Frances promptly announces their reason for joining me, “Silas just shifted and told us that once we crest this next hill, you will catch your first glimpse of his residence. He asked us to tell you it’s a small castle, nothing compared to what you’re used to, but he is sure it will suit your needs while you’re here.” Frances winces, and I can tell he hates having to pass a message which should’ve been delivered to me directly. Instead of Silas letting me know his residence is our destination, I find this out from my guards.Such lack of respect.
Baxter chimes in next, “I despise how disrespectful he is toward you. I've told you before, and I’m sure I’ll repeat it during our stay, but I honestly wish you would allow me to remind him of the respect he should display for his future Queen.” His tone is angry, and there’s a menacing twinkle in his eyes. I adore it when my guards raise their hackles over people not showing me respect.
Knowing I need to change forms to converse with them, my magic responds immediately, complying with the mere thought. With enough practice and knowledge, our magic can accomplish anything we set our minds to, including shifting our bodies into any animal form we wish.
My magic and I are at one with each other. I just need to think of what I want my magic to do, and before I've even finished forming the thought, the magic is already performing the task. Fusing with your magic so you can use it properly was one of the first things my mother taught me. You need to learn how to trust your magic implicitly, that it will always be there for you and will never steer you wrong. In return, your magic needs to learn to trust that you will never abuse your use of it. We can always feel our magic within, while it can’t outright communicate with us, it makes itself known in times of need. I shudder to think of the lengths some people go to when their magic has abandoned them. The horror stories my mother has shared with me still give me nightmares at times.
Once I’ve shifted back into my human form, fully dressed, I brush out the wrinkles in my dress and pull the sleeve down on my left arm. I suppose I won’t have to worry about keeping it hidden for much longer, since my mate has his mark now too.
“Thank you, gentlemen. Even though he hasn’t given you much of a choice, I really appreciate you being a buffer between us.” My soft voice fills the space between us as I continue to brush off my dress and smile at them. I’m endlessly grateful for everything my guards do for me. Instead of shifting, we walk the last bit of our journey in our human forms. We maintain a steady pace along the trail, and of course, Silas is ahead of us ensuring he’s first to arrive.
It's midday and the sky is a dark grey. A storm has rolled in and rain is pouring from the clouds above us. My magic allows a bubble to form over me, protecting me from getting soaked, although it can’t do much about the mud I’m trudging through on the path we’ve been following. The hem of my gown quickly becomes soiled as we approach the crest of the hill leading to the castle.
I’m not sure what I was expecting to find once we could see over the top of the hill, but it wasn’t this. The stone used to build the castle is the darkest I've ever seen; it appears almost black. I guess it’s possible he used his magic to make it look that way, but I don’t see why anyone would want to live in a dungeon-like atmosphere on purpose.
There are very few windows, so the light inside will be almost nonexistent, hence my dungeon assumption. I suppose the dreary day isn’t helping things or my annoyance at the whole situation.Just accept it Cecily, get to know your mate as quickly as possible so you can get out of the bunghole.
I plaster a fake smile on my face, hoping it will help lift my mood until it becomes real. I certainly regret telling Thea she couldn’t come now. She had begged me to bring her, but I thought it would be a better idea for her to get my mate’s room ready. I don’t want him invading my space once we return home together. She had given me a look implying she thought I would change my mind about wanting my distance, but agreed with my request.
We continue along the muddy path leading through the entrance in the ward surrounding the small village that lies outside of Lord Silas’ home. If I didn’t know any better, I would think the village was deserted, however I can clearly see people quietly working through their open doorways. The only sounds I hear aside from the sloshing rain are those of animals and the steady clang of the blacksmiths’ hammer.
No one comes out to greet us, which is odd to me. I’ve never experienced a reception like this in my entire life. It’s not that I think the villagers here should be coming out to greet me in the rain. They have no way of knowing who I am right now. I do expect people to be welcoming home the leader of their pack, though. Usually, I’m swarmed by people wanting to gain my attention. I love being able to connect to my people and see if there are any ways I can help them. This just gives a lonely impression, like the subjects here are oppressed. It says a lot about Lord Silas.Hopefully, my mate is nothing like him.
We continue up to the main castle entrance, where we pause while they lift the gate before we can continue forward. Just inside the wall is a vast open courtyard where a surprisingly large number of soldiers are training. There’s a light buzzing of warmth stirring in the connection with my magic.
I scan my eyes over the group of men, not knowing what I’m searching for until my eyes land on it. Or rather him. He’s in the middle of sparring with one of the other soldiers. He’s the tallest man in the yard with the biggest muscular build, the rain causing his clothes to cling against his skin. He undoubtedly works hard at being in top form. His arms are thicker than my thighs and his muscles ripple with every lunge he makes with the sword in his hand.
The man he is sparring with stumbles to the ground, landing in the mud. With a laugh, my mate offers him a hand to help him back up.My Fates, he has a gorgeous smile.It’s like there's sunshine beaming down on me all of a sudden, even though the rain has worsened.
My mate suddenly whips his head around and stares directly into my eyes, sensing exactly where I am. Our gazes don’t waver as we continue to stare at each other. There’s a twinkle in his blue eyes that makes my heart skip a beat. Maybe getting to know him won’t be the waste of time I was assuming it to be. The thought makes my lips quirk up in a smile.
My smile must spur him into action because he pats his sparring partner on the arm and turns around to make his way over to where I’m standing. I watch him approach as my heart rate speeds up with each step he takes. I suddenly experience what could be described as a nervous fluttering in my chest and can’t quite catch my breath. He literally takes my breath away. I never thought seeing my mate would bring about these kinds of reactions.
Just as he’s about to reach me, Silas appears by my side. I didn’t even realize he had backtracked to where I’m standing, spellbound by my mate’s appearance. “Uncle,” my mate says with a nod of his head toward Lord Silas. A lock of his soaking wet black hair becomes disheveled with his nod and sticks to his forehead. He turns questioning eyes over to lock onto mine, fully expecting his uncle to introduce us. I’m surprised there was no sign of recognition on his face, it’s not like he hasn't visited my castle with his parents previously.
“Oh, don’t act so coy, Marcellus, don’t you recognize Her Royal Highness, Princess Cecily of the Shifters?” Silas responds with a warning in his eyes like he’s trying to guide Marcellus in his answer.
“I’m pretty sure I would remember this beautiful face if I had ever seen it, Uncle,” he replies as he bows and takes my hand to bring it up to his lips. Upon his touch, a little shock runs up my arm, only lasting a split second. His words and actions don’t quite line up, though, because at the mention of my name his eyes suddenly lose their luster and turn cold.
“Always with the jokes, boy.” Silas tries to deflect. He has a smugness about him like he approves of Marcellus’ reaction. I would pay more attention to this, but I loathe the idea of dissecting Silas’ body language.
Marcellus just gives his uncle a curious glance before he greets me, “It is a pleasure, Your Highness. Might I inquire as to the nature of your visit?”
Now it’s my turn to offer a puzzled expression. Is he unaware that his uncle came inquiring about a royal mate mark match? Before I can say anything, his uncle intervenes, “Why don’t you and I get cleaned up, Marcellus, and we can reconvene in the sitting room so you two can enjoy getting to know each other. Your Highness, I will have someone show you to your chambers for the duration of your stay.” With those words, he strides off toward the entrance of his home expecting us to follow.
I feel a squeeze of my hand and realize Marcellus never released it. He holds onto it and brings it to his arm so he can escort me in. Well, it seems like he has some manners. We say nothing as we walk into the castle, a bit of awkwardness settling in. Right after we walk through the entrance, a maid curtsies for me and says, “If it pleases you, Your Highness, I will show you to your chambers.”
“Yes, thank you.” I offer Marcellus a smile as I let go of his arm to follow her.
∞∞∞
The room is so quiet, I swear I could hear a speck of dust landing on the floor. As I predicted, everything I've seen so far is gloomy, including this room. The dark stonework is carried throughout the interior of the castle, making up the walls, ceiling, and floors. The floor coverings are all made of deep color: blacks, browns, indigo, and rust red. These colors are also pulled into all the artwork and tapestries hanging from the walls depicting violent acts and natural disasters.
The only light comes from the few torches flickering on the far wall. I would add some more light to the room myself to make it appear less foreboding, but I don’t want to be insulting in someone else’s home. I’m notthatrude. I’m also not rude enough to ask Lord Silas to leave the room, this is his home after all. His presence in the seat across from us adds an extra layer of awkwardness, combined with an added caution of someone else listening in to whatever we may say.
Shifting my weight on the seat, I take a sip of the tea I am offered. To my utter embarrassment, with how quiet it is in the room, it sounds like I've expelled a bodily noise that most ladies would never dare to do in public. In my flustered state, I slurp my tea and allow the silence to continue. My face heats, and yet the silence continues.Think… think… think… why can’t I come up with something to say?
“So you like…”
