Her Forever
(Book 3)- Chapter 37

Willa’s PO

After dinner, in our rooms, Orion had Eudora come in and help me get ready for the big celebration. It wasn’t one of those stuffy parties where you must wear an elegant gown and have your hair to be done just, ‘so.’ This was going to be an out-of-control party where the PDA would be undeniable and the booze would be flowing. H**s grinding against pelvis’ and a lot of drunken one night stands

Honestly, I was excited because I never associated myself with any sort of parties. Violet and the rest of her pack would have their mate gatherings to they could find their mates, but I never went. Just not my scene because I didn’t have a date to go with but now, I did. He was the host and that means I get all the perks.

While getting dressed, Eudora had the displeasure of telling me what happened to Molly and being shocked was an understatement. I thought she was my friend and a true rebel to Orion’s new plans for the kingdom. Didn’t she want the equal rights? However, once it was found out her mate was involved, that put a whole new spin on things. My body slumped in the chair hearing that her mate was held captive, Orion hasn’t disclosed who her mate really is, just that he is behind bars and has kept them separate until he knows what to do with them. I believe a just and fair trial against her peers would be most appropriate instead of him making all the decisions. This was her mate she was trying to protect but she could have come to Orion about it.

Even in Eudora’s sad state she kept a happy face for me, brushing and curling my hair she told me how excited she was for me finding my family. My brothers, two or three at a time had come to visit me in Orion our living quarters. Poor Orion didn’t get any time alone with me today and he was certainly restraining himself several times when we would start to get intimate.

My theory was that my brothers were standing outside of the door, trying to listen what was going on. In just the first day of knowing them they became so protective. When dad called them all into the throne room, they were utterly confused only four of them had found their mates and the rest were currently mateless. Some were worried that their father was going to make the same mistake as he did with their mother, take me on as a chosen mate or force them to marry me.

Thalamere, the eldest was about to rip father a new one until a quick clarification of, “she’s your step sister,” explanation came into play. Thalamere’s temper was quickly resolved. I worried about how they would take it, Luke was ecstatic that I was a sibling, he said he felt a connection with me and he was glad this was what that calling was. The rest of the brothers were equally animated, and I was engulfed in the biggest dog pile on the floor.

Once they saw the hickey on my neck, they got a little pissy.

“Who the hell did this to your neck?” Jonas yelled. My brothers had a bit of a temper it seemed.

“My mate did it!” I squealed calling it to his defense. He was my mate, and I certainly wanted him, so I didn’t see the big deal.

Jarl came around to pick me up out of the dog pile and pulled him to his chest for a large hug. “You mean we just get a sister and now we have to give her up?” Several of my brothers shook their heads in disbelief.

“She will be visiting us, and we will visit her. I am having Calista make something for us so we can spend more time on land. However, Willa can come here whenever she wants. She certainly retrieved good genes in having both land and water abilities.”

Even though Orion did leave a love bite and no mate mark yet, it upset my whole family. They wanted to know why I waited to be marked so I had to explain. I thought I was only human and the war itself put a damper on things. I’m not sure they believed it because they were being annoying visiting their dear sister every 15 minutes. Jarl mentioned he didn’t want me to be just a side-mate.

Eudora was having my hair down, she curled it in little ringlets and gave it a quick brush giving it full body. Tiny pearls were scattered around the crown of my head and a deep eye shadow was given to my eyes. In honor of my family, she stuck with blue and green with heavy eyeliner and dark lashes. I looked like a entirely different person, but I loved it. The person in the mirror looked confident and happy.

Orion picked the dress for tonight; he wasn’t thrilled I was only wearing a shell covered bra when I arrived on the shore this morning. That was the dressing of my people however, so he tried not to say much. I personally didn’t care for it anyway. There are many fae women who wear less but being a king himself he was more possessive of his darling. I giggled internally as I started to put on the dress.

Again, Orion picked a beautiful dress. It was a strapless, form-fitting royal blue. The entire dress looked like it was just a bit of fabric wrapped around me with small wrinkles in the material. To top everything off, my father had sent several pieces of jewelry from Atlantis. A pearl tiara along with a deep blue sapphire covered in diamonds to adorn my neck.

The girl that had no family just a mere month ago has now gained 13 brothers, a father, a mate and two kingdoms. My tears welled in my eyes until I felt a warm presence behind me. “Orion,” I whispered as I turned around to greet him. The overwhelming tingles his touch gives me will never become old.

“Darling, you look ravishing.” His hands were placed in his which slowly went down to grab my butt and had me shriek in surprise. Before I was about to k**s him this incredibly handsome fae, I heard a throat clearing in the open bedroom doorway. My father stood with his arms crossed over his bare chest, eyeing us both.

“She hasn’t been marked yet and you have yet to proclaim her formally. I suggest you remove your hands from my daughter.” My face turned tomato red as Orion’s hands dropped from my butt.

“Pardon me, Your Majesty but the reasonings are just. If it will make you feel better, I can announce her tonight during the celebration.” Father nodded at him as he approached and took my hand.

“That should suffice, for now.” He glared at him. “I’m escorting her since you haven’t formally proclaimed. Don’t make her look like you flavor of the week,” he scolded. I haven’t seen Orion angry before but the look on his face gave me my first look. Orion’s face grew red with anger and his ears started to grow as well as his claws. I gave him a pleading look and immediately his eyes softened to me.

“As you wish, King Girard.” Orion came and pulled my other hand and kissed it all while looking into my eyes. “I will see you soon Darling,” he winked and retreated from the room. Turning to father I slapped him on the arm.

“You are being so mean. He has done nothing but protect me and loved me!” Father chuckled and patted my hand. “Of course, he has, just making him work a little harder. Besides, I’m making up for all the years I missed scaring off boys.”

“Don’t worry about that, Orion was my first k**s let alone person I truly care about,” I rolled my eyes.

“That’s my daughter,” he leaned down and gave me a k**s on the cheek.

…

The party was in full swing. There really were half-naked fae women on the dance floor. Many wore tulle skirts and tiny little bells around their ankles making them look like gypsies from Earth. Many males were dancing with them as the music started pounding the ballroom floor. I still couldn’t understand how music from Earth was able to be played here along with a mix of the Bergarian culture.

Lights were done by the pixies flying around the room, which I think some might be drunk. I saw one crash into the window but quickly shook it off and kept flying into the other direction. Shifters alike were also eating until their hearts were content. The buffet full of food and drink were constantly flooded with shifters as they ate until their hearts content. Violet could eat an insane amount of food and still looked like the muscular goddess she is, so I don’t doubt all the shifters were going to gorge themselves.

The suns had set for the day, my father was taking me around the room with my hand in the crook of his arm. He would comment how he wished he could stay longer and be with me but understood the importance of a mate bond. He still to this day had not met his mate at the age of 1458 years old. Constantly, he blames himself for the misfortune, believing that marrying his first wife that gave him his wonderful sons cursed him to forever to be alone.

“You will find her one day, dad. I know you will. You deserve it,” I gave him a gentle squeeze. Looking down at me with a bit of sadness in his eyes, “I certainly hope so, and that she will be able to accept the wonderful children I have.” I poked his side with my index finger.

“Well, we are pretty amazing. I don’t think she can deny us.” I smiled up at him and he kissed my cheek again while he laughed. Before we started to walk further into the crowd of celebrating super naturals the lights were suddenly cut off along with the music. Everyone started to murmur, and Luke came up to father and I.

“Stay close Willa,” Luke commanded as he and father shielded my body. The room was then lit up by hundreds if not thousands of wisps parading the room. Many whisps went on to lift the women’s dresses and giggle while also pulling some of the men’s hair. Some danced across the indoor fountain that was placed in the middle of the ballroom before the party, lighting up the entire fountain.

While standing in awe I felt my hand being lifted by those familiar tingles across my skin. Orion

“Come with me,” he whispered, and I gladly joined him while a leery father and brothers looked on cautiously. Leading me to the fountain where everyone was now staring due to the blue lights that gave it a luminous glow, he pulled my waist close to him. His hand cupped my cheek as he gave me a quick k**s before turning his head to the crowd.

“To the entire Light Kingdom, Moon Kingdom as well as Atlanteans I welcome you to our celebration of a dawn of a new time in this land. We celebrate the reformation of a new Court as well as Parliament. Not only that, but the official declaration of your new queen.” My heart fluttered as all eyes were on the both of us.

“Willa is the princess of the Atlantean King, Girard the 2nd and sister to her thirteen brothers. She is my true mate, my destined and your queen. Please welcome her as we will do so formally during our Royal Binding ceremony in two weeks’ time.” Orion announced proudly as he held me close. Bending forward and his lips touching my ear he whispered:

“We may be having our formal binding ceremony in front of our people, but I will mark and mate you before then,” he spoke huskily into my ear. I could feel my core tighten at the anticipation as I gripped onto his tunic tightly with my fingers. Feeling another presence behind me I looked up only to that of my father. His eyes were looking to Orion’s as to challenge him, but Orion only held out his hand in truce.

My father’s eyes soften as I continued to hold Orion close to me and a small smirk played on his lips. He nodded his head and gripped Orion’s hand tightly as the room erupted in cheers. Violet came up behind me and pulled me to her and squeezed me tightly. “Now, let’s go get you drunk, princess!” Orion laughed as Violet pulled me away from the two most important men of my life as I headed to the refreshments table.

“Violet, I’ve never drank before,” I muttered as the music started to pick up.

“Exactly, so we are going to get you wasty faced!” Violet held up a few small glasses of purple liquid and put them to my lips. “Drink this, it tastes like grape jolly ranchers.” I sniffed it a few times and down two of the small glasses. I coughed a few times and a few of the men around me started laughing.

“Easy there, your highness or you won’t last an hour,” Fionn stepped up and bowed. “Fionn!” I screamed and gave him a hug. “I’m so glad you are alright; I was worried about you and your brothers!”

“Do you doubt our fighting dearest one?” I laughed as Violet shoved another glass of lime green juice in my hand. With out thinking, I downed it quickly only to cough violently after.

“Yuck, what was that, Violet?” Fionn and Violet continued to have me try several drinks until I had to go to the bathroom. The room was moving just a bit under my feet and I frequently had to stop and check my surroundings. Once I felt steady, I continued to walk to the bathroom giggling at myself and muttering that I needed to stop.

Orion kept stealing glances at me as I did him. He was talking to my father, no doubt planning the ceremony at the end of the month and my brothers continued to watch my every move. Once they saw where I was going their eyes left me and I stepped into the bathroom. Lucky for me, my hair and makeup was still in one piece, and I didn’t look like a total tramp.

Once a double check in the mirror before I left, I felt heavy breathing on my neck. It was warm but it gave me everything but a warm feeling. Turning around quickly I saw nothing but an empty bathroom. I could still feel the eyes on me. It raked over my entire body from my face, my breasts and even down my legs. I cold draft passed through the room until I decided I needed to leave. No one is here, it’s just the alcohol.

Leaving the restroom, the feeling of being watch had left me but my mind was still unsettled. Walking back out much sober than what I was before I entered the bathroom, I see Orion with a glass in his hand all alone. My mood quickly picked up for the better and sauntered over to him, swaying my h**s. Orion licked his lips after he took one last sip of his beverage and started towards me as well.

“Well, hello handsome,” I said with a lower, more sultry voice. Orion smirked and gave me a wink. “I don’t think we’ve met before; my name is Willa. I’m a princess you know,” I said playfully.

“I have not met such a stunning woman before, let alone a princess, may I ask what has blessed me with your appearance?”

“You looked so lonely,” I whined lightly as I trailed my index finger down his chest. “Such a sexy fae as yourself shouldn’t be alone for the evening. You looked so,..” I paused, “vulnerable standing here by yourself.” Orion let out a chuckle, he knew I had too much.

“Then will you do me the honor of dancing with me and heal my lonely heart?” I smirked and sassily put my hand in his as he led me to the dance floor.