Chapter 7: Be Our Guest

Celeste smiled at the Crown Prince in embarrassment. She could never get used to him fawning over her like that no matter who he was talking to. It was like he was worshipping the ground she walked on and Celeste loved every minute of it.

Such a nice ego boost. Celeste thought.

She's known Alonso for almost half her life. Grew fond of him and even started to have feelings for him a while back. She was ready to marry him. But with the events that happened to her coupled with arriving in Erilea only to find out about a mate she didn't know she had, made her question her feelings for him.

She got pulled to her thoughts when she heard a loud crash and got knocked to the ground by a solid, heavyweight. Alonso had pushed her down to shield her from the giant marble statue that was thrown her way.

"What the fuck" She whispered

In another second, the prince was back to his feet and was pulling her up, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah" she replied, still confused. "What happened?"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BETROTHED? SHE'S MY MATE!" came the answer to her confusion.

She looked at Fenrys and cooled her expression. His face has turned red and waves of anger were wafting off of him. My mate. It pulled at a few of her heartstrings hearing him say it but she also felt a slight ache in her chest. She can't deny that there is a strong connection with the Fae male. She felt a piece of her latch onto him the moment she saw him. But she's a princess. And princesses have responsibilities to their people.

Serving the people comes first before anything else. She heard her father say. With that, she pushed the feeling deep into her heart and kept her face blank —cold even, and offered no explanation to the seething Fae before her.

He serves under a queen. He would understand. Celeste thought to herself.

Celeste was just looking at him. Cold, blank, and heartless.

Was it just him? Was he just imagining their connection?

Fenrys was starting to question if what he felt was just a strong attraction to the princess but he knew it was something more. He's never felt so strongly about anyone in his entire existence. Not even for Maeve.

"We have been betrothed ever since she was eight to unify our houses and strengthen the alliance between Majika and Equirra." The prince announced

He kept his eyes on Celeste. She kept her face blank, her eyes unreadable, and her body still. She wouldn't look at Fenrys but he saw a slight dim in the light that she covered herself in.

Fenrys narrowed his eyes, "Didn't you hear me? I said she's my mate."

"Fenrys." Aelin called his attention in a warning tone. "I suggest you leave this room before you do anything impulsive. This is an official royal business, you can't do anything about it. Yet." she continued through their mind-link.

"No. I'm staying."

Fenrys huffed and stationed himself at the corner closest to Celeste and continued to stare at the back of her head.

Aelin offered the two royals a seat and indulged them in conversation. "So what brings you here, Prince Alonso?"

"We were just securing a deal with the pirate lord. His men have been terrorizing my people for quite some time and I figured it was time we had a talk. I decided to stop by here to see Celeste and replenish our stocks before we start the journey back to Majika. If it's not too much of a bother for you, Your Majesty, we'd like to stay here for a week. My men are exhausted and I'd like them to enjoy themselves before they get back to work."

Aelin glanced at Fenrys before turning her gaze back to the Crown Prince, smiling. "Of course, Your Highness. It would be our pleasure to host you for however long you would like."

"Thank you" Alonso replied as he put an arm around Celeste's waist to pull her closer.

Fenrys clenched his teeth and balled his fist, If he doesn't take that arm away, I'm going to-

Celeste nestled into Alonso like she's done it a million times and made herself comfortable. The Fae male watched on at the scene, his hand absentmindedly going up to his chest to rub at a spot above his heart.

That hurt.

"You didn't have to rub it in his face like that." Celeste said as she slapped Alonso's face away jokingly when he tried to kiss her.

They were in her room and all afternoon, he kept trying to push Fenrys off the edge —kissing her forehead, her cheeks, pulling her close, caressing whatever part of her he was touching. She loved it, of course. She wasn't new to his touch but every time she caught sight of the angry and sometimes hurt look that was visible in Fenrys' face, she felt guilt and her chest would start to ache.

But she also knew Alonso. As kindhearted as he is to her, he also does whatever he can to get what he wants. And it doesn't help that he's very protective of her.

She felt Alonso's hand on her cheek, "I know. But you were mine first. Sooner or later your bond will grow stronger and there's no telling what that could do to us. I just want to have you for myself for as long as I still can."

He leaned down to kiss her softly, "I missed you." he said as he started into her eyes, asking for permission. Celeste could only nod before the gorgeous grey-eyed prince pressed their lips together.

It's been too long since she last felt his lips on her. She loved the way he towered over her, how he picked her up and laid her down on her bed and went on top of her. Having him so near, something so familiar in a place so new to her.

It was comforting.

He positioned himself in between her legs and started to kiss her roughly and more passionately. She felt his hand massaging her breast as he slid down to pepper kisses to her neck. Celeste let out a moan. They locked eyes and she saw the hunger in them.

It's been too long.

The prince pressed his lower half closer to hers, right to her center, and couldn't help but to release another moan. She felt his arousal. It was huge and rubbing against her core.

"I missed you too."

With that, the prince tore away their clothes.

"Come in, " Celeste called after the servant who knocked on her door.

"Your High-" the servant flushed when she realized what she just walked into and bowed her head to avert her gaze from the two naked royals under the sheets, "Your Highnesses, dinner is about to be served and the queen has invited you to come early."

"Thank you. We will be there shortly." Alonso replied and stood up as soon as the servant went out the door. "Let's get you dressed, angel."

Celeste smiled. Always the gentleman.

It took them a few minutes to find a proper dress as most of her clothes were still unpacked. And a few more for them to actually decide which one Celeste looked better in.

As they were walking to dinner, the princess couldn't wrap her head around the fact that she with Alonso in this place. They used to only dream about visiting here. All the stories the prince used to tell her about this place and now they're here together.

"Good evening, " Alonso greeted the seated queen at the head of the table. Aelin raised an eyebrow while scrunching her nose a little and shot a pointed look at Fenrys.

The Fae male in question was clenching his teeth, his fist balled up on top of the table. Not to mention the daggers shooting out of his eyes directed to the Crown Prince.

"I smell something interesting. You two have been busy, " Aelin commented with a teasing smirk. Celeste coughed and tried to avoid answering. She didn't want the Fae Queen all over her business.

Alonso, on the other hand, had a good-natured smile on his face as he said, "It's been a while since we've last seen each other. This princess has been locked in her tower for quite some time and there was much to catch up on."

"You just couldn't wait to get your hands on her huh?" Aelin continued. The prince only gave her a smile in response feeling Celeste squirm beside him at the queen's intrusion of privacy.

"Would you be sharing the suite together throughout your stay or shall I have arrangements made?" The Queen inquired.

Alonso looked at Celeste inquisitively and searched her face for an answer before turned back to the queen, "I'd like to ask for my own, if you may." The princess put her hand on too of the prince's to draw his attention and raised an eyebrow.

That wasn't what they talked about earlier. Alonso leaned slightly towards Celeste whispering, "Just in case you need some space."

The princess tried to hide the smile breaking from her lips. Always so thoughtful.

Dinner was served and everything went by smoothly. Alonso and the Fae Queen we're in a deep discussion while the rest of the Fae males joined in from time to time.

Except for one.

Celeste could feel their strings and she felt exactly what Fenrys was trying to keep at bay. It pained her, to be honest. To see him like that. But she just couldn't get herself to accept that she mates with someone other than Alonso.

Ever since the betrothal, she assumed she would marry Alonso. Had envisioned it. Planned it. Looked forward to it. And Celeste just couldn't believe all of that could be gone. She knows how the mate-bond works and sooner or later, she'll know it will be too hard to resist.

She just doesn't know if she could let go of the prince beside her when that time comes.