During this time together, Marcellus has made some surprising revelations and has behaved erratically. He can be sweet and fully invested in learning about me, yet in the next breath, he seems like he hates who I am and asks accusatory questions. It's as if he knows nothing of who our people are or what we are capable of doing. He’s even told me his uncle doesn't know he can shift, and that he secretly learned how to use his magic, without instruction. This knowledge breaks my heart. I’ve also not learned anything about his parents. I'm concerned he’s spent no time learning from them.
There are a few other troubling things I’ve learned while being here, and I’m not sure what it all means or what I should do. I hope in confiding in you that your wise counsel will help. I figure I can pass on the facts as I know them.
Marcellus told me his uncle had hand-picked all his pack members and none of them can shift, and those that can have been exiled. It sounds as if he’s been collecting those who’ve had their magic forsake them, and it’s been mentioned that his uncle finds it a waste of magic to shift.
I’m also troubled to have discovered that Marcellus had no idea I was here due to our mate marks matching. He was told I was here in search of a husband and was pursuing him as a potential match. After teaching him what the marks mean, I found out his appeared due to a burn that occurred while helping his uncle with a spell. Is it possible for someone to force their mark to show before the Fates deem it to be the right time?
I fear Marcellus has been taught to believe the worst in the Fates, and I’m not sure why his parents allow this to continue. As I said, it seems as though they’ve had very limited interactions in his life.
In light of these things, I think it’s best for us to come home as soon as possible and finish forming the bond there.I’m apprehensive and on edge that if we remain here any longer, something nefarious is going to happen. I hope to gain enough of Marcellus’ trust to get him to come with me.
I hope to see you soon.
With all of my love,
Sinopa
Reading over my letter once more to make sure I've included everything I think she needs to know, I sign it. Confident I haven’t missed anything, I fold it up and drip some of the wax from my candle to seal it shut. Before the wax can harden, I push my magic into it to ensure only my mother can open it and leave a fox imprinted into the wax, my official seal.
I lay the letter down on the center of the writing desk and walk over to my chest. There are only a few items left in here, so I quickly find the bag of herbs I’m searching for. Sitting back at the desk, I open the pouch holding a mixture of dried herbs. I pour some into my palm and cover it with my other hand, rubbing them together. This will further combine the herbs together while I trickle a little magic into them to activate their power.
Once the herbs are crushed into a powder, I sprinkle them in a circle around my letter. Using my finger, I push a few herbs back into the circle that didn’t quite land where I wanted them to. With the circle perfectly in place, I ignite the herbs with the candle’s flame. The fire travels around the ring until the whole circle is alight. “Be swift in your travels, be sure in your destination, for into the hands of the Alpha Queen you shall immediately be.”
With my chant, the ring of fire flairs and sparks. When the fire goes out my letter is gone, sent to my mother. It should be in her hands within moments. I don’t expect an immediate reply though. I know her days are busy. With my task complete, my thoughts drift to last night and how strained things were after Marcellus said he has absolutely no trust in me.
All of my emotions are causing an ache in my chest. I try to rub the pain away, but I’m convinced the only thing that will really help is seeing my mate. I’m sure he won’t mind if I seek out some of his time. As quick as I can, I braid my hair and tie it off with a ribbon, then pinch my cheeks to add some color before walking to my door.
I take a deep breath before opening my door. A sense of nervousness tugs at my heart. This is the first time I’ve sought Marcellus out myself. I don't know what his reaction will be. Is he going to be happy to see me? Is he going to be annoyed with me just showing up? Will I find the version of Marcellus who wants to actually get to know me, or the version that thinks the worst of me?
Standing here questioning things isn’t going to help me at all. I take another deep breath, figuring it won’t hurt, and then open my door. “Your Highness,” Baxter greets me. I offer him a smile and a nod indicating he should follow me, but I’m not in the mood for conversation. I stride down the hall with confident steps that I wish I felt inside, toward the room Marcellus showed me was his.
I raise my hand and knock on the wood before clasping my hands together in front of me and wait. In the next instance, I begin to pick at my nails as a distraction until I get a response, but none comes. I should probably try looking for him in the training yard. Come to think of it, I should’ve searched for him there to begin with since that's where he spends most of his time when he isn't with me.
I make quick work of walking through the castle to the side door we’ve used before. I've never seen any staff in the halls, but that doesn’t mean I want to risk being delayed either. If I had been any quicker, I would’ve been running to get out of here. The thought of some fresh air is driving me just as much as seeing Marcellus.
I pause when I get to the side door and take a moment to calm my racing heart before opening it. The day is beautiful. The sky has a few clouds speckling the blue expanse, but they aren’t hindering the amount of sun shining down. I close my eyes and soak in the warmth, letting it melt away the confused thoughts weighing me down at the moment.
After few moments of enjoying the sunshine, I walk toward the training yard. Hopefully, I'll find Marcellus there. I can hear the sound of swords clashing together before I even round the corner, the noise of the men echoing throughout the surrounding area.
As soon as I reach the edge of the castle, the practice yard comes into view. There are men paired together practicing with their swords. They are working on battle drills right now, their movements in time with one another, precise, like a rehearsed dance. I don’t see Marcellus yet, but I can hear him yelling out commands of what move to perform next.
Not wanting to interrupt Marcellus while he's training, I scan the open space to locate a place where I can watch while staying out of the way. On the opposite side of the yard, I notice a stable and some fencing holding in horses. In front of the fence, there are a few bales of hay I can sit on and watch the men train.
I make my way across the front of the castle, trying to be discreet and not catch the attention of anyone. Baxter keeps a short distance from me but is still close enough to reach me within seconds if his protection is needed. I reach the bale of hay and sit, crossing my ankles while pulling the end of my braid over my shoulder. My hands instinctively clasp together and rest in my lap. But within moments, I reach for the end of my braid, playing with the hair there for something to do as I scan the men in front of me.
While I watch the men train, I search for where the sound of Marcellus’ voice is coming from. I find him among the rows of men, correcting a young man on his form. It seems like Marcellus hasn’t spotted me yet. Moving between the rows, I watch as he calls out his commands as the sun moves across the sky. Just being able to watch him fills me with the calmness I was seeking. With the warm sun shining down on me, I relax back against the fence behind me.
Upon completing the drills, Marcellus has the men stay in pairs and practice using the fight techniques at their discretion. He continues walking amongst the men giving pointers as he goes. I try not to stare, but I don’t want to take my gaze off of him. Seeing him commanding his men is like watching a new version of him. One I happen to like very much.
I’m so distracted watching Marcellus that I’m startled when I hear a huff from right above me. The warm moist puff of air that stirs the tiny hairs near my ear is certainly unexpected. Uncomfortable with the idea of just ignoring the sensation, I spring up from my seat and whirl around to see what just breathed on me. Before me is the most beautiful chestnut-colored horse with its head hanging over the area of fencing.
Instant joy has me smiling at the horse who came to say hello, and I move forward to pet its nose. “Hello, my bronze beauty! Did you come over to get some pets?” I coo. It lets out another huff and nudges my shoulder.
I’ve only had my back toward the men for a couple of moments before a set of hands rest on my hips and a strong broad chest presses up to my back. Startled, I jump slightly, not hearing Marcellus’ approach, but I know it’s him when I recognize the scent of spearmint. “Don’t you know better than to turn your back on the enemy? I didn’t think I needed to give you instruction as well as my men today.”
His words are whispered into my ear as he wraps his arms further around my waist and pulls me into his body a little tighter. His touch instantly relaxes my body, a tension leaving that I hadn’t even realized I was holding on to. He bends his head down to trail his nose along my neck and gooseflesh covers my body.
His lips graze my ear as he whispers, “Darling, what are you doing here? You’re making it impossible for me to concentrate. I could sense your eyes on me the whole time you’ve been sitting in this spot.” And here I thought he hadn’t even noticed me. I lean my head back on his shoulder, enjoying his arms around me. Why did I ever fear how he would react to me seeking him out?
