Page 29 of Realm of Flames (Reborn 3)
“Who is sleeping together?” Croy asked curiously as we entered back into the main room. Despite this clearly not being the realm he was most comfortable in, he looked relaxed. Although there was a very vibrant contrast between his dark clothes and intense green eyes and the light, warm shades around us. I didn’t usually view Croy as dangerous, but in comparison to everything else around us, he looked very much like the lethal predator I knew his wolf could be.His wolf I still had yet to meet.
“I was saying the beds were too small for everyone,” I pointed out. “You guys are massive, so we should sleep in a bigger bed all together. Makes far more sense.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Atlas chuckled before dropping me on a couch next to Croy. My mate crouched down next to me and squeezed my hand. “For now though, you should get ready. We can go see the physician as soon as you’re ready.”
Oh. So soon?
I nodded nervously and looked towards the one door I had yet to enter. I stood up and neared it, knowing that Marco was in there. I knocked only once before the door opened, finding Marco going through a large box of something on the bed, his eyes filled with a relaxed warmth that made me feel better about everything going on.
“Getting ready?” he asked.
“Yes.” I nodded and approached the box with curiosity. “What is all of this?”
“Some stuff we left behind from academy. I was trying to see if there was anything worth bringing back.”
My fingers immediately selected a photograph from some thick sweaters and flags that featured both the royal crest and another red and gold one. The picture, though, had me smiling as a small laugh escaped my lips.
“How old were you guys here?” I asked, looking at the picture of a much younger Marco and Atlas.
“Maybe fifteen?” His arm tightened around my waist, and I looked up at him before looking back down at the photo. I had to admit, Marco was much bigger now than he had been, but I could see the same eyes and familiar smile. Although it was toned back a bit, not as free as it was now… around me, at least. Atlas looked far more different, his hair pulled back and face a bit more youthful and soft.
“You should bring all of this back,” I murmured. “I love memories like this.”
My chest squeezed, realizing that I had no childhood photos of myself. No childhood really to speak of. Marco, as if sensing my mood, set down the photo and clasped my jaw, tilting it up so that I was looking into his mint eyes.
“I promise we will make a ton of new memories.” His voice was soft and almost vulnerable, making me nod as I curled into him. I almost found myself wanting to ask him if we could ditch this doctor thing for a bit and instead cuddle or watch a movie. I wanted more time together, even if it was only an hour or so.
“Marco, we need to get to the physician.” A voice from the door had me looking up to find Atlas watching us.
“I know,” he grumbled and nipped my ear, making me jolt. “Alright baby girl, go get ready. There are clothes in the bathroom. They were delivered this morning, they should work for our time here.”
I would never understand how Marco thought ahead about stuff like that—it was really impressive. I pressed a kiss to his cheek and walked towards the connected suite, closing the door behind me as I regarded the large white and gold bathroom that was actually very impressive.
As I began getting ready, I found myself growing increasingly more nervous. Not just about the physician, but the plans for the night as well. What did I know about meeting a queen? I didn’t want to mess this up for my mates or embarrass them. I knew they clearly held power here to some extent—everyone treated them as such—but I still was nervous that I would cause problems for them. I did find it interesting that the dominance and power they seemed to have on Earth was only intensified here.
Quickly, I took a shower, wanting to wash the mud and blood off me but wishing there was a way to keep Henry’s scent on me. I pulled my hair back and just washed my body and face, loving the way the hot water seemed to roll off my skin and the feel of the expensive soaps, making my skin feel far softer than ever before. After stepping out, I let down my hair and looked at myself in the mirror, wondering how extensively I needed to get ready for this.
Brushing out my hair, I secured the top half back with a jeweled clip that was on the vanity. I wasn’t positive how they had managed to gather so many different products for me in such a short amount of time, but I was taking full advantage of it, the process soothing a part of my soul that was very anxious about all of this. I wasn’t fantastic with makeup, but I did the best I could, freshening up and making sure to lightly line my eyes that seemed more gold than brown today. When I was done, I turned towards a door that was partly open, clearly leading to a massive walk-in closet.
Stepping into the room, candle-like lights along the walls lit up to reveal rows and rows of clothing, both male and female. Immediately, my eyes pulled towards a grouping of pink dresses, some of them glinting with cream and gold, much like what I’d worn earlier. Was it too much to hope for something a bit lighter than the heavy dress from before? The one that was now sitting in a pile on the bathroom floor? I felt bad about that, but to be fair, it was not only torn from the Ledger incident but had dirt on it.
A smile broke out onto my face as I found a light dress made of pink tulle with a cream colored base that looked to be off the shoulder. It was looser and looked like it was floor length, a gold ribbon wrapping around the center of the dress, but considering everything in here appeared to be extremely formal, I was going to have to assume that was normal.
I grabbed a pair of undergarments from the shelf below it, a pair of simple lace white panties the only thing provided. I slipped them on and then grabbed the dress, gently easing it on over my head, the cream slip tightening on my body as if it was made for me. I let the material fall around me and then easily tied the gold bow, adjusting the off-the-shoulder straps and walking back towards the entrance of the closet. I paused only momentarily to grab a pair of gold sandals that slipped on easily and allowed me to stand in front of the full-length mirror feeling as though my outfit was complete.
“Maya?” Atlas’s deep voice echoed from outside the door as I threw it open and offered him a smile. His uniform seemed to be slightly different now, the materials the same but with added elements, like a gold brocade jacket and different boots that fit the castle to perfection. Yep, it was very clear ‘formal’ was a thing here. I was thrilled with my choice now. The room behind him was empty and he followed as I walked into it, his eyes running over me as I waited curiously for his reaction.
“Angel.” His voice finally came out in a rumble mixed with appreciation. “You look intoxicating.”
“She looks like a fucking cupcake,” Sai mused. He stood in the doorway of the suite, his eyes burning as they ran over me. Then his smile grew. “Or a present with that bow.”
“A present?” I mused and then tilted my head, deciding I liked cupcakes better. Although with how the two of them were looking at me, I would take either.
“You can eat a cupcake though.” Atlas flashed a smile over his shoulder.
“As always, a good point.” Sai’s chest produced a rumble as shivers broke out on my skin, and I took a step towards him. Atlas let out a small laugh, and I narrowed my eyes at him with a small scowl as he caught me around the waist. Why was everyone always trying to stop me from going to my mates? We were going to have to have a serious talk about this. Or maybe it was just that we had important stuff to do and I was doing everything and anything to avoid that.
“Come on, angel, the three of us are going to head over to the medical wing,” he said and kissed my temple. “We can have fun later.”
Well, that was a better idea at least.
“Or now,” Sai shared my thoughts clearly as his eyes ran over me again before turning towards the door.
“Where are the others?” I questioned.
“They will probably meet us there. There was some stuff they had to prepare for tonight. Croy should be—”
“Coming with.” Croy appeared, his outfit adjusted as well. He looked over me, a small growl leaving his throat before he muttered a curse and shook himself.
I couldn’t help but smile because I was starting to realize that no matter what I wore, it made my mates all growly. A concept that happily distracted me from my upcoming appointment.
