Page 91 of The Time Of Queens

“But I must know, why didn’t I know who you were to me?” he asked after tucking me by his side and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

Before I could say anything, however, Pip put her hand up and waved, telling him,

“At a guess, I would say I had something to do with it… which means I am just gonna say it now and get it over with… My…”

“My bad, we know.”

“My bad, we know,” Sophia and I said at the same time, making Pip look all puppy eyed, before adding,

“Aww look, the team’s back together.”

I grinned and said, “Technically, I had my team there, as you were both…”

“Uh uh, nope, don’t want to hear it. That wasn’t me,” she interjected, making me argue,

“It was, Pip.”

“No, that was society me, posh me… borrrring me,” she argued, making me shrug my shoulders and say,

“Fair enough.”

“Well, we are all here now, and that’s all that matters,” I said, and at this Draven turned me to face him, before tipping my chin back and telling me,

“And back where you belong, where…”

“You will forever stay.”

33

VAULT OF SECRETS

Later that day…

“Draven,where are we going? Only, no offence, but I thought this would be the last place you would want me to see again,” I said, after he had walked me through the library and into the door at the fireplace that led back into the Janus Temple.

Since our blow-out earlier, I had taken a shower, eaten a hot meal, and was now dressed in fresh clothes that didn’t feel like I had put them on weeks ago.

Which meant that I now had a full belly, clean hair that was twisted up into a clip, and I was wearing clothes that felt deliciously soft against my skin with underwear that didn’t include boning. I had moisturised every inch of my skin, meaning I was now smelling of winter candy apple from a bath set that Pip had gotten Draven for Christmas. I think she thought it would be flavoured and therefore, she ended up disappointed that it couldn’t be licked off my body. No more so than my husband, as she knew that Draven would have appreciated any gift like this. That being said, he didn’t reallyneed the excuse, as he often indulged in trying to taste every inch of me, candy winter apple or not. As for me, I was happy to take the gift, as it smelled divine.

But as for my modern-day pampering, I had even shaved everything to the point that I emerged from the bathroom feeling like a new woman. Or should I say, my old self, as it felt good to be home. Draven, at the time, had been dealing with all that Jared had told him, making calls and arrangements to summon a Table of Kings meeting, like Jared had suggested.

Which meant this gave me plenty of time to feel human again, or should I say, to feel supernatural.As it soon became apparent that wearing my old clothes and smelling more like my twenty first century self wasn’t the only change. Because not only was I back, but so were my supernatural abilities.

It really was like I had never left.

Which certainly helped with getting ready quicker. As for what I now wore, I chose a soft, chunky cashmere sweater, that had a big boat neckline and fell off one shoulder. It was a light cream colour that paired well with the stone-wash jeans that were tighter on my bum and flared at the edge around the brown boots I wore. Even wearing my bra felt like heaven compared to the torture devices of the past. And don’t even get me started on what it was like being able to go on a proper toilet. Even the toilet paper made me moan happily. I swear, four ply was all we were buying from this point on!

As for our daughter, I still hadn’t been able to speak with her, but I was at least assured she was alright when Lucius appeared to tell us that all was well. She was currently sleeping, as clearly, we hadn’t been the only ones left feeling exhausted by the trip. I think even I had nearly fallen asleep twice in the shower, and I had been standing up.

Lucius also said that he would let us know when she was awake. After that, he didn’t say much more as it was clear hewas eager to get back to her. I was just thankful that he was thoughtful enough to come and let us know. As he obviously knew that we would have been worried.

As for my own King, he found me in our room just as I was zipping up my boots, telling me that he needed me to see something.

That it was time.

Not exactly a word I would have used, seeing as I was still a bit sensitive to anything to do with time but hey ho. My face when Pip had suggested we all watch the Back to the Future trilogy, was something that ended, once again, with Sophia and I replying as one… and a single word at that…NO.

But back to what was happening now, as I was being led through one of the vast and gigantic hallways of the Temple. It had to be noted that he was not leading me towards the fountain, but further away from it.

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