Chapter 21

I groan as sunlight falls on my eyes, waking me from my dreams. Warm arms hold me protectively against a warm body, and I smile as I open my eyes to see Alekai sleeping blissfully, a soft smile on his face. I lay there, watching him sleep. A month has passed since Nole tried to rape and murder me; his trial ended in his execution yesterday afternoon. Linnate and her family have been banned from entering the Palace for a year unless for official business, meaning I would no longer have to see that whore as often as I used to. The Palace feels safe for me to roam the halls again, no longer worried if Linnate and her flying monkeys would try something on me when I run into them.

“Good morning, Lyra.” A deep voice calls out, and I notice Alekai looking at me.

“Good morning, Kai.” I reply, leaning forward and placing a light kiss on his lips. I can’t help but smile as I snuggle closer into his arms, hearing him chuckle as his hand plays with my hair.

“How long have you been up?” He asks, and I sigh.

“Not too long, maybe thirty minutes. I left you to sleep because you need it.” And the truth is he does. Since the night Nole broke into the study, Alekai has been training the guards and improving the Palace's security, being gone all day and arriving late at night, sneaking into bed. I spent those days with Ali in the kitchen, Adam trailing behind me with the pups in his arms while I cooked and baked with my friend, or in the redesigned study training Chaos and Nova and returning to my room at curfew as always, falling asleep with only the pups to cuddle. If it weren’t for his side of the bed being messy and warm from the nights before waking or being woken up in the middle of the night with Alekai teasing me until I screamed his name in pleasure, I would have thought Alekai was staying up late and neglecting his sleep.

“Thanks for that, beautiful. I forgot to mention that tomorrow is a charity ball my mother is hosting. I have your dress delivered today for you to try on, with me beside you, of course.” I roll my eyes at his innuendo, pushing Alekai away playfully. After the attack, I had gotten my menstruation, happy to know that all the sex with Alekai did not lead to a baby.

“You’re free today?” I ask, making sure.

“After a quick meeting at noon, I am all yours after two in the afternoon.” I smile at his words, already planning a picnic surprise that we never got the chance to have yet.

“Do you think you can meet me in the study then?”

“Of course.” He kisses my forehead gently, resting his chin on the top of my head and taking a deep breath as we lay in bed, talking about what I have been up to the last few days before the clock chimes the time and forces us to get ready for the day.

“I have a surprise for you, Lyra, before I have to prepare for the meeting,” Alekai states as I tug a sweater over my head. The weather in the capital is becoming cooler, signalling fall is on its way.

“What’s the surprise?” I ask, throwing my hair into a messy bun. He smirks, motioning me to his side where he promptly kisses me passionately, his tongue sweeping across my lips, prying for access, which I give. I moan, my body starting to heat up and the feeling of need growing, but he ends the kiss with a chuckle pulling away and wrapping his arms around me.

“This is a reminder of what I want to do tonight with you.” He whispers seductively before taking my hand and leading me out the room, me cursing his teasing and the serums that altered my genetics. I thought that the effects would have worn off, but a conversation with Doc the day after the assault proved me wrong. The serum given to slaves, especially those meant for sex and pleasure, was designed by a scientist when the trading business picked up. It alters the DNA of the recipient and will last for a lifetime.

I follow Alekai, the short walk ending in front of a door that leads to empty rooms.

“What’s this?” I ask, staring at the door skeptically.

“Your surprise, go take a look.” Under Alekai’s encouragement and expectant gaze, I slowly turn the handle and open the door, gasping when I see inside. A gleaming, brand new kitchen with marble countertops and perfect appliances greeted me, a large fridge with what I hope is filled with ingredients sitting just to the left of the kitchen. Taking a step in, I notice the wall connected to the adjoining room is gone. Instead, a lounge with bookshelves, sofas and chairs greets me, and a small fire in the stone fireplace adds warmth.

“It took a lot of work keeping this from you after you explained what you wanted. I will admit I asked Duke Roland for help with the design.” Alekai states, and I shriek happily, turning and hugging the man.

“I love it. Kai, this is amazing!” He chuckles, hugging me back before letting me go to explore the room, noticing two dog beds placed under a window where warm sunlight filters in.

“Elisa has the pups right now. She should be bringing them back soon.” As if on cue, the sound of barking comes down the hallway before Chaos and Nova bound inside the room, circling Alekai and I.

“Oh good, you showed her this room,” Elisa states, her uniform slightly dishevelled, some mud splattered on the hem in the shape of paws.

“Yes, I did. Now I have a meeting to get to.” With that, Alekai gives me one last kiss before walking out of the room, Elisa coming to stand with me as I admire the room again.

“Have you ever baked cookies?” I asked the Maid, seeing her shake her head no. With a grin, I take her hand, pulling her towards the kitchen, where I promptly get her to wash her hands. I was in a baking mood, and with this new kitchen of my own, I’d be damned not to use it.

…

“Something smells good in here.” I turn to the open door to see Alekai leaning against the frame, eyes closed as he takes a deep breath of the air. I chuckle, close the lid to the picnic basket stuffed with goodies, and turn to look at the clock. Elisa and I have spent the day baking. Adam arrived an hour after Alekai left but spent the time playing with the wolfdogs. Of course, he relished in the fruits of Elisa’s and my labour, taking treats from the cooling racks and sharing some with the dogs with my permission.

“Thank you. Elisa and I baked all day.” I reply, motioning to Elisa, who sat on a couch with a sleeping Nova in her lap while Chaos played tug-o-war with Adam.

“Lyra is a great teacher, and the treats are amazing.” Elisa chimes in, Adam chuckling as he shoves a cookie into his mouth.

“Well, I am free now, Songbird. Anything you have in mind?” Alekai chuckles out, making his way towards me, where he places a kiss on my lips.

“Actually, yes. Elisa and Adam are going to watch Chaos and Nova while we go on a date.” I retort, taking the picnic basket in hand before grabbing Alekai’s arm and dragging him towards the door, a bemused smile on his face.

“Have fun, you two!” Adam calls out just as we leave, and I chuckle. Alekai allows me to lead him down the stairs and towards his study. This picnic was long overdue, and I would not allow anyone to disturb us. Once in his study, my steps falter before continuing to the doors leading to the patio. My grip on Alekai tightens as the memories of what happened here flash before my eyes, causing me to shiver. Since that night when Nole attacked me, I haven’t been able to step inside. And so I rush to open the doors, happy when the fresh air hits my face.

“I plan to have my study moved,” Alekai says, closing the doors.

“Why?” I ask, turning to look at him.

“Because working in here without you sucks. I know you don’t feel safe there anymore, and I want to give you a safe home.” My heart melts at his explanation, and I smile, leaning in and planting a kiss on his jaw.

“How about we renovate it instead? This is the only way towards the wildflowers, and I don’t want to lose them.” He readily agrees to my suggestion, making me feel blissfully happy knowing that Alekai has my best interest at heart. It makes me feel like his one and only; how I wish I could make that happen. But he is a Prince, and I his slave. We would have to fix this status in order to have a real relationship. With a silent sigh, Alekai and I make our way to the wildflower field, where the scent of the flowers relaxes me. Setting the basket down, I take out the blanket from the basket and hand it to Alekai, who promptly sets it on the ground for us to lay on, and with that, the picnic commences.

“So, what was the meeting about?” I ask casually, taking out the bowls of food and setting them between us on the blanket.

“The usual. Father wants to arrange a marriage for me, and Mother is trying to push Linnate as a candidate. They finally stopped when I threatened to renounce my claim to the throne.” He chuckles at the end, taking a snickerdoodle and biting into it, moaning as he chews.

“Jesus, they weren’t kidding about your skills. These are amazing.” I blush at his outburst, happy to know that Alekai enjoys my baking as the two of us begin to eat, Alekai peppering me with praises for the sandwiches, cookies, pies, and pigs in a blanket.

“I feel like if I ate your food every day, I’d gain weight and become a fat Prince.” Alekai whispers as we lay on the blanket, the dirty dishes packed away in the basket. The breeze makes the tall wildflowers sway, and the warm sunshine in the early fall air keeps us warm.

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have built that kitchen.” I jokingly say, poking his stomach and getting a chuckle out of him.

“But seeing you so happy was worth it, Lyra. You deserve the best.” I blush at his words, snuggling into his side and sighing. Moments like these make me wish we were a normal couple on a date, not a slave and master.

“I forgot to tell you that tomorrow is a charity ball. Linnate and her family will be there, but I was hoping you’d be my date.” I lift my head in surprise, looking at Alekai who looks away sheepishly, a blush forming on his face. Is my Prince shy? I wonder, my heart fluttering.

“Of course, I’ll be your date, Kai.” I happily answer, tilting his face towards me with my free hand and kissing him gently.

“That’s good. There is no other girl I want beside me.” For some reason, I feel like his words hold a deeper meaning.