Elodie

I never thought I would ever be escorted off the premises of anywhere, let alone like it. Yet here I am, hand in hand with Barre. A guard holds our bags as he strolls us to the front door of the palace. He carries the big pack Barre brought with us originally, and the one I got while staying in the palace. It's much smaller.

Inside the bag is a whole new wardrobe tailored to me. I made sure to choose dresses that would be ideal for living in the woods. Low maintenance sun dresses, loose fitting wide leg pants, long sleeve t-shirts. I got to pick out everything. It was the highlight of my week.

I shoot a sly glance at Barre. Well, not the biggest highlight, that's for sure.

Before too long we're stepping into the sun, letting the warm rays beat down on us. There's no rain today. It's bright. Too bright. I thought I would bask in the joy of a sunny day. I had looked forward to a day like today.

Now though, now I'm missing the rain so much my chest aches. I love the smell of it, the sound of it.

"It'll be back, tiny, don't worry." I look up at my mate, curious. Barre laughs. "The rain. You're glaring at the sun. I know you miss the rain. I do too. It never leaves for long, so don't worry, okay?"

He clamps a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it in reassurance. He already knows me so well. I definitely made a good choice. I smile to myself, knowing this life will be good to me with Barre in it.

Salsh runs forward, and I know he's spotted something. That's when I see Soliel running to me, arms open, but our pet has the gall the step in front of her before she can get to me. He stands solidly in front of me, paws spread in a wide stance as he growls at my best friend.

"Hey, puppy I'm just trying for a goodbye hug." She insists, letting her arms drop pathetically.

I chuckle, because it's hilarious that he thinks that Soleil could hurt me. She's smaller than me, and drained of energy because she's pregnant. Although, even then, she could probably beat me in a fight easily.

"Salsh." Barre commands, and his companion reluctantly leaves me, going to sit beside my mate with an annoyed sigh.

Soliel crashes into me, and I hold her close, my arms wound tightly around her neck and burying my face in her dark hair.

"I'll always love you, no matter what. You have to come visit me, especially when the kit gets here." My usually stoic best friend sniffles in my ear, and I pull away, my hands still on her back as I assess her puffy eyes.

"Kit? You already adopting the lingo?"

Soleil laughs a little laugh, wiping at her nose with the inside of her wrist.

"I guess so. It's Fray's fault." Another tear rolls down her cheek, and I feel my own eyes start to sting in response.

"Don't cry! I can't handle it when you cry." I mumble, pushing away the moisture collecting in my eyes. It's stubborn and decides to keep flowing anyway.

"Yeah, I think the last time you saw me cry was when I got grounded for painting a pair of boobs on the side of the main building at home. Man, I got in so much trouble."

I start cackling, remembering the words "Pussy Power" written in pink paint over the cartoon boobs on the red brick wall. Our old home was strict, and Soleil liked to disobey, I was always too afraid to step out of line.

"I wish I had helped, I was too much of a goody two shoes." I admit, and Soliel nods as she laughs, still rubbing the tears from her face. Her rosy cheeks are covered in moisture now.

"You're always the goody two shoes, thats just who you are, and I love you just the same, Elodie."

I smile sadly, knowing I won't see her for a while and hating it.

"I love you too, Soleil, so so much. You're my sister, no matter what." I take her hands in mine, giving them a squeeze.

Soleil startles me by bursting out into a crying fit. I jump, feeling panic as Fray rushes to her side.

"I didn't, I didn't mean to-" I try, Barre's hands go to my shoulders, I hold onto his fingers for comfort as my best friend continues to openly sob. She covers her face with both hands.

Fray shushes her, guiding her face to his chest as he pets her hair. He prys her fingers away from her eyes. She relents, only to wrap her arms around him, shaking with each sob.

"Do not worry, Elodie. It is not your fault. She is very sensitive. The kit is making her sick with many emotions she is not used to."

Despite his assurance, I bite my lip and want to go to her, comfort her myself as my own cries start to bubble up. I bite my fist, trying to stop myself from reacting the same way. It's not easy. I could very well break down at any moment.

Fray stares at Barre behind me, giving him a look. Since when do they communicate with facial expressions?

My mate turns me around, hands on my shoulders like usual.

"You know, it doesn't have to be this way. You always have a choice." He looks away, not wanting to meet my eyes as he clears his throat.

I feel my eyebrows knit together, my palms starting to become slick with sweat.

"Barre?" I push, and he nods.

"You don't have to be separated, if we stayed here."

"If we stayed... here?"

"Yes, here at the palace. We can live here, if that's what you would want." He relents, his voice quiet and unsure.

He doesn't want that. I don't want that.

"I don't understand. You love your cabin, your pr-property." I stutter, my brain not working properly while his offer sinks in.

This sudden discussion is making my brain go haywire.

Barre's hand goes to my face, and I look deeply into his blue and brown eyes that are so high up it hurts. The look he gives me makes me gasp.

"I do, but I love you more." He says it like it's simple, shrugging his massive, heavy shoulders. "We are partners. It should be a joint decision. We decide these things together."

I never thought I would hear something like that. That speech, that little piece of respect, it's enough to blow me away. This is something I would've never heard if I had been married on Earth. My husband would've kept me under his boot, silent and obedient.

Barre is not a human man, no, he is a Rytarian. A worthy male. A warrior. A gladiator. A partner. An equal.

More tears impossibly bubble up as I think of how sweet he really is.

"I am the luckiest girl on Rytaria." I choke out.

Barre tucks a stray piece of hair from my face as he dabs the salty tears away. His eyes are wide and worried.

"So you want to stay?"

"No, never. I love Soliel, but I want to stay in your den."

"Our den." He corrects me, and I chuckle, nodding my head frantically.

"Yes, our den. I don't know why you would want to stay here, or why you would ever think I would choose this" I motion to the grand castle with a dramatic wave of my arm. "over your cozy cabin. I love it there, it's perfect. It'll be an amazing place to be together, and eventually raise our kits."

I hear a giggle behind me, and I whip around, suddenly defensive.

"What, Soliel? I just poured my heart out, thank you very much." I say, feeling oddly exposed and vulnerable.

I sort of forgot her and Fray were still here.

She holds her stomach, laughing harder.

"Nothing, it's just that you said kits." She slaps a hand to her forehead, taking deep breaths. "Hypocrite."

I press my lips together, trying to hide my amusement.

Fray takes a step forward, lifting a finger in the air and opening his mouth before closing it again. He wants to say something, he;'s just struggling to find the words.

"I was the one who tried to convince Barre it would be better for you to remain in the palace. I now see I was wrong, I'm sorry. It is your decision how best to keep your mate safe." I detect the general remorse in his voice. I still narrow my eyes at him, putting my hands on my hips.

"You didn't think he could keep me safe?" I ask.

Fray is quick to defuse.

"No, no I swear." He tries backpedaling, but Soliel turns on him.

"Did you not see Locanas's face after Barre was done with him? You think he'd let anyone touch her ever again?" Fray shakes his head at his mate, and she nods in satisfaction, looking back to us. "If there was one person on this planet I'd trust to take care of my best friend, it's you Barre. You're the best guy for her."

Barre looks slightly uncomfortable, but also proud and touched by her words. I grin up at him.

"I know so." I murmur, and his eyes are suddenly downcast, reaching his hand out to palm Salsh's head as a distraction from all the unexpected, but very well earned, praise.

A few hugs and tears later, and Barre and I are carrying our own bags through the town.

It was harder leaving Soleil than I thought it would be, but I know that Fray will watch out for her. If not, she's always got her own back, the girl is a spitfire.

Barre and I walk hand in hand to the edge of town. Passersby are watching from the streets and buildings. It's early in the morning, and the scent of fresh baked bread makes my stomach growl in anticipation.

I ignore it all of it. I don't look at a single person as we march proudly. I don't think about the food or small talk to be had. I'm going home. I'm with the love of my life. We're going back to where we belong so we can officially begin our life together.

I don't want to waste a single second. I want to get there as soon as possible.

Finally, after lots of walking, we reach the trees. Barre leads me into the great woods, that's what they call it, and I don't question why it's named that. It's a fitting title. The towering trunks of wood are breathtaking. The canopy of foliage above let's little beams of sunlight through.

As soon as my shoes touch soil, a drop of something hits the tip of my nose. My eyes cross as I try to see what it is, my finger going up to investigate. I pick up the little droplet with the tip of my nail. I inspect it, finding nothing more than a clear fleck of water reflecting the sunlight.

That's when the floodgates really let loose. The sky begins crying on us, dumping rain from above.

I squeal in excitement, not caring at all that my new dress is already soaked and sticking to my skin. A loud rack of thunder shakes the trees. It's a storm of massive proportions, definitely not something soon forgotten. Salsh yips, biting at the raindrops. I laugh, turning to Barre to see him smiling softly down at me.

I grab him by the shirt, pulling him down and standing on the tips of my toes. He has to grab me by the waist and hoist me up to reach my target. I plant my lips on his, letting the rain fuel my desire and passion.

He kisses me back ferociously, claiming my mouth in a hot mix of breath and tug. His big, strong hand holds my neck in place as he has his way with me. His hot tongue delves past my teeth, waring with my own tongue. I start panting, and that's his que to cut it off before we start something we can't stop.

It ends as quick as it began, but Barre doesn't let me down, instead he swings my legs over his arm. He starts walking as if my weight has no effect on his whatsoever. I grin mischievously.

"It would seem the forest is welcoming you back." He muses, kissing my neck and making me shiver with fiery hot intensity. "It gave you what you wanted."

I lean forward, whispering in his ear.

"I can think of something I want more." I nibble his earlobe. "We might have to stop sooner rather than later, because all I can imagine is laying under the trees in the rain with my big, strong male on top of me, filling me with kits."

I try to fake a husky, sexy voice, but end up sounding ridiculous. However, when I pull away and look at Barre's face, his smile has disintegrated.

He starts walking faster, taking a quick glance backwards.

"Whatever my mate wants, she gets."



I hated writing this chapter haha. I think it says a lot about me when I write for hours and keep thinking how horrible the chapter is, but then I come back to edit it later and actually really enjoy how it turned out! Funny how that works lol

Thanks for reading! A few chapters left and I'm super excited to wrap this story up. I hate to say goodbye, but I am looking forward to the 2 new books I'm launching this month :) who's excited?

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Love you all ❤️❤️❤️