31. Chapter 31

Chapter thirty-one

I opened my eyes to a darkened room. The balcony doors were open, and the only sounds were the soft snoring of the brothers who held me protectively in their arms and the sounds of the forest outside.

My back was against Soren’s front, who had his legs wrapped around mine with a hand around my waist, a hand splayed on my stomach. My front was facing Bastian who was on his side with an arm under his head and the free hand wrapped firmly around my throat, slowly stroking his thumb back and forth lovingly. I barely lifted my head to see a mess of dark brown hair settled in the crook of Bastian’s neck, cuddled behind him.

We were all under the covers, but I could tell we were all still naked as Soren’s massive cock was resting against my back and his balls nestled against my ass.

My lovers. My men.

My life.

I smiled to myself because the nightmares didn’t come to plague me; I slept soundly throughout the whole night. I clenched my thighs together and almost groaned at how deliciously sore I was. My body was completely relaxed, and I reveled in the phantom touches that felt as though hands were still caressing me, their cocks pulsing inside of me.

I knew they each wanted to have their time alone with me, but after last night, I was not sure how I could ever go back. Though I didn’t think it would take much convincing, I knew they all had as much fun as I did.

I laid in their arms, completely content with my life. But after a while, my legs began to cramp and I needed to walk off the soreness that seemed to be radiating through my entire body. I maneuvered myself carefully out of their arms as I didn’t want to wake them. As close as I felt to them, I did need a little bit of space away, as well.

I crawled out of bed and watched Soren mumbling at my absence, laughing to myself as I put on my robe. I grabbed my journal from the top drawer of my vanity before heading out. The halls were silent. Silence used to torment me, a constant reminder of all I had lost, but now it just felt peaceful. No anxiety followed. No fear. I almost skipped to the library because of how light I felt.

I hurried over to the small room that was now kept open for anyone to research whenever they wished. I had removed my journal as I didn’t want anyone reading my innermost thoughts, especially not the ones from when I was first abandoned. Not even I ventured that far back into my past.

I sat in the same chair I always did, producing a floating ball of shadowy light that was just bright enough to help me grab the quill and ink Soren kept on the desk. I opened my journal to the next available page.

December 21, 1761

My sweetest sister,

So much has changed since I last wrote to you. I’ll admit that not all of it was good. I tried to kill myself, and I almost succeeded. I wanted to succeed—yearned for it. But…everything has changed. They saved me. And for a while I was so angry with them because they ruined my one chance to finally be reunited with you. Now, I’m thankful they did. The way that each one of them makes me want to be a better woman. I never knew that I could feel this way, especially after all these years. All I know is that I feel like a new woman. A happier woman. Human.

I saw something drop onto the page and wiped at a stray tear I didn’t know I had shed. I took a deep breath and knew what I had to do.

Belle, I am so sorry I couldn’t protect you while there was still breath in your lungs. I would have done anything to save you, would have given up my own life for yours. But in order to give them a chance at happiness…I have to let my past go.

I love you with all of my heart. Goodbye.

I shut the book and bound it. I set the quill down and stood, suddenly tired again, ready to go lay back in the arms of my loved ones. I exited the small room and walked by my painting but stopped to look up at the portrait of my family and me from so long ago.

I used my magic to pull the chaise lounge to me, walked over to grab a blanket, and situated myself in front of them.

I stared at each of their faces and wondered what they would think of their daughter now.

I didn’t know how long I stared at the portrait when I heard a noise behind me. I turned to find a clothed Callum standing in the middle of the room.

“Your grace, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I—”

I gave him a small smile, called him over with a flick of my finger, and patted the spot next to me. He sat down, and I cuddled into him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pressed me into him as I rested my head against his side. I shared the blanket with him and we sat in comfortable silence for a while longer.

I moved my nose into his shirt and inhaled deeply, enjoying the moment between us. It had been so long since we had been alone.

“What were they like?”

I took a deep breath and considered the question.

“My father was so kind and loving when it came to his family and his people. He would often walk through the streets of the village and talk with them whenever he could. He was also incredibly fierce. If any threats came onto our lands, he would stop at nothing until they weren’t just dead, but eradicated. My mother was wise beyond her years. While my father was the king, he did nothing without consulting my mother first. They were equals in every way, and I prayed that I would find someone who loved me as fiercely as they loved each other.”

“And his love for you?”

“He loved me, but he hated magic more.”

“You think he would have killed you the same way he did to Circe?”

The truth pained me. “I think so.”

My eyes slid to Annabelle, who was about ten years of age. “Then there’s my Belle. She was full of life and so incredibly intelligent that if she were born a man she would have dominated the world. I could sit and listen to her talk about anything and everything for the rest of eternity.” I giggled, thinking about a memory.

He turned to stare right at me.

My laugh died out immediately, and he begged, “Please don’t stop. I love it when you laugh.”

I hummed and cuddled into his side more.

The silence passed between us for an unknown amount of time before I said, without turning to him, “I am the same age as the girl in the painting, but I am completely different from her,” voicing my thoughts from earlier.

“How so?”

I looked at him, bewildered. “Callum, I am centuries older than her.”

“Sure. You have more defined facial features, and technically, you are older than her. But I think that adds to your stature. The way you are right now saved me that night. The way you are right now saved Emilia’s life. The way you are right now is nothing compared to that girl in the portrait. I think you are perfect in every way possible. The way you are now is what made me fall madly in love with you.”

“Do you believe that?” I knew he did, but I just wanted to hear it again.

“That I love you?” I nodded. “From the moment that you slit their throats. Blood splattered all over your body, eyes glowing—right then I knew. I knew that my life was yours.”

I leaned my head toward him and captured his lips with mine. Slow. Sensual.

I moved my hands down to his face and curled my fingers on the nape of his neck, deepening the kiss. It took a moment before he wrapped his arms around me and kissed me like it was the last thing that he would ever do in life.

His lips were so soft. He moaned at the taste of me, the utter bliss of this moment. I smiled and bit his lip. We explored each other as the fog lightened, and we heard noises coming from down the hall.

We laughed, our breaths intermingling as Callum asked, “Will I ever get you fully to myself again?”

I shook my head. “Does that upset you?”

He shook his head. He was content, and so was I.

Today was my three hundred and seventy-first birthday.

I told them I hadn’t been counting, but I had been. I’d been carving a tick into an old piece of wood I kept under my bed. I stared down at the newest mark on it; it could be the last one as an immortal being, but then again, I didn’t really believe it. Soren’s theory was just that—a theory.

Did I want it to be true? Yes. More than anything. I wanted a life with them, but I had come to learn a hard truth about the world. We didn’t always get what we wanted. And I was cursed to never dream for more.

I could feel my throat close, my palms slick, as I thought about what it would mean when they realized my curse would never be broken. That they would choose to stay with me, never stepping another foot off these lands and die. Die without marrying… Having children…

Deep breath in. One. Two. Three. Deep breath out. One. Two. Three.

I closed my eyes as images of Callum and Bastian holding each other on a couch, watching Soren drone on and on about his next research obsession, crossed my mind. Emilia would be huddled off to the side, holding a book and reading while trying not to laugh at all of us.

A family.

My family.

I had just gotten out of the bath when I entered my chambers to find Emilia staring at the dress I had made for her. The floor-length gown was more conservative than I was used to wearing, made of deep honeyed silk that matched her maple-colored eyes. White lace embroidery was stitched along the neck and cuffs of the long sleeves with ribbons throughout.

I had altered all the clothing for the evening, items that I already had, because it was such short notice and it was the only thing they would allow me to do.

Emilia ran her hands over the soft material, and as I approached her, she turned to me, tears brimming her eyes.

Thank you. Thank you so much, she signed.

We embraced each other and stood there for a few moments until she moved toward the vanity. She grabbed the brush and waited until I sat down for her to brush through my hair.

As she combed through my knots, I asked, “Were you sent in here to keep me busy?”

She blushed and nodded. Thought so.

Everyone had been doing everything in their power to keep me away from the ballroom so I wouldn’t spoil the surprise. How grand could it be with three grown men and Emilia planning a ball when none of them had ever attended one?

Of course, it didn’t matter to me. They could put out a small spread of food and drink and I would be happy.

I kept quiet as Emilia worked my hair into an intricate pattern of braids and then sinched them with various pins. She picked up a small container filled with a red paste and placed some on my lips and cheek, rubbing them in until they brought some life to my face. I never wore rouge, but what she did only seemed to enhance my beauty.

I stood up, stripped my robe off, and went over to my dress. The gown was an off-the-shoulder, floor-length dress that dipped low in the front, exposing my breasts just enough to see the tops of them. In the light, the crystals I added made the dress sparkle in a way that I had only ever seen snow glitter in the sun.

Emilia helped me put it on, and I had never felt so beautiful. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t stop staring. I looked at her when she came up behind me through the mirror.

I signed, You are stunning. We will be the talk of the ball.

She laughed and signed, There are only three men.

Am I wrong? I asked, smirking at her.

Never, your majesty.

There was a knock at the door, and Emilia went to answer it.

“Miss Emilia, you look stunning.”

She blushed and turned away from him as Callum’s eyes slid over to me. I could see him reflected in the mirror as he placed a hand over his heart and whispered, “You…You are a vision.”

I smiled and turned to him as he strode into the room, stopping a couple of inches from me. His chest was heaving, and his lips parted as if he wished to say something. We stood there as I looked him over. He was so handsome that it took the breath from my lungs. He had on a dark gray, tailored coat with matching trousers and the same colored undershirt. The coat had thousands of sewn-in beads of white, gray, and black to give it more dimension, as was the style from my time.

He looked away and blushed. “Your grace, if you keep looking at me like that, we won’t ever make it to the ball.”

“If you keep wearing things like that, then I won’t complain about never leaving my chambers ever again.”

I pulled my attention away from him as I saw Emilia quietly attempting to escape to give us some privacy. I hurried over to her, clasped her hand, and pulled her back toward us. I had been wanting to do that for a while now. Everything started with them and no matter what happened with my curse they needed to know.

“Is everything alright, your majesty?” Emilia asked, suddenly worried.

I kept holding one of her hands as I clasped one of Callum’s, squeezing tightly. There was so much that I wished to say, but the words kept getting stuck in my throat.

As always, I deflected. “Who knew we three would be standing here today and all because of two brothers?”

Callum dropped his head, blushing. “Life before them was perfect, but I am forever grateful for how they have changed all of us just with their presence.”

Emilia squeezed my hand back, garnering my attention. “Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten the closure I craved. I am forever indebted to them.”

“Don’t forget Bast’s games.”

We all laughed because Bastian’s idea of fun vastly differed from the rest of us. But if it wasn’t for his truth or drink game, then I would have never been inclined to know more about Soren and his sexual inexperience.

They were right. Everything changed the moment Bastian struck me with his blade.

I let go of their hands, excitement flowed through me as I hadn’t attended a ball in so long. It felt almost normal.

I lifted a finger in the air and quipped, “We must not inform them of this conversation. We wouldn’t want their egos to get any larger.”

Callum took a step back, bowed, and raised his arm. “May I escort you both to the ball?”

I placed my hand in the crook of his arm, Emilia on his other side, and replied, “You may, little bird.”

We reached the doors, and Emilia asked, “Are you ready to see your surprise?”

“Is it a surprise if I already know what it is?”

They laughed, and Callum opened the doors. I started to walk in when my hands flew to my mouth, utterly speechless.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of candles were scattered around the room, casting a soft glow on the walls. Off to the side was the dining table that had an assortment of my favorite foods; soup du jour, hot hor d’oeuvres, beef ragout, cheese souffle, tarte bourdaloue , pudding en flambé, and gray stuff that I had forgotten the name of, to name a few.

My eyes swept over the space and landed on Bastian and Soren standing on the other side of the room. They were so dashing in their suits. Bastian and Soren wore colors that matched the emerald and cerulean brilliance of their eyes. Bastian donned a moss-green colored, printed-patterned waistcoat with a cream-colored undershirt. Meanwhile, Soren’s waistcoat was damask-patterned with bright blue and gold thread.

They looked delectable.

I finally looked Bastian in the eye, who was smirking at me as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

I stood tall as they both made their way over to me and bowed.

Bastian grabbed my hand, and kissed the back of it. “Your grace, you are radiant. Of course, I expected nothing less.”

Then Soren stepped forward, scooting his brother out of the way to kiss the back of my hand as well. “Happy birthday, Rose.”

“Thank you.”

Soren clasped his brother’s shoulder and slapped his chest, “Do my ears deceive me, Brother, or did Her Majesty just thank us?”

Bastian laughed and mirrored Soren. “Is this Heaven, Brother?”

I rolled my eyes at their jest and walked back toward Callum with Emilia standing beside him, snickering.

“Come now; I am starving.”

The dinner went by quickly. Bastian, ever the conversationalist, started almost immediately. Everyone joined in as I sat back and listened to everyone. He would have made a great head of the house; he was a natural.

“Bast, this is the best food you have ever made,” Callum praised.

Bastian laughed. “Well, only the best for our queen.”

“Funny how you waited all these months to give her the best, Brother. You wouldn’t be lacking in certain areas, would you?”

I laughed as Bastian taunted, “I think the sounds she makes with me tells you everything you need to know.”

Before I could respond to their brotherly feud, Callum stood, offered his hand, and asked, “Would you do me the honor of giving me the first dance?”

I looked up at him in surprise. “I didn’t know you knew how to dance.”

“I didn’t.” Then he looked over at Bastian.

“You taught him?”

“Just a small gift for you.” Bastian smiled.

I stood and followed Callum to the middle of the room, and just as I was about to conjure some music for us to listen to, Soren began to sing.

I whipped my head over to look at him, and he smiled at me as he continued to sing one of the most beautiful songs I had ever heard. The tempo was slow, and Callum twirled me around the dance floor with ease and grace.

It was more than I could handle, and I was almost brought to tears by the thoughtfulness of them all. As Soren ended the song, Callum dipped me slightly, and then I was swept into Bastian's arms.

“My turn, birthday girl.”

“My bold, brazen hunter.”

Soren started another song that was a little faster-paced. Bastian’s skills on the dance floor were astounding. I didn’t know the dance moves, but it was easy enough to follow him. He swept me off my feet, a natural-born leader. He surprised me even further by spinning me a few times out and then back into his arms. I had forgotten how fun it was to be whisked around a dance floor.

As the song ended, Bastian pulled me tightly into him. My arms were covered in goosebumps, and kissed me on the cheek before stepping back, bowing. He walked over to Emilia and held out his hand, asking for a dance, which she shyly accepted.

“May I have the next dance?”

I turned and found Soren waiting patiently behind me, his hand stretched out.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you are just as charming as your brother.”

He placed his hand around my waist and said, “I can be rather charming when I need to be.” He leaned in to whisper into my ear. “Watch this.” And began to sing.

He swept me around the room as he sang to me, not missing a beat. It was rather impressive as I lost myself in his arms. I could see my dress casting bright lights all around the room, as if it were snowing inside.

We spent several hours switching partners and dancing until our feet ached so bad we had no choice but to head back over to the table. All of us except for Bastian immediately collapsed into chairs, while my darling Bastian sat on the table and ate idly from the scraps on the platters.

He grabbed a scoop of the gray stuff and moaned as he plopped it into his mouth. “This may be the most delicious thing that I have ever had in my mouth.”

Callum clicked his tongue and asked, “The most delicious thing you have ever had in your mouth? Are you sure about that?”

Bastian threw his head back and laughed so hard that he almost fell off the table. His laughter was so deep that it vibrated throughout my body, igniting flames inside me.

Bastian dipped a finger into one of the desserts and brought it to my lips. “A little preview for tonight?”

I smirked at him and wrapped my lips around his finger, sucking as he hissed.

“Alright, save that for when Emilia isn’t in the room,” Soren lightly scolded.

I leaned back and blushed. Everyone, including myself, was having such a wonderful time that I never wanted it to end.

Soren handed each of us a drink, raised it, and said, “Cheers to the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life. You are not only beautiful, but you are brilliant in your passion and wit.”

I was about to drink when Bastian stood after him and raised his goblet. “I would like to add that I am happy you knocked me out with your magic and sent me to the tower. Every day is a surprise with you, and I am happy I get to be part of all your chaos.”

I glared at Bastian. “I am not that chaotic.” They all looked at each other, not knowing how to break the news to me. I scoffed, “Fine, I can agree that I am just a little chaotic.”

Everyone laughed as Callum stood and grabbed my hand, pulling me with him over to a corner of the room. I finally saw a cloth-draped object leaning against the wall, and wondered how it had skipped my notice until now. Everyone followed as Callum said nervously, “I hope you like the gift. It’s a small token of my appreciation.”

“Shit, he is going to outdo us, isn’t he?” Bastian asked Soren as they followed.

“Speak for yourself; Rose was practically in tears when I sang.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking rather smug and proud of himself.

“Close your eyes, your grace.”

I obeyed. Excited for whatever he was about to give me. I heard the rustling of the material.

“Oh wow, Cal, that’s incredible.”

“Callum, you did this yourself?” Emilia said.

“I’m speechless.” Soren breathed.

Now, I was restless.

“Ok, open.”

I opened them to find a portrait in front of me. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t do anything except stand there and stare at the image with my mouth wide open. Callum had painted a family portrait of all of us. I was standing in the middle of the frame with Emilia beside me and my men behind us. Callum perfectly captured each of their personalities.

I looked up at him, my words coming out strained, “Thank you.”

He nodded. “Where would you like to hang it up?”

I was about to say that I would like to put it next to the one of my family in the library when Soren intervened. “I may have a suggestion. How about we take it with us?”

We all turned to him, and he handed me something out of his coat jacket pocket. The color drained from my face as I immediately recognized the small black leather-bound notebook with silver engraving on the front.

My hands shook as he held it out to me to take. “Where did you find it?”

“In one of the floorboards in the chapel.” It was Circe’s grimoire. I had looked for it for centuries. I thought it burned with her.

Panic began to seep through me, and that feeling of dread I’d been trying to bury for days returned. “When?”

“A few days ago. Once I realized who it belonged to, I didn’t want to give it to you until I had gone over it and…” He smiled at me. “I know how to break the curse.”

I almost dropped the book and asked in a small voice. “You do?”

He nodded. “My birthday gift to you is your freedom.”

“You don’t know what this is. You shouldn’t have touched it.” My voice shook. “You shouldn’t have read it. Return it to where you found it. Return it now!”

Soren stared with confusion and a drop of horror.

“Return it!” I screamed, and then my vision became blurry, my body numbed. If it wasn’t for Bastian, I would have fallen to the floor. Everything felt like it was going in slow motion. One moment, I was yelling at Soren, and the next, there was screaming and a blur of bodies.

“Emilia, no!” I heard Callum’s voice screech.

I looked over Soren’s shoulder to see Emilia’s face twisted in a rage I had never seen before, her eyes glowing a bright gold with her arm raised, holding a blade aimed right at Soren’s back.

And Callum. My sweet, little bird, threw his body in between them.

There was a thud, and then Callum’s body was on the ground motionless, blood seeping from his mouth and somewhere on his body.

I looked down at him and in a small voice, asked, “Callum?”