3

Desi settled into the room and sat in a chair that was over fluffed and had a lot of cushioning on it. She was asleep in less than five minutes. When she woke up it was to a knock on the door. She didn’t have time to answer before the man who had led her away was opening the door.

“Are you ready?” he asked and she looked at him with a question in her eyes.

“For?” she asked as she looked at him standing there. She watched as he was getting ready to lose his temper at her. He went to raise his hand in the air as he moved to stand right before her.

“I don’t not believe the princess was ever supposed to be touched.” A deep voice interrupted the two people there.

“Ah sir.” The man said. “I do apologize sir.”

“do not apologize to me.” The man said as he walked into the room. “it is her that you must beg forgiveness from.”

“Excuse my manors, miss.” The man said.

Desi didn’t care what the man said to her she was focused on the new man in the room. He seemed to be all aware of this as well and his smile deepened. He wasn’t much older than her but in his early twenties but not any older. “Leave.” The man said as he only had eyes for Desi at the moment. When the man scurried away and out the door it shut behind him quickly. “You must have questions.”

“No one would talk to me.” Desi said.

“I do fear that may be my fault. I told them to not get any ideas above their station in the royal guard. I do apologize for that. I forgot how confusing this must be for you. Though I do have to say you look much like you did so many years ago.” The man said.

“Who are you?” Desi asked.

“We do not have the titles royals normally do. However I am from the first family. My name is Gabriel.” He said as he bowed.

“The first family?” she asked and then it hit her what he was saying, “You’re the head alpha?”

“Yes, Desiree.” He said with a smile.

“so my name is the same.” She said forgetting that she thought she was not the one they were looking for. “I do believe that you might have the wrong person though.”

“Show me your arm.” He said as he reached out to see it. He took a light out from his pocket and then shined it onto her arm. The light not a normal UV light it shined green and then she looked at her arm. There was a marking there that she had never seen before. It was a crest of some sort. “no my dear you are the one I seek.”

“What is going on?” she asked as she looked in his eyes and saw the flicker there.

“You are of the second family, Desiree.” He said.

“Call me Desi everyone does.” She said. He chuckled and it filled up the room and seemed to bounce off the walls.

“Well Desi. You were the surviving member of the second family. We the seven ruling families mark out infants just for this reason though it is not normal.” Gabriel said.  “I have my crest on my arm as well. My mother found you along with my father. They sent you away with a young woman who was a changeling. She didn’t fit in anywhere as well as her son. They gave her a purpose. To keep you safe.”

“So she wasn’t anything to me?” Desi asked.

“Not as far as being your family.” He replied. “I understand she raised you as her own. She did a good enough job, I assume. You are here in front of me at least.”

“Why do you care so much that you would search the globe for me?” Desi asked and he looked at her.  

“that should be simple.” He said as he looked at her serious for a moment. “You are my mate.”

“I am what?” she asked.

“You are my mate.” He repeated. “Is that so hard for you to believe?”

“Yes. Actually it is.” She said as she stared at him.

“I think with some polish and a few lessons you will do well enough to stand by my side.” He said. “it isn’t like we have to remain true to each other if you have another.”

“What?’ she asked surprised.

“if you grew close to another. All I ask is that you be discreet.” He said as he watched her thoughts play out on her face.

“do you have another?” she asked when she could get the words out.

“No. I always knew who my mate was. I had to stay true to you. We were sworn to be together the day after your birth.” Gabriel said as he looked at her. “I was only four but I remember the day.”  

“So this is real?” she asked. “this isn’t some sick joke someone is playing on me?”

“A joke?’ he asked as he tilted his head. “No. this is real and this is happening.”

“it has to be a mistake though.” She said completely unbelieving this was real.

“I understand this will take time. For now though you need to come with me. We will be continuing this when we get you settled in the palace.” He said as he reached out his hand. “We will have to get you a wardrobe fitting of your station and some lessons on everything but that will be later or in time. We are in no rush Desi.”

“Thank you.” She said. “For at least being upfront with me.”

“Your mother and father were my godparents for lack of a better term. My mother thought she was saving you when she had you taken away, Desi. Please don’t be to harsh on her. We really don’t know much about the outside world here. My parents were yours as well.” Gabriel said as he took her hand and held it as he led the way to the top of the boat.

He looked around as did she, “Welcome home Desi.”