"Say again?..."
Trixa looked at me, puzzled and bewildered.
"You heard me, he's trying to lay claim to me! That....that....UGHHHH!" I exclaimed as I flopped back onto my bed.
"What are you gonna do?"
"I don't know..." came my muffled reply.
"..You know...he iiiis really hot, I'm just sayin' maybe you should, give him a chance. See what's up. Maybe he really IS your mate. You said it yourself, this may very well be the year you find...HIM."
"Triiiiix…" I moaned under my pillow.
Tossing the pillow aside I sat up on the edge of the bed, bracing my elbows against my knees and placing my head in my hands. I ran my finger's through my hair and blew out an exasperated breath.
"I never really thought....saying something to appease others, and believing THAT something...are two very different things Trix. My parents blamed themselves, I thought if, if I kept the flame of hope alive they would too and it would give them some sort of peace, but...I gave up real hope a long time ago. I don't WANT to depend on a man, not really anyway. It was a hard road, learning how to be self-sufficient and independent. I don't wanna give it up now. I want....."
"Your freedom?"
"...Yeah..." I chuckled to myself. "Guess I really did take it for granted didn't I? Then, there's you, Oh Goddess Trixa, we have to break the oath before I'm made to bond with...HIM."
"Break the oath?! Why in the name of all the God's and Goddesses would we break the oath?! I chose my path a long time ago Princess, you're stuck with me! We both knew what we were getting into when we swore loyalties. Where you go, I go, period! "
I sighed in anguish, I knew Trixa would never break her oath of loyalty to me. No matter how much I wished she would, she deserves her own life, she deserves to be here with her people, not dragged out to who knows where in Scotland with me. I rose from the bed and wrung my hands as I paced my room, deep in thought.
"There has to be a way outta this." I said.
"Nova, you know good and damn well you don't really want that. You know the prophecy and you know your duty, and I know you! Therefore I know what you want , what you REALLY want. So, stop being a big baby and embrace this!"
I stopped pacing to stare at my bff. She did know me and she was right. Part of me really did want this mating and part of me wanted my independence. At the end of the day I know what I have to do.
"Pride be damned." I stated.
"Pride be damned." Trixa agreed.
"Guess we should go down and meet the great Scot huh? Maybe try to get to know him a little." I stated, more than asked.
"Yup, no time like the present! The ball is right around the corner Nov, you should get to know him before you're pledged to him. Maybe you'll have something in common? Hey, maybe he's really hung." She wiggled er eyebrows at me.
"Trixa!!" I laugh-yelled as I threw a pillow at her head.
"What?! You know it's been lurking in and outta your thought's ever since you saw him naked in the forest! I know it's sure as hell been on every other females mind." She laughed.
Anger shot through me, possession for my mate rose to the surface and I loosed a deep guttural growl. Trixa's smile only widened.
"What the hell was that about?!" I asked, bewildered.
"That, my bestie, was your primal urge to defend your mate. Just one more sure fire sign, you've found THE ONE."
"Will, that happen again? How do I not know about all these quirks and stuff? I've studied what would happen when I met my mate for like...ever!"
"Yeah, you studied what would happen for you, in your particular situation, being a prophesied queen and savior and all. What you just experienced was a normal kind of Werewolf reaction. Don't worry, I got ya. I'll stay with you till you're comfortable with him alone."
"Thanks, I appreciate it. Now, what the hell am I gonna wear?"
Just then a spritely little whisp of a child ran through my door, laughing and jumping around like a wild banshee. He jumped from the floor to the bed to Trixa's back. She laughed and jumped with the boy on her back and levitated before fliting around the room. I smiled broadly and laughed at his wild and crazy antics and humor. Just then a huge beast of a man burst through my door laughing wildly and looking around cautiously.
"Where are ye lad! I told ye not ta go bother'n anyone! Come on out ye lit'l cheater! A'for I thrott'l yer wee arse…...oh...err, princess, I didn't mean..."
I leaned forward placing my hand on his soft supple lips. Then ushering him behind my curtain I held up my hands in a "stay here and be quiet" motion, then I winked at him and slid in beside him. One wave of my hand caused a gust of wind to shut my bedroom door with a loud thud. Trixa and Eodan reappeared almost immediately, snickering and leaping around the room with joy. I held up three fingers then two then with a bright smile Darrow leaped from his hiding place, covering his little brother with his massive body.
"I got ye now lit'l brother! Ha!! Yew tho't ye could hide eh? Arrrrr Raaaaarrr." They laughed loudly as Darrow tickled and tortured his brother.
"Now, come lad we ought ta be on our wey, apologize to the princess for troub'len her and her fre'nd. Oh come now lit'l one you'll see her 'gain in a bit."
"I'm sorry princess." he groaned.
"No need to apologize, it was fun. Hey save me a dance tonight? I swear non of those over stuffed lords can dance at all." I winked at his broad smile.
"Absolutely!" he exclaimed.
"It is meh dearest hope ye be will'en to dance with meh as well, princess. I'd be most greatful." Darrow said as he ushered his brother out of my room.
"Of course , King Darrow." I said.
"Please, call me Darrow only, it's meh prefrerred name. You and I, we're equal's and should be addressed as such." He stated simply before bowing and beginning his chase of Eodan once again.
"Well....that was....interesting." I said as I walked into my wardrobe.
"Interesting? Yeah, you could say that." Trixa laughed.
"You know what? This whole mating thing may not be that bad." I said over my shoulder.
"Told you so." Came Trixa's catty reply.
"Whatever, come on let's go get ready."
We laughed and locked arms as we began talking about lipstick and eyeliner and dresses. I now had full confidence this situation may not be as dire as I thought it was...maybe.