Chapter 1

Elisabeth POV

10 Years Later

“Mom! Are we ready to go yet? I can’t wait to see Elliot… and his brother and sisters!” I’m waiting in the foyer of the castle, and mom is taking her sweet time getting Raven ready to go. Raven is my mom’s granddaughter, but she and I are like sisters, and she is only five. My mom, Queen Winnie, is actually my stepmom. She has never tried to keep it a secret either. I’m only ten, but she raised me to be independent. That would also be why I’m ready and Raven is not. She likes to play the helpless child role a little too much. I keep telling her that it’s going to bite her one day, but she loves the attention a little too much to stop. Finally, Raven runs downstairs, followed by mom. Mom is smiling at me and rolling her eyes at Raven. I ask, “Are we ready to go now?” Mom smiles at me, “You and Elliot are getting quite friendly lately.” I blush, “I really like him. I would love it if we were mates. Plus, it’s their birthday!” Mom rolls her eyes, “Let’s not grow too fast, child. Just enjoy being a kid for now. Okay? You will have plenty of time for that later.”

Mom teleports us to Prince Aidinth’s and Princess Chloe’s house, and I’m the first to knock on the door. Princess Chloe invites us in, and Elliot immediately runs to me, while Princess Ashina’s son, Caleb, runs to Raven. I just know they’re going to be mates too! I can’t wait to see it! Elliot and I sit in a corner of the room, talking about books we’ve read and things we’d like to do when we grow up. I can’t help but be fascinated by every word that comes out of his mouth. He makes me want to be smarter; to try harder in school. I really like that about him.

As I went on about a book I had just read, I noticed Elliot staring at me with a goofy grin on his face. I stopped talking, and started staring back at him, not saying a word. It took a few minutes before he finally noticed that I had stopped talking. He smiled, “So, what would you say if I told you I hope we are mates?” I blushed, “I would say I really hope we are. You are good for me.” He grinned, “You’re good for me too.”

Suddenly, Prince Aidinth knelt to look us both in the eyes, “Let’s just wait until you are seventeen and see if you are mates. How about you just concentrate on being kids, for now. Okay?” We both smiled at him, and I giggled, “I was talking about a book I read until he brought up the subject of mates.” Prince Aidinth chuckled, “Elliot, it’s time to open your gifts. Let’s get to it.”

The rest of the party was so much fun. After the games were played and the cake and ice cream were eaten, people started leaving and I asked Princess Chloe if I could help her clean up. I really just asked to be able to stay a little longer, but she told me it was fine. I still pointed to the dishes and used my magic to get those washed. Princess Chloe smiled at me, “Thank you, Elisabeth. You are a sweetheart.” I smiled, “You’re welcome, Princess Chloe.”

Just then, my mom told us it’s time to go, do that Elliot’s younger siblings could take a nap. I turned to the triplets and said goodbye, then Elliot took my hand. I blushed as I kissed him on the cheek and told him goodbye.

                                                       Seven Years Later

I am getting ready for Luna Abby’s ball with my mom, and I am so nervous. “Mom,” I ask, “what happens is Elliot isn’t my mate?” Mom chuckles, “Life goes on, sweetheart. You will find your mate.” I sigh, “But I really love Elliot, mom. I don’t want to let him go.” Mom finished with my hair and makeup and sighed, “Let’s see what happens tonight, then we can go from there.”

I stood up and went to my closet to get my dress. I fell in love with this dress the moment I saw it. It’s a medium gray formal with a plunging V neck and spaghetti straps. The bottom has slits up to my hips on both sides. I really hope Elliot loves this. When I walked out of the closet, my mom giggled, “Sweetie, if you aren’t his mate, he’s going to wish you were.” I shook my head, “I’m ready when you are.”

I held my mom’s hands and we teleported to the ballroom. I walked into the room and got a drink. I looked around for a bit, but I didn’t feel anything. As witches, when we find our mate, it almost feels like a magnet is pulling us to them. We couldn’t stop it if we wanted to. Our bodies literally move involuntarily to him.

I finished my drink and walked back to the entrance hoping my mate would be here soon. I stepped out the door and felt the pull immediately. My body moved on its own. I took a running leap for my mate, and he caught me as I wrapped my legs around his waist. When I looked into his eyes, I was over the moon! It was Elliot!

I was laughing and almost crying at the same time, “Elliot! Oh, my goddess! I knew it!” Elliot laughed as he held me closer to him, “Elisabeth! It’s really you! I always wanted it to be you!” I smiled at him, “It’s Elisa now. It’s a little shorter. We both laughed and walked out to the garden, so that we could be alone.

I kept staring at him as we walked hand-in-hand. I was floored at how hot he is now! Shoulder-length brown hair, chiseled jawline, beautiful emerald-green eyes. I know he has to be nearly seven-feet tall, because I am five feet, two inches and I have to look up to see his face. This is another major turn on. I like that my mate is my jungle gym.  We found a secluded area of the garden and sat on a bench.

As soon as he sat down, I sat on his lap, straddling his legs, facing him so that I could look into those hypnotizing eyes. I am already head over heels for this man, and he doesn’t have a clue. I smiled as I put my hand on his face. He leaned into my touch, closed his eyes, then opened them to look into my eyes. He chuckled, “I’ve been wanting you as my mate since we were kids. Do you still want to go to the ball?” I smiled at him, “I think we should at least make an appearance, let our parents know we are leaving, then get out of there.”

Elliot looked deep into my eyes and told me, “That’s what we will do… after I do this. I, Prince Elliot Dash, accept you, Elisabeth Fox, as my mate and Princess.” I beamed in reply, “I, Elisabeth Fox, accept you, Prince Elliot Dash, as my mate and your Princess.” We both felt our bond get a bit stronger and I kissed him tenderly, “I can not wait to start our life together.” He smiled, “I already had our house built. I will leave it to you to decorate. I was hoping you would be my mate, so I had it built with you in mind.”

I smiled at him, “So, what are we waiting for, my Prince?”