Rowen's Heat- An OmegaVerse Tale. Book 1. - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

"Thank you, Romley" I say to the coach hand who has finished loading and securing the last of my items.
"It is no hardship, your Highness. And do not worry, I will personally see to it myself your things come to no harm" The man replies with a smile before giving a small bow and turning away to complete the rest of his work.
It will be a while yet before I become comfortable with such a formal title, I think. The ends of the elegant dress skirts brush my legs as I turn and look about the bustle of my gardens. Today I head to my new home in the Crystal Kingdom where I will take my official place as queen besides my husband. My home has been packed away and the most important of possessions loaded into the elaborate carriage that has been sent from the eastern Kingdom to help carry what belongings I wished to take with me to my new home.
It has been a fortnight since our Bonding and Wolveryn has stayed alongside me in my small home while settling matters of State. Implementing Rhydon as the new lord of Rockherse took some time. Lord Hammels toxic reach and influence was the cause of much upheaval. There were many skirmishes and back handed, treasonous plots and deals my husband has been forced to intervene on numerous occasions. The whole mess took much longer than he would have liked, but it did grant me much needed time to sort out my own arrangements and settle my goodbyes.
A touch to my shoulder has me turning to face an approached visitor.
"Maci!" I exclaim happily.
"Hi Rowen!" She replies just as merrily, throwing arms around my form for a tight hug.
"Oh look at you, your majesty" She gloats snarkily with a grin once she pulls away, indicating my vibrant flowing ice blue gown with a wave of her hand.
The neckline, lined with sparkling diamonds, cuts low on my bust to showcase the flush bounty of my heavy breast. From the bust, a silky gauze material tapers down and pinches at the waist till meeting the hips where an inseam, lined too with diamonds, stops before the skirt starts. The skirt is surprisingly heavy, layered in silks that are draped over by a final layer of the same gauze-like material with a high split that rides aside a leg. The skirts follow all the way into a long train that runs behind me.
Thin straps hang off my forearms in an off shoulder fit. Sky Blue gems and diamond teardrop earrings pair to compliment. A large matching necklace sporting a massive teardrop sky blue gem of the same design hangs at its center to complete the look. Well, that is if one does not take into account the diadiem that hangs neatly in a small dip atop my head, rows of connecting diamonds attached to another matching teardrop gem centered high above the center of my brows.
It is grossly decadent and something I would have never thought to find myself in. But it is simply too pretty to feel ashamed about!
"Oh my, where are my manners!" She dips into a perfect deep waisted bow, dropping her chin to her chest with an evil snicker. A swap lands on her arm.
"Stop it" I say, slightly embarrassed. It is still hard to accustom myself to the royal reference, but Wolveryn has abolished me, claiming there is no shame in wearing your rightly bestowed title. After all, my King has deemed it so and I would not wish to question his dictate. Or displease my husband. Before insisting I make up for my affront to him. All night.
Macilynn rises, reaching to lift baby Laylah from her basket. Cradling the baby, she reached out to hand me a small box in her hand.
"What is this, Maci?" I ask, taking the item.
She gives me a sad smile and her eyes gloss slightly."I bought a farewell gift"
"You have been my only friend and greatest support through these last few years. You were there for me when – you helped with – " She stops, fighting for composure. There is silence and we both know what goes unsaid. The words are never spoken aloud and hopefully, never will. Maci drags in a choppy breath and continues.
"There is no repaying my debt to you, but I want to show you how much everything you've done means to me. How much you mean to me" My eyes tear as well and I open the small box to retrieve the mysterious item.
"Oh, Maci. Thank you" I breathe.
In my hand lies a Taikee stone.
The Ochari people mine a stone high in the shadowed mountain near their home referred to as a Taikee stone. The stones come nestled from within the rocks of their native mountain, The Maimee Korai Mountain, meaning Regal Mother or Great Mother mountain. Only here can the Taikee stone be found. The stone is a clear, glowing red rock that sports a jagged break through its center highlighted in gold. Where the split runs, one is able to crack the stone in two pieces.
Legend has it there were once two friends separated by war, yet strongly Bonded in spirit. In an effort to bestow protection upon their faraway friend, an enchanted stone was split between them. So whenever one should find themselves in trouble, they need only to cradle the stone and call upon their friend for protection. Or something of that matter. I could never really remember the tale fully.
Her chubby baby rest propted upon Maci's hip and I lightly tickle Laylah's silky cheek. "There are no debts between friends, Maci. Never think for a moment you owe any due for my friendship" I tell her with conviction.
"I have never held any regrets in our friendship. Helping you in your hour of need will never be something to hold regrets over. My fathers passing would not have been nearly as bearable had you not been a constant earlier on" A sniffle escapes before a light, warm glow heats through my Bond. I send a soothing reply, knowing Wolveryn will be headed my way soon in light of the momentary distress felt.
"Oh Row, I hope you're happy" Maci says instead. I only smile, my face heating in the way only Maci can tell.
"Yes, Maci. I am so very happy. There are no guarantees of what the future holds, but I know I am on the right path.." my heart fills with delight as Wolveryn's warm body presses against my back and arms wrap around my waist "..and on that path with the right person. Everything else is up to chance" I say, tilting my head aside for the gentle kiss my husband places on my neck. Wolveryn's enticing scent and hot body flush to me and I take a gratifying inhale of his aroma. Pleasure pools in my core and a hot flush further heats my face when Wolveryn releases a purr of satisfaction at my response.
His hand encloses around the fisted stone and snaking trails of silver mist twine around our joined hands as he calls on his Majic. A glow pierces the spaces between our fingers in a shafts of sharp light before disappearing altogether. The stone lays in two pieces upon the opening of my hand and a spiral of symbols mark the rock in silver engravings.
"In your greatest time of need, grip this stone and we will come for you" Wolveryn vows, handing one half of the warm rock to Maci.
"Thank you" She says, tears freely trailing down her face.
"You have made Rowen so happy and I want to thank you for that'' Maci continues, raising her chin to give Wolveryn a once over.
"But do not think for a moment that should she find herself unhappy and a need to be free of you, I won't stop until I find a way to help my friend" Her words are filled with strong conviction and she narrows her eyes with severity. Wolveryn only chuckles, bowing his head in acknowledgement as his lips twitch at the corners.
"I vow to you, should I treat my Rowen in any fashion that causes her to doubt my love or sincerity, I would be unworthy of her continued Bond and would release her from my claim" Wolveryn vouches, emitting a growl before nipping at my earlobe.
"But no such thing shall come to be in our lifetime, my love. So never fear I will take for granted the blessing of our union"
Looking down at me, Wolveryn brushes a knuckle across my cheek.
"It is time, my beloved. We await your company"
Lifting the child in my arms, I place a sweet kiss to her cheek and hand her back to her mother. An embrace is had once more, as the both of us struggle against tears, before I turn back into my husband's waiting hands.
"I will visit as often as I can" I promise, giving her a watery smile.
"After all is settled, you and Laylah will come and see me, yes? I will have transportation arranged" I insist, locking fingers with Wolveryn as he turns to lead us away.
"Yes! I'll write as much as possible, Row! I love you! Take care!" Maci shouts in my direction, my face peering at her over my shoulder as I wave energetically.
Just as I lower my arm from its wave, I watch in curiosity Maci's eyes widening in surprise before coloring with a rising flush. With all apparent purpose, Rhydon's tall, lean muscled form strides towards her. His long legs eat up the space between them and a snorting laugh escapes me as Maci quickly gathers Laylahs resting form into her basket and takes off in the opposite direction. A growl ripples through the air as the Alpha's eyes glow in focused intent and he quickens his pace to catch up with her.
Now there is a story I can't wait to hear about.
A yelp sounds, my scream of freight of noise that lodges in my throat. Heart pounding in winded excitement, I grapple onto my husband's shoulders as Wolveryn's strong arms toss me up high and into his cradled embrace.
"Wolveryn! You fiend! Do not scare me like that!"
"But My Queen, your chariot awaits!" He bellows a rich laugh, stuttering with a grunt when I jab my elbow sharp into his hard gut.
"Such a gentleman husband you are then, are you?" I retort, peering up into his grinning face. Wolveryn chuckles, marching us directly to the readied carriage.
"Only for my lady queen" He replies, taking a languished sample of my lips in a slow, heated kiss. My head spins with desire and I pull back from my lusty husbands distracting attention before we are, yet again, delayed in our take off to the Crystal King another night.
I nestle my head against his chest where a soothing purr rumbles to match the merriment thrumming throughout our Bond. He places me on my feet and I turn to look upon my lifelong home with bittersweet an ache.
"You will miss it" Wolveryn states. There is no question in his words. The heat of him at my back is a comfort and I lean into him to help ward off the chill that now comes with the setting sun.
"Yes," I answer "It has always been my home and the memories there give it special meaning"
The cottage before me is quiet and dark. The windows are sealed, the passageway clear, the yard neatly manicured, and all is tucked away from prying eyes. Even with the property free of occupants, nothing withdraws the sense of home imbued within the land. Love built this place. From the lumber to the soil and all in between, this home saturates a richness of love.
Sweeping past in a slight breeze there, in a lingering moment, comes a scent familiar and old that tickles my senses. A beat of my heart skips when the aroma of lavender blooms in the deep earth of woods surrounds me with a touch of love and pride. Phantom fingers graze my cheek, the touch so light it is almost unfelt. Yet my soul will always know my fathers kiss of Majic. "Farewell father" I murmur quietly into the wind.
"We say no goodbyes, My lovely Rowen" Father's whispered words carry to me.
There is only "Until the next we meet"
Finally, I turn to wrap my arms around Wolveryn's back and kiss the exposed skin of his chest.
"But my home is where I am loved, and that is wherever you will be, Husband" My head tilts up so our eyes may meet, and for that moment it is just the two of us, still in time.
Wolveryn's stormy eyes devour my own and, with a final look behind, I say farewell to my past as I take my husband's hand that helps me up into the carriage and onward toward my future.