Sins Among Royals

Indie went to bed alone that night with smile on her face. She thought back to Noah’s warm lips on her forehead and the sweet words he spoke. She couldn’t help but feel a fuzzy warmth as she drifted off to sleep.

Waking the next morning she found that she was alone still. Noah’s side of the bed had not been touched but there was a folded piece of paper sitting on his pillow with Indies name on it.

Picking it up she flipped it open and smiled. All it said was move in day, it was the day Indie got the keys to her apartment.

Throwing the covers off she jumped from the bed like she had a giant spring under her. Dancing around the room she stopped suddenly and ran to her suitcase. Rifling through quickly she pulled out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and dressed quickly. She didn’t feel the need to shower, she was much too excited about picking up her keys. Slipping her feet into a pair of sandals she pulled her knotty hair back roughly and tied it messily atop her head.

Skipping towards the door she pulled it open and saw Wade leaning against the wall on the other side of the corridor.

“Wade! Good morning, lovely morning isn’t it?!” Indie exclaimed loudly. She couldn’t keep her bubbling excitement hidden.

“Um,” was the only word to slip from Wade’s lips as he looked at Indie a little confused. “Master Noah has re-assigned me to you.....” He seemed unsure of what to do as Indie bounced around uncontrollably. “Are you alright?” He asked as he pushed himself off of the wall and stuffed his hands in to his pockets.

“I’m just fine!” Indie replied happily, “I get to move in to my apartment today!” It seemed everything was going well for Indie as Wade shook his head.

“Yeah you were supposed to pick the keys up two hours ago,” Wade grumbled as he looked down at his watch.

“What!” Indie shrieked, “Why didn’t you wake me up!” Turning on her heel she rushed off towards the main entrance. How was she allowed to sleep so late?

Wade ran after Indie and when they reached the front door the pair were unfortunately intercepted by Grace.

“Oh Indie dearest,” she called to her scruffy daughter-in-law quickly. “I have an afternoon tea party organised for you this afternoon. We shall head to the salon soon and get you made over. Alright!” Grace seemed peppy at best but Indie saw the judgemental look in her weathered and aged eyes which bothered her.

Indie stopped in her tracks and turned towards Grace somewhat respectfully. She momentarily let a sweet, innocent smile cross her lips before replying. “Oh you better go ahead and make that booking for you Grace.” She replied with a cheeky tone to her voice, “I’m now comfortable with the skin I live in but if your insecurities are getting to you now, at this age, then you have my blessing to change that.” She waved happily. “Bye!”

Indie hurried off out the door but not before she heard Grace throw demands at Wade, “Security!” She almost screamed. “You get her back here by this afternoon in a decent state of dress. You understand?”

Turning her head as she reached the bottom step Indie tripped over her own foot. The ground approached quickly as she held her elbow out to brace herself. Scrapping all the ground she winced with pain as she felt the skin on her forearm shredding against the asphalt. Her head moved with the forward momentum she had as she descended the stairs and her forehead hit the asphalt too.

Crying out in pain she finally came to a stop behind one of the many vehicles parked out the front. It seemed like too many trucks and cars, perhaps they had many visitors at the castle?

Rolling on to her back she heard someone call her name. The brightness of the sun forced her to close her eyes as her head spun wildly. Was she dying? For a moment it felt like it.

“I’m fine,” Indie replied as she was pulled up off of the ground by a strong set of arms. When her vision cleared of the blinding light she stood face to face with someone she had never met before. “Oh....hi?”

The man that helped her was the same height as Indie. He had very short dark hair and olive skin, his green eyes danced with amusement as he stared down at her, “you should try being more careful miss.” His voice danced through her ears and sent a shiver of instant distrust and annoyance through her body.

“I’m fine,” she replied as she pulled away from his grip. It seemed far too tight for someone who only wanted to help her up. “Thank you for your concern.” Indie stepped away from him cautiously. There was something off about him.

“I am glad,” he bowed his head slightly.

“Indie!” Wade called as he rushed down the stairs behind her. When she turned to look at him she noticed the deep set frown on his face but it wasn’t Indie who held his attention. It was the strange man.

“Ah,” the man commented quickly, “I should have known she was your charge Wade. It seems you can’t keep tabs on anyone important hmm,” he mocked Wade openly which made Indie instantly see red. “Perhaps she should be transferred to my care.” The strange man turned and looked at Indie with nothing but lust written across every feature of his body. “Everyone knows I look after my charges very well.”

Shaking her head and cringing visibly Indie saw the look on his face contort to shock, “ew yuck,” she feigned gagging. “No offence but I think you need to see a doctor. I think you’re suffering from little man syndrome.” She motioned for Wade to join her quickly as she turned towards the driver’s side of the closest vehicle.

The man stared after her and all Indie felt was her skin crawling as she desperately tried to find cover.

Climbing into the seat of one of the black security S.U.Vs she noticed the keys were already in the ignition and as she turned it and felt the engine spring to life she kicked it into gear and sped off towards town leaving the strange man in her wake. “I don’t like him.” She growled as soon as they were far enough from the castle.

“Keep an eye on him.” Wade commented from the passenger’s seat, “He’s the son of a man who wants to be King. He hasn’t found his true mate yet and would probably have no problems taking the next best thing.”

“I’m sorry for what he said,” Indie sighed sadly. “It was uncalled for.”

“Don’t apologise for him,” Wade growled instantly. The rumble in his throat caught Indie off guard. “He’s a sneaky, slimy man that hungers for power. I can guarantee he won’t be apologising to you if he ever found you alone.” Wade’s voice grew dark at the thought of it but it was something he needed to train Indie for. Just in case

“What’s his name?” She asked as she turned down a street at the bottom of the castle hill.

“His name is Felix and he’s not a man to be underestimated alright?” Wade was dead serious about Felix. He had heard and seen many things and none of them were ever positive. What was worse was that Felix was never held accountable for any of his actions meaning his victims never got justice.

The pair pulled into a parking space at the front of the real estate building and climbed out quickly. Wade took the keys from Indie and smiled, “you drive like an old woman.” He couldn’t help but chuckle.

Walking through the door they were greeted happily by Zoe. “I was wondering if I would see anyone today,” she grinned and showed the pair to her desk. “We just have a few papers to sign then it’s all yours!”

Indie seated herself as Zoe looked at the fresh scrapes and scratches on her face. Pointing at Wade she shrugged, “He hit me with the car,” she tried to stay as serious as she could for as long as possible but her face soon crumpled into a smile as she saw the shock on Zoe’s face. Turning her head slightly she saw panic in Wade’s face. “I’m joking!” She broke out in laughter, “I actually tripped down the stairs.”

Zoe looked at her a little concerned before placing her hand on Indies, “are you sure?”

Wade couldn’t help but cross his arms in annoyance as he averted his gaze and slouched in his seat.

“I’m sure Zoe,” Indie patted the woman’s hand before pulling hers away. “I was actually really excited to pick the keys up for the apartment and wasn’t watching where I was going. I honestly tripped over myself.”

Zoe touched her hand to her heart and sighed. She soon perked up and smiled, “that’s good! I would hate to have to report anything to Master Noah. Especially something like that.”

A strange smile pressed against Indies lips as Zoe began typing away on her keyboard. Indie was left speechless as she heard Wade get out of his seat, “I’m going to wait outside.” He stormed off quickly. He was angered and enraged but Indie wasn’t the cause of it. The one thing he hated about being in town was the gossiping. He had enjoyed his time away from Blackwell and had always dreaded coming back. He had been contemplating asking Noah if he could transfer to somewhere like Craggy Bluff.

Zoe hummed happily as she ignored Wade. “Well I don’t know what crawled up his behind but I will be right back. I just need to fetch the papers.” She disappeared quickly leaving Indie to ponder a few things.

Was Grace really a witch or had Zoe heard something from someone who heard it from someone else? Perhaps Zoe just had an extremely imaginative mind. Perhaps she had misconstrued the meaning of something? Or maybe she wanted to just spread gossip and rumours about the family that lived in the castle? She would have to keep an eye on the woman from now on.

Soon Zoe returned with a large bundle of papers and an incredibly large set of keys. Sitting in her seat again she smiled, “it must be nice having someone buy a whole building for you,” flicking through the many pages she found the ones she had marked for Indie to sign and lay them out in front of her neatly.

“I’m sorry what?” Indie asked as she scanned the first page Zoe set out before her. There in big, bold letters she read, For The Acquisition of Tombrink Building.

Indie almost fainted.

“Oh yes,” Zoe smiled full of jealousy. “Master Noah wants you to have your own space so he brought the building.” Zoe tried her best to smile but it settled on her face as a sneer as many mean and nasty thoughts floated through her head quickly. She hated the royal family and all the money they had from doing nothing. Even though Indie was new Zoe had a feeling she would end up just the same as the others. Self entitled and spoiled.