Chapter 58: Is it Time Already?
Kara
Tabby has the grace to look down, a soft blush gracing her cheeks.
“I forgot you are used to different meats than what we have here. Kipplers are a small water snake we have an abundance of in our Realm. They are super versatile, like chicken is.”
“Why not use chicken then?” Ada asks, slightly green while she processes that she's just eaten a snake.
“We do usually, but we discovered Kipplers when our Realm went through a horrible storm around 18 years ago. So many of our livestock and crops were lost, so we had to find alternatives. Now we hunt and eat them to keep the population under control and as a special meal before battle. Kipplers are full of vitamins that give the men a special edge before battle. At least that’s what they tell me. I think they just like the special meal.” She chuckles at the end, but I’m stuck on the storm she mentioned. For a few moments, the only sound in the room is us eating before I can’t stop myself.
“What storm? I thought the Realms were created to prevent drought and famine like that?” Tabby looks up, then back down as she flushed crimson. Silence continues before Clara’s head snaps up and locks eyes with Tabby before nodding in understanding.
“They are, but the Realms can only do so much when the storms weren’t natural.” Understanding clicks at Aunt Clara’s vague response.
“The storms were Leif, weren’t they?’ Tabby nods once, then drops her spoon, covering her face.
“Leif was so lost to his grief the day you were born. He should be the one to explain everything that happened, because it’s part of his story to tell.” I nod and we resume our silence as we finish eating. Standing and grabbing my bowl to take care of it, I stop when Azara jumps up ahead of me, grabbing the bowl from my hand.
“I’ll take that, your mag…Kara.” She smiles, gathering everyone else's bowls as well before taking them to the sink.
“I’m capable of taking care of my own mess, Azara.”
“Not on my watch, or anyone else’s, for that matter. You’re our Queen, Kara. How many Queens do you know that cook or clean up after themselves?”
“Well, I don’t know any Queens frankly, but I knew a wonderful Luna, who is akin to a queen, and she always helped in the kitchen and with chores. She always said that we were all people, no matter our social standing, and it would do our souls good to remember that no task was beneath us.” I smile at Aunt Clara brightly. I may have been young when things went bad, but that is one lesson I will never forget.
“Forgive me then, it’s different than the way I was raised, and I’ll do better to remember that.” I try to hide a yawn and earn a chuckle from Azara.
“Why don’t you head on to bed? I’m sure the men won’t be too much longer.” I look around and see I’m not the only one fighting exhaustion. After hugs, we part ways to head to our respective rooms. I look longingly between the bath and the bed. I stride to the closest, grabbing a bathing sheet and a nightgown before stripping down and heading to the corner. After setting my things on the ledge, I climb inside, sighing as the warm water rises up my body. I settle in on the ledge and lay my head against the smooth stone, closing my eyes in bliss. My thoughts drift to Leif, and goosebumps cover my skin. I feel like I barely know him, but something about him pulls me to him. I know it’s the mate bond, but it feels deeper than that. I feel like once our mating bond was complete, something big was going to happen. I considered asking Hera and Laine, but they only ever gave me crumbs compared to the amount of knowledge they could share with me. Thinking of completing the mating bond sent a shiver through me, heating my body more than the naturally warm spring water was. I had no idea what to expect when it came to that stuff. Normally, thinking about it terrified me, but after today’s talks with Aunt Clara and Ada, I’m starting to wonder what would happen if I made a move. Make a mover? Like, I even know what a move is to make. I roll my eyes and sink a little farther into the water.
‘You know, we may only give you crumbs, but we can talk to you about mating. That’s not anything that’s going to matter to Fate.’ Laine offers.
‘Plus, you kind of know some stuff. Don’t you remember that dream when we were in Crystal Cove?’ Hera reminds me smugly, and I feel my cheeks burning. Oh, I definitely remembered that dream.
‘My advice: go to bed naked. He’ll lose his mind and won’t be able to resist touching you. Things will go from there.’ Laine purrs, loving the idea.
“I don’t think the night before we’re going to fight and save my mother is the best time to try and seduce my mate,” I reply, standing to get out of the bath.
“It’s the best time to seduce your mate.” Leif growls, and I scream, dropping back into the water. He chuckles, closing the door and slowly walking towards me. I gulp and take a deep breath.
“I didn’t hear the door,” I say softly, refusing to look up from the water
“Don’t be embarrassed, little one. I was trying to be silent. I didn’t want to wake you if you were already asleep. I’m glad I was, I doubt I’d have heard what you said otherwise.” He reaches the bath and slowly strips his shirt off, and my brain short-circuits. This isn’t he first time I’ve seen him shirtless, but the view just keeps getting better every time. I never knew a body could have that many well-defined muscles, and it should be a sin, frankly.
‘Mmm, I wanna lick those muscles.’ Hera purrs in my head. My eyes go wide because the idea of running my tongue over any part of his body has my insides turning to goo. Shut up, Hera! I yell at her, and she has the nerve to laugh.
‘You like the idea too, Kara.’ I block her out and look to Leif and squeal as he drops his pants before stepping into the water with me. I back away to the opposite side and look away. Leif comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me, sending shockwaves across my body. He leans down and buries his nose in my neck, pressing soft kisses just below my ear. He licks up the side of my neck before nipping at my ear gently. One of his hands splays on my hip, the other casually running its way over my torso. His hand lightly grazes over my breast, and I moan at the strange sensation as he growls in my ear.
"There is never a bad time to seduce your mate, my Kaer."