Sins Among Royals

Noah and Leo sat and talked for hours. Though it had only been a few days since they’d seen each other it seemed that a lot had happened.

Leo noted the miserable look on Noah’s face, “Surely being mated isn’t that bad Noah. She’s not bad looking and if everything Poppy says is right then she’s pretty funny too.”

“I can tell you and your mate are getting along just fine.” A pang of jealousy struck Noah deep. Leo’s relationship with his mate seemed more than ideal and he hoped that he could one day have that.

“She’s more than I could have ever asked for you know.” Leo admitted with a small smile. He usually prided himself on keeping his emotions to himself but since meeting Poppy he had well and truly fallen head over heels in love with her. It was a day he never imagined he would experience. Silence fell between the boys as the sun began setting on another day. Leo looked at his friend with sadness, “you should give her a chance Noah. You need to get over Medea.” Leo paused as the thought about what he was going to say. He knew Noah was embarrassed by what Medea had done but they were all fooled.

“I don’t need another lecture Leo. I’ve already had an earful from everyone. I’ll do better by Indie but loving her is going to take time. I can’t force it.” He didn’t know how many times he could tell people that he would get there. He just needed time. Hopefully Indie would recover so he could have that time. “I should go check on her.” Noah pushed himself up off of his seat and walked back into the house followed quickly by Leo.

The pair walked quietly from the new part of the home to the historic part where they were met by Eliora who had just come from the bedroom.

“Oh Noah!” She exclaimed in a loud but hushed voice. “She’s opened her eyes.” To say she looked relieved was an understatement. “I’m going to make soup!” She exclaimed again before rushing off down the hallway wiping tears of joy from her eyes.

Noah reached his hand toward the door handle when Leo placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, “Make it count yeah?” The response he got was a shrug and a frown as Noah opened the door.

He walked into the room closely followed by Leo and what he saw broke his heart but made him realise again that he was wrong and completely unprepared for a mate.

Poppy lay in the bed cradling Indie gently. She made soft cooing noises and ran her fingers through her hair. Noah should have been the one to do that

“Poppy,” Leo whispered as his mate looked up at them. “How is she?” He smiled warmly at her.

As her eyes settled on Noah the serenity and calmness in Poppy’s face disappeared. Replaced with anger and hatred. She narrowed her eyes and glared at Noah. She came so close to losing her best friend and she didn’t know how she would or could walk through life without her. Not only was Indie like a sister but she was also her maker, in a sense.

“She’s still weak but my baby came home” Poppy smiled down at Indie as she gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. Poppy would have to beat Indie when she was better. Beat her for almost dying and to remind her that she wasn’t allowed to die before Poppy.

It was a selfish wish but Poppy was selfish with the relationship she and Indie shared. It was one of the most important things in her life and to have it almost permanently snuffed out. She didn’t like it.

“Is she strong enough to talk with Noah?” Leo asked gently as Poppy shifted her attention from Noah to Leo and the smile returned instantly.

“I will never leave her alone with Noah again. For all I know he could try and kill her again. I’m not willing to take that risk.” Poppy smiled through it all and shook her head she really didn’t want her best friend around him and had thought of many ways to get Indie to reject him so that she could find someone to love her the way she deserved.

“Poppy,” a weak voice croaked out before Noah could answer. Indie placed her hand on Poppy’s arm and pushed herself up gently.

Struggling greatly she was helped quickly by Poppy who then stood by her side. “Will you be alright?” The way Poppy questioned her friend made it seem like she wanted her to say no and much to Poppy annoyance Indie nodded yes.

“I’ll be alright,” she pushed Poppy away gently. “I promise.” Indie tried her best to smile and reassure her friend but she was still so weak and her movements were subtle.

Poppy hesitated at Indies side and reluctantly went to Leo when he motioned for her to join him.

Everyone including the healer walked towards the door. Poppy stuck her head back through, “Remember Noah! If you hurt her again me, you and a shit load of Lego have a date.” The serious look on Poppy’s face almost sent a shiver of fear racing through Noah. Almost.

The door was closed and the pair were alone and Noah found himself unable to look Indie in the eye let alone tear his gaze from the floor. He felt cowardly to say the least.

“Noah,” he heard Indies weak voice called to him. She patted the bed gently and watched with a steely gaze as Noah walked towards her and sat on the edge of the bed facing away from her slightly.

Silence.

For all that he wanted to say he found himself unable to say a single thing.

“You left me,” she said simply as he struggled to speak. She noted Noah’s posture and the way he seemed to cringe when she spoke. “You didn’t even let me explain.” She spoke again as her voice hitched and became lost again. She sat there staring at the side of his head as the features on his face coursed through many emotions. He seemed to be struggling.

He seemed to be struggling with everything and soon Indie grew tired of the silence, “say something.” She demanded him in a gentle voice but the sternness behind her words could not be mistaken.

Turning to look at her Noah was surprised at the demand but knew that it was needed. He was getting lost again in his thoughts and needed the push.

“I’m sorry,” he stated simply as he looked in Indies direction.

“It’s not enough,” she replied quickly. She didn’t know if anything he would ever do would be enough to say sorry. “You get,” Her nose seized up as a prickly feeling shot up her sinuses. Her head sprang forward and she sneezed before coughing. She weakly pulled the blankets up to her mouth and muffled her coughing. Noah moved to help her but Indie shrugged him away before he could place a hand in her. Regaining her composure she turned her head up and locked eyes with Noah, “you get one more chance.” She warned him seriously. “If you mess it up I will sever our bond and return home.”

It was a strange feeling for Indie. Though she felt deathly and weak and absolutely terrible she felt stronger the more she let her feelings known to Noah.

“One chance?” Noah asked curiously. “If you are giving me a chance I will never let you down again.” He sprang from the bed and stood with a hopeful smile on his face.

“One more thing.” Indie groaned as she shifted her weight. “In the pocket of my coat is a letter for you.” Looking up at him she wondered how he would react to what she was about to say. “Ebony gave it to me,” she watched as Noah walked to the small casual seat near the large floor to ceiling windows. Taking the coat in his hands he felt around till his fingers grasped something small and rigid.

Pulling the small envelope from the pocket he noticed his name on the front, it was his sister’s handwriting. Flipping it over here noticed a date printed on the back. It looked to be the date of Naira and Willow’s day of celebration. He looked up at Indie who looked pained and pale still.

Tearing at the small wax seal he pulled the letter from the paper casing and let his eyes wander through the writing.

Noah,

I don’t know what will have become of me when this letter reaches you but know that I love you. I have always loved you and Lori.

Indie watched for Noah’s reaction. She didn’t know what to expect from the letter but the way it was presented to her gave her the impression that it wouldn’t be good.

Please take care of Ryan and Timothy. Raif is not the man you or I thought he was and I have been silent for far too long. He plans to destroy the monarch of our world. That includes you and your mate.

Indie noticed Noah glance up at her, she couldn’t possibly imagine what the letter said but the grim look on Noah’s face killed all hope that it was good.

The day of the celebration for your two Alpha Females is the target. I don’t know what he has planned and I don’t know who else is involved but please take care and know that I always had your best interests at heart.

Love always.

It was a short note that left Noah utterly bewildered. He looked up at Indie full of sadness and fear. “Did she tell you anything else?” He questioned her curiously. Surely there was more.

“To look after the boys,” Indie croaked. “Raise them like our own.” It frustrated Indie that she could barely get a sentence out before growing breathless.

She hated Noah for what he did to her but it seemed they all had cause for concern.