Page 47 of Forever My Siren Luna (The Hidden Cove #2)

“You look so alluring, Ela,” Yasmin gushed, making me spin around in a circle in front of her mirror for the hundredth time. “I knew it would look perfect on you. It never looked right on me.”

“That’s because you have a fatter ass,” Cedric teased, lying across her bed with his head upside down. Yasmin smacked him with a pillow, making him grunt and laugh.

I felt so uncomfortable. Yasmin forced me to bathe completely, even calling maids over to wash my hair and polish every inch of my body before lathering me in this sweet smelling body oil.

My hair was dried to perfection, falling in soft waves down my back when they were through.

My skin felt raw when they finished scrubbing me, but now it felt fresh and powdery soft since the oil had absorbed into my body.

After that was completed, and she was completely satisfied with my appearance while I was still in the nude, she dug out a slinky outfit from her brothel days.

It’s more modest than some of the others I have seen in her closet, but still far more scandalous than anything I have ever worn before.

That was saying something, seeing as I lived as a pirate for several months, clothed by Beretta, who could make a potato sack seem immodest.

“I think I would rather just wear one of my own nightshirts,” I stared at myself awkwardly.

“ Prude,” Val snickered in my head, preferring Yasmin’s outfit.

“You should wear one of your alpha’s shirts,” Cedric snickered. “Nothing underneath.”

“Knock it off,” Yasmin slapped him lightly. “She’s nervous enough as it is.”

“What? It was genuine advice. Men love that. Don’t tell me Percy doesn’t get all twinkly eyed with grabby hands when you wear his clothing.” He rubs her still flat belly. “I bet that’s how Lyle junior got put in here.”

“You are not naming my child after your turtle,” Yasmin huffed.

“What about Cedric junior then?”

Yasmin picked up another pillow, and began to pummel Cedric with it, over and over again. “You are not naming my child at all, you grubby fish. Go swim in the sewer.”

I rolled my eyes, then headed back into the bathroom to throw on a dress Yasmin had brought for me over the skimpy outfit.

Lachlan would be sending Cherum to get me soon, and he told me he would be taking me to dinner somewhere.

I don’t know where he is taking me, but I’m sure Yasmin’s outfit would be most inappropriate wherever we went.

When I come back out, Yasmin has Cedric in a weak attempt at a headlock, but Cedric was playing along as if he were truly struggling.

These two were more like brother and sister as time carried on. You could tell they cared deeply about each other like best friends, but couldn’t help but to pester and pick on one another until the other blew their top.

A knock at the door some time later signaled it was time for me to go.

Cherum came to fetch me, and my nerves started to build up once again.

“Remember to breathe,” Yasmin grabbed my hands, mimicking her own advice as she took a deep breath. “I have witnessed many women pass out because they forget to breathe during their first time.”

"Good jellyfish," Cedric scoffed. “Now it’s time for you to stop,” Cedric gently pulled her away from me. “They’re mates. It’s entirely different with your mate.

He will take care of her.” Cedric took Yasmin’s place, holding my hands like she did.

“He will take care of you, Ela. I have no doubt about that. Just trust him through it all.”

My lower lip got caught between my teeth. “What if I have another one of my attacks?”

His gaze turned sympathetic. “Then he will stop. I trust that man to be attuned to your every need, Ela. He will stop, and I will feel your call for help.” He lifted the pendant from my neck and gave it a brief kiss.

“I will be there in no time at all. Both me and Cherum. Don’t worry about anything. ”

I whispered hoarsely, “I’m scared.”

Cedric rested his forehead on mine. “Do you love him?”

I slowly nodded my head.

“Do you trust the man?”

I nodded once again with a bit more enthusiasm.

“Do you believe that he loves you?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “Undoubtedly. With all his heart.”

“Okay then,” he grinned. “If all you are scared of is your past, trust him to help you overcome it. If you can’t yet, then trust him to know that and to continue loving you anyway.

We love you, Ela. All of us. If we didn’t think he would take care of you, if we didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t be letting you go right now.

You once told me to trust my mate. I’m going to tell you to do the same, because I know how amazing that trust can be. ”

Slowly, a smile started to form on my face.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He chuckled deeply. “Anytime.” He then turned me to face Cherum and swatted me on the bottom. “Go get him.”

As I was walking out the door, I heard another smack, and looked back in time to see Cedric had swatted Yasmin on the butt as well.

“What the hell did you do that for?!” She hissed, slapping his arm.

“Comparing. You really do have a far larger ass than my princess.”

I laughed, shaking my head, already feeling better, thanks to Cedric. My body felt ready, thanks to Yasmin. All that was left to do is follow Cedric’s advice and trust my mate.

Cherum made small talk, chatting about Beretta and something about needing to buy her underwear tomorrow. I’m not sure what that was about, and I didn’t ask. If Beretta was trying to get Cherum to do her shopping for her while she was away with the Beta and his warrior team, more power to her.

Cherum led me to the new wing of the castle. The one Lachlan had built for me. I hadn’t been here in a couple weeks, and it looked much more finished now that the rooms were furnished and all construction had been wrapped up.

It was even more gorgeous than before. Everything reminded me of the sea and the water. The color pattern of all the decor was sea greens, blues and purples. Even the runner running the length of the long hallway was designed to look like moving water, beautiful in all its different flowing hues.

“Lachlan designed all this?” I asked Cherum, in disbelief. Lachlan likes dark colors and simple concepts. It was hard to believe that he would be able to design anything as detailed and magical as this.

“He had a team, but yes. He was very specific in what he wanted.” Cherum’s eyes twinkled. “He loves you deeply, lass. He made sure to create something you would cherish the way he cherishes you.”

“That he did,” I admitted. He did a fantastic job.

When we get to the main bedroom, Cherum knocked, then moved aside, giving me a brief, uncharacteristic bow before he turned and took long strides back down the hallways, whistling as he went.

The door opening made me jump a bit, distracted as I got lost from staring back down the hall after him. The hall looked so magical from this angle. Like swimming in the deep sea through a water’s current.

“Lira,” Lachlan smiled widely. “You’re here.”

He was done up, dressed to impress in a tailored blue shirt that fit perfectly across his chest, and dark tailored pants.

His eyes almost looked wild, tracing over my frame. “You’re in a dress,” he comments in surprise.

I know I am prone to wearing pants and tunics lately, but I didn’t think he would be this shocked.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes!” He looked at me again. “You look gorgeous.”

I smiled, feeling even more at ease now that I could tell that he was nervous too.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Yasmin dressed me.”

“I heard,” he chuckled. “Come in,” he moved aside and waved a hand towards the room.

Stepping in, I gasped at the space, now fully done up and put together.

The view was breathtaking, the sun setting outside the big open windows.

The main space as you walk in had a sitting room and a table that had been laid out with what I was guessing was our dinner for tonight.

The smell of roasted lamb and rosemary made my mouth water.

“It’s all done,” I whispered, moving slowly about, checking out every room in the massive chamber. “You really outdid yourself, Lachlan. This is beautiful.”

“I know,” he smiled a bit smugly. “I had great inspiration.”

I nodded, feigning a disappointed look. “It was Cedric, wasn’t it?”

“Actually,” Lachlan hissed playfully, “It was your father. King Brennus just drew the inspiration right out of me.”

I giggled at his teasing, and he laughed along, coming to wrap his arms around my waist. I felt shy again, the sparks dancing through me, feeling his touch over my clothes.

“Since this is a night of firsts, I thought it fitting to have it here, where I planned on spending the beginning of our life together once we finally became a family.”

“A family,” I repeated with a shy grin. “I like that.”

“Me too,” he whispered, before kissing my lips.

Dinner was amazing. Even though Yasmin advised me to eat light, I couldn’t help myself. I ate every crumb on my plate, and even cleaned my dessert plate too.

Val was purring by the end of the meal, feeling more in tune with Killian than ever the more Lachlan and I talked and laughed together. The veil that was separating them felt as if it was getting thinner and thinner with every touch, every giggle, every throaty chuckle.

When Lachlan pulled me to my feet, asking for a dance, I was putty in his hands, molding to his will.

Everything was truly perfect so far, and I was not nervous at all.

Actually, I was feeling quite bold now. Bold and brave.

“Yasmin let me borrow something for tonight,” I whispered in Lachlan’s ear as he held me close, dancing to a soft melody he was humming under his breath.

The humming stopped as he asked, “What is that?”

“Do you want to see?” I leaned back, giving him a look that made my belly tighten from the expression he showed me back.

“Very much so,” he husked.

Val purred as I unbuttoned the bodice of my dress, letting it fall to the floor around me before slipping out of my underskirts too.