Chapter Fourteen
Nolen
Derek was everywhere. I could feel him in every part of my being, like he’d burrowed himself into my veins somehow. I loved it. But with it came a knowledge I was afraid of, because right where I felt Derek, something was missing.
His smile faltered. “Did I do it wrong?”
I shook my head, still reeling from how amazing it had been. “No, darling. It was perfect.”
“Then why are you sad?”
Sighing, I figured I needed to be honest with him, he deserved nothing less. “Because I feel like something is missing, and it scares me what that means.”
“I feel it too. I’ve always felt it,” he admitted, looking away as his softening dick eased out of me. I winced, not quite ready for the loss.
“Maybe the rulers can help us,” I replied hopefully. “And if they can’t, I’ll still be happy.”
“Me too.” He smiled, even if it seemed a bit forced. Maybe I should’ve waited until tonight to tell him. I didn’t want our mating to end badly, but I also promised myself I would be the best mate for Derek so he deserved the truth.
“Do you want to shower with me?” I asked, hoping we could kiss under the water and comfort one another as we got used to being connected.
“I would love that.”
I grinned, then leaned up to kiss his lips before we both got on our feet. I had no idea if my magic held up as we mated or if the neighbors had heard everything, and to be honest, I really couldn’t care less.
I took the dirty towel in one hand and started gathering Derek’s clothes. He seemed uncomfortable being naked outside, so I threw him my hoodie. I quickly wiped off my cum from my stomach with the towel, not really bothering much with it, and then we walked back inside together.
There was a hamper in the bedroom, so I dumped everything in it and helped Derek out of my hoodie so it could be washed too.
“It feels so unreal,” he whispered as we closed the bathroom door behind us.
“What does?” I asked, stepping inside the shower to turn it on, before stepping out of it to let the water heat up.
“Sensing you,” he shrugged. “I like it, but it’s clearly something I need to get used to.”
“I feel calmer knowing how you feel,” I admitted. “Before I had to guess most of the time, unless it was strong emotions. I like that I just know now.”
“I guess that is handy. Let’s just hope my nightmares won’t affect you. That would crush me.”
I took his chin in hand and tilted his head up. Then, when his eyes met mine, I said, “I want to be able to chase away the nightmares, so please let me. You don’t have to deal with them alone anymore. You have me now, and forever. Remember that.”
I stepped back before he could answer and gestured for him to enter the shower first. He just blinked and walked in, seeking the warm water.
Taking the soap I preferred, I started lathering it between my palms, then I gently placed my hands on his naked back and began washing him. Just like I’d always dreamed of doing with my future mate.
“Ohhhh,” he sighed happily. “That feels amazing.”
I smiled and kissed his hair, not caring that it was wet. I let my hands wash his chest next, pulling him closer so we stood back to chest as I moved my hands down his body. I would never tire of feeling his skin under my touch. He was so soft.
“I want to wash you, too,” he groaned as I paid extra attention to his nipples.
“I would love that,” I rasped into his ear before nipping it teasingly.
He spun around and kissed me. It was a heated kiss, much like when we mated and we quickly found ourselves turned on and needing release again.
I swallowed his moans as I took his dick in hand and started stroking him.
He lowered his own hand down to tease my cockhead and began jerking me in the same movements.
Our tongues made love as we each gave the other pleasure. It was the best shower I’d ever taken.
I came, moaning in pleasure. He came shortly after, groaning my name as his cum hit the tiles.
“Hungry?” I panted, and then we both started laughing.
“They’ll be here in ten,” I informed Derek.
I’d just messaged the rulers and asked if they could do the memory thing with Derek today.
After our shower, we’d eaten and found ourselves unable to think about anything else.
I could feel his emotions and worry and he could in turn feel mine.
We simply had to get some answers as soon as possible.
He sat down next to me on the couch, his cup of tea in hand as he offered me my cup. “And they were okay with doing it? They aren’t too tired?”
I shook my head. “They sounded more relieved to get some answers. Remember they still don’t know if your father has done something illegal or not. It sounds like it, with him having been in your world and everything. But they don’t know who he is until they search your memories.”
“And with my core being magically broken, they think he’s the one to blame,” he finished for me.
“Exactly. And I have to agree with them. You having nightmares and an absent mother doesn’t really help your father’s case either.”
He sighed. “No, I guess you’re right. I just have to admit that once I learned the others were my half siblings, I kind of hoped we would all share this amazing dad, you know?
I never had a good relationship with my mom.
This could be my chance to finally have that.
” I hated that I couldn’t give him that one wish, but I had to look at the facts, and so far, his father wasn’t looking too good.
“I know you long for family, but hopefully you’ll like mine.” I could feel how happy that made him, and he knew he didn’t even need to answer me with words then. His blinding smile was enough of an answer, along with his overwhelming happiness.
The rulers arrived shortly after, not bothering with knocking as they trailed inside and joined us in the living room. Trise was the first one to congratulate us on fully mating, causing the others to follow her lead. We just smiled and tried to fight the fear of what they would find.
“Now,” Trise said, pleasantries over with. “We need you to lay down on the couch. Nolen will hold your hand to help calm you if, or when, we get some unpleasant memories to surface.”
I grimaced and so did Derek. Neither of us were looking forward to that part, but I felt his determination as it matched my own and helped him lay on the couch.
“We’ll start from the beginning and work our way up,” Henriette explained. “I don’t believe we’ll search for too many years. That reminds me, this might take some time, I would advise for you both to relieve yourself before we start.”
So, we did just that, making sure we could remain in place as they worked without interrupting them.
“Ready?” Trise asked once Derek was back on the couch and I sat on the floor next to his head.
“Ready,” Derek said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze before he closed his eyes and got comfortable.
Derek was asleep a few seconds later, one of the rulers had helped ease him into it faster so they could work. They all stood around the couch and touched some part of him, and then they simply closed their eyes and got to work.
I had never seen anyone check memories before, so I had no idea what was happening, I could only feel Derek’s emotions and guess as time went on.
Sometimes he felt happy, then sad, then confused.
I was confused, too. It seemed to never end.
Then suddenly, the fear began, then disappeared, then it hit full force and I almost choked from the force of it. Pain, so much pain.
Derek flew up from the couch, mid scream.