I wished to ask him so many questions. How long ago had he come to care for me? What did he like to do for fun? What was his favorite place to visit? His favorite time of day? What all did he do when he wasn’t spending his time with me and Syrion and Nalik? Perhaps he likes to walk the garden himself when we’re inside, or he’s in meeting after meeting, or maybe he’s doing something completely different I was so deep in my wonderings that I hadn’t realized he woke up and was watching me until I felt one of his free arms move to comb his fingers through my hair.

“Mm, I can practically hear the thoughts turning in your head, my sweet Ivorix. What are your thinking about?” He asked in a low gravelly voice, eyes still heavy and half lidded while his hair looks disheveled from sleep.

I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips at the sight of him, “I was just wondering what you do when you are not with me and the others, and how you usually like to spend your time, and…” I paused as I averted my gaze to my hand now laying still on his chest, before speaking again but quieter and with a lot of hesitance. “And how long you’ve known that you care for me the way that you do.”

He hums at me in thought, the sound rumbling low in his chest and sending a warm feeling though me. “Typically, I train with my soldiers, if I’m not with you on your own or all three of you. I also prefer spending my time with you, whether just alone or among your two rascals of friends.” He lets out a soft chuckle as he wraps all four of his arms around my thin body, bringing me up enough to capture my lips with his, sending more of that lovely warmth through me, only parting to speak. “As for when I realized that I started caring for you, I’ve come to decide that it was the moment I laid eyes on you when you were presented to me. I can’t place any other time it may have begun.”

That admittance made me blush and bury my face into the crook of his neck, earning another low chuckle from him and nothing more. We lay like that for only a few moments before he started to pepper me with kisses, coaxing my face from his neck so that he may claim my lips again. It didn’t take long for the warmth I felt to stir something within me and seeming to do the same to Faelix as he rolled us over so that I was on my back and he hovered above me. Soon exploring every inch of my skin with his hands and mouth, bringing a pleasant heat everywhere our skin met.

It felt like hours had passed after every round he filled me and nearly drowned the both of us in the pleasure we brought each other. It was confirmed that hours had passed by when we had gotten out of bed and sat in the warm water of his bath. His main attendant having come in to inform him that his father wished to speak with him over dinner and to inform us that Syrion and Nalik were worried that we had not joined them for breakfast and were making sure we would for lunch.

“Your father is going to want you to punish the ones you spoke of last night, isn’t he? The ones that simply wanted freedom from his reign?” My question was quiet, barely audible if it weren’t for how close we are, with him holding me against his chest as he sit on one of the many steps carved out of the wall.

“Yes, he likely will.”

“What will you do?”

He sighed at that question, hiding his face in my hair, “I will do as I’m told. It is not easy to defy my father without facing his wrath afterwards, even for his children.”

“That’s okay. I would rather you get back home safely, whether that’s you doing as you’re told or doing as you believe. I just want you to come back safe.” I hoped my words were reassuring to him, but I couldn’t be too sure with the way his arms tightened around me.

“I will always come back home to you. I fear that Syrion would hunt me down to bring me back to you if I don’t.” He chuckles lowly, eliciting a quiet giggle from me just at the thought of that happening.

“I certainly don’t doubt that they would.”

“And speaking of that Jalain, we should get ready to have lunch with them and Nalik before they come knocking down the door to ensure we haven’t abandoned them.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me as he lifts me from the water and carries me back into his bedroom in a towel, drying then dressing me in a deep blue floor length dress with long sleeves and a skirt that moved with ease. The fleece lining feeling creamy soft against my skin and meant to keep me nice and warm for when I inevitably go out into the snow-covered garden. He helped me pull on the slippers I wear when wandering the palace. Faelix told me we’ll make sure to get my boots before he leaves me to wander the garden with the other two while he goes to train with his soldiers. He told me that they were likely wondering where he was right about now as we walked down the halls to meet with Syrion and Nalik in the gazebo we took all our meals in. Thankful that it had heaters to keep the cold out as we’re surrounded by the beautiful snow-covered landscape.