Page 26 of Mated to the Crown
“Nice to meet you. I’m Celeste.” She raises an eyebrow and I shrug. “I’m Malik’s mate?” I watch as her light brown eyes widen, her blonde eyebrows raise and she reaches her hand out to Nicholas. She grabs his shirt and pulls him close, whispering in his ear. I look between the two of them, feeling my cheeks redden. Should I not have said that?
Malik steps over to me and wraps his arm around my waist.
“Celeste, this is my Uncle Nicholas. Uncle, this is my mate.” He beams and I give Nicholas a nod, bending at the knees slightly like in the palace. Nicholas tsks and I glance up at him.
“I am no Royal, don’t do that. I am just Uncle Nicholas. Hug?” He holds his arms out and I step into his embrace. He is huge, much bigger than Malik so my head presses against his chest and my arms wrap around his waist. He laughs, his chest rumbling as he hugs me back. When we finish I step back and look at Malik, his face so happy and his smile spreads so proud.
“Ready to eat?” Nicholas asks, holding Daisy’s hand and heading to a small cafe nearby. I trail after them, Malik’s hand pulling mine into his.
CELESTE
We found a spot at the cafe named Daniel’s. People fill the other tables near us and it bustles with activity. I look around, seeing different types of food on everyone’s plates. Some people have french toast, some have eggs and sausage. There are even people with sandwiches and coffee. What kind of place is this? I had never been to a restaurant, always dreamed about it but now that we are here I don’t even know how this works.
“So, nephew, tell me of life. I heard my mother passed away?” Nicholas interrupts my thoughts and I look at him. Oh my Goddess. His mother passed and he hasn’t seen her in forever. Did he leave because of her? I don’t think Malik ever specified.
“Yeah. Actually she was with Celeste and I when she passed. Well, more accurately with Celeste.” He admits.
“Oh you knew her?” He turns his attention to me and I nod, suddenly feeling scrutiny under his gaze.
“Yeah, I would read to her a couple times a week for the past 4 years.” I say quietly.
Nicholas glares at Malik before Daisy places her hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.
“I got pulled into the drama. I needed someone to be with her. Jeffries picked her!” Nicholas shook his head at Malik’s response before looking back at me.
“I told this knucklehead to take care of her.” His voice drops and I can hear the seriousness in it.
“He did the best he could.” I defend him. Nicholas looks at me before letting out a little chuckle. He points his thumb at me but speaks to Malik.
“She is a spitfire. Perfect for you.” Nicholas says.
“I know, right.” Malik laughs and takes my hand even though I glare at him.
The waiter comes over, asking us what we want to eat. Nicholas orders a coffee and a bagel with cream cheese. Daisy orders lemon water and scrambled eggs. The waiter looks at me and I don’t even know what to say. My throat goes dry and I swallow, the anxiety overwhelming me. This is nothing I know, I’m so out of place here.
“Two coffees, extra cream. Two turkey bacon wraps please.” Malik pipes up beside me. He loops his foot around the leg of my chair and pulls me closer to him. I can feel my face is red and a mixture of emotions rolls through me but his hand on mine reassures me. “We can talk about it later.” He whispers in my ear.
“Still living the life out here, Uncle?” He asks and Nicholas shakes his head before leaning back in the chair.
“Yeah well, it’s better than the palace. Daisy just opened her bakery.”
“No way! Congrats!” Malik beams and I echo his congratulations.
“What do you make?” I ask.
“Bread, pastries, bagels.” She leans toward me, whispering. “I make the bagels that are here. That is why this big oaf ordered one.” She elbows Nicholas.
“What a good, supporting husband.” I laugh and give him a nod.
The waiter comes out with our food shortly after and I stare as the food is set in front of us. The bagel Nicholas ordered is almost as big as the plate, fluffy and covered in seeds. The cream cheese oozes out the side of it and I almost wish I got that. Daisy’s lemon water has multiple slices of lemon in it, her food is steaming and little flecks of green are sprinkled on top of the eggs. Malik and I have the same thing but our coffee is lighter in color than Nicholas’. I take a sip, the sweet creamy taste immediately sending me on a sugar high. The wraps are filled with turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato and a ranch sauce that makes my mouth water.
We eat and chat, the men giving each other updates on life. Nicholas has been hard at work building the bakery out. They had gotten it at a steal of a price and worked tirelessly over the last few months until Daisy could open it. Nicholas is a contractor, working on projects for people here and there.
We finish out food and the waiter takes the plates and dishes away. I watch as Nicholas gives the waiter a signal and hands money over. Malik shoots him a look.
“I should be paying, we came to visit.” Malik grumbles.
“Oh please. Like you brought money with you.” Nicholas taunts and I can’t help but smile at their banter. They acted like my sister and I even though they were technically Uncle and Nephew. I learned that Nicholas was closer to our age than anyone else in the Royal family which made sense why they acted the way they did.
