Page 16 of The Princess’s Pet (Soul Match #1)

I curled myself into the Princess, my face pressing against the juncture of her neck and shoulder. I could feel myself being carried and moved but it wasn’t until I heard the sound of guard's boots marching that I was fully pulled from sleep.

“How long before we’re ready to leave?” the Princess asked and I opened my eyes to find myself being carried down the long corridors of the royal residence halls. The Princess held me in her arms tightly, her movement so smooth I had no memory of being lifted. I was aware that I was in shorts and a t-shirt with a blanket wrapped around me.

“We will be ready to leave in 6 minutes my Royal Highness,” a guard responded.

The doors to the royal residence halls were opened wide and cold night air washed over me. There was no hint of light.

“What’s happening?” I asked against her as she descended the steps to a vehicle and carefully placed me inside. I missed her hold on me immediately.

“We’re returning to the kings’ castle and court,” she told me simply before rounding the vehicle and getting in the other side .

“In the middle of the night?” I asked my voice groggy with sleep and confusion. She didn’t answer me, and I rubbed my eyes and looked at her. Her expression was strained. She seemed to be deep in thought, her knee rising and falling.

I untangled myself from the blanket and scooted over to her pressing my forehead against her shoulder.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?” I asked and felt her press her lips against my head.

“We can’t talk now,” she said simply and I nodded my head against her in understanding.

I reached forward and took her hand in mine, my head resting against her shoulder, she didn’t protest.

A few minutes passed before a thumping on the roof of the car startled me and we began moving.

I fell asleep again during the journey and woke to bright morning light flashing through the surrounding mountains.

“We’re still traveling,” I commented as I sat up. The Princess turned to me and it was clear that she had not slept.

“We’re close now. We’re approaching via the private entrance through the Dark Mountains,” she told me and I looked out the window at the Dark Mountains with a mixture of intrigue and fear.

The Dark Mountains were so named as it was claimed that no light penetrated through the dense canopy to the ground below. I heard stories as a child that so many fell and found their death in the darkness of the forest that it was haunted and those brave enough to enter, rarely returned.

“Are the stories true?” I asked her. In the light of day, the mountains so close to us and the impenetrably thick forest that lined them didn’t seem all that scary .

“The Dark Mountains are dangerous only to those that are unfamiliar with how to navigate them,” she told me, her arm slipping around my waist and pulling me into her side.

“Are they dangerous to you?” I asked looking up at liquid silver. She smiled mischievously.

“The Dark Mountains and her forests were practically a second home during my childhood,” she said, bringing her free hand up to push my hair out of my face and brush her knuckles along my jaw.

“Really?” I asked a little surprised and excited. I couldn’t imagine the proper Princess next to me spending much time exploring haunted forests.

“Really.” She laughed and looked out the window as the mountains and trees grew nearer almost wistfully.

“Can you show them to me?” I asked.

“The trapped souls of slain soldiers waiting to attack any foolish enough to enter the darkness doesn’t scare you?” she asked teasingly.

“I’ve seen you with a sword, Ma’am. I’m sure you’ll keep me safe,” I replied playfully.

The Princess responded with a sly grin, she leaned forward and kissed me hard. When she pulled away, I was breathless and leaning forward for more. She allowed me to continue kissing her passionately and didn’t push me away when I climbed atop her lap and took her face in my hands. Her hands gripped my hips and held me steady. I only broke the kiss when my need for air couldn’t be ignored.

My forehead pressed against hers and her fingers pushed under my t-shirt to graze my skin .

“I’ll take you into the forest of the Dark Mountains,” she told me, her breath washing over my face, so close we were sharing air. “You’re mine,” she growled the words. “I’ll protect you from any threat, real or imagined,” she told me before her lips found mine hungrily again.

When I was breathless once more, she ended our kissing but kept her grip on my hips, trapping me on her lap. I slumped comfortably into her, chest to chest, head resting against her shoulder and nose pressed to her throat.

We sat like that for the remainder of the drive to the King’s castle. At one point we travelled through a pitch-black tunnel carved out of the mountainside after passing through a barricade manned by the king’s guard.

When we pulled to a stop the door was opened by a servant, an older man who looked very surprised to see me, his eyes wide and trained on me. The Princess patted my butt and helped me off her and out of the car. When she exited, her arm went around my waist pulling me closer.

“Welcome home, my Royal Highness,” the man spoke after an awkward moment of looking me over. As I felt the breeze on my bare legs, I was aware that I was still in my bed clothes of short, shorts and a t-shirt and I felt my face flush self-consciously.

“Thank you, Gregory. Is my wing ready for my arrival?” she asked Gregory and he bowed low.

“Despite the short notice caused by such unfortunate circumstances, we have prepared your wing, hopefully to your liking. If there is anything amiss or that you require, I am, as always, at your service,” Gregory answered.

“Yes, my pet will require breakfast. Coffee and fruit are to be brought to my room. All luggage should also be brought to my room,” the Princess told him as she guided us towards stairs that led to an entrance of the castle. We were not using the main entrance but rather a small side door that I thought was most likely used by the servants.

“Right away my Royal Highness,” he replied from behind us.

“Don’t speak a word, pet, until I say otherwise,” she said, her hand on my hip squeezing almost painfully.

At first, the corridors she led me down were stone-lined, narrow, and not what I had expected. We passed several servants that all paused to bow low and there were many curious glances my way.

After climbing a very narrow staircase, where the Princess had removed her hand from my hip and entwined our hands instead, we emerged into a large corridor. The ceilings were as high as the ceiling of the grand hall at the Academy. Gold lights mounted between large old windows lit the corridor, a lavish blue and silver carpet lined the floor, and the walls were decorated with Borealis shields, banners, and portraits.

She led me down the corridor passing large doors with intricate carvings until she stopped in front of a door that had her name, Selene, engraved into the dark wood.

She pushed the door open and pulled me inside. It was her bedroom, complete with a large four-poster bed lined with thin curtains. It was the type of plush bed I expected a Princess to sleep in. The bed she had at the Academy must have been far below her standards. The door being pulled shut loudly distracted me from my appreciation of the bed.

“Do you like my bed, pet?” she asked pressing herself against me from behind, her hands wrapping around my stomach.

“It looks like it came directly from a picture book. Exactly the kind of bed I’d expect of a princess,” I told her. She pressed her nose against my neck breathing in deeply .

“I am a princess.” She hummed, tongue swiping from the base of my neck to my ear. “We can speak freely in this room only. Trust nowhere else. This room is enchanted, to stop eavesdroppers, from listening in on my private happenings,” she explained to me before her teeth nibbled on my earlobe.

“Why are we here?” I asked my breath hitching. The Princess exhaled frustrated moving away from my neck and releasing me from her hold. I almost regretted asking when she pulled away from me, until I saw her expression and realised that something was very wrong.

She sat heavily on the edge of her bed, a hand coming up to run through dark waves.

“My father is ill,” she told me. “The illness started only a few days ago but I received news last night that he had worsened significantly.”

I walked slowly and knelt before her my hands on her knees. “I’m sorry,” I told her. I felt for the Princess, losing her mother so recently and now her father was ill. She hid her feelings well. “Was that what the letter was about the other day?” I asked her. She nodded.

“My father was the epitome of Borealis health, not a week ago, and now a mysterious illness has him bedridden and unable to run the kingdom day-to-day. I fear that the same actor that murdered my mother is at play here,” she told me and her face showed her concern freely.

“What are you going to do?” I asked her my stomach filling with sympathetic anxiety.

“I don’t know yet. I need to tread carefully. There is more to be wary of than a traitor to uncover. With my mother’s death and now my father’s mysterious illness, the monarchy and political systems have never been in a greater state of emergency in the last two centuries,” she explained, and truthfully, I didn’t understand what she meant but I listened carefully to her speak and leaned forward to kiss her knee.

“Pet, I do not believe I am safe here, in my own home,” she whispered. I looked up to see liquid silver swimming with unshed tears.

“You think someone will attempt to take your life?” I asked shocked and a deathly cold fear ran down my spine. She straightened and nodded her head. I never thought I’d see the Princess look anything other than strong, assured, and capable; but she looked fragile and uncertain with her confession. I didn’t like it.

“You can trust me,” I told her swallowing my fear. “I’ll help you, however you need,” I promised. And I meant it. I didn’t know what good I could do, but I knew if she asked anything of me, I would give it to her.

“You’re sweet, pet. Too kind for me,” she replied, a soft smile on her lips replacing the worry. Her hand stroked my hair and I leaned into her touch.

There was a knock at the door and the Princess stood to answer, I got to my feet.

Gregory was there with a couple of fancy suitcases in his hands. A middle-aged woman stood behind him carrying a tray that held a coffee decanter, mug, and bowl of various fruits.

“Leave the luggage by the foot of the bed, the food at the dressing table,” the Princess commanded and stepped aside to allow Gregory and the woman to enter. The woman glanced my way curiously but was quick to look away again.

Once the door was closed and we were alone the Princess took my hand and guided me to the stool in front of the dressing table .

“Eat,” she instructed as I sat. “After, we’ll get dressed. I must meet with my father’s council. You will accompany me so that I can formally introduce you to the house as my personal servant, pet, and source.”

I nodded and poured myself a mug of coffee, picking a strawberry from the bowl and popping it in my mouth, humming my appreciation.

As I sipped my coffee, I watched the Princess unpack the suitcases, that contained our clothing. She replaced the clothing in a large white closet and dresser on the other side of the room.

When the task was complete, she sat on the edge of the bed one knee neatly folded over the other and watched me as I drank the coffee and ate berries.

When I sat the mug down, she raised her hand and called me to her silently with the curve of her finger. I obeyed and as I neared she uncrossed her legs and reached out pulling me to her by my hips.

“I want you to be on your best behaviour for me today,” she told me.

“Yes, Ma’am,” I answered as she brushed my hair behind my shoulder and leaned forward to mark me. Her lips pressed softly against my neck before her teeth and tongue took over. Her hands grabbed my backside drawing me closer to her.

When she was satisfied with her work, she left my neck to kiss me hungrily, stealing the air from my lungs and leaving me breathless on weak legs. Only her hands held me up right.

“Do we have to get dressed to meet the council? Can’t we stay here and kiss and stuff?” I asked, my face heating with my request and desire and I tried to find her lips with mine again.

She laughed, moving out of my reach, swatting at my behind .

“Later,” she promised, standing up and walking to the closet.

The Princess had me dressed in a pair of black slacks, dress shoes, and a fitted black shirt. I felt all proper, formal, and like I was on my way to a funeral.

The Princess dressed in equally formal clothing though her attire was more handsome. She wore a military-style suit, dark blue of the Borealis colours, expertly cut to her figure. When she took a thin sword, from a case inside the closet, that looked more decorative than practical and sheathed it in a scabbard at her hip, my mouth went dry. I didn’t know it was possible for the Princess to look more fiercely beautiful.

“You look powerful,” I told her.

“That is my aim for today,” she said, pulling me towards her by my empty belt loop. “Best behaviour,” she reminded me, dipping her head to scent my neck. “I can’t have my pet showing me up.” She growled. “I need you to be a good girl.”

My chest fluttered at her words. “I’ll be good, Ma’am,” I answered softly. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“Come,” she commanded and took my hand, leading me from the room.

The corridors we travelled through were as luxurious as the corridor of the Princess’s wing. All that we passed stopped, surprised, to bow towards the Princess.

I couldn’t keep up with all the turns that we took, too mesmerised by my lavish surroundings. The Princess came to a stop outside a set of double doors, two Borealis guards stood to attention and opened the doors at the Princess’s nod.

The room was not overly large, half the space was inhabited by a long table with 3 occupied seats facing the open doors .

“Princess Selene,” the man in the centre seat stood and addressed the Princess, bowing his head only slightly. He was older with a long thin nose and blonde wispy hair. He wore a deep blue robe with gold lining.

“Lord Antoniou,” the Princess responded.

“Your arrival this morning was unexpected,” Lord Antoniou spoke perturbed.

“Is it unexpected to find me in my own home?” the Princess replied curtly.

“Of course, you are most welcome here, and we are pleased for your return.” Another man at the end of the table stood and bowed low. He was older still, in the same deep blue robe, white hair short to his head but his beard was overgrown.

“Thank you, Lord Halkias.” She nodded.

“Tell me, Lady Sana, how is it that my father has worsened so dramatically under your care?” the Princess addressed the only woman in the room. The lady did not wear a blue robe like the men, but a simple cream white dress.

“The King, my Princess, has fallen with an illness that we have not seen before. All modern remedies have failed to provide relief and he has refused all magic remedies offered,” Lady Sana replied not standing or bowing.

“I will see my father for myself,” the Princess replied.

“Why do you cling to a servant?” Lord Antoniou sneered.

The Princess drew me forward and closer to her by our still joined hands. She released my hand to brush my hair away from my neck. “This is my personal source and pet,” she said, fingertips brushing against her healing bite marks. “Let it be known by all that this half-witch is mine, any who wish to interfere with my pet will court death,” she said casually .

“You’ve taken a personal slave?” Lord Halkias asked, his brows raised high.

“Yes,” the Princess replied dropping her hand from my neck and taking my hand once more. “Her blood is like non-other.”

“About time you started acting like a Queen to be and taking what you want.” A voice came from behind us.

“Uncle Vasilios,” the Princess greeted turning to the new arrival. Her tone was bright but the way her grip on my hand tightened fractionally put me on edge.

He was a tall man with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. He held some resemblance to the Princess, while the Princess’s eyes were silver, her uncles were a dark stormy grey. His smile was squint and teeth not perfectly straight, but he was not unpleasant to look at.

“You cut a striking figure niece, all dressed up for us,” he commented rudely. “Special occasion?” he asked.

“Is my return not cause for celebration? Or does my presence upset you?” she replied, a slight rumble in her chest.

Vasilios laughed and held his hands up in mock surrender. “Oh please, Selene, I am more than happy by your return. If you had not arrived after I sent word of your father’s illness, my next correspondence would have requested your return,” he said walking further into the room behind the table where he stopped next to Lord Antoniou. “We believe it is time that you secure the future of house Borealis by naming a perspective groom.” There were a few nods and muttered agreements.

“You have a groom in mind Uncle?” she asked with a bite to her words.

“Yes, I suggest your cousin Lord Valen Ardens,” Vasilios suggested with a smug grin and keeping eye contact with the Princess. I was shocked at the suggestion the Princess should marry her cousin.

“You’re son,” the Princess stated unimpressed.

“It would be keeping with tradition and in such crucial times tradition is safe,” Vasilios continued.

“A practice that has not been performed in all living memory in this room is not tradition,” the Princess began and held up her free hand to silence Vasilios before he could counter her. “Unfortunately for you and my cousin, I am currently courting another,” the Princess informed and I felt my stomach fill with uneasiness.

“Who?!” Lord Antoniou asked.

“Lord Halvorsen, son of Duke Halvorsen,” the Princess announced and I felt sick at the confirmation that she was courting Lord Halvorsen with the intention of marriage.

“A shifter?” Lord Halkias asked rubbing his long white beard in thought. “House Halvorsen is large and strong,” he mused to himself. “A suitable pureblood vampire for off-spring would have to be found when the time came,” he thought aloud. “A good alliance,” he finished.

“My thoughts exactly.” The Princess smiled. “In such unsettling times, where it seems there are enemies within our walls, a strong external alliance will be most beneficial to firmly exhibit our strength.”

“And what does Halvorsen hope to accomplish with your hand?” Vasilios asked his voice trembling with anger.

“They have made no demands known. Though I suspect they wish to further their standing to be seen as our equals.”

“Our equals! Preposterous! No shifter could ever be equal to house Borealis!” Vasilios shouted .

“No, house Halvorsen could never equal house Borealis. However, I am confident they could best house Ardens,” the Princess said head tilted mockingly.

“Watch what you say! You are my sister’s daughter, a daughter of house Ardens,” Vasilios warned.

“Do you threaten me? Do you wish for me to demonstrate that I have inherited the strength of house Borealis?” she answered and her hand left mine and sat lazily atop the hilt of her sword.

“I’m sure Marquess of Ardens, did not wish to challenge you my Royal Highness. Love for his house forced him to speak out of turn,” Lady Sana interrupted the heated exchange.

“Is that true Uncle?” the Princess asked a quirk to her lips.

“Have you returned only to ridicule your mother’s heritage and turn away from your family?” he challenged an outraged edge to his voice.

“My mother’s heritage while pureblood, is unfortunately weak, like the mere boy you assume the authority to marry me off to. The truth may be unflattering, but it is your trespass into a station you do not have that ridicules you, Uncle. You disrespect my mother’s memory with your behaviour,” the Princess spat her lips rising in disgust.

Vasilios looked like he might explode from anger, but he did not respond. None responded.

“Lady Sana, accompany me please, to my father and explain his condition to me,” the Princess commanded turning to the healer when her remarks were not further challenged.

The woman stood, flattening the creases in her dress as she did. “Right away,” she replied walking from behind the table .

We followed behind the wire-thin woman, who led us to the king’s wing and chambers.

A small figure lay in a large bed. The raven-haired man looked pale and emaciated.

“Father?” the Princess spoke sitting at the side of the bed, placing the back of her hand against his head. There was no answer from the King though his eyes were red and open.

“He has a fever,” the Princess said turning to Lady Sana.

“Nothing we give him is working and he refuses magical remedies,” Lady Sana replied, repeating her earlier words.

“He doesn’t seem capable of refusing anything. He seems entirely unaware that his daughter is by his side,” the Princess replied.

“He has moments of lucidity. Brief they are, but his Royal Highness has made it clear, that no magic is to be used. He believes his illness and your mothers to be the products of witchcraft and does not trust magic-led healing,” Lady Sana explained. “I will not be the fool that disobeys my King.”

“Will you be the fool who disobeys your future Queen?” the Princess questioned. “Do whatever it takes to lower his fever at the very least. Maybe then he’ll be lucid enough to tell me himself that he refuses magic-led healing.”

Lady Sana pursed her lips but nodded her agreement.

The Princess held her father’s hand for a few minutes before standing from the bed.

“When I next visit with my father, I expect to see improvement in his condition Lady Sana, or I will find your replacement,” the Princess warned.

“I’ll do my best,” Lady Sana confirmed .

I followed behind the Princess as she guided us expertly back through the castle to her wing.