Chapter A First Date

Amira didn’t remain asleep long after Rollo left. The sun began to stream through the glass doors and the light as it typically did, woke her. She stretched slowly and rolled over in the bed to where she knew was always a warm spot in the mornings. Her eyes flew open and she scrambled backward as she felt something in the bed beside her. Cal’s arm shot out and grabbed Amira’s wrist before she fell off the side of the bed. He had been sitting on the edge and hadn’t realized she’d woken up, “It’s me, It’s just me,” he spoke quickly releasing her just as quickly as the threat of her falling dissipated. Her heart thundered in her chest and her breathing was rapid, chest rising and falling quickly as her eyes flashed around the room before settling on his face. “I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said gently before uttering the magic words, “you’re safe.”

Amira seemed to calm slightly hearing that she glanced around once more just to make sure before looking back to the Prince seeming to have regained her composure she cleared her throat before speaking, “Hi,” she said drawing the sheets up into her hands to give herself something to do.

“Hi,” Caldwin echoed offering her the smallest of smiles, despite that his heart had nearly ripped in two at her panicked reaction in waking up, “I’m sorry I didn’t wake you when I returned. I assumed you needed the sleep,” he said standing almost seeming uneasy himself. Like he didn’t know what to do, because he didn’t. He didn’t know how to console her or how to make her happy and it made him uncomfortable.

Amira found his actions slightly comical as she smiled softly at him watching him pace like it was some kind of entertainment. He wore the same clothes from last night, he hadn’t had time to change. If she’d thought he looked bad last night he looked even worse this morning from the lack of sleep and the stress.

“Are you kidding?” Amira asked, raising an eyebrow, “all I ever do is sleep,” She said, running a hand through her hair beginning to comb it out with her fingers as she spoke. “How was your ‘urgent business?'" She asked, lifting an eyebrow in curiosity eliciting a short cough-like laugh from the male.

“You were attacked, nearly killed, and you want to talk about what I have been up to?” He asked, turning back to face her, expression near incredulous.

“You make it sound much worse than it was,” the Princess said with a huff as she shoved off the sheets and stood up. She stretched slowly arching her back as she reached for the ceiling. She could feel the heat of his stare on her bare skin and nearly laughed at how easy it was to toy with him. “I hope you weren’t awful to Rollo,” she said walking past him as if he simply weren’t there opening the closet to choose her outfit for the day. Purposefully making it so that he would have to step over her chain. “He did save me after all.”

“I did nothing of the sort, rude of you to think so low of me Princess,” Caldwin pushed boundaries and Amira pushed right back. However, not with her words.

“Hold this” she instructed shoving a hanger into the male’s hands she contemplated the red top for a moment before nodding to herself and holding up various pairs of pants in comparison, “What-” Cal barely had time to react and do anything other than what he was told. By the time Amira had made her decision she was already removing her bra and Caldwin had to drag his eyes away from her skin, his own increasing in temperature rapidly. It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen a naked female before either, but something about his mate simply drove the beast within him wild.

She snatched the shirt back from him and put it on changing her underwear and pants next, “you can look now,” the female purred, devious little creature. He almost wished he hadn’t looked back. He drew in a sharp breath through his teeth. The red cropped tank top paired with the ripped jeans that seemed to fit her in all the right places… he couldn’t help himself.

“Shit,” he cussed softly breathing through his mouth to avoid the intoxicating scent of her. “What kind of game are you playing Princess?” He asked taking a step towards her. She held her ground.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Amira answered, tone sickly sweet as she slipped around past him, light on her feet, smiling easily as she approached the door and opened it. She was having fun. “Josie dear, I would love some-” before she could finish the statement the girl procured a platter of breakfast food and Amira laughed softly, “am I that predictable?”

“Afraid so you’re Highness,” the girl chirped a bright smile on her face. Amira shook her head and took the food from the girl after a short thanks and shut the door behind her, yet when she turned back to face the Prince his expression had shifted entirely. He looked furious.

“What? I’ll share” she said rolling her eyes headed for the bed where she typically ate.

“Who did that to you?” Caldwin didn’t move from where he was standing; apparently, his anger rooted him to the spot.

“I did,” Amira answered simply, picking up an orange off the platter and idly began to peel it. Clearly that was not a satisfactory answer as when she looked up Cal remained staring at her waiting for her to continue. She sighed heavily, “well, if you insist,” she said popping a slice into her mouth and enjoying the fruit thoroughly before diving into the depressing topic.

“I shifted inside a stone building, blew it apart mind you, but shattered my wings in the short scuffle that followed I broke my spine as well” she shrugged eating another piece of orange. “I healed. That’s how it decided to present itself in my human body,” she said, jerking her thumb over her shoulder at her back. Caldwin seemed to relax a bit, but not much. He crossed the room to sit beside her snatching a piece of toast off her platter of various foods Josie had learned were her favorites. That girl was a true blessing.

“I was also whipped,” she added just after Cal had taken a rather large bite of toast causing him to nearly choke. She could practically see his blood pressure rising as his eyes snapped back to her. She tortured him for a few more seconds before she broke “Kidding, oh my gosh I’m kidding,” she said laughing lightly oh gods, it was so easy to yank his chain. Caldwin narrowed his eyes at her and passive-aggressively took another bite of the toast before he responded.

“Remind me to be particularly thorough when I make you beg,” he said onyx eyes sweeping over her slowly. This time causing Amira to choke on her drink, unceremoniously spitting the orange juice back into her glass in a very un-Princess like manner.

“Excuse me?” she demanded, voice rising almost an octave as she looked to the male beside her eyes wide with shock.

“You heard me,” he said cockily leaning forwards to pick up a string of grapes, eating them off the vine one at a time, seeming rather unbothered by her reaction. The faint smirk on his lips however told her everything she needed to know. ‘

’ he seemed to say without needing to say it aloud. She pulled her lips back and snarled at him softly. He mirrored her, snarling right back without hesitation.

“You’re insufferable,” Amira huffed and the Prince chuckled. They ate in silence for a few more moments before Amira remembered he never answered her question. “So, what were you doing that was so important last night?” She asked, leaning back into the pillows. At his hesitation she rolled her eyes, “c’mon who am I going to tell? Josie? Rollo?” She raised an eyebrow, “Rue? It’s not like I get to talk to anyone else,” she listed off the few people who actually spent time with her. At last, Caldwin sighed and caved in.

“There was a political matter that had to be dealt with.” he started and at Amira’s rather unimpressed expression he was forced to continue, “The witches have been getting cocky” he explained, “pushing rules and boundaries, I met with their leader to remind her exactly what the consequences were for the discretion.” He looked to where the bloodstain remained on the carpet. “Clearly my warning was not well received”

“So that woman was a witch?” Amira asked, tilting her head in curiosity. She had never met one.

“No, she was a vampire. Likely hired by a witch though.”

“Oh,” Amira said softly, how on earth had she moved faster than a vampire? Her thoughts dragged her back to the events of the early morning. There were no known creatures that could best their speed, yet Amira had done it twice. She knew her dragon well, she was fast, but not that fast, the only way the vampire missed on that first strike was because she chose to and the second...Rollo did not move at the speed of a normal human she realized.

A cold feeling began to spread down her spine. She swallowed against the lump in her throat. She’d heard stories rumors of bonded riders moving that fast in the most desperate of situations… but never an un-bonded one. She shoved the thought down and away as aggressively as she could. This was not something she could deal with right now.

Cal was looking at her again, eyes narrowed slightly in concern. She had to say something else, “well good thing she’s dead then,” she said with a simple shrug. “I assume you already have people tracking the witch responsible,” a small nod. “Good,” she stated and the Prince blinked in surprise.

“I thought you would be opposed to… you know…”

“Killing? No, not when it’s necessary, not when you’re defending your own,” the gods knew she’d done much worse for far less reason. “I am not the delicate flower you believe me to be,” she warned him. “I’ve been surviving-” not living, “-for the majority of my life. I have done things I am not proud of,” she admitted, “but that vampire… she was here to kill you.” The wildfire that lived in her veins sparked to life. “The witch deserves everything that’s coming for her,” she growled her own possessiveness rearing its head for the first time as their bond tugged on her slowly breaking down her walls she held up between them.

“Ah so the little dragon does have fangs,” Caldwin teased moving to stand effortlessly, walking to his dresser, and laying out some clothing for himself. “I don’t think you’re going to beat me on the topic of horrible things we have done, however,” he said over his shoulder, his voice sounding slightly disgusted with himself.

“I don’t think that’s a competition I would want to win anyways” Amira replied simply enjoying her view of his back muscles outlined through his thin dress shirt, lounging in the pillows snacking on her favorite foods. Cal looked over his shoulder and picked up the neatly folded clothing he chose for himself, “I’m going to take a shower. Care to join me, Princess?” He asked, lifting an eyebrow getting exactly the response he expected, a pillow flying across the room for his head. He ducked and chuckled softly shaking his head, “your loss,” he hummed before wandering into the bathroom bringing his clothes with him. The door still hadn’t been repaired so Amira had a clear line of sight directly to the shower.

The Prince was well aware of this however and stepped just to the left of the doorway to strip out of his old gross clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist. Amira couldn’t take her eyes away from his back able to now clearly see his muscles, cleanly sculpted lines that she wanted to- she shook her head dropping her gaze back down to the platter of food in front of her. That she wanted nothing she reminded herself aggressively resisting the mating bond that she doubted would ever let up.

She didn’t risk looking up again until she heard the faucet running for at least five minutes. She finished the remainder of her breakfast and got up, the steam had covered the glass door significantly enough so that there was nothing for her to see anyways as she quickly got up and slipped out to the balcony hoping the fresh air would do her some good.

Sometime later the water turned off, and Caldwin reappeared, dressed casually for once, dark jeans and a grey t-shirt. He walked up beside Amira, half tempted to wrap her in his arms from behind, but he didn’t want to push his luck, and thus far she did not seem too keen on physical contact. Noticing her gaze was wandering the gardens below he broke the silence with a quiet offer, “would you like to go down there?” He asked, remembering what Rollo had told him. Amira whirled to the Prince beside her eyes, lighting up with excitement.

“Really?” she asked, almost not believing him.

“Really,” Caldwin echoed her smiling softly. He was relieved that he could make her happy, but a pang of sadness struck his heart as he realized how miserable she truly must be locked up in here that a trip to the garden would be the highlight of her day.

“Yes!” she said nearly hopping with excitement before she schooled her expression and ran a hand through her hair casually, “I mean if you want to I mean I guess that sounds okay,” she said masking her excitement awkwardly causing the Prince to chuckle and shake his head.

“Don’t pretend,” he scolded her, “you’re far cuter being you,” he said with a playful wink offering his hand to her to take, she almost did but then froze, hesitating. “Don’t worry about it,” Cal said, dropping his hand quickly, not wanting to upset her. He bent down and snapped the chain off her ankle supernatural strength catching the Princess off guard, she forgot how strong he was sometimes.

“You realize if I jump over this railing I could be gone,” she said softly, barely breathing at the fact.

“I know,” Caldwin said, straightening to his full height and looking down on her slightly as they made eye contact he asked, “are you going to?”

Amira thought for a moment, looking out to the open skies beyond then back to the Prince standing before her, offering her freedom openly. He thought he may die from holding his breath, his heart having come to a full stop in his chest awaiting her answer.

“No,” she said after a long time gaze drifting back out to the open air. “I’m safest here. The people I love are safest far from me” she spoke calmly. No longer resentful of the fact.

“Okay,” Caldwin said nodding slightly accepting her answer, it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear, but it was better than her leaving and allowed him to breathe once more. “Shall we?” he asked, angling his head towards the door. Amira smiled and nodded and allowed him to lead the way. She felt like a child trailing after his massive form, but she supposed it didn’t matter. She was just happy to get out of that room.

They passed Josie and Amira snuck the girl a small wave before they moved on to Rollo and his men. Her friend was notably absent, she wondered where he’d gone but wasn’t overly concerned as they were off again, now escorted on their way to the gardens. Cal didn’t ask or reach for her hand again, however, he did walk beside her now, and every now and again she caught him glaring at any male who even turned their gaze in her direction. His alpha aurora pouring off of him so strongly it made Amira feel uneasy and the guards around them were completely terrified.

They reached the gardens and their entourage fanned out giving them space while still being in the vicinity near enough to help if need be. Caldwin seemed to remember he could relax once the other males were gone and his shoulders dipped slightly as they walked.

“Territorial much?” Amira asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly earning her only a low growl in response. She chuckled softly before they slowed reaching the center of the gardens where a small fountain resided surrounded by benches. All around the innermost circle bloomed the rarest flower in the world, the widow’s heart. It grew in and around the jagged rocks that had been set up specifically for them that encircled the small green space around the fountain.

The Princess left the Prince’s side to approach the flowers eyes wide with wonder as she admired the breathtaking midnight black flowers. They were so dark it was almost hard to comprehend their color. The veins that delicately crossed through the leaves and petals though were a light sparkling gold. Amira didn’t touch them but just drew close to observe as closely as she dared.

The Prince watched as his mate moved around the clearing, his hands tucked into his pockets. She had lit up more in just a few moments she had been here than she had the entirety of the time she’d been locked up in his room. That’s when it struck him, she wanted to get out not because she wanted to get away, but because she wanted to be free. As he let her explore on her own trailing behind at a safe distance his heart tore apart at the rectangular box he now clutched in his pocket. He’d had it made so that she could explore more, with the guards of course, but now that he had granted her this freedom it pained him to have to ask her to give it back.

“Amira,” Caldwin called as he stopped by a flowering rose bush. The Princess turned back to him smiling easily, “What?” she asked, walking back towards him, “jealous of the flowers now too Prince?” She teased him, mood significantly improved now that she’d gotten the chance to get out and about.

His dark eyes dropped to the ground and he shook his head slightly attempting to cover up the small smile on his lips. She was quite funny, “I have something for you.” He said, pulling the jewelry box out of his pocket.

“Wow, a present? On our first date? Who knew you were such a charmer?” She said carrying on with her teasing before her curiosity got the best of her, “Well go on! Open it” she said smiling brightly.

Caldwin seemed a bit stunned, was this their first date? He hadn’t thought of it that way. The thought completely occupied his mind for the moment and he obeyed opening the box to reveal a gold bracelet. It was inscribed with ancient marks and symbols swirling together artistically on the thin circlet of gold. Before Amira took it from him though he pulled it back out of her grasp.

“There’s one thing,” he said softly wanting to warn her of the choice she had to make. “My mother refuses to have you here unless you are prevented from shifting,” he watched as her expression changed, first confusion written in her eyes as her eyebrows narrowed, then a flash of that familiar anger, followed by soothing understanding. She chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment as she thought before holding out her hand to him for him to put it on. “It’s warded,” he warned her, another reason why he had gone to meet the witch, “but… I thought It may give you some more freedom… but I don’t want to take that choice away from you, you can-”

“Just put the damn thing on me already,” the Princess said, rolling her eyes cutting him off mid-pity party. “I hardly ever shift fully anyways, it makes no difference to me and if it makes her majesty not want to kill me-” she shrugged, “-seems like a fair trade.”

Cal stopped himself before he argued with her, she was accepting. Technically this is what he should have wanted. Yet how did it feel so wrong at the same time? He sighed heavily and removed the bracelet from the box and slid it over her hand. They both watched as metal shifted and adjusted to its new host, tightening enough so that she wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but loose enough not to bother her.

“I’ll be the only one who can take it off,” he said with a small sigh tucking the box away and running a hand through his hair.

“So I better hope your would-be assassin’s aren’t successful huh”

Caldwin barked out a stiff laugh looking up to the sky as if he were offering up a prayer to the unseen gods, “you are impossible”

“They’ve said that since the day I was born” the Princess chirped, offering him a playful wink and a secretive smile. There was still so much that they didn’t know about each other. Yet for the time being, it seemed as if they had all the time in the world to learn.