CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Willow

The healer just finished touching up the bruising on my neck and caring for my concussion. I was able to sit through most of her treatment quietly, but the shoulder adjustment had me breaking and yelling curses. The only thing that got me through was sensing Ember through our bond. I could feel her thinking about me, petting the idea of us together.

I had gone to see father regarding the murder of the Honeyfall family and their missing son named Brooks, who happens to be one of Ember’s best friends. Father was furious that I was inquiring on such things and immediately blamed Ember for using me to further her own agenda within the royal family. I don’t know how that logically makes sense, since anyone with a heart would agree to help solve a case like this.

I decided to argue further that since we are going to be joining the court publically, then I want to have more responsibility among the council. The king decided to punish me by forcing me to demolish an orphanage in the Libra district and then build a large storage warehouse in its place. Father says we need more space to store elixirs and weapons for the royal guild.

I can’t destroy an orphanage? Who does he think I am? Where will these children go?

We barely have enough orphanages as it is and if Ember is right about families being split apart with murders then we need more orphanages now than ever.

I’m so fucked.

✶

I’ve been tasked with evicting the residents of Guido’s Orphanage and Father made it clear that I am not to waste time caring, associating, or rehoming the children. He said the priests that oversee them will deal with it.

So, of course that’s the first thing I do. It’s honestly a joke that Father thinks I’ll obey him rather than take a beating. I’ll die for the lives of these children, and that’s where me and my father differ the most.

He has no heart. He wouldn’t even die for his own children.

I arrive at the Orphanage and peer out the window of my carriage. It’s a ragged building made of basic stone. It’s in shambles and looks like an old chapel, probably once repurposed for the children that live here now. It’s truly heart wrenching that this is 1 of 3 orphanages in the entire city of Estrallume.

It’s at this moment that I make my decision.

I’m going to rebuild this shaggy, muddy, flaking building and expand the land and resources for all children staying here. I will personally supply them with materials for learning, potions, and spell casting. Reading is one of life’s most precious experiences, so I will gladly build them a plentiful library.

Artie grabs the handle and opens the carriage doors as I step out into the blinding sunlight. “Oh, I know that look.”

I smirk at him and confirm exactly what he’s thinking.

We’re gonna rebuild this orphanage and name it after my little dragon.

✶

It’s been two full days and I used my father’s designated demolition team to demolish, reconstruct, and expand the Little Dragon Orphanage. Some of the team argued with me but were quickly reminded that I am the Prince and they will do as I command. We built a beautiful white, silver, and golden facility which has twelve bedrooms, four bathrooms, one library, one kitchen, one classroom and a garden center in the side lot of the property.

It’s more than enough for the sixteen kids staying here since each bedroom has four beds in it. They can now accept almost double their capacity of children as before. The project took just a day and a half  with the help of my father’s builder faeries.

Father is going to lose his shit but atleast i’m not the one losing my soul.

This evening, my room is full of servants as they quickly groom me to perfection. This will be my introduction into society. As well as, my first time introducing Ember to the Lunar Court of Estrallume and my family. I know my mother and sister will adore her, and my brothers will accept her quickly, but I’m extremely curious how my father is going to react.

My team of servants have groomed, cleaned and dressed me to father’s liking. I’m wearing a white shirt that is buttoned and layered with a black embroidered vest, which starkly outlines my muscular arms. On top, I have layered a steel blue jacket with matching steel blue pants and black boots. As I stare in the mirror while my servants depart from their task of dressing me, I notice my bond rings glowing bright and pulsating. That’s strange.

I’ve yet to experience the pulsing light before. Maybe Ember is arriving? I quickly adjust my sleeves and ruffle my slicked back hair. There, now I feel a lot more like me.

Are you near, my little dragon?

I smell honey and roses as the essence of our bond warms in my chest.

Yes, prince.

And that’s all the confirmation I need before I’m flashing into my fae form and dashing to the palace gates to greet my mate. I’m a stream of blue and black smoke as my wings beat faster than ever before, dodging servants, my sister, and bolting out the palace doors.

“Slow down!” I hear my sister shout as I race past.

I’ve transformed back into my human form just at the top of the stairs as I watch artie approach with my private carriage. There’s already a few guests arriving, but all I can focus on is that dark blue carriage covered in silver stars and spiraling crests. Inside awaits my mate and I can’t wait to spend this evening with her. I could explode with anxiety and excitement just waiting for Artie to halt the carriage and release my mate from its confines.

Someone’s excited to see me.

I chuckle at Ember’s whisper in my mind and relax my shoulders, remembering she can sense my emotions through her empathic powers. Standing still, I descend the staircase and wave Artie away when he tries to open the carriage doors.

“Let me.” I promptly dismiss Artie and he steps away.

With an exhale and a roll of my neck, I open the carriage doors. I don’t remember how to breathe as I watch Ember exit and stand before me. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. I scan her from head to toe and drink in the glow of her skin and hair. She’s truly shining like a star tonight and her baby pink curls are just begging to wrapped in my fist. Her freckles scream to be kissed.

Before we turn to head up the stairs, something twinkles around her dress and my eye catches on the small golden flames that outline each layered tier of the gown.

I catch my breath and whisper, “My flame..”

She blushes and looks away, slightly embarrassed but I don’t understand why.

“You look absolutely alluring tonight. You are the most captivating star in my universe, little dragon.”

With her blushing cheeks, Ember adjusts her skirts. “You don’t clean up so bad yourself, Prince Willow.” She’s not making direct eye contact with me which makes me suspect she’s not used to being told how beautiful she is. It’s that moment that I promised myself to never stop seeking that flush of warm color that covers her freckled cheeks when I compliment her.

“Please, just Will to you.” I add before we make our way to the staircase.

I hold out my arm for her and she curls her right hand underneath and around my bicep. I’ve yet to feel her hand on this part of my body and the electricity instantly explodes from her touch, sending sparks of warmth and tingling vibrations throughout my limbs. My body feels aflame and I desire her hands to explore every part of me, just as much as I long to do the same with her. The moons are really making it hard to see sense when all I want to do is shove her skirts around her waist and take her body right here in front of everyone, claiming my mate for all to see at the Lunar Palace’s front staircase.

I feel Ember’s hand tighten around my bicep and notice her gaze scanning my body, and has gravitated to my erection between us. I verbally hear her swallow as her eyes travel back to mine. Instead of apologizing, I decide to see what naughty thoughts my little dragon may be experiencing with the moon’s influence and turn to face her with a cocksure smirk. I feared she would put distance between us, but instead her lips parted as I tower over her.

“I never realized how tall you were,” she gulped. “until now.”

“I am a brute faerie, little dragon. I’m rather large everywhere.”

Was that a gulp I heard? Is she intimidated by my size?

To my surprise, Ember steps closer to me and our bodies are almost flush. She reaches a hand up to the top of my pants and literally grabs my fucking dick. I suck in a breath and jolt with the vibrations she sends through my body from our connection.

“Hmm, I suppose you are. I just had to be sure.” She hummed. “Might we continue our evening now?”

I chuckle at how kurt she can be and present my arm to her again for escort. Did she just grab my cock in the palace courtyard? Holy shit this girl might be the death of me. I think I just fell further for her.

Smiling to myself, we face the stairs again.“After you, princess.”

“I’m no princess, and I think you know that.”

“We’ll see about that. Let’s start with that dance.” I challenge and she hums her skepticism.

Ember is one of the first guests to arrive so instead of heading to the ballroom, I decide to hoard her to myself for a little longer. We enter the palace and she looks around with wonder in her eyes. Her mate rings seem to glow brighter when she’s here with me. I’m curious why the palace has that effect on us.

We turn right and head to my wing of the castle. I figured since we have time to kill, I can show her more of my quarters where I assume we’ll be spending most of our time. Even though Ember isn’t fully accepting this bond from the moon as freely as I am, I know she’ll be mine with time.

We were made for eachother. Destined to be together from the beginning of time. It’s been written among the stars.

After walking in comfortable silence for quite some time, Ember asks, “So, all of these rooms belong to you? This is your wing of the castle?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Why do you get an entire wing?”

“All of us do. I mean, all of my siblings do. Even my mother has her own quarters and private wing in the north part of the palace.”

“Wow. That’s kind of excessive, right?”

“Well, when you’re playing a game of hide and seek it can be quite the advantage.”

She laughs and continues gazing around the hallways with hidden amazement. I forgot what it’s like to enjoy these fine details of our luxury lives since it’s all I’ve ever known. We pass the library and Ember stops me mid-step–

“Excuse me, was that a library? I can smell the books from here!” She squeaks and lets my arm go as she bursts through the golden doors and leaves me staring after her in the hallway.

“Well, glad to know she likes books.” I whisper under my breath.

Following her, I enter my personal library and find her curled up on the ground in front of the history section directly to the left of the entrance. She’s skimming through pages from the moonlace regime. Before I can ask her of the sudden interest in history, she darts to the romance section where she pulls out books upon books.

I cross my arms and watch as she organizes them in a pile around her. Her luscious pink gown cascades over the novels, hiding some from view. She’s truly quite adorable in this state of excitement. I’m tempted to get my hands on her. I want to spread her out across these pages and massage her, kiss her, love her like she deserves.

God, these moons have me in a choke hold.

Clearing my throat, she whips around to find me watching her. “So, my little dragon likes to read I pressume?”

She laughs and throws her head back in such a display of utter freedom and joy. “Like them? I love them.” she emphasized. “Reading has gotten me through some of the darkest of times, and this library is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! I’ve never had access to a collection so large before.”

It warms my heart to be given another dollop of information from her so freely.

“This library is now yours. You’re welcome here anytime of day and I’ll be sure to have new editions added for your liking. If there’s anything missing from my collection, please let me know.”

She nods her appreciation and returns to browsing through her selection of books. Her pink curls and freckles shine so brightly in my black and gold library. She’s become a focal point in every room of my wing so far.

Her beauty radiates through my darkness.

There’s large black framed windows that meet in an arch at the far right side of the library. The shelves are made of a black painted wood with golden chandeliers and leather furniture. In the middle of the room sits a large gold and glass table for studying, reading, meals and soon, fucking my mate. Honestly, all I can think about is worshiping her.

I’ve yet to add a fireplace to this room, but the white and blue fae orbs that dance around the room provide some comfort and warmth. I let her browse in silence while I lounge on the leather sofa opposite her. She truly is the most beautiful faerie I’ve ever met. Her hair is so soft and luscious, the curls ensnaring me in a choke hold. I’m burning to run my hands through them. It feels like hours have passed but when I glance at the clock, it reminds me we still have somewhere to be.

I clear my throat to break the silence.

“I’m sorry to tear you away little dragon, but we have to head to the ball now. My family awaits us.”

She turns to face me with a pout, “You’re sure we can’t stay here all night?”

I laugh and stand, walking towards her to help her up from the ground. I reachout my hand as she sets down her current romance book and reluctantly places her hand in mine. “We can come back here after the ball, if you’d like that.” I say, using any excuse to spend more time with her.

“Hmm, let’s see how this night plays out but I’d like that very much.”

✶

We headed past the gallery before appearing in front of the grand ballroom. It’s a blessing seeing Ember within these walls, the empty white halls of my childhood which already seem brighter with her here.  I don’t come to this part of the castle often, seeing as we never hold court and father keeps his council rather private and secluded. As we pass arriving guests, I realize there’s more gawking stares and prying strangers inside these walls than ever before. People try to hide their curiosity, but it’s obvious I’m going to have to ignore most wandering eyes tonight.

Father never hosted soiree’s or held court before, so even being surrounded by new faces the only person I care about here is Ember.

She’s the shining light in a room full of dark hearts and even darker minds. Although, I am curious to see what my father’s Lunar Court is truly like. Supposedly, these are bloodlines from the Moonlace rule that haven’t been invited back to the palace since the slaughter of the Moonlace bloodline. I’m very interested to see what kind of faeries are among us tonight and who is still loyal to the previous crown.

Before we can enter the ballroom, we are stopped by the royal guild protecting the entrance.

“Please halt.” one of the guild members commanded.

“Let us pass, Thomas.”

“We know who you are, your highness. The king has requested you not enter the ballroom until all other guests have arrived.”

“Excuse me? And why is that?” I press the guild member.

“The king wishes to announce his royal family to the entire Lunar Court at the same time.”

“Ah. I see. He’s going for a grand reveal?”

“We’ve been instructed to hold the royal family in your father’s study and I will personally retrieve you when it is time for your grand introduction.”

And with that, I place my palm on the small of Ember’s back and direct her around the corner where Artie awaits us leaning against the wall.

“Sorry, I didn’t have time to tell you in between your very public handjob and you racing away with each other.”

Ember chokes out a cough, “There was no handjob!”

I chuckle under my breath as she punches Artie in the shoulder. He huffs over in pain, clutching his shoulder, which caused me to laugh harder.

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh like that before.” Ember said with stars in her eyes as she gazed up at me longingly.

“Careful, little dragon. Look at me like that again and I won’t be able to restrain myself from pinning you against this wall and taking every pleasure I can ring from your body.” I smirk at her and offer her my arm again.

Artie straightens again and adjusts his jacket and sword. “Damn, Ember. You pack a punch. You should consider training with us and maybe someone can put Willow in his place for once.”

She giggles and takes my arm again. “I might take you up on that. For some reason, the thought of punching Will sounds like a perfect therapy session after tonight.”

“I would happily train with you, my flame.” I smile down at her but she shows her teeth and bites at me like the little dragon she is.

“Careful, I bite when provoked.”

I laugh and we head together to my father’s study.