CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

The bed sure was empty with just me. So empty, in fact, that I couldn't manage to fall asleep. Around three in the morning, I finally caved and tried to mind-link Bas, but he was asleep. I screwed my eyes shut once again, trying one side, then the other, finally landing on my back with the covers up to my chin.

"Having trouble sleeping, dear Aria?"

My eyes flew open and I jumped to a sitting position, my chest rising and falling rapidly at the sudden voice. I clutched my chest, trying to regulate my heartbeat.

"What the literal hell, Lysander?" I looked to my right to see the mischievous God of vampires sprawled out atop the duvet, his arm crooked to support his head as he watched me. I glanced to my left, expecting to find Luna, but she wasn't there.

"She's otherwise occupied. I came alone this time."

"Funny, I thought you two preferred to stick together. You know, to annoy me."

He chuckled, sitting up and sliding closer to me, resting his head on my shoulder in an oddly affectionate manner. His fingers trailed to the silk strap of my pajamas, tracing it gently. Then, his hand slowly and delicately fell lower, almost reaching the swell of my breasts.

"He has a great sense of style. This nightie really accentuates your—"

I slapped his hand away, making him laugh harder. "Damn pervert."

"I'm a vampire, sweetheart. But don't worry, I didn't come here for a tryst."

"Then why the hell are you here?" I was tired, lonely, and completely exasperated. I couldn't deal with some horny god's antics.

"I came because you prayed to me, of course."

I rolled my eyes. "I didn't think you made house calls."

"Only for you, Queen." He whispered against my neck, making an involuntary shiver course through me.

"I see why Luna never leaves your side. You don't behave."

He pouted, admittedly the most adorable thing I had ever seen. "Fine. I'll get to the point then. You want Rory's spawn, is that right?"

I blushed. I had completely forgotten about that prayer. How awkward. Did that mean he saw what we were doing...?

"I really hope you weren't watching us." I threatened.

He grinned, his nearly translucent blue eyes glowing. "You called me, remember? I take my job very seriously and I won't be stopped just because of some hot and steamy bathtub sex."

I groaned, falling back to my pillow and frowning when he followed, nuzzling my shoulder.

"Are you going to answer my question? Do you want his child?"

I took a deep breath, staring up at the darkened chandelier above me. "I do. I just don't know how that would work, you know, with the whole war and prophecy thing."

"Ah, that's for us to worry about, dear. Everything has its course, its destiny that it must adhere to. Luna had already decided that your first would be Bastion's, but with your prayer, I'll see what I can do."

"You can change destiny? Just like that?"

I felt his warm hand snake around my stomach, making me suck in a harsh breath as he whispered against my jaw, "You would be amazed what all I could do, Aria."

Then, he vanished.

I took a moment to breathe and pull myself together. Once I calmed myself, I kicked my feet in frustration, messing the sheets and balling them.

"Damn gods!" I screeched, followed by a huff.

Then, I replayed his words. I was supposed to have Bastion's child first. A pup. My left hand splayed atop my stomach. Was it wrong of me to request otherwise? I spent the remainder of the early morning imagining, then reimagining how life would be with a spawn/pup. Who would they look more like? Would the other King treat them as their own, or would there be a divide?

By the time the sun kissed the horizon, I was ready to get out of the loveless bed. I padded over to my new wardrobe, excited and overjoyed to actually look like a proper Queen for once. It would be a beautiful fall day, so I decided on a turquoise, short-sleeve, knee-length cotton sundress with a scoop neckline. It showed just enough cleavage, I believed, to earn Bastion and Rory's appreciation without seeming too desperate. After a quick fix of my hair, I was out the door. I had decided on flats because I planned on exploring the grounds after breakfast.

A few half-clothed male wolves were already seated in the large dining hall, enjoying cups of coffee while they waited for breakfast to be ready. All of their conversations ceased when I entered the room, and I debated if I should just eat in the kitchen. I didn't want to make them uncomfortable. During my cowardly retreat, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Hey, babe! Join me for a cup of joe!"

I turned, seeing Dylan clad in dark jeans and an untucked red dress shirt, holding two cups of black coffee. I followed him to an empty table nearby.

"I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you would've gone with Rory."

He shook his head. "Nah, he took his dad. Three's a crowd and all that."

I raised a brow, and he caught on, bursting into a fit of laughter. "Obviously, you're an exception. You have two men who love you unconditionally. Hell, I bet you have threeso—"

I kicked his knee under the table, making him wince. "Sorry about that, Queen. Sometimes my mouth runs off without my brain, if you know what I mean. How about we talk about something else? What are your plans for today?"

I placed the mug on the table that I was using to hide my blush. "I plan on exploring outside today. Well, until the men return at lunch. I've been eager to see if the outside is as beautiful as the inside."

He smiled charmingly at me, resting his hands under his chin. He really was handsome, in a dangerous, bad-boy kind of way. "Well, you're in luck. There just so happens to be an oasis about two miles out. I saw it yesterday, and it's amazing. The water is cool and the flowers are unreal. You'd love it. I'd take you there myself, but I have some work to do today. Also, Rory would have my balls. He doesn't trust me around women."

Wow. An oasis on the property? It must be man-made, but it sounds beautiful regardless.

"Thanks, Dylan, I'll check it out."

We ate breakfast together, talking mostly about him and his friendship with Rory. Apparently, they met in elementary school where they were both social outsiders. It was awkward hearing about my royal's childhood from a stranger, but fascinating all the same. The man that I saw as strong and confident, capable of talking anyone into anything, was actually considered a shy and nerdy observer by his classmates. Apparently, the bullying got so bad that he was withdrawn from the private school he was attending and was forced to homeschool, which was why he was able to graduate at 15.He did nothing but study and work, making him the polar opposite of Dylan. He said that he would often try to persuade my love to do all sorts of stupid and illegal things, but Rory was always the voice of reason. He even bailed Dylan out of jail for possession at eighteen. I had never expected Rory to have had such a colorful life, or a colorful friend. I made note to ask him about it later.

After we finished eating, Dylan surprised me with a swift hug goodbye, and I set out to see the oasis. I didn't use my vampiric speed because I wanted to see the scenery. Fountains, sports fields, and even a tennis court littered the property. There was a gated garden that I wanted to check out later, and a cobblestone path that led to an Olympic-size swimming pool. The place really was Paradise.

The sound of soft waves in the distance caught my attention, along with the lovely tickle of flowery aroma. I had found it. I picked up my pace ever so slightly, eager to see the place that aroused my senses. A soft but warm wind blew through, lifting my skirt and ruffling large palm leaves before me. It was stunning. A patch of bright green grasses and mosses separated it from the coarse dirt surrounding it, and the guarding trees and foliage shielded it from the outside world. It was as if I had stepped into a jungle as I pushed my way through stray vines and ferns. In the center of the alcove, surrounded by vast arrays of colorful flowers, was a large pond with a massive rock beside it. The rock seemed to be the source of a fountain, pouring crystal-clear water into the pool below. It was unrealistically refreshing, and I couldn't help but crave to be submerged beneath its melodic waves.

I slipped off my flats, approaching the water in complete awe. I had to swim. It was calling to me. I did a quick scan with my nose and hearing, ensuring that I wouldn't get caught, before unzipping the back of my dress. It fell from my shoulders fluidly, pooling at my feet onto the spongy plant life. I followed it with my thong and bra until I was completely nude. I was thankful that the trees blocked the breeze, because the water would be cold enough without any clothes on. I walked to the edge of the soil where a rock bed declined into the deeper end of the pond by the waterfall.

One toe first. I shivered, not because I was cold, but because the water itself evoked it. Was it magical? One full step. Then another. And another. Soon, I was submerged up to my bare breasts, wading my hands through the already existing current and creating tiny whirlpools with my motions. I dipped under the surface, amazed to find that I could open my eyes without issue. The rocks at the bottom glittered with the sun's rays. I swam for what felt like hours, totally lost in the serenity of the oasis. That was, until, a twig snapping made my ears twitch. How had I not noticed someone approach? The enticing rush of blood showed me my intruder's whereabouts, but it wasn't Rory, nor Bastion. It was... human.