Princess of Faerl

*Elentari*

If I hadn’t been sitting down before, I would have fainted, he looked like he was going to as well. I blinked four or five times, to see if he was going to disappear. ‘Selene? Is this… real?’ My mind was reeling.

‘Yes, child, this is real. He is asking you to marry him.’ She sounded just as shocked as I was. My momentary silence seemed to make him second guess himself.

“I am so sorry, this is too soon, too sudden. I shouldn’t have brought it. I’m sorry..” He was stammering horribly. I bit my lip and leaned forward, reaching out my hand to tilt his head up. I gathered all my courage and gently pressed my lips to his. They were surprisingly soft. I held my breath for what seemed like an eternity until I felt him relax. He pulled me down into his lap, our lips locked tightly, a sensation I had never felt in my life before. Yes, I have never been kissed. The sensation was amazing. I had no idea where my courage had come from either. I had just initiated a kiss, with a God.

“Elentari,” He tried to pull away from me, “Please, please don’t… I have so little self-control, please..” I was completely enamored with him.

“Yes, Hep. My answer is yes.” I bit my lip. “I just… I wanted my first kiss before I agreed to marry you.” I smiled shyly. I hoped he wouldn’t be put off by my lack of experience.

“You’ve never been kissed?” He looked dumbfounded. “I’m… oh Fate save my soul…” His groan even sounded sexy.

“Are you okay with that?” l could feel nervousness radiating off me, “I mean.. That you’re my first and last… my only?”

He shook his head with a smile, “Only if you’re okay with the fact that you’re paired with someone who was alive when the world was created and beyond robbing the cradle. Or the fact that I have not had a partner in hundreds of years, waiting for the right one…” He shrugged sheepishly.

“I’ll pretend all that didn’t happen.” I didn’t want to think about anyone else touching him. He is mine, only mine. “No one else gets to touch you anymore. You’re mine. Only mine.” I crashed my lips down on his again when he slipped the beautiful ring on my finger. I hadn’t even really looked at it, but it felt heavy. “Wait, you’ve been waiting for me?” He was now sitting on the floor, me facing him with my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck, kissing as if our lives depended on it. His rough hands held me close by my hips. He nodded in response and I felt a surge of joy rush through my body.

“I don’t have a last name, and I know your females carry on your bloodline, so I guess that means I’m taking your last name?” He asked me between kisses. I pulled back with an extremely shocked look on my face.

“I hadn’t thought of all that. I mean, you can if you want to. Tirisil means protector of the moon, and you’re pretty protective of me and Selene, so I guess it would fit for you too.” I giggled a little. I pecked him on the lips again, a sigh of contentment washing through me. “We should probably go back. I want to get at least a couple bites of dessert and they might accuse us of doing naughty things if we stay away too long.”

He laughed a bit too. It was music to my ears. “They may already think that since you’re dressed so differently.” I hadn’t thought about that but shrugged.

“I don’t think anyone expected me to go to the training room in fancy dress and heels like that. Don’t worry, and if anyone asks, I will tell them you were a complete gentleman and I am the one who stole kisses.” I stood and let my eyes sweep over him. He may not see his appeal, but I do. I licked my lips thinking about our kiss just moments ago.

His groan is deep as he stands up, “Princess, please. We’re in your bedroom, and those clothes will easily tear under my hands. Don’t test my patience with your seductive innocence.” His words made my tummy tie up in knots.

“Maybe later…” I smiled a bit, taking his hand. I loved how much taller than me he was. I’d been short my whole life and I don’t know what I would have done with a fated that was my height or gods forbid shorter than me.

We quietly made our way down to the dining hall, everyone still there, the dessert being set out. While Lily smiled at me, she and Scottie moved to sit next to her siblings, offering their spots to me and Hep. I blushed a bit, glad he was holding my left hand, making it impossible for anyone to tell if I was wearing the ring or not. Belle smiled at me, almost as if she knew already. Wait, when did Scottie change seats?

“Welcome back, you two,” Aranelda snickered. He was a lot more lax than Scottie. That one had his arms folded across his chest, trying to seem like a protective big brother even though he was a year younger than me. I shot my twin a pout for teasing me.

“I see you’re enjoying your company, nin gwanuning.” I shot back at him. He blushed so deeply. Not only him but Stacie and Eliza too. “I see I’m not the only one who has found my fated at this point.” I wasn’t going to let him get away with calling me out like that.

“I’m still under eighteen. I haven’t found my fated yet,” Stacie argued. I rolled my eyes at her. “What? I haven’t. I can’t till next year.”

“That doesn’t mean that your fated can’t find you, both of them.” I raised my eyebrows at her. Scottie looked at them confused and then the realization hit him like a brick. He looked back at me, “And you’re too into your food for yours to connect with you.” I know Belle said not to tell people, but I wanted Lily to be happy as soon as possible. Besides, gentle nudges. I didn’t tell him who. I would let that happen in its own due time, whenever their eyes met.

I noticed Alke wasn’t at the table anymore and sent a curious glance at Hep. He shrugged at me, “I guess after delivering the weapons and calling me out, her task was done.” I bit back a laugh.

“She called you out? On what?” I was greatly intrigued. “How would the great Hap get called out?”

“She made him tell us about the bond and the ring.” Belle winked at me, her eyes twinkling. “Do we have more good news we will need to share with the Kingdom on Friday?” She teased.

“I… uhm… well…” I couldn’t talk. I hadn’t ever had a boyfriend, but now I have a fiancé. A fiancé is the son of Zeus.

“She said yes,” Hep spoke on my behalf, grinning ear to ear. He was so happy.

“Will you be staying with us now, Hephaestus?” Alaric sent daggers with his eyes. Belle glared back at him.

“If Your Majesties and the Duke are okay with it, I would like to learn all I can about my betrothed.” His words were so cute to me.

“I’ll have a room..” Alaric started to talk but I cut him off.

“He can stay with me. After all, is it not normal after finding your fated that you stay together?” I asked him with the biggest, most innocent smile on my face. My dad frowned a bit, and so did Alaric. Belle and Alisee were trying not to laugh.

“But… you’re… and he’s… Darling, back me up on this???” Dad looked at Alisee with a helpless expression, “Alaric, you understand me, don’t you?”

“Yes, I understand that one. That’s why I was saying I would prepare a room for him.” His tone was stern.

“But, my fated, Elentari is right. The day we found out we were fated was the day I turned 18. No one saw us for a week.” She winked at me.

“And I need to remind you, Scott. We spent a couple of days behind closed doors as soon as we accepted our bond.” Alisee was onboard to tease the guys.

“That settles it then. Besides, as I can tell Stacie and Eliza have a lot to catch up on. That’s if Aranelda doesn’t steal either one of them away from the other, or join them. Scottie also might have someone claim his attention soon too. Who knows.” Dad about fainted.

“All three of my kids at once? What has this world come to?” He sighed and slumped into his chair. Hep was trying so hard not to laugh.

My fork found its way into a slice of the delicious tiramisu. “Now this is heaven,” I said with a laugh. It’s my absolute favorite.