Father)

Mate