We left the dungeon like cells and traveled up a corridor. The halls are made of marble and have red carvings throughout. The carvings ranged from past council members, to past scenes of wars, to the current council members. The originals of each species were painted on the columns. The whole place was full of history. If I wasn't heading to possible death, I would find this place more alluring. It really was beautiful. We came to two large dark wood doors. Two guards posted outside of them opened them for us as we entered slowly. The room was large with a tall semicircle desk at the top. There was a small table at the center for Nate and I to sit at. It was made to make the person at the table feel intimidated, having the council look down at them from above. Nate gave my hand a squeeze as we got to the table. The council members were already seated. There were 8 chairs total, but only 7 members sat. I knew the empty chair was Stefan's. Evandrus looked down at me, if he was on my s
Trying to sentence me to death? I thought Evandrus was supposed to be trying to help. I knew he was a snake but didn't realize how slippery he was. There went the small hope we had."So she is of Lancaster blood, but that doesn't prove that Stefan had plans for her." The dwarf stated."We have proof of that as well, but we need Rain's memory to be played." Nate stated with confidence. It seemed he had a quick retort to any doubt thrown our way. Nate was doing an amazing job even before having a year of college under his belt."Maudie, use your spells and reveal her memories unto us" Stoic ordered the witch. He watched Nate cautiously, as if warning him that this had to work or else."Yo
Stoic looked down at us, something crossed his face for just a moment before vanishing. I think it was sadness, but it was hard to tell. "Rain Lancaster and Nate Viseron, please stand for your sentencing." I was slightly confused as to how he worded that. It sounded as if Nate was being sentenced too. Nate grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze for comfort. "Rain Lancaster, since Stefan planned to use you to hurt werewolves we are not sentencing you to death. However, because you were unaware of his plans at the time of the murder you are still guilty. You will serve the council in all matters as needed for the next 10 years as punishment. Nate Viseron, for your hand in this matter your wings will be clipped." My heart sank. Nate was being punished for having represented me. He had done such an amazing job, but I had no idea he would be punished for it. I wouldn't have let him do it otherwise. I looked at him with tears in my eyes. "Nate." I whispered weakly as my hand went o
We arrived on campus within 20 minutes. My ears were still ringing from the wind blowing in them the whole way. Nate kept me safe in his arms while we flew. I was happy to get to see the sights, it was a nice distraction from everything that had happened the past couple of days. Honestly I felt like we got very lucky considering the situation. Nate landed near the commons in the field. Everyone of course stared at us for a while even after we landed. Nate looked a mess with his torn shirt and I probably didn’t look that much better. I was sure my hair was probably a big mess after being blown in the wind so long. I brushed it down with my hands as best I could. Nate tried to help too. He was almost like this older brother I never had. He looked out for me, and risked his life defending me to the council. I owe him a lot. “Rain!” I heard someone call out. “I am so happy you’re okay.” Kaitlyn said as she hugged me. I had heard she helped in my rescue, but didn’t want to get caught up i
I was enjoying Charles' company, just laying in bed naked together. Charles looked deep in my eyes as he stopped playing with my hand and interlocked our fingers together. "I have to tell you something." He said and my stomach instantly knotted up. "The reason I let you go, back at the fairy pool, was because I couldn't mate with you then. I knew you wanted to be mated, but I couldn't bring myself to do it just yet. I wanted to wait to make you mine. I wanted you to be successful in all your studies, undistracted by me. I was also worried that I would keep you from your elf side and duties when we discovered you are technically a princess. Star said that it was hard to take power if you're already mated." His voice sounded small.I could tell he was still beating himself up for letting me go. I placed my finger over his lips, gently shushing. "It doesn't matter. You did it now. Although I could just slap you for it. I don't care about being a princess, Charles. That's not me. I didn'
Charles returned home with an assortment of foods and I devoured them all. My stomach felt a lot better and so did my body. Charles and I talked a while before heading to bed. "You know you're more advanced than the freshman classes you're taking. You could test out of them and get the credit. You'll graduate a lot sooner like that." Charles explained to me. "You really think I could test out of them?" I was sure I could but I wanted to hear him say it. It was nice knowing he thought I was so intelligent. "I'm sure you can." He said and I smiled real big at him. "It'll be too late to sign up for more advanced courses this semester but you could test out of the classes you're in now, aside from the lab, and you'll be more available to learn elvish magic and history. I feel like you could use a semester getting to know that part of you. You could also see if you have any witchy potential." I smirked at that. " I think that's a really good plan. I'll talk with my professors about it t
I could feel my heart in my throat. I was about to meet my mate's father. I was about to meet an alpha of the original 10. I swallowed hard as Charles creaked the door open slowly. I took a deep breath walking in behind him. I tried to keep my head up high. I didn't want his father to think I was weak. "What are you doing back? Have you finally come to your senses?" Charles' father asked and I almost gasped in surprise. I can't believe his father would greet him that way. My father would have greeted us warmly with a smile and probably a hug. I didn't understand these powerful dad's I've been meeting here lately. "I've come to show you the labors of my hard work. I've also come to introduce you to my mate." Charles responded flatly. If his father's words had hurt him, he didn't let it show. "I don't care what you've done at that college, Charles. Your duty is here to the pack. You need to return home and take your rightful place." His father sounded annoyed and he completely skipp
We took a breather in Charles room, giving me time to calm down. I looked around his room reading some of his trophies. Most were for academics and then a few for soccer and track. "You cheater." I said, pointing to the track metals. He laughed. "It's not my fault the humans didn't notice." I rolled my eyes at him. *Are you ready?" He stretched his hand out for me to take and I did, nodding my head. I took a deep breath to try to keep myself calm. I was about to meet the woman that birthed my mate. The Luna that seemed to shadow a powerful alpha. Charles led me out of his room down a maze of corridors. We turned left then right again and made another turn into a small hallway through a door that didn't lead to a room but to another hall. I was so lost by the time we reached a large glass door and somehow got outside. The glassdoors belonged to a beautiful garden house. Vines had grown around it, only adding to its beauty. When we went inside there were many different kinds of flow
Go get the doctor." Charles' alpha voice came out as we entered the room, speaking to the nurse. "How far apart are the contractions now, Rain?" Charles asked me, laying me on the bed. Nate's hand never left mine."3 minutes." As soon as I answered another contraction started. "Her water broke right before I woke you up." Nate told him.Charles was in doctor mode, I could tell by his serious pensive face. He was running through all the medical books in his head right now. I squeezed Nate's hand for dear life. Ever since my water broke the contractions have been more intense. I could feel Ember and Ash scratching away at the scales inside my uterus at some points scratching my uterus itself. I grunted in pain, preventing myself from screaming. Screaming won't help and will only worry them all more. Eryn grabbed my other hand and began to calm me with his magic. That's when I remembered our plan and it seemed it clicked for Nate then too. "She wants an epidural and magic from Eryn and
Eryn, dad, and Larminiel helped everyone back to their own mind. Giving me a hug goodbye each before they departed. Charles was one of the last few to leave. He hugged me tightly, muttering how he wishes he could have been the one to marry one. I tried not to let his words dampen my mood. I know he didn't mean for it to make me feel guilty. He just wanted me to know he wanted me the same way that Nate does. Everyone was gone except Nate and I. Eryn would return shortly for Nate though. So we had these few moments alone in my mind. Although we are together outside my mind as well. "Your mind is really beautiful, Rain. Not that I've seen very many." Nate laughed. "Yours just seems so bright and welcoming. Warm and loving." He smiled. "I'm glad you think so because a lot of the time my thoughts aren't." I laughed. "Oh I am sure, but your thoughts aren't the only thing that makes you, you." He poked my nose. "Now how about you chase me, before I run wild in here." With those words he
Eryn led me to my dad. His eyes watered the moment he saw me and mine did the same. I let go of Eryn's hand and ran to my dad's arms. I never thought this day would happen. I never thought I would have my dad walk me down the aisle. I thought this moment was just the moment we thought we had lost him. I cried a little in his chest. He pulled me back, getting a good look at me."My baby girl is getting married. My gumdrop." He squeezed me one more time before letting me go. "You look beautiful, Rain. Are you ready?" He asked me, turning me to see the clearing. There was a field full of wildflowers, all my favorites and some new ones. There were rows of tree trunks shaped like chairs and people seated at them. I recognized some of those heads. Mom, Charles, Kaitlyn, Peregrine, Larminiel. Then my eyes landed on him and my heart almost ripped out of my chest and ran towards him. Nate stood beside his father, to the right. There was a large wooden arch draped with dragon lilies, that wer
I woke up to some mild cramping and I panicked for a moment. They faded rather quickly, letting me relax back into sleep. I woke up again to some stronger cramps. The moonlight outside my window let me know it was still dark outside. Thankfully the cramps faded rapidly again. I started to worry though. Maybe it's because of that fruit I had at the ceremony. I know I'm not in labor yet, but I think these babies are coming sooner rather than later. I rubbed my belly bump softly, sending so much love to them both. I fell back asleep after going to the bathroom for the 4th time tonight. I'm so over this constant need to empty my bladder. My eyes fluttered open again, the sunlight hitting me straight in the eyes. Normally I'd be happy to wake up to the sun in my face, but after last night's terrible sleep, the sun and I are not on good terms. I groaned not wanting to get up. Nate chuckled beside me. "You okay?" He asked, his minty breath reaching my nostrils, sending a chill through me.
Another week had passed us by and it was time for dads crowning ceremony. We were all dressed similarly to the ball. Different colors this time though. I had a red gold dress with sleeves that hung off my wrist. It had gotten colder as we approached December.Eryn had on a matching suit in color to mine. Charles had on a chocolate brown suit and Nate a black one with gold lining. They all looked very dashing. Eryn's hair, being elf, grew back quickly, and he was able to tie it on that bun of his. Charles yelled his hair back giving me those old greaser vibes. Nate had his swooshed to the side, a little oomph to it. That's really the only way I know to describe it. He thinks it's funny when I say it like that. I entered with Eryn just as before and the three of them stood around me. All eyes seemed to be on us, instead of my dad. I started to shrink myself, until those sparks hit my shoulder. Charles' eyes met mine, reminding me of our conversation. F*CK these people. I sat up, holdi
We spent a week in the kingdom, with my dad and mom. It was nice seeing my dad reunited with his friends, but especially with Eragon. I stayed clear of Star, I wasn't ready to see her. I was worried I would try to tear her throat out. She was too important to Eryn to kill. Dad showed me his favorite spots here. The best sights and the greatest place to sit and think. He was happy and in his element and I was so happy to see him that way. His crowning ceremony would be tomorrow. I want to attend, I'm not sure how to face everyone right now. After everything that happened at the ball, I feel like I would cause more drama than anything else. I sighed again, chewing on my cheek. "What's wrong?" Charles picked up on my mood. He and I were finally having some alone time. Eryn had training and Nate was stuck doing something for Stoic for the day. I hated having him gone, it felt like a piece of me left with him. The sparks from my bond with Charles was helping me feel better though. "Not
I woke up back in the room with Nate, a joyous feeling in my heart. Between my two hot seed sessions last night, and the talk with Eryn, I was feeling better than ever. Now I just need to talk to Charles…. the thought is daunting. "Good morning my beautiful fiance." I smiled, my cheeks blushing at the word fiance. "Good morning my future husband." He smirked at me, kissing my lips. A slight blush tinted his cheeks as well. I love his blush. Between us two, our children will be cursed to have everyone know how they feel by the pinks of their cheeks. I'll find it adorable but they'll probably dislike it like I used to… like I still do sometimes. "We'll teach them how to keep a good poker face. Trust me, my cheeks want to blush a lot more than I let him." He smiled that dreamy smile, while pulling my head close to his chest, answering my thoughts. "I think that's a good idea. My dad tried teaching me, but I obviously failed miserably." I giggled, making fun of myself."Hey, there's
I had fallen asleep in Nate's arms, tucked tightly against his chest, yet when I opened my eyes that's not where I was. The familiar tree with a pool of water and warm sun let me know I was with Heli. She laid with her head on her paws basking her white fur in the sun. 'Heli?' I caught her attention and she opened one eye peeking through. 'I didn't call you here. He did.' She told me closing her eye again, seeming uninterested in whatever this is. Who is she talking about? I turned to look around and saw him standing there, his shoulder leaning against the tree. His almost translucent hair swayed in the wind. He arched an eyebrow over those ocean blue eyes. "I told you I would meet you in your dreams. What did you think I meant?" He chuckled lightly, pushing himself off the tree and walking towards me. He grabbed my lower back, pressing me against him tightly. It's then that I realized I didn't have my baby bump. I began to panic. "We're inside your mind Rain. The babies are fin
The rest of the ball had gone without a hitch. I ate, I danced a little more and then finally was allowed to retire to my room. My feet were aching and I was so exhausted. Nate carried me up to our rooms. "Thank you for sticking by my side and telling me everything I needed to know tonight, Eryn." He smiled real big at me. "That's what I'm here for." He winked, giving me a small peck, while I'm still in Nate's arms. "Goodnight, Rain. I'll see you in your dreams." He smiled, caressing my face for a moment before going to his room. "Goodnight my little wolf. Sleep well. I'll come bother you in the morning." Charles kissed my forehead, pressing his fingers gently into the back of my neck. I closed my eyes letting the sparks dance around me from his touch. Nate carried me to my room, although I should really say ours because I know he isn't going to leave me alone. He kicked the door closed behind him, standing me firm on my feet. He slowly began to unzip my dress, his fingers tickli