Page 15 of The Forsaken Heir

AURELIUS

A waking after three hours of rest, I went about my usual morning routine as I waited for the appropriate time to arrive to contact my envoy.

First, I scanned the emails I’d received overnight—nothing too pressing.

My father would handle and respond to most of them.

I headed to the home gym to work out. Typically, I would have simply gotten on a rower or treadmill while watching the news or financial market reports.

Today, I headed straight for the free weights.

An unsettling anxiety had settled in my chest and stomach.

The strange feeling had nothing to do with our family finances, my father’s coming retirement, or the drama around my trip to the wellspring.

No, it was Elle. Since the moment I walked into my bedroom and found her tied to a chair, I’d begun to notice interesting stirrings deep inside my mind and heart.

Things I hadn’t felt so intensely in my entire life.

Grabbing a set of dumbbells, I began to curl them, shrug them, and press them overhead.

Dozens of reps for a half-dozen sets until a sheen of sweet glazed my skin.

I moved on to the bench press, then did a hundred pull-ups.

My body was aching in a pleasant way as I did a few sets of squats and lunges, but still her face hovered in my mind, gazing at me from the shadows of my subconscious.

What was wrong with me?

With three hundred and fifteen pounds on the barbell, I lowered my body down, then back up, my legs burning.

A dozen reps later, I racked the barbell and wiped my sweat-drenched face with a towel.

A glance at the clock told me the morning had progressed far enough that I could try to contact my man, though it worried me that he hadn’t sent an email or text about the situation yet.

I’d have assumed the Laurents would want proof of life or something as soon as they heard we had their daughter.

Some assurance the big bad dragons hadn’t killed their beloved daughter as recompense for their moving in on our transportation routes.

Grabbing my phone from the counter in the gym, I dialed the number for our official political ambassador.

Karinius was the man we sent on the most delicate of missions that didn’t require an actual member of the royal family.

He mostly dealt with minor issues within the dragon community and the distant families that were beyond our immediate area of influence.

We ruled over all dragons, even in faraway corners such as Florida and Maine and across the seas to the old world as well.

Having our own team of proxy delegates helped maintain our influence and control of the ever-shrinking kingdom—an entire hegemony operating below the noses of the human governments.

Karinius answered on the third ring. “Your Highness?”

“Good morning, Karinius,” I said. “How are things with the Laurents? Have you been treated well?”

If they’d mistreated or threatened my servant, the Laurents—as much as I liked Elle—would pay dearly.

“Uh, yes, Highness,” he said, but he sounded concerned or perhaps confused.

“What’s wrong?”

Karinius sighed., “It’s quite strange, sir. The way they are acting.”

I leaned back against a stair-stepper machine. “Strange? How so?”

“I arrived very late last night,” he explained, “I shifted and flew straight to the home we believed they reside in most often. I found a security detail, and, to be honest, there was less chaos than I’d anticipated when they realized a dragon was sitting down on their front lawn.

Fear and surprise, yes, but they really didn’t lose their minds like I was worried they would, especially after I shifted back and presented the letter of parley.

When they saw the official seal of House Decimus on the envelope, I was treated as an honored guest.”

Nothing sounded off about his description.

“And?” I prodded.

“They placed me in a private suite for guests, but when I asked to speak to the Laurents themselves, their staff informed me that I would be brought in for a meeting today. I awoke early to prepare myself, but an hour ago, they brought me coffee and breakfast, and informed me that all members of the family were busy and that they wouldn’t be able to see me until tomorrow . ”

I straightened. “Wait, what? Didn’t they read the letter? We have Brielle Laurent here. At the castle. All we want is to set a time to bring her back.”

“They have read the letter, Highness. They know, yet they are acting as though it was some trivial matter that can wait an entire day to discuss. It makes no sense.”

What the hell ?

Perhaps there was more to Brielle’s story about living in the human world.

Had she had a falling out with her parents?

Even so, parents would usually want to make sure their children were safe.

Especially your eldest child. Shifter society was a throwback to the old days of royals, noble houses, and bloodlines.

Even as most of the human nations had moved toward democratic societies, we were still staunchly dedicated to family. Dragon and wolf alike.

“I want you to message me as soon as anything changes, Karinius,” I said. “Anything. If they change the temperature settings in your room, you call me. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good man. I’ll talk to you soon.”

I stood there for a few moments, wondering how to broach the subject with Elle. She’d want to know what her family had said, but how did I tell her they were too busy to discuss how and when to get her back home. Would she be as confused as I was? Devastated? Angry?

“Damn it.” I sighed and tucked the phone into my pocket.

Back in my room, I showered and changed before heading to Elle’s quarters. She would need to be told, and it was better if it happened as soon as possible so she could process what was happening. She’d need to stay at least another day, and I wasn’t sure how she’d take that information.

I knew exactly how my inner dragon was taking that information.

The mere thought of her sticking around a little longer sent him into a frenzy of exhilaration.

Even as I walked toward her suite, he urged me on.

Something about her had ignited a longing I’d never experienced in both me and my dragon.

If I was honest with myself, the prospect of getting to be around Elle a little longer made me excited as well.

At her door, I hesitated for a second before rapping my knuckles on the wood three times.

“Wha?” her muffled voice called out

Frowning, I knocked again.

More time went by until I finally heard the sound of shuffling feet, and the fumble of locks being turned. When the door swung open, I had a hard time keeping my composure.

Elle, with her hair disheveled and her eyes bleary, squinted up at me.

She wore nothing but the robe I’d requested be brought to her.

It was cinched at her waist, but the way she leaned on the door made the robe gape slightly at the chest, giving me a partial view of the soft curve of her cleavage.

I quickly averted my gaze as heat surged through me.

I wanted to reach forward and tug the robe aside to fully reveal the body beneath.

“Uh…good morning,” I said, doing my best to regain my footing. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“S’fine,” she mumbled as she rubbed her hand over her hair. “It was probably time to wake up anyway.” She yawned.

This woman was nothing like I’d imagined she’d be.

The eldest scion to the world’s most powerful wolf family was in the home of a royal dragon, yet she seemed completely at ease.

As though it was any other Saturday. I was used to the ladies of court who were always primped, polished, and perfect with a fake veneer plastered to their faces at all times.

If one of the women the council was pushing on me to marry had been in the position Elle was in, there was no way in hell they’d have opened the door before getting fully dressed and doing their hair and makeup.

To be honest, it was a breath of fresh air to see a woman acting normal around me.

Swallowing, I decided to come right out with the news. Then I could help her cope with it.

“Elle, I came to tell you I’ve spoken with our envoy at your parent’s home.”

“Yeah?” She rubbed her eyes and yawned again.

“They… They told my ambassador they were unable to meet with him until tomorrow. They know you are here under my care, but have chosen to put off a negotiation.”

“Okay,” she said, shrugging a shoulder, and putting a hand on her hip.

I blinked at her, unsure how to respond.

“This means you’ll most likely need to stay here another day. At least until my man can finally speak to your parents and set up a time to get you back to them safely.”

“I’m okay to hang out,” she said, her eyes becoming more bright as the last vestiges of sleep faded away. “I’ll let my nan—er—roommate know I’ll be gone a little longer.”

I couldn’t help but smile. It appeared like this woman could handle anything and simply shrug it off. Impressive. Surprisingly, I liked it.

“Question,” I said. “Do you like horses?”

She paused mid-stretch and looked at me. “Excuse me?”

“Horses? Do you like them?”

She straightened and cocked an eyebrow. “This isn’t the lead up to some sort of joke about the size of your dick, right?”

My mouth dropped open half an inch, but I found my footing quickly and flashed her a grin. “No, no, no. That’s personal information. Thanks for showing interest, though,” I said and winked at her.

To my delight, her cheeks went red. “Okay, I’ll bite, what’s this about horses?”

“Exactly what I said. Do you have any interest in horses?”

She pulled the hair tie off her wrist and quickly put her hair into a ponytail.

“I’ve never really had a lot of experience around them, if that’s what you mean. I always thought they were cool, though.”