Chp 1 Pt. 3 Sorrow

                                                                    Davina

I didn’t think it would be so hard to have my story told again. It was definitely necessary that prince Aspen be aware of what has happened from start to finish. Derek squeezes my hand in support while prince Aspen is given a quick run down. It was even harder listening to prince Aspen tell us of Malayah killing again.

We need to find her fast before he makes her do it again. Derek is excited to finally have this treaty completed. He told me it was a task his father was going to give him before everything happened. I am glad we were able to accomplish this. Now we have more warriors and trackers looking for our daughter. I think it’s time I arrange to go meet the dragons.

“Prince Aspen?”

“Please Davina, just Aspen,” he smiles.

“Alright, Aspen. Would you be able to arrange for me to travel to your realm? I would like to meet with the dragons.”

“I will certainly speak with the dragon elders. Some of them knew your parents Davina.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m sure they will have answers to some of your questions.” I look at Derek and smile excitedly.

“What about the children love?”

“After everything that has happened we will be taking them with us. We will not separate again Derek. Is that okay Aspen if we all come? Along with my family it’d be quite a few guards as well.”

“Of course Davina. We have plenty of room. We tend to have a winter solstice ball every year. We would be honored if you joined us. The ball lands on a day you call Thursday, a few days before your Christmas holiday,” prince Aspen replies.  I use my telepathy to speak to Derek.

“What do you think Derek?”

“Sounds likes a wonderful idea. It’ll be good to meet the dragons,” he replies.

“Aspen we would be honored to join you for the holidays,” I inform him.

“Is that all everyone,” asks Derek. No one speaks up. “Alright then I appreciate everyone’s time and we will see y’all at the next meeting.” Everyone starts to file out of the room when prince Aspen stops us.

“Derek, Davina may I have a moment of your time in private.” Derek and I look at each other.

“Of course Aspen. Maliyah head upstairs and start and get ready for bed. We will be up there shortly,” says Derek. “Please lets talk in my office.” Derek leads me and Aspen to his office as everyone else heads home.

“I appreciate you speaking to me in private. This is not a matter I wanted discussed in front of everyone as it has to do with your daughter, Maliyah.”

“What about her,” Derek asks.

“I have been visited by Ryuu’s spirit. He has informed me your daughter has a choice but he would like the elves and dragons be bonded through marriage.”

“Aspen, Maliyah is way too young for marriage,” I say.

“I understand Davina and I would not want to force her into an arranged marriage. My father has agreed to this and when the time comes I would like permission to court your daughter for her hand. It would be completely our choice. If she rejects me Ryuu has a mate chosen for her. Also should I end up finding another before she comes of age she would still have a mate chosen for her. She has already shown her incredible strength in her training and this would bond our people for life however, love needs to be a part of the relationship. I will not force her or myself into this if we do not love each other.”

“And what do you see as an appropriate age,” asks Derek. I can feel he is not all to happy talking about this.

“Eighteen of course. That is when a silver dragon comes into their powers. Typically anyway. Ten years is nothing to me. For now I will simply be a friend and another guard to ensure her safety. I can also train her as a warrior the way we elves are trained.”

“Please allow Davina and I to discuss this. We will give you our answer when we visit for the winter solstice,” says Derek.

“Of course. It’s a lot to consider. I will now retire for the evening. Thank you for your time.” Aspen leaves and heads to the room prepared for him. Derek growls in frustration.

“Easy Derek. I don’t like the idea of marriage right now either since she’s eight but he’s talking about ten years down the road and only if she wants this. I don’t see the harm in agreeing to this. It’ll give her more protection and more skills to protect herself. If she falls in love then great. If not she’ll find a mate.”

“As long as it’s completely her choice and she’s not sexually active until she gets married. Prince or not, I’ll kill him if he lays a hand on her before she’s married.” I laugh at Derek’s protectiveness. “What is so funny?”

“You sound like a typically overprotective father,” I reply kissing him on the cheek.

“Maliyah agreed to train with Mark without using her powers. She wants to kick his ass,” Derek chuckles.

“Well if she can beat Mark it’ll make me feel better that’s for sure. We should let Aspen know he can at least train with Maliyah. We will let him know of our decision when we visit the elf realm.”

“Sounds good love.”

We head to the formal dining room for our family dinner. Everyone is present. Keila with Owen and Braydon, Mark with Daniela and Jackson, my mother, Gabriel, the twins and Maliyah. We even invited Aspen to dinner since he is our house guest and Daniel with his mate Tanisha since he is Daniela’s brother.

Our family has gotten so big and there is so much love. I feel guilt and sadness that Malayah is not here with us. We are not whole without her and it’s hard to feel joy when she is in so much pain.

“Are you sure it’s okay I join you and your family for dinner,” asks Aspen.

“Of course Aspen. And if you are still willing we would like you to train Maliyah along with Mark. We do want her to be able to protect herself should she end up in a situation where she can’t use her powers,” I reply.

“I would be honored to train your daughter.”

We all take our seats and Derek says grace. Miss Kat made a little something for everybody. A delicious salad, steaks, baked potatoes, various vegetables, Salmon, white rice and even shrimp and grits. I don’t know what we would do without her amazing cooking. I’ll have to check on how things are going with her niece and how the restaurant is doing. I have neglected it far too long.

“Hey Mark, dad said you are going to train me. Prepare, I am a fast learner and I’m going to kick your butt,” says Maliyah. There is laughter from everybody.

“We will see about that. No one has bested me yet lil miss, besides your father,” chuckles Mark.

“Maliyah, Aspen has also offered to teach you the skills he has learned as well. The elves are very skilled in hand to hand combat and archery,” says Derek.

“Really!? Will you also teach me to use a bow? I think it would be cool to know how to use one,” Maliyah asks Aspen.

“You will be the best archer in your realm once we finish your training,” Aspen replies with a smile.

“Awesome,” Maliyah says smiling.

She really is excited. I notice Derek smiling at Maliyah and I. I can feel he is happy. I know we are still far from okay but it’s nice to see everyone smiling and hear laughter for a change. I’m sure we need this more. Aspen shares some stories of his adventures throughout his years, even some stories of him, his father, Derek’s father, my brother and my biological father getting into trouble together. These stories make me laugh. It’s nice to hear stories about my family. I don’t know much about my parents.

“Your brother, Alastor, was my very best friend Davina. I can’t count how many times we got into trouble that our father’s did not approve of. I wish I was older to fight harder for the elves to have come to your aid. We would still be getting into trouble and he might of electrocuted Derek a few times to ensure he treated you right.” We all laugh at that. It would be nice to have an older protective brother around.

“Don’t worry Davina, I’ll put Derek in his place if ever need be,” says Mark. He has been the best at filling in the role of big brother for me. He is technically younger but I’ll take what I can get.

“In your dreams Mark, I’d like to see you put me on my ass,” Derek replies.

“Little challenge then tomorrow before I train Maliyah?”

“You’re on little brother.” I roll my eyes at them and laugh.

“Pay them no mind Aspen,” I say laughing.

“It’s fine Davina. I’m sure if I had a brother we would be the same,” Aspen replies laughing.

Everyone finishes their dinner and retires for the evening. Derek and I bathe the twins before putting them down for the night. We tuck Maliyah in bed and read a story. I feel bad we haven’t done this in months. As we leave Maliyah’s room, I look down the hall at Malayah’s room and the guilt hits me again. Derek takes my hand.

“I know love. Stay with me please,” Derek pleas.

I’m torn as I have been staying in Malayah’s room never leaving. I squeeze Derek’s hand and nod at him. He leads me through our room to the bathroom. He’s gentle ensuring not to push me to far. He turns the shower on and strips his clothes off before getting in. I take my clothes off and join him. We have’t been intimate in months and I feel bad I pushed him away. I step into the water with my head down. I feel self conscious for some reason. Derek takes his hand and places it under my chin, gentling raising my head to look at him.

“Beautiful,” he says and leans in for a gentle kiss.

He’s gentle not pushing for more. A fire wakens inside of me and I deepen the kiss. He pulls me closer, grabbing my ass as he growls needing more. We both need more. Without breaking our kiss, Derek shuts the water off and picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and he carries me to the bedroom. He gentle lays me down on the bed, hovering over me. He turns his attention to my breast, teasing one with his mouth and the other with his hand. I grab a fist full of his hair and moan.

“Derek, please,” I beg knowing neither one of us really wants to wait any longer.

He slips inside me making us both gasp. He growls trying to control himself to go gentle. We can do that another time. “Derek, please,” I beg again.

He begins going fast and all you can hear is our moans and skin slapping against each other. I can feel more core tighten as he drives me closer to an orgasm. I can tell he is close to his as he picks up the pace. I reach my limit screaming in pleasure and he follows me.

I then force him to flip onto his back and I straddle him sliding him inside me. He rips the sheets as his claws become exposed as I begin riding him hard and fast. He grabs my hips while matching my rhythm, slamming into me. I doesn’t take long for us to reach our limit again. I slow down as I ride the wave of my orgasm and he empty’s himself in me again. I collapse on top of him leaving him inside me. He wraps his arm around me, kissing my forehead.

“I’ve missed you love.” I sniffle and a tear falls on his chest. He sits up making me look at him. “Davina, what’s wrong.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I checked out and left you to take care of the kids. I’m sorry I’ve ignored you and made you sleep alone these past months. I’ve been a horrible mother, wife and luna.”

“Shhh. Love everyone grieves in their own way. You were and are grieving. You are here now and that is what matters.” He moves me off of him so we can cuddle. He pulls the blankets over us and kisses the back of my shoulder. It’s as if nothing changed. I don’t know what I did to deserve him. I slowly drift off to sleep, hoping for a better tomorrow.