Page 39 of Royal Bite
Once Cici was satisfied with her appearance, they left her quarters and walked to the front door.
“Miss Jaymes, your ride is ready for your trip into town.” Edward strode toward them. He had yet to crack a smile for Stormey. He had overseen her move to the new wing. With all of the items she now owned, it had taken an hour to get her moved. The six servants who were assigned to help her relocate didn’t waste any time.
“Hello, Edward. Thank you.” Stormey gave him a nod. She was slightly nervous about leaving the castle. Cici was right. Since she’d arrived, she hadn’t left.
He held open the door for her and bowed when she ambled past him.
Three large SUVs were parked out front. Stormey widened her eyes. Guards were standing outside with a few others. Desmond stood by the middle car. Upon seeing her, he opened the back door for her.
“All of this for me to go shopping?” Stormey laughed. She figured one guard would be sufficient. She stopped by the truck and glanced at the other guards who were waiting around.
“Unfortunately, yes,” a voice said behind her.
She spun around and found herself faced with Corbin, Hegna’s personal advisor. She peeked around him and didn’t see any sight of her vampire mate.
“As the mate of the warden of the largest territory and the heir to the throne, you are to be protected at all times.”
He offered a smile, and Stormey relaxed. She’d only spoken with him once before. On her tour of the stables, he’d been there brushing down a beautiful chestnut colt.
“And you are offering your protection?” She arched an eyebrow at him. Her lips curled up in a teasing manner.
“Oh, I’m not a fighter,” he scoffed.
Corbin was a handsome man, and his silver hair highlighted his features. She was sure he had people, vampires or human, falling at his feet. He grasped her hand and assisted her into the waiting vehicle. He took the seat next to her. Cici filed in behind them in the third row before Desmond shut the door.
“Hegna has seen to it that I can protect myself.”
“Did she train you?” Stormey asked softly. No matter that her heart had been stomped on by the vampire, she still wanted to know about her.
Desmond got into the passenger side while another guard slid into the driver’s seat.
“We’re ready to leave,” Desmond announced, holding his hand up to his ear. A few seconds later, their caravan took off.
“Hegna, train me?” He snorted and shook his head. “One time, and it was a disaster. I was sore for a week, and that was the only time I allowed her to try to teach me. She can be quite hard on us non-warriors, and I refused her as a teacher. Instead, she assigned one of her warriors to teach me.”
Stormey felt somewhat better hearing the story. So far, everything was going well with Zeke. Tomorrow was her next lesson. In the morning, she would work with him, and then after a shower and lunch, she’d meet with Miss Lavana for her other lessons. Both she looked forward to. Her teachers were wonderful, and she was learning so much.
“So, I hear it was you who recommended I get out so people can see me?” Stormey asked. She turned and looked out the window, watching the scenery fly by. The castle was located in a remote part of the town. Nature was beautiful in the state of Oklahoma. Snow covered everything. She was glad Cici had brought out her cloak. It was warm and comfortable. “Why?”
“Not only am I the personal advisor for Hegna, I am her friend. The initial meeting with Hegna was not a normal, chance meeting. She had saved my life, and I vowed to always be loyal to her. When she became a warden and commander of an army, she demanded I be her personal advisor.”
“Why did she demand this of you?” Stormey turned away from the window and faced Corbin. He was giving her so many details about her mate that she would not be able to read anywhere nor have her mate share with her. She was like a sponge, soaking up all the little tidbits that she could.
“Because she knew that I am completely loyal to her. I would never steer her wrong. I would always speak my mind and the truth to her.”
He paused, a strange look passing in his eyes that she couldn’t read.
He ran a hand along his jawline. “I also told her that she was wrong in pushing you away. She needs to stop being so damn stubborn and claim her mate. For some strange reason, she thinks she doesn’t deserve happiness and that she has to put her people before her.”
Stormey’s breath froze in her lungs. She blinked back tears that blurred her vision.
“I think you got it all wrong. She doesn’t want me.” Saying the words tore open a new wound in her chest. She glanced down at her hands, wondering if Hegna had shared this with him. “Did she really say that?”
“Not in so many words, but my dear friend never knows what is best for her. That’s why she has me as an advisor.” He smirked. He reached out and tapped her on her knee. “Don’t worry, my lady. Hegna knows she will have to deal with you at some point. She just needs time to realize that she can’t control everything. In the meanwhile, I’m going ensure that everything continues to move on as it should. While she’s out fighting those nasty lycans, I’ll help you learn how to run your home. The coven is going to want to see you, and eventually we will have the best damn soirée to introduce you two as a couple and the future of vampires.”
Stormey wiped the lone tear that slid down her cheek. She already felt slightly better listening to Corbin. It would seem she had an ally in him. He knew Hegna the best and if he thought she needed more time to acclimate to the notion that there were some things she couldn’t control, then Stormey would give her time. She was determined to be the best princess she could be. She was not only going to lead the vampires, but she wanted to include humans as well and bridge the gap between their two races.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
