SIX!!... Settling In.

*****

“Hello mate,”

I frowned at the boys stepping aside as they stepped into the room.

Adam went straight to the bed, where he sat down, before bringing his eyes to me.

“What brings you two here? Is everything alright?”

Adam's voice brimmed with mock cheerfulness as he replied, “Everything's just fine, Ava. We missed you.”

I rolled my eyes and followed Aiden to the bed to sir beside Adam.

“Where is Diane? I would love to see her please before I go to bed"

“Don't worry about Diane, Ava. She's perfectly safe.” Aiden said,

Adam chimed in, “Fast asleep in her room.”

Confusion wrinkled my brow. “Asleep? But it's not that late, is it? And she didn't even ask of me? Did she eat something? Is she okay by herself?”

“Stop worrying Ava. Diane is a big girl and she knows that. Yes, she ate, and I'm afraid you might just be bothering her if you go to her room now. It's pretty late, you know?”

I sighed, sinking back against the pillows, deciding to let it slide for the moment. “Alright, then. If you say she's okay…”

Adam's grin widened, and he nudged his brother playfully. “That's the spirit, Ava. You look so hot sprawled on that bed. I could get on you and just eat you until I'm sated.”

My heartbeat quickened, but I gave him a glare, “Too bad you won't get to be doing that then”

He chuckled, “Never say never, my love.”

I gazed at the twins, “Why are you two in my room?”

Adam grinned, while Aiden flashed me a playful smile. Adam spoke up first, his tone light but as always tinged with mischief. “Well, dear mate, thought it would be a bit suspicious if we weren't all sleeping in the same room.”

Aiden chimed in, “Yeah, people might start asking questions.”

My brows furrowed, puzzled. “Questions about what?”

Adam chuckled, “Questions about our marital status, of course.”

I blinked in surprise. “Marital status?”

For a moment I was perplexed, my mind blank, probably because I was busy staring at Aiden's bare chest.

Aiden nodded, “That's right. You see, as mates, we are supposed to share a room, a bed precisely, and if we don't, people might get very suspicious.”

Adam chimed in, leaning dangerously close to me, “So, to keep up appearances and avoid any prying eyes or wagging tongues, we might as well.you know? Get into character.”

I scanned their faces, hoping somehow that they were joking, but they looked serious.

Adam was just grinning at me, his arm crossed above his head, and I cursed myself for thinking about how ridiculously hot he looks. I should not be thinking about that, nor should I be thinking about how it would feel to have that sexy, arm wrapped around me.

I averted my gaze from him, then sighed, realizing the practicality of their argument. “Fine, but you two better not snore.”

Adam and Aiden exchanged glances, their expressions innocent. “Snore? Us?”

“Don't worry, we won't sleep on the bed. We are perfectly okay sleeping on the floor,” Aiden said…

“We are?”

“Yes, we are.” He said, staring pointedly at his brother.

Adam pouted but said nothing, and honestly, I didn't think that they'd offer to sleep on the floor.

I wish - goddess help me- that they could sleep right there with me, but I bit my lip to prevent myself from saying anything stupid.

We settled in, in no time, with the twins bringing out plenty of blankets and spreading on the floor with my help.

When they finally settled in, I lay on the gigantic bed, my eyes wide open as I stared at the ceiling.

It's crazy how I went from my small hut to living in the palace in just a few hours, and it seems so surreal.

I mean, look at this room. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before, with the gigantic bed that was five times the one we have in our hut.

I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face.

*******

A sudden, searing pain pierced through me, jolting me awake. It was as if a fiery arrow had struck my heart, a burning ache that seemed to squeeze the air from my lungs. Panic welled up within me as I gasped for breath, my chest feeling impossibly heavy, as if a crushing weight had settled upon it.

The pain, sharp and unrelenting, made every heartbeat feel like a struggle. I clutched at my chest, my fingers trembling, and shaking, as I tried and struggled to take deep breaths to soothe the familiar ache.

I didn't realize I was gasping, until I felt an arm on my shoulder and a body behind me on the bed.

Through the haze of pain and panic, I called out, my voice barely a whisper, “Adam? Aiden.”

“Shhh, it's me, honey. Don't say anything, just breathe…that's it, breathe,”

I followed Adam's voice and clung to his arm, focusing on my breathing as the sharp pain subsided gradually.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

I nodded weakly, my voice barely a whisper, “I think… it's passing,”

Adam didn't need any more encouragement. He shifted closer, gently lifting the cover to slip beneath them.

“You had me worried there for a moment,” he said.

I managed a small, but I was instantly distracted, when his fingers trailed down my bare shoulder lightly, giving me shivers.

“Thank you for being here,” I whispered, clearing my throat.

This is just a contract arrangement, Ava. Stop thinking about your Very hot, sexy fake mate.

But how could I when there was a bulge- a huge one at that, pressing against my backside?

I subtly shifted my hips, pressing my ass closer to the bulge in his pants, and smiled when he groaned and tightened his hold on my arm.

“Don't wiggle too much, okay, honey? Else I won't help what I'll do.”

And because I am smart, I decided not to push or tempt him further.

With Adam beside, I gradually drifted back into the embrace of sleep, while his warm breath fanned my neck.

I stirred awake very early the next morning to see Adam sprawled beside me, his legs thrown apart and his arm resting on his hip, which brought my eyes to the very impressive wood he was spotting.

Oh my God, this man's size is impressive.

Damn it, Ava, stop thinking about the man's junk.

Got it! No thinking about these men, and the fact that I'd love to be caught between them.

I shook my head, got out of the bed and sneaked quietly out of the room to avoid waking them up.

Then I quietly followed the path that led to my sister's room, eager to see her and how she's doing.

I gently pushed open the door to Diane's room, and my heart swelled with warmth at the sight that greeted me. She was already awake, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and was bouncing lightly on the bed as she stared at the wall.

“Diane,” I whispered, closing the door behind me.

She turned toward me with a radiant smile, "Ava! Morning!”

I tiptoed closer to her bed, perching myself on the edge as she clapped her hand in excitement.

Diane's bed was a whimsical princess canopy, the translucent curtains cascading down like a waterfall of dreams. The soft pastel hues of the room made it feel like a sanctuary, a place where fantasies came to life.

Exactly the way she should love it.

“How are you doing, sissy? Did you sleep well?”

Diane's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as she sat up, her hands gesturing dramatically. “Yup! I did! The room…bed…sooo pretty Ava. So pretty!!!. Like a princess!!”

My heart squeezed as I noticed her speech was more slurred than it was last night, but I waved the thought away because that's why we are here. To heal her, to give her the cure she needs, and I'm sure she would get it.

Seeing Diane like this broke my heart. She was usually the typical Bad-ass older sister who never tolerates shit. The tougher one between us, and I can't wait to get her back, that girl that would step into a fight any damn minute of the day.

“Your room and bed are pretty indeed," I whispered, taking in the pink glitter and posters all over the room.

Have they decorated this room specially for her or was it just….was it already there?

The door swung open, and a pair of maids, led by Fiona, walked in, bearing trays filled with food.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafted through the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

Fiona beamed at us with a warm smile. “Good morning, my ladies. I saw you coming in here, Lady Ava and I thought you might enjoy having breakfast with your sister, so I brought it for the both of you.”

She's so kind and sweet, and I'm happy Diane has someone like this to take care of her. Unlike my maid….

Oh, well.

Diane and I exchanged delighted looks before she nodded enthusiastically and clapped her hands together as the ladies set the trays down on a small table by the table, arranging the dishes beautifully in a way that made my mouth water more.

There were flaky croissants, fried eggs, a selection of fresh fruits, a steamy pot of coffee and a vase of fragrant wildflowers.

This is A FEAST.

Bigger than the bits we usually have back at home.

“Please, help yourselves.”

We got out of the bed to sit by the table, and I took a moment to admire the sunlight filtering through the window.

Diane eagerly reached for the trays, her eyes wide with appreciation. As we savored each bite, for just a moment I felt like royalty, pampered with such care and attention.

Between sips of coffee and bites of pastries, Diane's childish chatter and laughter filled the room. I smiled occasionally at how happy she seemed this morning.

Her honey brown eyes were glowing and bouncing on her face.

A few minutes after we started our breakfast, there was a soft knock on the door. Before any of us could respond, the door swung open, and in walked Adam and Aiden, both wearing bright smiles that made my intimate lady parts flutter.

“Good morning, ladies,” Adam said, grinning.

“Hope we're not interrupting anything,” Aiden added.

Diane giggled and motioned for them to join us. “No. This food…very delicious. Come see”

Without hesitation, the twins made their way across the room to us.

But instead of sitting down, they reached for me, wrapping their arms around my shoulder.

Adam turned my head around, cupped my chin in his fingers to tip my head up, so I could stare into his gleaming eyes before he leaned down and brushed his lips across mine.

I shivered at the soft touch, leaning into his touch, but Adam turned my face towards him too, and instead of the light feather kiss Aiden gave, his lips crashed down on mine, capturing them in a bruising lips.

I moaned, distantly aware of clapping and cheering sounds from across the table - from Diane.

His hold on my shoulder tightened as he brought me forward, deepening the kiss, his tongue slipping into mine to meet mine in an erotic dance that made my head swirl.

Without warning, he broke the kiss and I bit back a whine.

He stared into my eyes, with a smirk, before drawing away… ignoring the fact that my heart was racing frantically in my chest.

They both sat down on the free seats around the table, and k took deep breaths to steady my nerves and calm my trembling bones and quivering lips.

It's just for show, Ava. Don't let it affect you so.

But who says you can't enjoy the show, huh?

Without another word, they dug breakfast spread, smiling lightly.

We are in silence but, even as the twins kept leaning closer to me occasionally, brushing their shoulders against mine, wiping food stains on my lip and co.

I understood that it was necessary to act madly in love with each other since the maids were present, but I can't deny that there was a part of me, loving the attention. Something that I've not received from anyone in a very long time.

Two maids came in again with two more trays of food and replaced the empty plates on the table.

The twins kept eating, but a few minutes into the silent breakfast, the door burst open, and an elderly gorgeous woman adorned in jewelries that beautified her white gown stride in, her expression nothing short of thunderous.

I'm assuming this is the Queen.

I stood to my feet immediately and bowed with the maids.

She ignored us, but pinned a glare on the boys.

The queen's eyes bore into the twins as she spoke, her voice laced with anger. “What is the meaning of this, Adam, Aiden? Why have you brought a human into my palace?”