Zenora

Brock and I got to the dining room where an elaborate amount of food, stood on the tables already. My dad stood up from his chair, to greet and hug me dearly. When Anna came in the room, she hugged me as well. Cirilya had travelled back to the forest, Anna had told me, when I asked about her. I was a bit sad about that, as I wasn’t able to thank her for everything she had done for me.

That evening, we spoke about everything that happened to me. But I didn’t tell them every detail, about how Markus had touched me for instance.

During our meal, wine was offered to me, but I declined. I’ve had enough of that dangerous drink that I didn’t want to take it for a long, long time.

I saw my dad glance up to Brock every once in a while with an angry face, and I noticed that Brock avoided his gaze by looking into another direction. I sighed.

“Dad, please? I know you are mad at him, but it is all sorted out between us.”

“Yes, I figured already when you two came in here together. But...” He replied and I interrupted him.

“No, no ‘but’ we are together again. Leave the subject.” I said firmly to him, looking him straight in the eyes.

I was pleased that my dad didn’t mention anything about it again, nor did he look angry to Brock. I don’t know if he contained himself or not, but I didn’t care.

“By the way dad, where did you leave Miles?”

As my dad wanted to answer my question, I heard a few screams and some loud barks in the distance. Then we heard some cutlery fall on the ground, and I even think a vase from the hall shattered on the floor as well. People cursed when Miles practically ran them over. And with each new noise, I shrunk and lowered deeper in my chair. Finally one of the servants swung the door to the room open. Miles came running towards me, with his fur soaking wet, and with a lot of bubbles on his back and head. He left a trail of soap and water on the floor and right behind him a servant, completely soaked also, came running in. I had to hold my laugh, as the servant fell on the floor because it was so wet. I helped him stand up and when I looked behind me, I saw everyone chuckle and laugh. I motioned for them to be quiet but I couldn’t stop laughing myself.

“I’m so sorry, are you alright?” I said with a smile on my face.

“Yes, I’m terribly sorry that your highness’ dog came running in here, all wet.” He apologised.

“Don’t worry about that, that was all my fault, I guess he sensed me being here. Take the night off and get yourself cleaned.” I said to him and he thanked me and went away.

I had asked the other servants to go get some towels and I helped them clean the floor and then dried Miles’ fur.

“You crazy dog!” I hugged him and he licked my face.

My dad told me, he still couldn’t get used to seeing me help the servants with their chores. I explained that this whole charade was my fault, so the least I could do is help for a moment. He agreed to me reluctantly.

“Brock I’m tired, please come with me.” I said with a smile after I was done helping the servants. He practically jumped up and followed me.

We walked up to my room; Miles followed as well. When we were in the room, Brock started kissing me instantly. He wanted to undress me, hungry for my body. I let him take of my shirt, but as he did that, he touched the large scar at the back of my right arm and I flinched. I pulled my arm to my body and crossed my other arm over it.

“Sorry Brock, I can’t. I had the intention to… really, believe me.” I said to him. The images from Markus and the feeling of what he did to me are still so fresh. “Could you just…” He interrupted me with a small nod and took off his shirt and pants. I got under the blankets, after undressing myself and laid on my left side, looking towards the large window. Brock laid right behind me, shoved his left arm underneath my head and caressed my hair with his right hand. Miles laid on the bed at our feet.

Brock’s point of view:

I’m going to kill Markus! He has damaged her so much. Not only physically but also mentally. He managed to drive us apart from each other and then torture her for hours. I could see the scar at the back of her right arm, he cut her in one straight line, from her shoulder down to almost her elbow. Every time, I accidentally touch her shoulder or arm, she flinches. She is incapable of enjoying my touches, and I hate him for that!

I wouldn’t want to push her though, she has to heal from what he did. On her own terms. Even though I wanted to kiss every inch of her beautiful body, I have to restrain myself. She is hurt, deeply, and part of it was my fault as well.

“Don’t do that.” She said, out of the blue.

“What my love?”

“Feeling guilty.” She said and then she turned around. “You were saying that out loud, didn’t you?” She asked me and I frowned.

“I haven’t said a word Emily, what do you mean?”

“Think of a number, any number. Don’t argue, just do it.” She said and I frowned but did as she asked.

“Nine-hundred-and-forty…”

“Nine-hundred-and-forty-three!” She yelled and we both gasped.

What the hell? She could read my mind now? Did her mage abilities just step forward? This is amazing, could she use all three specialties? Not only her hunter’s?

“I don’t know if I can, but I’d sure like to find out!” She answered my thoughts and smiled towards me.

I saw her jump up with joy from her new ability, but she had to stay calm, as this was not something anyone needs to know right now. So, I told her to keep it to herself and save it for when it would come in handy. If she could use this ability whenever she wanted to, she might be able to use it during the interrogation of Markus. She agreed to that and laid herself next to me again.

“But, as I said before, you shouldn’t feel guilty.” She jumped back to the topic from earlier, when her new ability popped up.

“You, are the only person to give me what I need, exactly when I need it. I love you with all my heart, so don’t you dare think for one second, ever again, that it would be better for me to break up our relationship. You think that you failed me. Except all you ever did; is loving me and assisting me in dangerous situations and rescuing me at the right time. All this time, you were my anchor, my point of focus if something went wrong. You never failed me.” She was a bit angry now, I nodded to what she said and I wanted to hug and kiss her. But I decided that a simple kiss on her forehead would be intrusive enough for her.

She is mine, my fierce little hunter and I would never let her go again. We fell asleep in each other’s arms. For now, no further discussion, just me and her and some well-deserved sleep.