Page 20 of Mated to the Crown
She looks around the stable and then nods. I interlace my fingers with hers and lead her out of the stables and down to the garage. I type in the number on the keypad of the 4th door and as it rises I squeeze her hand. Sitting in the garage is a Jeep,muddy and run down but she was my baby and if I couldn’t take Wrangler on this new journey, I would take wrangler the Jeep.
CELESTE
I don’t know what I was thinking, following after Prince Malik like this. I couldn’t find my sister so I left her a note, letting her know that I would be leaving with him for a few days and to not worry. I didn’t have much to pack so I had stuffed all the clothes I could in a backpack before changing into my only casual clothes. I didn’t know where we were going but being out in the woods with a dress didn’t sound fun.
I look at the car and then back at Malik. For some reason I expected a brand new luxury car to take us where we needed to go, yet here was a muddy and well used car. I climb in after him and look in between us to see it is a manual.
“Do you know how to drive?” He asks casually, pressing the brake and clutch down as it roars to life.
“It’s been a while and I don’t know how to drive a manual.” I laugh. “I’m honestly surprised you do.”
He smiles, pulling out of the spot and onto the road connected to the garages.
“My grandmother taught me. We would sneak away on Sunday afternoons and she would show me.” The mischief in his eyes makes me smile, and I feel a tightness in my chest.
I had never been off the palace grounds. My whole life was here. I bite the inside of my lip as we travel down the dirt road. We come to the end and hook a left onto the pavement. I want to speak but also I’m so nervous that I can’t even think of questions. I watch as we travel down the mountainside.
The road opens up, high cliffs on one side, jagged and raw, while the other side rolls down into the valley. The further we get from the palace the closer we get to the city. I move closer to the windshield, looking over the hood to the city below.
“You haven’t been out of the castle, have you?” Malik asks, not taking his eyes off the road.
“No.” I whisper.
The city is so busy, even from so high up I can see the small figures of people out in the streets walking around. I can hear the music from the valley lifting up into the air as we drive. The buildings all have lights on, windows open and look so modern compared to the palace. The walls of the houses are smooth, not brick and cement like what I am used to. The roofs are metal, sleek and sturdy looking. There were also large buildings dotted around the valley, some industrial buildings that looked like they were made from metal.
I take in all the sights of the city before we turn down a side road heading into the mountains and away from the city. I settle back into my seat and look at the trees that now surround us. It was darker here, the treetops covering the sun from shining down on us.
“I’ll bring you to the city in a few days if you want.” Malik breaks the silence, shifting before holding his hand out to take mine. I place it in his, feeling a connection and give him a squeeze.
We follow a windy path through the woods until we end up at a cottage. I had seen no other houses on the way, or even any other signs of civilization. The cottage is small but looks perfect. It is covered in wood with large beams connecting on the sides. A black roof engulfed with moss on one side and an outbuilding behind it.
Malik pulls the jeep to a stop and sits there for a moment, not turning off the car. I look over at him and he has a face I’m not familiar with. Something was conflicting him. His jaw is set, his eyes focused. I give his hand a little squeeze and he snaps out of it, turning the car off and giving me a smile.
“So, this is Grandma’s place. I need a break from the family. I think you need a break too. Nobody will bother us, Morgan and Jeffries will cover everything.” I nod as he speaks.
“I do need a break. I need to figure out some things.”Like us.I want to say but I don’t. He motions to the cottage and gets out of the car, helping me in.
Inside it is a basic setup, kitchen and living room on one side, two bedrooms on the other side and a bathroom in between. I bite my lip, realizing I am alone in this place with him. Will we share a bed? I clench my thighs thinking about it.
“So, this is it. Nothing fancy. Do you want to walk around the place or just chill?” He throws his bag into a room and mine along with it before running back out to the jeep to bring in some food. He puts it in the fridge and on the counter before looking at me. He looks relaxed. His hair is messy and not styled like usual, but I prefer it this way.
“We can just chill if that’s okay? I’m kind of overwhelmed with everything.” I admit. I watch as he closes the door and takes my hand, leading me to the large couch in the living room. He pulls me down onto the couch with him so I am snuggled up against his side.
“I need to tell you something. It might sound crazy so just stick with me, okay?” He whispers in my ear. I put my arm around his waist and lay my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart. “The Royal family has secrets. I mean more than just who is sleeping with who. Do you know anything about supernatural beings?”
His voice is quiet and his hand absentmindedly strokes my hair. The feeling sends a wave of warmth over me, like he put a blanket on me. I take a moment to process what he is saying.
Supernatural?
“No?” I question and a deep laugh rumbles his chest.
“I figured. Have you heard myths of shifters? You know what a mage is.” He quickly adds the end part and I frown.
“I kind of thought they weren’t serious, like fakes just to get money. So they are real?” I tilt my head up to look at him. He moves to kiss my forehead before laying his head on the top of mine.
“Yes. Well, some are. Some are fakes. There are also shifters. The family is one of the longest lines of shifters. It has been a big secret, something that they never want to release to the public for fear of… well fear. It would upset the balance that our blood is better. It is just different. Some say it’s tainted. Not many people know it except people who need to know. Our doctors and such.” I sit up, looking at him.
Holy shit.
