Radella tumbled onto her bed exhausted from the extended training Alek put her through. Two more days till she would be put on real guard duty and she had to be able to control her elven powers. It was not that she hadn't done it before. She was able to dull out all of her elven advantages. But she was allowed to use some of her gifts here. Shifting blurred the lines of what was acceptable in this realm and what was not for her. Even when she was in her dire-wolf form, there were restrictions of what she could do.
She was incessantly annoyed at Alek's pedantic lectures and shoving ill tasted tonics down her throat. Radella finally lashed out at Alek the other night to get an actual healer instead of him dabbling for the right ingredients. She had tried over a dozen tonics for different purposes on distinguishing her powers. Some were more potent than others. After Winry left from a lesson after the brunch, Alek frolicked over to her rooms with another concoction of herbs. It put her to sleep for the rest of the day the minute she swallowed it.
It was not only the herbs but the unforgiving training. Radella had trained everywhere with different elves. That was the point: elves. She had never trained with another race. Shifting exercised forgotten muscles that she never used before in her life.
On top of that, she still trained with Equilibrium from dusk till dawn. Radella started to use fire magic with Equilibrium and learned it's dance. Moved with it as if she were one with it. When she grew bored with fire, she tried water. Radella found that she is rigid compared to water and not as fluid. Flexibility was her main issue that she loved to ignore but now she had to deal with it.
Radella learned that there were countless rumors floating around about her. Apparently there were rumors that Alek had asked for her hand in marriage. There were others telling the sob story of where she came from. Then, there was still that small rumor a float that she is the forgotten Heir of Terragon. The king stopped paying attention to her, then again Radella avoided his presence like the plague. Every time she stood next to him or in the same area that rumor would spread like wildfire again. Then there were rumors of the West Witches of course. Apparently, she is the only person Dawn had taken her time to talk to. Radella had forgotten about Dawn since there last encounter at brunch.
The princess, another reminder of her failure. She hadn't been close to getting her out now that she was tied closely to the royal family. It made everything sticky. If Alek hadn't said she was a shifter she would've been gone by now. It was a simple rescue mission which turned into almost a month long excursion.
Radella took a deep breath and exhaled clearing her head of one thought that never left her busy mind, Rey. She couldn't wrap her head around it, she couldn't fathom it. Why did he kiss her? To him, Radella was certainly young and inexperienced for him. So why waste time running after her? Even though, Rey was wise and humble she could relate to him in almost every way. They both were legends to the elves, even though he grew into a war hero for this realm. They both came from a mixed blood line, though Radella is starting to ponder that her father was just woodsmen. They both are heirs of their kingdom and warrior royalties. She thought she knew everything about him until she thought of him in the darkest hours and realized she knew nothing of the mysterious prince. It puzzled her.
A gust of wind hit her body softly as a familiar scent filled her nose and a body plopped down next to her. Speak of the devil; she turned her head to find Rey laying on his back next to her. His eyes were shut displaying his peaceful aura he carried with him everywhere he went. His dark grey hair sprawled on his face and stubble etched his jaw. The light from the fire contoured his face splendidly.
"Are you going to stare at me or badger me where I've been?" he asked with a smirk growing on his face.
Radella clicked her tongue and looked back up at the ceiling, "If it's not directly connected to me I do not care to know."
"Charming as always," he opened his sapphire black lined eyes.
"But if you really must share," Radella looked back into those stunning eyes. "Then please do."
"Not until I hear of your grand adventures in the topaz castle," his eye danced in amusement.
Radella sat up too quickly. Her muscles ached from the day's training and extremely regretted it. Rey pulled her back into  his chest with one arm. Radella didn't fight as she was pulled into his chest. Centuries of training honed his body as her head felt the muscles in his chest expand as he inhaled. His scent filled her nose. He smelled of fresh snow and pine that made her stomach do flips.
"If you really must know," Radella sighed, "Relentless training and dozen of sickening tonics."
"Tonics?" Rey looked down at her as she nodded.
"To mute my powers and immortal-ness."
Rey reached into one of his many coat pockets and then held up in the light a clear vile. "Here," he put it closer to her face, "this should do the trick. Been using it for years."
Radella snatched the vile out of instinct. Thank the gods above, no more testing tonics with Alek. "Thank the gods above." Radella proclaimed with amazement.
"You should've told me sooner," Rey waved his hand and shrugged his shoulder. "I would've given it to you."
"Well if someone hadn't disappeared I would've told you," She huffed as she reached over Rey to put the vile on her bedside table. As she went to retreat back to her spot, Rey caught her at the lips. Radella froze out of surprise. Heat rised to her cheeks as he pushed her down into the bed and hovered over her. His lips moved slowly to savor her. Radella was hypnotized as she lost her fingers in his hair. All the worries of the world gone for a moment. Then he parted.
He looked down at her, "I've been wanting to do that since the moment I laid eyes on you."
Radella was speechless. How could she have been so blind to not realize? They lived under the same roof, ate together, trained together. He taught her how to use Equilibrium. They had laughed together and she never knew till now.
What Radella couldn't say were made up by her actions as she closed the space between them again. Sparks flared inside her as his tongue snaked into her mouth. She never felt this before in her life as she let him dominate. His hands roamed her body making her blood roar. Her hands tangled in his hair as she tried to keep up with his movements. He slowly went to unbutton the top of her black tunic when someone knocked on her rooms door.
Out of fright, Radella jumped up with lightening speed pushing Rey out of the way. She ran out of her bedroom and shut the door before she opened the main door to her rooms. Now, Alek obnoxiously knocked on her door and called her alias hoping she would open the door. She took in a breath as she straightened her tunic and fumble with her hair.
"What Alek?" she snapped as she opened the door to find Alek holding a stack of books. His face was stone cold at her response.
Alek pushed the stack of book into her arms, "I'm bored of the same stack of books you have lying around. These are the ones I prefer to read that I think you'll be fond of." Radella was taken back by surprise. She had no idea that Alek read for fun.
"It never came to mind that heir was so fond of reading," Radella walked inside and set the books on a table. Alek trailed behind her as she examined a book. "Especially one of romance and gothic literature." She gave him a sidelong glance and arched her eyebrow, "Are you sick?"
Alek scoffed, "Hardly. I know you would throw away jewelry or clothing that anyone would get you but you would appreciate fine literature and chocolate any day."
"Are you in love with me Alek Ravenhart," she taunted him with a sly smile.
He blushed and rolled his eyes, "Just a gift for your hard work and dedication. Also for searching for the lost princess."
Radella skimmed over a book, "Why do you care so much for this princess? I thought you never bother with royal girls since you never paid me a second glance."
"You shot me with an arrow."
"A poison tipped arrow," Radella cut him off, "and you got in my way. I never intentionally aimed at you."
"Well anyway," he picked up one of the books from the stack and handed it to her, "this one is my favorite. Im bonded to the princess by blood and she is the sole purpose of my whole entire being. I would've never been born if she hadn't been born. I've always had a part of me that is missing, and she has that missing piece."
"Sounds like a tragic love story if you ask me," Radella started to read the last page of the book he handed to her. Boredom dragged on her words.
"Why are you reading the last page," Alek looked impalled.
"No surprises," Radella answered, "Really it's the journey that matters not so much of how it ends. Instead of guessing what happens, I know. Then, it allows me to enjoy the journey." Alek slammed the book shut.
"You'll not read the end of this book," he took the book away from her, "You have to read this one from beginning to end. Just this one."
Radella rolled her eyes, "Even telling me how to read books. Your a tyrant you know. A dictating tyrant swine." She pointed at him with a hand on her hip.
Alek snorted, "Says the Red Heir who prances into a court meeting and taking the prisoner with her under one word."
"You're still alive," She shot him an evil glare. "Is there anything else, except a gift of gratitude?"
He snorted as he rolled his eyes, "You are training with the pack tomorrow be prepared."
"In other words play nice," Radella asked watching him walk to the door. Alek nodded and mumbled a good night as he slipped out of her rooms. She rolled her eyes as she sauntered over to her bedroom door forgetting Rey was waiting.
When she opened the door Rey had stripped off his tunic. His broad muscled chest gleamed in the light. Radella had seen him countless of times without a shirt but she froze at the door taking him in. A body toned from years and years of extensive training. A body that bore scars to tell the tales of the many wars he fought. Rey finally turned to her as he stood in front of the fireplace and gave her his infamous smile.
"So, we were talking about tonics," Radella closed the door behind her. Rey chuckled at how she ignored their moment, "and you never told me where you went."
Rey sighed and gazed back at the fire as Radella walked to him, "I was across the continent attending to some ignored family business." He said plainly.
"Across the continent?" Radella raised her eyebrows.
"Dark elven territory," Rey finally looked down at her, "my sister is..." He searched for the words. "Well she is the heir to the dark elves and you see she is-"
Radella knew very well who the heir was as she cut him off, "a sociopath. She's your sister?" Radella furrowed her eyebrows not believing for one second a psychotic dark elf princess is related to Rey. He was normal and everything far from evil.
Radella had encountered the dark princess once, and it was not pleasant either. Her and a friend from the Between Desert were messengers to send important documents to the King of the Dark Elves. They encountered her during their way out to venture back to the desert. The night before they were to leave her friend was kidnapped by the princess. This sent Radella frantic searching every square inch for her friend and when she found the princess holding her friend hostage, Radella did not hold back. Radella did not use weapons, no she shifted and used claws instead. Radella still paraded around with the wicked scar the princess left across the back of her neck.
"Yeah," Rey wrapped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her into his side, "My father was the bastered son of the royal family and my uncle is the king. Before my mother there was another mistress that mothered my sister. Since my uncle never had a child my sister is next in line."
"What was it that needed your attention which involved your sister?" Radella asked watching the flames dance in the fireplace.
"Red," he breathed, "We've waited for centuries now." Radella felt his eyes on her, "We've been waiting for you. We have waited a whole generation for you to take your mother's place. The time has come that we three all take our place."
Radella's breathing hitched. "A generation," Radella swallowed, "you knew my mother?" She asked. Radella longed for her mother like every child but she would never admit it.
"Yes," Rey kissed the top of her head, "I had to discuss with my uncle about my sister's mental condition for soon she, like you, will have to take the throne." Rey hooked a finger under her chin and made her look at him, "but if I'm completely honest with myself." She searched his eyes for any hint of false truth, to see if this was all a game to woe her into the throne. All Radella could detect was genuine and undying love, "I had to leave to get you off my mind. Seeing how that did not work, I've finally come to the conclusion that I'm in love with you."
He kissed her slowly as her buzzing thoughts halted then disappeared. He pulled her closer as her blood roared to feel his bare chest. He was like a boulder, unmoving, strong, everything she was not. With one sweep of his arm, Radella was in his arms and then placed gently on the bed as if she were fragile. As if she was his most prize possession.
Lips on lips, teeth clashing, fighting for dominance. Radella's hands roamed over his body making him growl and pinning her hands to the bed making her defenseless. Time slowed as everything around them disappeared; Radella had never experienced anything like this before, and she craved more. Rey's hand smoothly glided over her tunic buttons stripping it off of her. Radella's breathing hitched as his calloused hand groped her breast. Rey's lips wandered off her lips and trailed kisses down to her neck as he stripped away her tunic making her vulnerable to him. Radella wanted to stop him but the thirst of pleasure was louder than the self-control. His lips found hers again as he lowered his body. Rey's muscles dominated her as she knotted her fingers in his hair. As his hands wandered lower to the waist band of her pants, Radella's instincts kicked in. She hesitantly pushed Rey away creating distance between them.
"Rey," she breathed, "I don't think I should," she looked for the right words, "I'm not ready yet." Radella squeezed out. The truth was she never had gotten this far before. She had a few minor relationships but none that were realistic.
Rey's eyes widened in embarrassment, "Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Radella covered her bare breasts with her arms, "Just don't want to taint the family name." Both of them chuckled.
Rey pulled the covers of her bed to cover her with, "No, we don't want that. I know your mother would not be happy with that and certainly your grandmother."
Radella slipped into the covers and motioned him to get in with her, "How well did you know my mother?" Radella was always curious about her mother but did not dare to ask afraid it would trigger memories.
Rey climbed in and held her, "All too well Red."
"I wonder what she would think of  me now," Radella nuzzled into his chest.
"She would be proud of you Red. She loved you unconditionally." Radella stayed silent as she listen to the rhythm of his heart beat. The sound of his beating heart only drown out million thoughts that clustered her mind for a minute. Then they filled her brain like water spilling over the edges of the bucket. One thought overruled the rest: soon it will be time to take the throne