Chapter 55 A Queen Among Tides: Chapter Fifty-Five - Lemuel

Chapter 55 A Queen Among Tides: Chapter Fifty-Five - Lemuel
“Lemuel!” I hear a voice cheer.

Within seconds Sebastian has me moved behind his back, using himself as a sirna shield. I peek around his body in confusion as I see the Queen standing in front of Sebastian with a wounded look on her face. I think the Botox is starting to wear off.

“I wasn’t going to hurt him,” she says sadly.

“I know that, mother,” he says sadly, “But Lemuel is still a visum, and with him now granting my wish, his curse will take effect if you touch him. Remember? That’s why you were being so cautious when you changed his towels,” he gently reminds her.

I’ve never had so many people want to show me affection and not be able to. I’ve never hated the confines of my curse as much as I do right now. Before, it wasn’t an issue because I had no one in my life I wished to be affectionate with, but now I do, and I can’t touch them. I can’t even shake their hand. Now I understand the true purpose of this aspect of Merlos’ curse. I denied my family love and care and so in turn I am to be denied. It seems she was certain to cover her bases.

The Queen’s eyes widen in realisation, and she nods respectfully, “My apologies. I should have been more diligent. I’ll try to be more careful; I am just so relieved to not only see you awake but up and about. This is wonderful news. How are you feeling?” She asks with concern.

I smile reassuringly as I step out from behind Sebastian, “The aches are still present, but Sebastian is keeping them at bay.”

She smiles broadly at her son, then back at me, “That bond truly works wonders. I should know.” She suddenly gasps, “You poor thing, you haven’t eaten for a week! Sebastian Balaskas, how could you not feed your animai?!” She reprimands him, swatting his arm.

I can feel the bubbles of guilt beginning to rise in Sebastian as he makes that same cartoonish face when he knows he’s about to get scolded. It’s so adorable. I rub his back hoping to soothe his guilt. I honestly hadn’t thought about eating, I’ve just been happy to be in Sebastian’s arms.

“It’s not like I’ve eaten either. We just wanted to come and let you know Lemuel’s awake. We’ll go straight to the kitchen for breakfast after this, I promise,” says Sebastian sheepishly.

“We could have waited. He needs to eat in order to regain his strength,” the Queen says with great concern.

“Your Majesty, it’s fine. I wasn’t even thinking about food,” I assure her.

“None of that ‘your majesty’ nonsense. Please call me Callista,” she says with a smile, “Perhaps maybe even ‘mother’ one day, though I would understand if you don’t wish to. Haemon and I didn’t exactly give you a warm welcome to our home,” she says remorsefully.

“That is more my fault, than my Queens,” announces the King in his deep baritone voice as he steps over to us, “Callista has always been loyal to me to a fault. I felt her desire to welcome you like a son, and yet I stood in the way. I’ve been a terrible father to my son and a terrible person to you, Lemuel. No amount of apologies can undo the hurtful things I said to you, but I wish for you to know how truly sorry I am. I would not blame you if you do not accept my apology,” he says in a penitent manner.

I take in the look of shame on the King’s face. Since I met him he’s come off as a bigoted brute when in my presence, but around his people I have seen him wear his humility proudly. He does seem like a genuine and caring person at his core, it was just his view on this one subject that made him come off cold and callous, but that seems to be gone now. I can see it on his face and hear in his voice how true his words are, and from how Callista is smiling, she can feel the genuineness through their bond. All signs point to honesty.

“Your Majesty–”

“Haemon. Please. It took me too long to say this, and honestly, my parents would be ashamed of me, but you are Sebastian’s animai and that makes you family. A King should never lord his title over his family, so I would love it if you called me Haemon,” he says respectfully.

I nod in respect, “Haemon. I appreciate the candour you and Callista are showing me. It’s true it wasn’t the warmest welcome, but it only ever bothered me how you were treating your son. I don’t care how you treat me; my curse implies I deserve it.” Sebastian opens his mouth to protest, but I raise my hand to silence him. “Nevertheless, waking up today I have felt more loved and cared for than I have in a long time, and part of that is because I know the care you provided me while I was unconscious, and for that I thank you. I can see how genuine your words are and I would love us to start with a clean slate.”

Callista beams at me with tears in her eyes, “We would love nothing more. Please join us for dinner tonight, we can celebrate your recovery and union properly.”

“I’m not sure Lemuel is up for all that,” Sebastian says cautiously.

I squeeze his hand reassuringly, “Dinner sounds fantastic, thank you, Callista,” I smile at her, and see her smile only broaden.

“We must speak with Theo and get everything prepared for this evening,” Callista says enthusiastically, taking Haemon by the hand.

“What do you mean ‘we’? You know I’m terrible with these things,” Haemon grumbles.

“Yes, but you have a very refined palette, and we’ll be needing that. Now come along,” she urges, pulling him from the room by his hand.

He rolls his eyes, “Yes, my love.”

I chuckle, “I can see where Sebastian gets it from.”

Haemon smirks at me, “Animais, am I right?” Callista gives his arm another tug and yanks him from the room.

I smile up at Sebastian, “I almost don’t recognise them.”

“These were the parents I wanted you to know. The loving, caring, fun people who raised me. Not the people you met when you arrived,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“I find it quite easy to forgive those who repent for their sins, but I’m not the one they hurt. If you need space from them, I will support that.”

He smiles shaking his head, “I forgive them too. My father and I had a heart-to-heart, and he explained things to me. He wasn’t making excuses, just showing me where he was coming from and honestly, it healed a lot of wounds. I know that my parents never stopped loving me, they were just scared for me, but I think mother cracked much sooner because she was more afraid of losing me.”

“Anyone that is willing to own up to their faults and change them are good people. You and your kingdom are very lucky,” I say, rubbing his sides comfortingly.

“You sure you want in on this crazy family?” He smirks.

“I’m so sure this is what I want, that I want you to mark me. Tonight,” I say confidently.

He blinks in astonishment, “Come again.”

“I’ve been thinking about it since you brought it up earlier. I want what your parents have. I want to know every part of you in and out and to share my soul with you. I want to be happy and you’re what makes me happy,” I say, cupping his face, “So, what do you say? Will you mark me?”

Sebastian cheers with joy and lifts me up swinging me around, “Hell fucking yes I will!”

I chuckle and wrap my arms around him, “I had a feeling you wouldn’t say no.”

He silences any more words I may have by greeting me with a very welcomed assault on my lips. His hand grips my lower back as the other grasps the back of my neck, holding me firmly in place as he devours my lips like a ravenous beast. Talk about releasing the Kraken. I cling to his back holding his body against mine as I surrender to his assault. He’s the only man on this earth I have ever and will ever, truly surrender to. I will surrender to him for the rest of our lives.

My tongue teases the seam of his lips and quickly he captures my tongue, sucking on it ferociously as he devours my lips once again. I slip my tongue into his mouth, tasting and memorising his mouth as I firmly grasp and squeeze his plump ass in my hand. His moans fill my mouth and at this point, I’m about to take him on the floor of this room without a care in the world.

“Nothing is going to get in the way of our happiness,” Sebastian vows between kisses, but suddenly it’s like gravity has shifted. I feel a dark weight immediately crash over me that has me paralysed with dread.

It can’t be…

“Oh, I beg to differ,” I hear a melodious voice say. A voice I’ve heard echoed through my nightmares for centuries.

With slow, trembling movements, I glance to the side to see furious liquid silver eyes staring at me making my blood run cold.

“Merlos…”