49. Chapter Forty Nine Rhowyn
Chapter Forty Nine: Rhowyn
A soft tapping noise stirred me from the deepest sleep I’d had since coming to Avalon. Lifting my head from the pillow, a small line of drool and the wet spot where my head had been was all the evidence I needed. Gah! Last night was amazing. I thought to myself, a smile gracing my face at the memory of it.
The knock came again, and I turned my head to the door, noting how I was alone in my bed. Such a shame, I could have gone for a repeat performance. Hell, I’d settle for anything at this point if it meant putting off what I had to do today. Sitting up, I stretched, the blanket drifting to my waist to reveal my still naked body. The door swung open before I had a chance to say anything, catching me in mid-stretch, my chest thrust forward and fully on display.
“Princess, it’s time to…” Lennox drifted off as he finally caught sight of me, frozen in shock. Thank God it wasn’t my grandfather or even my father!
Now that I was certain I wasn’t about to become far closer to my family than anyone could ever want, I relaxed, letting my hands drop to my lap with a seductive smile. Since he was here, maybe he could help me in my goal to procrastinate.
“Like what you see?” I teased him, not bothering to cover up.
His demeanor instantly shifted to his playboy persona, a cocky smile gracing his face as he sauntered over to me. “As if you don’t already know the answer to that.”
“Hmmm.” I hummed in agreement, my breath halting as he leaned down until his lips were close to touching. I wanted him to kiss me, but I also wanted him to work for it. Playing coy, I said, “It never hurts to be reminded of that fact. Seems to me you’re enjoying the morning view.”
I dipped my head to indicate the tent in his pants, his desire evident with just a simple glance. He didn’t move, not even bothering to readjust himself, obviously enjoying my perusal of him. “If you must know, I could die a happy man right now. Just having seen your perfection is enough for me.”
“Oh really?” I teased. “And what if I were to do this?” I leaned back and pulled the cover off of me so he could see everything.
He smirked again, leaning down over me, both hands on either side of my head, causing my breath to hitch. I fought the urge to arch into him. “Seems to me, you’ve already had enough fun,” he said, using my own words to tease me, his eyes shifting to my hips.
Following his gaze, I looked down to find bruising in the shape of fingerprints on both sides. My core clenched at the memory of Brannoc’s hands holding me firm while Arryn punished me. “I did indeed. However, I’m always open to more if someone were inclined to take advantage of me.”
In place of an answer, his head dipped down to capture my lips with his, his tongue darting in and teasing me. This time, I couldn’t resist arching into him as my hands went to his shoulders to try to pull him down on top of me.
Disappointment shot through me as he pulled away with a sigh. “As much as I want to take you up on that offer…” He paused to indicate his erect cock as evidence to that statement. “…I can’t. Arryn threatened to castrate me if I didn’t get you dressed and in the common room quickly. I’m already pushing it by doing this,” he said as he claimed my mouth again for a brief kiss before pulling all the way back and going to lean on the wall next to the door.
“You’re no fun,” I pouted.
He just laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll show you fun,” he promised me, heat scalding me from his gaze before his eyes twinkled with mirth. “After.”
I groaned, knowing he was right. I needed to get up and get moving. I could push this off all I wanted, but it wouldn’t change the fact that it needed to be done.
“Fine,” I grumped, pushing up to cross the room and get dressed. “Remind me to take out my displeasure with this decision to deny me on Arryn.”
Lennox laughed. “I’ll definitely do that; however, you have to promise to let me watch.”
I giggled. “Of course. It wouldn’t be a dressing down if it was without an audience.” My amusement dimmed as I crossed the room, ready to face whatever was thrown my way today.
Before I could exit, Lennox put a hand on my arm, halting my progress. “It’ll be okay. You’re the strongest person I know. You’ll get through this without even breaking a sweat.”
“You say that, but somehow, I can’t help feeling like there’s something bad just around the corner. I care about you all, and I’m scared that something or someone will hurt y’all. I don’t want to lose any of you now that I finally know what love feels like,” I admitted.
“You could never lose us. We wouldn’t let that happen because then that would mean leaving you alone. It goes against everything ingrained in us, and we’ll do everything we can to be by your side, to protect you and keep you safe. While we would gladly give our lives if it meant saving yours, we’re also selfish enough to want to spend the rest of our lives serving you in any way we can, loving you so hard that you forget all the pain you’ve had to endure, and laughing with you as your best friends,” he told me, a small smile ticking up one side of his mouth. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, in case you haven’t noticed. I’m kind of a spoiled prince who’s used to getting what he desires, and it’s you that I want.”
I smiled at his playfulness, leaning into the hug he offered me and the kiss on my brow. After a few moments like this, I pulled back. “Okay. I guess we can get started now.”
Within moments, I had my armor back in place, my witty sarcasm and give-a-damn attitude ready for battle. I smiled as I entered the common room to find everyone already there. All of my guys, Cyerra, my grandfather, and even my father were all waiting for me. Seeing everyone gathered together like this brought home the fact that this was real, that I was about to commune with Avalonia as the first step in becoming the next Queen of Avalon.
My stomach tossed and turned with butterflies as I approached my grandfather, who beamed at me. Even my father was smiling softly, though he kept himself apart from everyone else with his back against the wall. I knew that feeling all too well. One day, he would be able to relax in front of us, but that day wasn’t today or anytime soon. His trauma was deeper than mine after decades of imprisonment and torture.
I gave him a soft smile before turning back to face Jude. “So,” I clapped my hands, trying anything to bolster my confidence, “What do I need to do?”
Jude’s gnarled hands grasped one of mine, leading me back the way I had come. “This part will need to be done in private. Not even I am allowed to be with you. You must be completely alone and undisturbed while communing with Avalonia.”
“What happens if I’m disturbed?” The question popped out as butterflies raced through my gut.
He paused in front of the room. “Honestly?”
“Duh!” I said instinctively. At his puzzled expression, I clarified, “Of course. I always want honesty. It’s better to know than not to, even if I don’t like what’s being said.”
“It can leave you in a permanent comatose state or can leave your brain damaged to the point that you can no longer function on your own. It’s only happened once or twice in the last ten thousand years. Never in recent history,” he admitted.
“Well shit,” I said, now even more terrified than I had been before. While I wasn’t upset at my drooling mess of a self this morning, I wouldn’t want to live that way for the rest of my long and miserable life.
Turning back down the hallway, I shouted, “You hear that? Do NOT, under any circumstances, disturb me!”
“Ah, come on, I like your drool, especially if I’m the one responsible for it,” Lennox called back.
“Asshole,” I grumbled loud enough that I knew he could hear me but without actually yelling it, my face turning red in embarrassment.
My grandfather chuckled along with everyone else. “Now that we’re done,” I changed the subject, “what else can I expect? Anything else I need to make sure I do or don’t do?”
“That I can’t tell you. I know that each communion is different for each queen, but nothing more than that has ever been shared outside of the queens.”
“Of course. And it’s not like I can ask Titania what to expect,” I snarked, really regretting the course of my life right about now.
We walked into the room, and he handed me the flask of pure water. “Now, after I leave, you must drink the water until you experience the tug in your soul. From there, it’s up to you and Avalonia what happens.”
“Joy.” I took the flask and proceeded to sit cross-legged on the floor.
“You’ll do well, my child, as you’ve done since the beginning. Have faith in yourself and Avalonia that she wouldn’t steer you wrong,” he encouraged me, bolstering my courage just enough that I could believe that everything would work out eventually.
I watched as he left me alone in the room, cross-legged as if preparing to meditate. I guess, in a way I would be. Well, here goes nothing, I thought, tossing back the contents of the flask as if it were a shot.