Rhys
The sound of Leo babbling echoed through the stone walls of his quarters. Rhys shook his head as gestures like hugging, kissing, even mating were seen as normal. Admittedly still bewildered by the sudden action because there were still his parents, he understood it was only natural. The feeling of wanting to express what two individuals felt was shown in different ways just like his mother and father had just shown them.
He nudged his brother chest briskly as Leo removed his hand from his ears, " Leo, come on you've see worse." Rhys commented.
" I've done worst." Leo admitted as Rhys knew of his flings so he was speaking only the truth, hiding such things from their parents.
Trailing over placing his hand on his shoulder, " Just who have you been frolicking around with Leonard?" Their father questioned as Leo widened his eyes stammering over his words as he looked for his older brother for help but Rhys just minded his business. Strolling through his cave - heading towards his bedroom the only place, he could relax and just be him. Removing the cape around his neck and throwing it on the bed as he stretched his muscles. Sighing deeply as the job of King of the Jungle was not an easy one. Especially when everyone was on his ass for looking for a mate, a wife, a Queen to rule besides. Not that he didn't want to get married. He just didn't want to be forced to marry someone he didn't love.
Hearing the sound of light footsteps as he snapped his head up as his mother walked in giggling, " Your father and brother are too much." She laughed off as she sat on the bed, smoothing out the piece of cloth next to her.
" Sometimes, I think they're duplicates." Rhys confessed as she nodded.
" But speaking of females." She began as she opened his closet placing his lion's mage in there, already aware of where the conversation was going. " You should get married soon. You know to make this house, this cave into a home. Turn this plain walls into something nice." His mother expressed as he thought the same. Looking at his place, it was rather mundane, containing few things that matter to him. He wanted to get married, to find his mate. But he didn't want to marry just anyone. He knew the person he wanted. The person that he had intended to be his bride. Although the person, the woman would he wanted to be his bride, he was pretty sure she didn't want him. " You know you can have any woman you want."
" Yes, mother. Any woman, any female. Any lioness, with the exception of a wolf." He repeated the phrase he had heard his entire life.
His mother crossing her arms as she squinted her eyes, " Well, unless there is a female wolf who has peeked you're interest if that's what you're saying." She inquired as he felt his throat close. How did she know that? Out of a simple statement, his mother would always be able to detect such things that turned out to be true. But he couldn't let her or anyone know that.
He scoffed in so called disgust, " As if mother. You know as well as I that is impossible." He turned away as he winced if his mother would see his face it would be a dead giveaway.
She tilted her head to the side as her eyes appeared with an ounce of doubt, " A female wolf is still a woman. They still stand a chance." She remarked as he blinked. Was she being sincere or was his mother testing him?
" Wolves are our rivals. I could never." Rhys played off.
" Rivals and enemies are two different things. A rival is an competitor worthy of being your equal. A enemy is someone whom you hate. And we don't hate the wolves, just friendly match." She differentiated as a mischievous smile grew on her face. This being all true, but why was his mother saying all of this? For what? Giving him permission to seek Bree? Or was it all a false illusion just to get him to slip up?
Opening his mouth to say something his father and brother brazed in hair disheveled and face covered in dirt as they looked like they had a father son friendly brawl, squinting their eyes almost noticing the serious atmosphere. " What are you two talking about?" His father questioned perking his brow.
" Nothing." His mother covered up, one of her best abilities. When she didn't want anyone to know her business, no one ever knew.
" Right, but seriously what are you mom and Rhysand talking about?" Leo added as he continued. " I know there's something. You know there's something." He pointed to their mother.
Waving her hand off as she rubbed the dirt off his face, " What I do know is you guys have to get ready. Now chop-chop. You- stinkers." She silly commanded clapping her hands as she pushed them into washroom.
Bree
After running around, being chased after for refusing the females to see her body but unfortunately she was outmatched as they dragged her back into her home where thankful her mother had giving her a towel to cover herself. She was now sitting on a blue ottoman, a gift her father had brought for her from the human world awaiting punishment.
As Summer bended over, flashing her as she shut her eyes. " Can you ladies please put so clothes on?" Bree pleaded trying to erase the image in her mind. But it was stuck in there, scarring her for life.
" Are you seriously still going on with that?" Her aunt Cecila retorted as she nodded.
" Maybe, you should see Rhys naked." Aelin suggested as she fluttered her eyes open turning to her.
" What in the world would make you think-"
" Ha, got you to look." Aelin mocked as she perked her breast up with her hands as Bree looked away. " Why? Why did the supreme creator give me friends like these? Could they be normal? Or more human." She thought as she sighed soulfully. It wasn't the comment that bother her. It was the fact that it was true. She wanted a man she couldn't have. Damn, she liked him since she saw him when there were little. But ever since she came back from the human world, no longer a child but a woman she couldn't help but feel more attracted to the Lion King. Curse her for such feelings. But we're feeling natural. If people from different species or tribes could be together why couldn't they. Oh right! The old family rivalry she never really knew what was it about, but believed like a blind follower.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder pulling her from her mind she shook her head refusing to be tricked again. " I'm dressed." Aelin stated as she shook her head. " I promise or you can slain me your majesty." She spoke formal as the new title still felt out place as she chuckled lightly. Turning her head as the bird woman covered in a golden peach halter neck dress that reached her knees with a slit in the center showing off her assets. Her eyes concealed from any more trauma saying thank you. " Your welcome, and I was just joking about his majesty Rhys." She added.
" I mean seeing him naked wouldn't be a crime." Summer awed as her eyes sparkled as the ladies all agreed.
" Well, I heard he is blessed down there if you know what I'm saying." Cecil admitted sending her a wink.
" Oh you are shameless sister." Her mother said as Bree nodded.
" Finally someone with common sense." Bree alleged as her opinion was about to be short lived.
" I mean, looking at it like if he were my own son. His majesty is quiet good looking. If I were younger I would have probably fallen for him." Her mother announced as Bree mouth fell open as she stood up.
" Mom!" Bree said in shock.
Her mom wore a smile that reached the eyes, without shame or regret " Bree, I know you're not blind. You can see for yourself how attractive he is. I mean probably more since you're closer in age. " She concluded.
Bree rubbing her temples, "I-I mean do you guys forget we're rivals." She stuttered un believing what she was hearing. All her life being told, hearing the opposite about every single lion. And now things were different. What changed?!
" Rivals not enemies." Summer advised as Cecila preached.
" Besides they are good looking lions, just like their are wolves. Zebra. Birds. So on. Besides, now that you are queen." Aelin began as bumped her hip into hers, " Maybe you could seduce him. The new Alpha Queen as the Lion King's wife and mate doesn't sound to bad."
What? The Alpha Queen and The Lion King as mates? She knew it didn't sound bad, but there was no way. As far as she knew Rhys hated her, and she pretended to hate him. That's how it always was, how could that change from night to day? " You can't be serious?" Brianna questioned breathlessly.
" Anything is possible." Summer and Aelin said concurrently sounding like a mother daughter duo they were.
But deep down she knew it wasn't. That would be a fantasy.