I sign another document and move it to the out tray on my desk, then lean back and stretch out my arms hearing a pop in my shoulder that feels fantastic. Technically Eisa should be handling my paperwork since she lost our deal, but there are some papers I want to go over personally, specifically the documents regarding the upgrades to Atlesper Academy. Atlesper Academy is the school that resides in our kingdom for those parents or students who don’t feel comfortable going to school among humans. We offer plenty of courses and encourage the students to explore all the knowledge they can. The science department hadn’t had an upgrade in the last ten years, which was really slack on my part. Science is expanding every day, and by not upgrading the department at the school we were depriving the students of a better education. I personally have been seeing to the upgrades, and I’m going to head down to the school today to see how they’re looking now that everything is complete. I just hav
I put on my jacket, fix my collar, and feel my eyes heat up, glowing as I draw on the energy inside me now awakening from its slumber. I feel weightless as my body reaches out for the nearest body of water, and as soon as the energy detects the water in the large fish tank along the wall in my office, my body takes the form of water, travels through the air and dives into the water. While High-Born sirna possess water magic, not all of them are capable of water teleportation. It’s rather tricky to master. Through this ability, we can not only become water itself but travel through any body of water on the planet, provided we know where it is. If you don’t know where you’re going it can become a disaster and a huge pain in the ass, so it’s really not something to do on a whim. Think of water like a gateway to another world. Each source of water, even a small puddle from afternoon rain can act as a door to any surface of water that exists. It’s such a fast way to travel, and good for t
I decide to take my time and peer into a class or two, and it really does bring back memories. Can’t tell you how many times Eisa saved my fin in this place, but that really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. I make my way to the courtyard at the back of the building as that exit is closer, and casually saunter down the stone steps taking in the beautiful scenery. Past the beautiful ponds and timeless statues, are the gardens, but past that is the recreation area and past that is the athletic grounds. It has everything, basic fitness training areas, a track and then designated areas for our competitive sports. Archery, discus throwing, javelin, shot pot… okay so we stuck with a lot of the Greek classics. I was always more partial to the javelin. What can I say, I guess I just love having a large pole in my hand. “Stop it! Give that back!” I hear an agitated voice shout. I look over to see a group of three 16-year-old-looking boys playing keep away with another boy's sketchbook.
Stepping into my bedroom I take off my jacket and toss it on a chair. I give myself a nice big stretch after a very productive day and give myself a nice pat on the back for a job well done. As I do that I can’t help but wonder what Lemuel has been up to all day. I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t thought about him since this morning, but in my defence, I really wanted to focus on my responsibilities, and I knew thinking about him would only depress me. Now that I’ve welcomed him back into my thoughts I’m in a mood again. What the hell did that even mean? That it’s not that he doesn’t want me, he just doesn’t want an animai. I am his animai, so not wanting one means not wanting me. Want kind of ass backwards thought process is that? I want to get to know him and have him get to know me, but how am I meant to do that when he keeps me at arms-length all the time? With a heavy sigh, I step into my closet and take off my shirt and go to lay out my clothes for tonight. Since Eisa and I di
This is undoubtedly the most awkward car ride I have ever experienced. Poor Eisa is sandwiched between Sebastian and myself looking like it’s the last place she wants to be while the driver steers the SUV in silence and Sebastian’s bodyguard sits in the passenger seat. I did, however, learn that the sirna built an underwater tunnel that allows them to drive to and from the Greek mainland, which is something I was unaware of. “Will one of you say something?!” Eisa shouts breaking the silence in the car, “This is like having a conversation with my mother,” she says in exasperation. “Your mother’s dead,” Sebastian says in confusion. “Exactly.” “I’m sorry about your mother,” I say, trying my best to show my sincerity. Eisa gives me an appreciative smile, “Thank you, Lemuel.” “How long ago did she pass?” “Thirty years ago,” she says softly, “I’m just glad I didn’t lose my father as well.” Sebastian reaches over and squeezes her hand and the look that passes between the two makes my
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I feel electricity shoot through my cheek and only then do I realise Sebastian has his large, soft hand cupped against my cheek. “What’s wrong?” he gently asks, concern and worry filling his eyes and voice. “I’m not worth protecting.” The words are out before I can stop them, and even amidst the pounding music, I can hear the sorrow in my words. Sebastian’s eyes widen briefly then fill with sadness, “Don’t you ever say that. You’re the most important person in my life. You’re worth everything to me,” he says fervently, his eyes not looking away from mine as his thumb gently skims across my cheek. “You don’t even know me,” I feebly point out. I know I should remove his hand, but something about his touch is soothing and comforting; sensations only vaguely familiar to me. “Only because you won’t let me get to know you. Lemuel, I want to know everything there is to know about you. I just wish you’d let me in,” he says pleadingly, then quickly pulls b
As I reluctantly start to wake up all I feel is unbearable throbbing in my skull and the revolting sensation of my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. Even though my eyes are closed I shut them tighter as I detect the harsh morning sun through my eyelids. For the love of Ezillus, someone close the fucking curtains. Someone must be hearing my silent plea because I hear something be put down beside me and the sound of curtains being closed, instantly bathing me in darkness and giving me a slight reprieve from my pain. I slowly open my eyes but have to close them again because I’m sure I’m hallucinating. I open them once more only to find my animai still standing over me with… fuck, I must have really been drunk because I swear the look on his face is caring. Lemuel’s striking face is usually a mask of indifference. I saw some cracks in it last night, but this is something else. “I had a feeling you two were going to need some assistance this morning,” he says in a soft voice that fe
I crash through the water and take off moving a safe distance from the cliffs, hoping I’m not too far from Lemuel. I see and feel the pull of the currents from under the surface as the tsunami makes its way towards the kingdom. I feel my eyes burn as I pull on the energy inside me and throw my hands out halting the tsunami in its tracks, or at least I thought I had. I can feel the force of the giant wave pushing against me, forcing me to readjust and throw more power into my actions, but still, I feel the fucking thing resisting me. A tsunami may be a natural and powerful force but even it must bend to sirna magic. This thing is fighting me like a sentient being. No tsunami can do that, which means someone is controlling this thing. I keep my hold on the wave as I close my eyes and try to feel the energy behind this beast. I grind my molars in disgust and feel my eyes burn brighter as I sense the presence of more sirna magic. Another sirna is responsible for this, and when I find them
I walk over and lay down on the blanket and prop myself against the pillows and pat the spot next to me. He takes a step forward and I raise my hand to halt him, “Wait. You’re overdressed,” I say slyly. He smiles down at me and slowly pulls his shirt off over his head and my eyes quickly drink up his perfectly muscled physique. He slips off his loafers, unbuttons his pants and pushes them down along with his briefs until he’s completely naked in front of me. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I eye him with desire as I feel my cock get rock hard once again. “May I join you now?” He asks in a low voice. I nod, unable to find the words I want. He lowers himself to his knees and crawls along the blanket until he’s hovering over me. He slowly sinks down on top of him, the feel of his skin on mine sending currents of electricity through my entire body. His arms wrap around my head caging me between his arms as his lips descend on my neck. His soft full lips nip and caress my flesh as
I stare at him incredulously, “That’s a joke right?” He quirks an eyebrow at me, “Why would it be a joke?” “You’ve never been on a date?! And you’re just telling me now?!” I screech like a damn howler monkey. “It didn’t seem relevant,” he shrugs. “Didn’t seem relevant?!” I screech again, placing my glass down. “Would you cut that out, you’re going to disturb the sea life,” he chastises, taking another sip of his drink. “Lemuel, had you told me I would have done something extravagant,” I pout. He chuckles, “THIS doesn’t qualify as extravagant in your mind? You’ve set up a beautiful romantic date on a fucking yacht. Most first dates from what I hear these days are just dinner and a movie. Many would consider this extravagant, and I already love this date so stop having a meltdown and drink your drink,” he says, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close as he kisses my neck making me take a laboured breath. I pick up my drink and take another sip, “I still can’t believe you
I wasn’t nervous about Circe’s execution. I wasn’t even nervous about being given charge over a monolithic magical crystal now living in the oceanic version of my basement. But my first date with my soulmate? That has me nervous as fuck. Seems weird that I’m basically the supernatural equivalent of married and yet we’ve never been on a date. I mean, that night at the club does not count and that did not end well. I want… no, I NEED tonight to be perfect. That’s why I called in reinforcements. I’ve just finished setting the table on my family's yacht. Lemuel said he always felt at peace when he was on a boat on the water, so I want to give him an updated version of that, and no one has used the yacht in ages, so I figured it was time to dust off the cobwebs. The yacht is a Black Pearl and is one of the most eco-friendly yachts on the market. It’s 106.7 metres long and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots under sail and with a top cruising speed of 17.5 knots by motor. It has the ability
As I reconstitute I walk over to my desk, moving things around until I find the large stone tablet with scribble on it, or glyphs as everyone is claiming. I grab the block of stone and immediately teleport back to the throne room. “Is this is?” I ask, holding up the piece of stone. Aiyla’s eyes widen in disbelief and Isolde looks like she’s about to pass out. I walk over and place the piece of stone in Isolde’s hands and watch as she reverently traces her fingers over the carvings. “You were using part of an ancient prophecy, written by the Goddess Fretez herself… as a paperweight?” She asks in a low and slow voice. Wait, that thing was written by the Goddess Fretez?! Well, how the hell was I supposed to know that? It’s not like it came with a warning label that reads: ‘made by Goddess, do not touch’. I shrug feebly, “I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was just scribble,” I say defensively. Obviously, if I had known it was a sacred magical relic I would have been more respectf
“How much longer do you think?” I ask as I continue to pace across the throne room. “Aiyla said mid-day. It’s now mid-day, so I would assume any minute now,” says Lemuel casually while leaning leisurely against the wall. “What do you think the Orraikam looks like? Maybe an amulet? A mystical orb of some kind?” I ask enthusiastically. After Aiyla told us we would be placed in charge of protecting the magic of a Goddess, I combed the library for hours. I could not find a single reference to the Orraikam in any of our books, not even in our vault which is to protect ancient works from damage. It was a long shot, but I figured it was worth a look, but I guess the Delegation did a damn fine job of keeping this thing hidden, until now. “I’m sure whatever it looks like, is nothing either of us can comprehend,” he says in a very blasé manner. “Aren’t you the least bit excited?” “This isn’t about fun or excitement. We’re being entrusted with a sacred duty; I’m treating this with the level
“You, on the other hand, will not be so lucky.” “Your Majesty, wait!” Shouts a man from the crowd as he rushes forward falling to his knees. Tears fill his eyes, and he looks as though he hasn’t slept in years. “King Sebastian, I beg of you to show mercy on my daughter. She made a mistake. That shouldn’t cost her, her life,” the man pleads. I glance over at Sebastian who has gone from enraged to full-blown furious and I don’t blame him. “Mistake? Did you really just say she made a mistake?” Sebastian says through gritted teeth, walking over to the broken man. “Accidentally using salt instead of sugar when baking, that’s a mistake. Slipping on the gas when you mean to hit the brakes; those are mistakes. Your daughter actively and intentionally harassed me for nearly a century. Lied and deceived the former King and Queen.” Haemon and Callista both look sick with guilt over that comment. “Conspired with a known criminal. Organised a coup. Endangered the kingdom. Brutally murdered two p
I’ve been waiting weeks for this day to finally arrive. From the moment I met Circe, I wanted to slap the mouth right from her face. Back then I never imagined we’d be here – I never imagined anything until I met Sebastian. I certainly never imagined some deranged woman would try to tear us apart, and I never imagined we’d be getting ready for her execution, but I can say with complete honesty that I couldn’t be happier. A life sentence is too good for her, and I hate the thought of her still living in the kingdom, even if it is as a prisoner, so the sooner she’s gone, the sooner I can rest easy. Sebastian walks over and buttons up my shirt leaving the first few buttons undone while I pull on my jacket. He places a gentle kiss on my sternum, and I lean forward pecking his nose. “Even though I know how you’re feeling, I’m still going to ask anyway,” I say, placing my hands on his hips. “I just want this over with so we can leave this mess in the past and move on with our lives,” he
“It is my deepest honour to introduce for the first time, our new King and Queen, Sebastian and Lemuel!” I hear Eisa cheer through the microphone as Lemuel and I make our way into the ballroom. Everyone is gathered and cheering, still carrying the same excitement from earlier. I smile at Lemuel, tightening my hold on his arm and watch as he takes in the wonderfully decorated room. The decor is much the same as the throne room, only on a much larger scale. Glittering purple water pours from the fountains and waiters walk around serving drinks, but all that is tuned out the moment I hear ‘Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?’ begin to play. I grin at Lemuel as I bounce with excitement. Dimitra deserves a big fat raise after this. Lemuel smiles and extends his hand to me, “May I have this dance, my King?” I smile and bat my eyelashes, “I thought you’d never ask.” I place my hand in his, smiling wider when he pulls me close by my waist and begins twirling me around the dancefloor.
Lemuel and I slowly walk up the steps and gracefully drop to our knees before my parents. My father takes in a deep breath and adjusts his jacket. A mesmerizing glittering royal blue that merges into black satin from the waist down, with an indigo belt wrapped around his midsection. Black lapels cross over and allow just a hint of his white ruffled shirt to peek out from the neck and ends of his sleeves, giving definition to the ensemble. Black satin slacks appear to move in the light and cut down exposing royal blue shimmering oxfords at his feet. A stunning floor-length cobalt blue cape hangs from his right shoulder and gathers across the floor like the surface water of a beautiful oasis. It’s only when the music stops, and the room falls silent that I realise how long I’ve been staring at the inspiring image of my parents. A ring of cobalt blue glows around my father’s grey eyes, and with a wave of his hand, the surface water of the nearest fountain begins to bubble, acting as a m