Page 26

After lunch I wandered off leaving Cain and Vato to have a discussion. Cain only allowed me to leave when I said I would take Ares with me as a trial run. "Alone at last" Ares smiles at me. When I don't answer he asks "Where are we going?". "I am looking for Rinus" I inform him.

"Well we just walked past him, he is in the ball room" he tells me. "Wait what? Why didn't you say anything?" I turn back toward the ball room. "I didn't know where we were going" I ignore him and enter the ball room. "Rinus" I greet him.

"Sister, what can I do for you?" he turns to look at me. "Oh I see your bodyguard is here" he smiles. "Can we talk?" I ask him as I sit on the floor. "Of course" he sits across from me. I stare at him while Ares has his arms folded standing behind me.

"You caused quite the commotion at lunch" I say.

"Did I?" he says innocently. "You may be cheerful and bubbly, but I can see through it" glare at him.

"To be honest, I was bored" he laughs. "I would like if you didn't take your boredom out on me" I say.

"You humans are very interesting" he says thoughtfully.

"mmmh" I squint at him. "I'm not the first you have met? " I search his face.

Rinus eyes light up in amusement "Of course not, from time to time I like to visit your world and sometimes you lot end up here".

I stare at him in shock "You know how I can get home?

". "Why would you want to leave you will be a Queen" he seems like his walls are up again.

"You would break my brother's heart?" he says in an accusatory tone. "What? I... no of course not" I mumble.

"How do you know humans end up here?" I ask.

"Sirens usually take humans as mates or slaves" he shrugs.

"I thought you eat them or at least that's what the books imply" I scratch my neck.

"Do not believe everything you read Nova" it was weird to hear him say my name but yet it sounded familiar.

"Can you take me to my world, just to visit? " I try my luck.

"Absolutely not" he is firm. "I will not jeopardize my relationship with my brothers, plus a quick visit is years on this side of the universe" he mutters.

"Now sister if there is nothing else you wanted, perhaps I should leave you.

" he eyes me for a reaction. "I actually enjoy your company" I tell him.

"Maybe we can sing together?" I offer. "What a splendid idea, it will be perfect for when the King announces you to the entire realm as his Queen" he seems excited.

"I'm sorry what?" I turn to Ares. "Its customary for the Queen to be, to be announced within 21 days of being chosen" he shrugs. "Oh, okay so when will that be then?" I ask the room. "Preparations have already begun" Rinus replies. "How do you know, and I don't?" I am a bit annoyed.

"Well, when you were ill, they were already underway but the day you were announced it began" he tells me.

"So, I don't have to plan anything?" I say in shock.

The way Eve explained it that was one of my main jobs.

"No, Alara has everything under control" Rinus smiles.

"What song to you have in mind?" he continues.

"Diamonds maybe" I mumble. "I know it" he says happily. "You know Diamonds by Rihanna" I ask in disbelief. "Like I said, you aren't the first human I have encountered." This fact bothered me but yet intrigued me, maybe I needed to bring Rinus's walls down to learn more.

"We will start rehearsals tomorrow" I say getting up.

"Lovely" he beams at me. "I am not sure you should trust him" Ares tells me.

"Don't be so judgmental, he seems nice enough" I hush him.

"I would also like to make sure you don't tell the prince about the conversation I had" I needed more information before allowing Cain in on it.

"Are you swearing me to secrecy" Ares says amused.

"Yes?" I reply. "As Nova or my Queen?" he asks again.

"Which will you obey" I ask back. "Both but.

." he pauses. "But what?" I turn to face him.

"I want a kiss" I stare at him in shock.

"You are on thin ice with Cain already" I remind him.

"One little kiss wont hurt, besides I have behaved and didn't even say you kissed me back the day you came to see me about my note" he smirks.

"I did not kiss you back" I hiss. "Are you sure?

" he smiles bigger. I think back and though in shock that he did that I reacted to it briefly.

"Will you tell Cain?" I look at him. "Of course not, I don't wish to stress you" he frowns.

"So what is this kiss business?" I ask. "Well I have decided I do not wish to get paid in coins but rather kisses" he says.

"What why? That's incredibly idiotic" Ares lets out an amused laugh.

"I have all the riches I need, plus kisses are fun" he informs me.

"Can I talk to Cain about it? I don't want him mad again" Ares nods in approval.

I walk back to Cains office with Ares right on my heel.

I walk in without knocking making the men stare at me in shock.

"Am I interrupting?" I ask when no one says anything.

Vato looks at me like I am a unicorn "Not at all Nova".

"Um okay anyways Ares has informed me that since he has all the riches he will ever need, he wants to be paid in kisses" I tell them.

Vato burst out laughing "That is ridiculous!

". "Kisses? From you I assume" Cain says annoyed.

I look at Ares who nods. "Fine but no touching and no tongue" Cain snaps.

"Wait what? Why are you allowing this?" I didn't understand.

"Ares take Nova and Alara, to Attor. We are going on an outing" he ignores my question.

Ares nods and waits for me to leave the room "That was easy" he smiles.

"So about the kiss?" he says. I pull him into my old room I shared with Alara and press my lips against his briefly before pulling away.

"You talk to much" I say staring at him. "Nova?" Alara comes out of the closet.

"Cain wants to take us on an outing, so we are here to collect you" I say.

"You two kissed" she looks confused. "Ares has informed me that since he has all the riches he will ever need, he wants to be paid in kisses.

Cain for some reason agreed so here we are" I sigh.

Alara lets out a loud laugh, "Men are crazy" she says when she catches her breath.

"My Queen" Attor bows as we approach. "Its nice to see you again" I smile at him. "Attor we need to go to you know where" Cain says. With their silent conversation Attor lets out a loud shriek and in minutes a dragon that looks exactly like him appears.

"My Queen, this is my brother Fafnir" he tells me. "Nice to meet you" I smile. "And you my Queen" he bows as well. Ares climbs on top of Attor and helps me up then Cain climbs and sits behind me, while Vato and Alara sit on Fafnir.

A few moments later we are off, riding side by side and weaving through the clouds.

Alara cheering as we do making me laugh.

Cain wraps his arms around me leaning into my neck.

Attor and Fafnir zipped past each other like they were racing, at some point I noticed a tall peak.

What was that lava? Why were we flying right towards it a volcano?

"Cain" I whispered. Before he could answer Attor flew up high and then covered us with his wings as he plummeted right into the volcano.

My entire body stiffened as I heard Alara scream, I shut my eyes as my heart violently beat in my chest. "Nova baby its alright.

We are here" Cain said softly. As I blinked my eyes open I felt an intense heat, looking past Cain I noticed the hot bubbling lava.

Not thinking I began to remove my clothing until I was in my undergarments.

"Nova" Ares whispered. I turned to face him "What?

". "I just think you have the right idea" he pulled his shirt off and unbuttoned his pants.

"What's going on" Vato comes forward. "My Queen you aren't decent" he mumbles.

"Neither is Alara" I point to Alara who had stripped down just like me.

She rushes to my side and links arms with me "Wasn't that flight incredible" she squeals.

"My love you aren't decent" Vato mumbles.

"Vato it is way to hot for clothes" she waves his comment off.

Cain and Vato look at each other and sigh "Lets get this meeting over with before I melt" I order.

Vato leads the way followed by Ares then alara and I and Cain at the rear. I think he just wanted to look at me.

"What are we doing here?" Ares asked when we reached a cooler section of the volcano.

"Having a meeting were-wolf" Vato said annoyed.

I wasn't sure why he was annoyed but maybe it had to do with the fact Alara was on display in front of two other men.

"What is so important we need to be in a volcano?

" he pressed. Cain scoops me up and places me in his lap "I think its best everyone sits down for this" he says.

Once everyone is seated he wraps his arms around me protectively.

"I want to start off by saying Ares you are Nova's sworn protector if anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible.

" Ares nods. "Now, you remember when Nova was ill?

" They nod to show their understanding. "I wanted to keep it secret in fear that she would be in danger but having a few who respect and love her would be a greater advantage to ensure her safety" he continues.

"I need you to all swear none of what is said here will be repeated to anyone, Vato is good at cutting out tongues if needed" he says looking at Ares.

"Cain" I scold, I knew he had issues with Ares but not everything needed to be a jab.

"Hue-man women bleed every month if they are not with child" he says.

"That's...its.. I...Nova" Alara looks at me with both awe and fear.

"Why is this bad? All I hear is that she is extremely fertile" Ares replies.

Everyone looks at him waiting for him to catch up "What?

" he shrugs. "What do you think would happen if anyone found out Nova can breed so easily and in less time than any other women?

" Alara asks him. Ares immediately looks at me with worry and lets out a low growl.

"How many children can you have at a time? " Vato asks.

"Mmmh, it depends on a lot but sometimes twins or triplets, but it depends on your family history.

I would say twins run in mine; it skipped my generation so it's a possibility I could have them.

" Vato nods. "How long is mmm I think you said pregnancy?

" Alara asks. "About 9 months and then after fertility is even higher" I say.

Ares eyes widen and his hands ball up into fists before he changes into a wolf.

I didn't understand why it was hot in here, he beings pacing just as Cain did when he was stressed.

"We will go to my other house when her bleeding starts and return when its over, Nova said its called a vacation" everyone nods.

"Alara if I am not by Nova's side I want you with her at all times, of course you when you leave Ares should be with Nova.

We will work out how to ensure her safety before whatever event we need to attend.

"Worse case I will have Attor look after Nova but that is only for emergency purposes".

Once the talk is over, we fly back. Ares had calmed down enough to change back before we left so as we sat lost in thought on Attor I allowed him to hold my hand.