Serena's Salvation: Fated & Forbidden
Page 10
Once that was said, no one with any sense of self-preservation would pursue the subject. Now, she was returning with humans. Sure, there were humans in their world. They were the ones who for the most part grew the food, made the items used in daily life, and worked in the homes of the rich and performed many jobs in the castle.
They had lived in the kingdom for many generations and they would never presume to mate a magical being of any kind. The separation when it came to mating was extreme. So much so that even magical beings only mated those classified like them. Fae didn’t mate mermaids or wood sprites, not ever. Dwarves didn’t mate trolls, of course why would they want to? Even though White Dragon was a dark fae kingdom, it teemed with all kinds of beings. Most were magical, but the humans were not.
There were also classes, although they weren’t segregated as some places were. Royalty was the top level, all other nobles were considered lesser gentry, merchant and the wealthy were next, traders or tradesmen meaning they had a skill were next. Tradesman included blacksmith, baker, tailor and the like. The last group included anyone else and they were considered the common folk.
It was possible to move from the lowest level all the way to the second highest or drop from the second highest to the lowest if the nobleman lost his lands. No one could move to the highest level without marrying or being born to a royal. That kept the top level uncompromised and their numbers low.
Her father would explode when he realized what she had done. Now, as they headed out and each footstep brought her closer to home, sweat beaded on her forehead. When she was far away, confronting her father hadn’t seemed as frightening as it did now that she was headed back to him. They would still have at least two more days travel on the other side of the veil, but they might be intercepted by her father’s guards and led home like a common criminal.
Flint was shooting her worried looks so she tried to calm herself and not show her concerns so obviously. Serena didn’t want her mate to worry any sooner than need be. It was time to put the worries from her mind and enjoy the time they had together. Never easy under these circumstances, she still managed to banish her concerns, for Flint’s sake. Half the distance was covered when they stopped to eat lunch. They used up fruits, juices, any meats left over from the previous days, and the last of the bread which had gotten quite hard.
If the flavor of the food wasn’t what it had been, it was still filling and they ate quickly ready to move on. Serena drank from her canteen before mounting up. Sir was excited to be headed for home and she realized he was young and it had been his first time away.
They traveled along the road and no one bothered them. There weren’t many travelers along the road and when they met some, the travelers always hurried past as if in fear of them. Serena assumed the travelers feared they were bandits or mercenaries. In these out of the way places, it paid to be cautious.
Twilight was almost on them when they came to the doorway in the veil. “Why are we stopping?” Ender asked. “There’s nothing here.”
“Nothing most eyes can see.” She agreed. “When it opens, go through quickly. Sir, head through first.” Sir nodded in agreement and Serena opened the veil. Her dragon hurried through with Flint on his heels. Ender followed Flint and then the guards took the wagons and the horses through before she followed.
“This doesn’t look very magical.” Ender said as he looked around seeing the mountains and fields below them.
“How about that?” She asked, as she motioned to the dragons flying around in the sky.
“Okay, that is.” Ender agreed. “The veil and the way you lifted it was impressive, too.”
Serena nodded. It was a difficult feat even among her people. “Now, we make camp. Sir and I will hunt.” She watched Sir fly off to visit the dragons in the air. “Okay, I will hunt.”
She knew this place much better than she knew any part of the human world. Barely in the woods, she found a small buck and hit it perfectly with her arrow. Dragging it back to camp, she prepared it for the fire quickly.
It wasn’t really a surprise when the aroma of cooking meat brought guests around. “Princess? Is that you?” A voice asked.
“Yes, Quinn. Come grab a place at the fire. We have enough food for a couple more.”
Quinn was a sprite. Luinn was his twin and he was always with him. Not all sprites ate meat, but these two did and even though they were small enough to be taken for children, they were fully grown. They also had appetites that were surprising for their size. Casting spells required a lot of energy.
“I’ve missed you and your father refused to tell us where you were.” Luinn spoke now.
“He didn’t know.”
“Serena is in trouble.” Quinn chanted.
“You’ve no idea. “ Serena replied.
“Me thinks Quinn does know.” Luinn said seriously.
Quinn had worked for her father for many years until he’d made enough money to buy some land and build a house. He and his family lived off the land and needed little. Her father had been incensed when Quinn told him he was quitting. That was four years ago and her father still hadn’t forgiven Quinn. He also hadn’t found a new assistant that suited him.
“I’ll figure out how to handle him.”
Quinn and Luinn looked doubtful, but they finished off their food and left amid a chorus of goodbyes. “Nice guys. They seem worried about your father. Should I be?” Flint asked.
“No, I’ll handle him. He’s just not an easy person to deal with.”
“And being his daughter makes it worse rather than better?” Flint guessed.
“Yes, he has expectations and they won’t be met regardless of what he says. That’s something he isn’t used to.”
“How many days until we get to the castle?” Ender asked.
“Two, if we make good time.”
“I can hardly wait.” Ender said dryly.
They all set up their sleeping areas and cleaned up the camp before turning in. Serena hoped things would look better in the morning. When she woke, she wasn’t tired anymore, but everything else was the same. The group ate some fruit from nearby tress and headed out, making good time. Halfway through the day, they ran into a squad of soldiers.
“My princess.” The commanding officer said with a deep bow.
“Lucerus, how are you.”
“Better, now that I’ve seen you. Are you on your way home?”
“I am.”
His eyes flicked to those who accompanied her, but he knew better than to ask a royal what they were up to. He still looked disappointed when she offered him nothing.
“Do you need an escort?”
“No, I am fine.”
“I’ll see you when we get back to the castle, then.” He turned and he and his squad went to the borders where her group had just come from.
“Does everyone know you?” Flint asked.
“Just like you, everyone who is at the castle much would know all the royals who live there.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“It is, indeed.” Ender offered. The guards said little, especially at times like these.
“I have no interest in anyone but you.” Serena whispered to Flint. She knew he was feeling unsure after leaving all he knew behind, but he could always be sure of her.
He sent her a boyish smile that set her heart on fire. Things between them had moved fast and she knew it was the difference between fated mates and those that simply chose to mate. No one would ever fit her as well as he did. The joy they gave each other was unmatchable and her feelings were growing stronger every day. That might be because he was her perfect match.
Today, things went well again and she could think of little else but confronting her father and what he might do. Once twilight came, she went hunting and it helped to relax her. She came back with two goat like creatures that were only found in White Dragon. They might look odd to the men in her group, but judging by the way they ate them, they tasted just fine.
In the morning, she was slower than usual to stir and Flint actually woke first. “Is this an indication of how much you don’t want to face your father?” He asked with a grin.
Serena sat up and groaned. She felt achy and horrible in general, finding nothing funny about the whole situation. The fact that she’d see her father before she slept again was still the worst part. “It will be fine.” Was she lying to herself, or to Flint?
“It will be because I’ll be at your side.” Flint said.
Maybe it was best that he had no idea how powerful her father was. Regardless, it was time to get up, grab a bite to eat, and finish the trip. She would face off with her father when they arrived and as long as none of those with her tried to interfere, she knew her father wouldn’t hurt them. In that regard, Flint was her only worry.
She felt sure that Ender would keep him out of trouble, especially if she spoke to him before they arrived and gave him a heads up. By midday meal, she still hadn’t managed to get Ender alone. Maybe it was too much to expect in such a small group, especially with all eyes on her. She was the only one familiar with the world they found themselves in. They stopped one more time just out of sight of the city that the castle perched on a mountain overlooking.
It was as good a place as any to clean up at since the river was a stone’s throw from the road they traveled. Once clean, fresh clothes could be conjured and they would all look their best. Any leader knew looking one’s best gave the confidence needed to handle anything.
That was her chance to speak to Ender, She was magically fixing their clothes so they would look appropriate for the occasion. Starting with the guards, she was soon down to Ender and Flint. Ender went next and she took advantage of the chance to talk to him.
“I’m not sure how my father will react if he gets angry before he thinks things through. Please stay near Flint and keep him from jumping in.”
“I will do the best I can, but Flint had had a military career filled with jumping in and doing well even when terribly out manned.” Ender explained.
“I know he’s stubborn and brave, but try to keep him back.”
“Of course, I’ll do my best. I can’t say this talk isn’t making me a bit nervous of what our reception will be like.”
“He blows quickly, but cools just as fast. It’ll be alright. You’ll see.”
Once Flint was dressed like a price should be, they finished the last leg of their journey. It was with both a sense relief and dread that Serena saw the castle in the distance just before twilight started to fall. There was no doubt in her mind that her father already knew she was near and was waiting on her impatiently.
Now that they reached the city, an escort met them and it was almost like a parade as they headed to the castle. They were followed by people, some on horses and some on foot, and pets followed their masters. All they needed was jugglers bringing up the rear and everyone would think the circus had come to town.
Once they reached the castle gates, the people all turned back and the escort was dismissed. Her father’s general met them. “You’ve made him concerned and now that he sees you’re fine, he is angry. Tread carefully.” She nodded to indicate she’d heard him. There were no surprises there.
General Comfas lead them to the main entry and young boys appeared like magic to take the horses and the wagons to the stable. Their guards went with them. It was just Ender, Flint, and her that would enter to see her father, the king. Ready or not, it was time to face him. She followed the general and Flint and Ender followed her.
The palace was magnificent and she knew Flint and Ender were awed by what they saw but they kept up with her, anyway. When they entered the throne room, it was the most stunning place in the castle. Dragons fought on the stained glass windows and an exceptional mural was painted on the ceiling of the first king of White Dragon as he fought an enemy and won.
The throne was ornate and the man who sat on it intimidating. He made a gesture and everyone began to clear out except the general. “I am glad you decided to return home.” He said and his voice thundered through the room. “Who have you brought with you?”
“This is my future mate, Flint and his brother, Ender. The other men are guards sent with us to ease our trip.” Serena explained.
“They are human.” He said it almost as if he thought she was teasing him.
“Yes, they are human. They are princes from the nearest human kingdom.”
“You know that makes no difference. The law is clear. You must send them away.”
“I can’t.”
“Does this have to do with your dreams?”
“Partly. But he is my fated mate, the one chosen by the gods.”
“I will choose your mate. Had I known you were desperate to have one, I would already have done so.”
“I am not desperate. My visions sent me to him and he is the one.”
“You can’t be crazy enough to think you could win.”
“I have faith, that isn’t crazy.”
“You were always the hardest to understand. Your mother’s people are just too different from us and I thought you would be more like me since I raised you.”
“That is not the cause of what is happening. Our people are being challenged by a higher power and I am meeting that challenge.”
“That challenge will be the death of you.”
“Maybe, but maybe not. I choose judgement by battle.”
“Very well. You have two days to prepare. The general will give you what help he can.” Her father suddenly looked tired and defeated. “May the gods have mercy on you.” He whispered as he exited the throne room, leaving them there with the general.
“I will help you, but I honestly see no way to win.” The general admitted.
Serena knew this would be hard. She would be battling the white dragon and if he won, she would be dead as her punishment for breaking the law. If she beat him, she would be given an exception and the law might even be changed.
No problem, right? The dragon had never been defeated or if he had, no accounts of the defeat had survived. If she vanquished the dragon, he would be back since he had an unknown number of lives. If he killed her, she would just be stone cold dead. That option wasn’t one she wanted to think about.
“Maybe you could see us all settled in rooms. Tomorrow first thing, I’d like to take Flint and Ender and search the archives.”
“But they are strangers.” The general pointed out.
“Flint is my mate. Ender is his brother and he is also a scholar. Exceptions can be made and my father gave you the authority to assist me. I heard no limitations placed on that.”
“You are correct. You and your mate can go to your rooms. I will escort Ender to the guest room closest to yours and have someone see to your other guests.”
“Thank you.”
“It is my honor to assist you.” The general said as he escorted Ender away.
“Let me show you my room.” Serena led him down the hall and opened the door to a suite of rooms.
Her mate was impressed, she could tell. All the rooms in the palace were luxurious, filled with rich fabrics, vivid art, and valuable materials. Her bed was particularly eye catching with the curtains that could be closed all the way around it for that illusion of being completely alone. It was the bed where she wanted him most of all. They hadn’t had the intimacy they wanted for the whole trip.
Flint seemed to know what she wanted and he stripped slowly, making her blood heat. She slipped her shirt off but stopped as she watched his hard cock pop out of his pants, as if it had a life of its own.
He stroked his cock absentmindedly from root to tip as she continued to reveal her own body to him. She had a nic
e handful, and her skin was a light tan, smooth and silky all over. She knew he could see the glistening dew on her nether lips. He pulled her into his arms and swung her around so he could lay her out in front of him on the edge of her bed. He dropped to his knees and buried his face in her thighs breathing in her aroma. Slowly and steadily would see them both out of their minds with desire in no time. He sent a rush of hot breath on her sensitive sheath. She moaned and shivered, wanting what he could give her. Flint stroked the inside of each of her thighs with his hands one at a time making her shiver harder.
He snaked out his tongue getting his first taste of her dew. It had been so long, she wasn’t surprised he savored it, groaning in pleasure and agony. How would they have survived without tasting, touching, and scenting each other for that long? He went back for more, but it would never be enough for her to grow tired of him. Flint started licking and nipping at her flesh in earnest and he took a finger and began to stretch her to prepare her to handle him. Serena ached so much her pussy wept with need. Flint seemed to want inside her just as he always did whenever she was near. Her mate added another finger as he brought her nearer a torrential orgasm.
He kept finger fucking her as his tongue worried her little swollen nubbin until she couldn’t hold back anymore and she exploded, her pussy squeezing his fingers as she thrashed and jerked. Her eyes rolled back in her head in bliss and she screamed his name, only his. Flint moved up, hooking her knees and pulling them up, spreading her legs and exposing her pussy to his hungry gaze. Slowly, he slid in and she saw him looking down to watch his cockhead penetrate her juicy goodness. He groaned and shivered as bliss rolled over him.
She knew he was close and the need was riding him hard, but it was her whispered words of encouragement that broke his ability to hold back. Now, Flint pounded into her hard and fast like he had unlimited energy and strength. He let his inner sex demon take over as he pushed harder so she would climax and once she did, she would squeeze his release right out of him. Serena worked him with her muscles, her channel squeezing him like a fist. Just a little more, she could see he was close by the glazed look in his eyes, the heavy panting, the hard pounding of his heart, and his body tensed right on the edge of something. She was there right along with him. She knew what it would take to push her over and her breath caught when he moved his hips just a little to hit the sweetest spot she had.