The nurse sent Georgina off within the next minutes, handing her some herbs for her tea to sleep better at night and relief the soreness. Stepping out of the infirmary, the three walked into an awkward stillness between the two princes, silencing the chit-chat between the girls. Touching Damien's arm, Eliana broke his haze. "Dame, is everything alright?"
For Damien, it had become natural for her to call him by his nickname, but that was not the case for the others present, making all their heads turn toward Eliana. Becoming aware of what she had said, her face turned red, but she kept her focus on Damien, who was still flabbergasted by what Simon had revealed to him.
How was it possible for brothers to find their mates in best friends? Wasn't that a little bit too much of a coincidence? He made a mental note to research similar cases to find out if this was extraordinary or if this had something to do with them being brothers and choosing mates from similar environments.
"Yes, all is good. Did Georgina get everything she needed from the nurse?" Changing the topic and ignoring all other matters was the best he could do for now. When the girls and Darrel nodded, still looking quizzingly at the brothers, he looked at Darrel. "Darrel, you will take over Georgina's training from now on. Simon has a lot on his plate at the moment, and it seems it all got over his head, ultimately harming Georgina without wanting to. Simon, maybe you have something to say to her?"
Simon was surprised by Damien's composed state. Although he had dropped a bomb just seconds ago, he was thankful for him to take charge because it was evident he wasn't capable of doing so and had to take some distance from it all.
"Yes. Georgina, I apologize for – well for- "Looking at her expecting expression, he lost his words. Even though she wasn't in her best state, she still looked marvelous to him, and by saying that she was his mate out loud, it all became real. How would he be able to make it up to her? Would she ever be able to look at him with admiring eyes? He had to try, and his apology was the first step. "Well, I regret miscalculating the training schedule and overworking you. I didn't intend to hurt you, and I hope you can forgive my misstep. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
His genuine apology, in person this time, astonished Georgina. On top, he even offered to make it up to her- how sweet. Unconsciously touching the necklace he had gifted her, and she always wore, she smiled sweetly. "Don't worry about it, Simon. I am not made out of candy. Maybe we can train together again once you have less to do." Her innocent remarks and kind words cracked open his cold heart, spreading an unknown warmth in his body. That was all he had to do? Apologize to her in person…
Seeing that Simon was again lost in his world, changing the atmosphere to its initial embarrassing state, Damien announced that everyone should go home. "Good. I think we have had enough action for one day now that all is resolved. How about we return home and rest a little before dinner? Simon, you shall meet me in my study, please." Agreeing with Damien, everyone moved to go home and meet for dinner later, except for Damien and Simon, who met at his study first.
"Since when do you feel the pull?" Damien didn't beat around the bush and started interrogating him the minute they entered the room.
Simon was still shaken by what happened and went to prepare himself an alcoholic beverage from Damien's personal bar in the corner. Emptying one glass in one go, he poured himself another. "She occasionally came to me in my dreams after the town fair, but it became insufferable when we met by the border, and I was nearby her."
Leaning against his desk, arms crossed before his chest, Damien patiently watched Simon down another glass and fill it up again. "Hmm, that was the reason for your irritation the past few months. Why did you keep it a secret for so long?"
"I planned to overcome my urges and stay unfazed by it. I thought it wouldn't become a reality as long as I didn't indulge in it or mention it to someone. Obviously, that was complete bullshit."
"But why are you so against it, Simon?"
"It is no secret that I never thought much about this mate thing we werewolves have. I find it utterly appalling to be forced into something like this, plus she is a human making it one-sided. What kind of a cruel joke is that?" Simon narrowed his eyes in disgust and looked in Damien's direction before gulping down one more glass.
"Will you serve me one too?" A second glass was filled up by Simon and passed to his brother, which Damien gratefully took. Looking at the liquid in his glass, Damien thought deeply before downing it. "Does it really matter what race she is? I mean, what if she had been a werewolf but wouldn't have had the qualities Georgina has? Would that have been fine?"
"Haha, of course, it matters what race she is. They don't know our customs, what we go through when we change into a wolf, or how much the bond affects us. It would have been much easier to be from the same race."
"Easier doesn't necessarily mean better. What of her character?"
"I mean, at first, I was irked by her roughness, and it deeply annoyed me that she was so unladylike, but the more I got to know her, the more I admired her. She is a fighter who stands up for herself, is incredibly loyal, and has a profoundly pure heart even if it has rough edges."
"So, she does suit you after all, doesn't she? Look, I am probably the only person who can relate. It indeed takes some time to get used to, but eventually, you will understand that there is a reason that your core chose her as your mate. Try to see past her race. You are not doing anybody any favors right now."
Gulping down another full glass, Damien started to chuckle. "Also, we are lucky that they didn't end up being vampires! Imagine how that would have worked out?! Can you think of Mother's reaction?" If only Damien knew… His joke made Simon join Damien's laughter, and he felt slightly more at ease. But not for long as a thought immersed in his mind, tucking at his conscious.
"Do you think she will forgive me?"
"As far as I understood, she already did." Damien didn't know Georgina well, but he knew she wouldn't lie or pretend, so her words must have been earnest.
"Hmm, yes, I assumed the same, but probably my behavior didn't give her the best impression of me."
"I wouldn't think of the past, but rather concentrate on the future and what you can do to improve your relationship with her. As a human, she needs time and positive memories with you to fall in love. So, create those moments, and everything else will fall in place."
"Is that what you have been doing with Eliana? Because last time I checked, you two aren't an item yet…" Simon mentioned in a sarcastic tone.
Damien flashed him a warning glare. He really knew how to press his buttons. "True, I have not succeeded yet. Emphasis on YET. I am closer to my goal than you, brother, and if it weren't for your outbursts, I might have been closer, so don't try to poke the sleeping bear."
At the end of their conversation, they made plans for Simon to take a leave for a couple of days and collect his mind. He needed to come to terms with this situation; for that to happen, he needed some space and time. Meaning he had to go into the woods situated closer to the Paxon border and run freely as a wolf.
--
The next morning the girls woke up early, put on long-sleeved, ankle-long linen dresses for their trip with the queen, and tied a cotton scarf around their necks. They had been informed that there were many sandstorms in this area and that they had to wear protective clothes, so they obliged accordingly. A maid came to pick them up at sunrise and led them to one of the side exits, where a commotion welcomed them.
All tiredness from the two still-sleepy girls disappeared as soon as they stepped out of the palace building. The scene before them was both breathtaking and overwhelming. The sunrise lit the desert in beautiful red and orange colors, and the sun rays warmed up everything they touched. The ambiance would have been peaceful if the servants in front of them hadn't run around like ants.
It seemed like the last preparations were taking longer than anticipated because the queen, sitting in a corner overseeing everything, looked a little displeased, which was probably why everyone was so stressed. Suddenly a farmer brought five magnificent animals with four long thin legs, a long face, beige fur, and two humps on their backs. The girls had never seen such animals before and were initially scared. Would they ride on them?
"Have you never seen a camel before?" The queen appeared beside them, touched the animal's long neck, and caressed it. "Don't worry; they are amiable animals; you don't have to be scared." She indicated for them to touch it as well. Having no other choice, they reluctantly went to feel the camel's fur, too, and relaxed a little once they realized the queen had been right." They look gorgeous. Why are we not taking horses" Eliana's curiosity had no switch-off button, so she wondered what sort of animals these were." Camels are originally from the desert and can survive for a long time without water, while horses are more delicate. Riding them is similar to riding a horse, and you will get used to it quickly," The queen explained patiently while smiling.
Before Eliana could say anything more, the queen called two servants to help the girls mount the animals and went ahead to do the same. "I will explain everything during our journey, but first, let's head out before we delay our travels further" When everyone was ready, the queen, the girls, and two servants made their way to the Ancient Caves of Agora.