Fidelis stood before his mirror and glared at his reflection. He looked terrible. This last week without Sera was torture. He'd lost weight, had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, and nightmares had plagued what little sleep he did get. He quickly washed his face and got dressed. He was going to school early so that he could get to Sera sooner.
He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms. He would check her over for injuries. He knew she would have them. He had felt the blows. Today was the day he was coming clean. He wasn't going to wait any longer. He wanted to give her hope and work with her to design a plan to help her escape.
Blainel and Sodalitas met him in the garage, their gazes somber. They knew what was at stake for today. They were ready to assist their Prince in any manner necessary.
"Your Highness," they said and bowed.
"Let's go. My beloved awaits," replied Fidelis before he slid into the driver's seat.
His guards got in. The drive to school held a quiet tension that Fidelis didn't break. They made it to school in record time. He parked in his usual spot and slid from the car. His gaze scanned the parking lot. He didn't see Sera's car.
He wouldn't panic. He had patience. He was going to use it. Sera wasn't an early bird like him. She should be here soon. He jerked his head toward the school. His guards fell in beside him as they went inside. Their alertness was nice and comfortable. He knew they had his back. That's what ten years of friendship had gotten him: trusted friends and protectors when needed.
Once inside, Liz, Penelope, and the guys joined them.
"Have you seen her yet?" demanded Liz.
Fidelis shook his head. "Just got here. Didn't see her car in the parking lot yet."
Liz's eyes briefly glowed as her wolf peeked through before she calmed down. "We'll all wait at our usual seats in the gym for her."
Everyone agreed. They hurried into the gym and snagged their seats. Some conversation flowed, but it wasn't the usual amount. All of the group's gazes alternated between the clock and the gym doors. Time crawled slowly toward the first bell of the day, and still no Sera.
Fidelis caressed his mark, hoping to get some sense of where Sera was. It was silent like it had been all last week. She will come today. He could feel it. The bell rang, and he stood to go to class.
He felt a shift in the air, his head snapping up, focused on the doorway. There she stood. He heard Liz's gasp and the murmuring of his friends as distant noise buzzing in the background. Sound receded as his vision narrowed to Sera's face.
The searching, hopeful look on her face was a balm to his soul. His body reacted, and Fidelis moved, rushing down the bleachers and toward the door. His mark flared hot and painful with Sera's emotions swelling and crashing into his soul. Relief-happiness-determination-loneliness-pain-longing-sadness-desire. The emotions sprinted through his senses with his own emotions rising to meet hers.
He happily drowned in the swirling turbulence of their entwined feelings. He halted before her, his eyes checking her over from head to toe. He saw the exhaustion and pain in her eyes. A barely visible happy smile appeared when her gaze met his.
"Romeo," her voice was music to his ears. It was as if the past two weeks were a distant memory.
"Sera," her name came out in a whisper. Fidelis felt like he was dreaming. He reached out, gently took her hand in his, and caressed her fingers. Yes, this was real. She was here. His mark pulsed in joy-his or hers, he wasn't sure. It didn't matter. His fated one was once again by his side.
"Missed you." The sadness and longing in Sera's voice with those two words pierced him deeply.
"I missed you, too."
Fidelis leaned forward until their foreheads touched. The proximity strengthened the bond. Her soothing lavender and chocolate scent teased his nose. The lavender scent reminded him of his mother, while chocolate was a sweet he'd become obsessed with when they came to this new world. Idly, he wondered what he smelled like to her.
His father and Michaelus said that one's fated mate always smelled like the things you desired the most. He wasn't sure what that would be for Sera. He knew lots about her, but at the same time, so many things were still a mystery to him.
The moment was interrupted by Liz's happy shout. "Sera!"
Suddenly, the other girl was there, hugging them both.
Sera's laugh eased something inside Fidelis. He still felt a throb of pain in their bond. He would talk to her alone at lunch. For now, she was here, and that was all that mattered to him.
"Liz, let her breathe," Fidelis said with a chuckle. He entwined his fingers with Sera's. "Let's go. Don't want to be late for first period."
As they walked to class, hands held tightly, Fidelis leaned in closer and whispered in Sera's ear. "I have something to tell you at lunch."
"Okay," she replied.
Fidelis smiled, his heart calm in his chest. Everything was going to be alright.
~***~
The day was moving slowly, but Fidelis was okay with that. The bond pulsed with his happiness and occasional flashes from Sera. Her emotions were running a gamut. It was fascinating to him. Humans were such unique creatures. And Sera was the most unique of them all.
His mind decided to wander as he recalled last night's conversation with his father and Michaelus.
~***~
[Last night, Cornibus High Knob palace]
Fidelis sat on the couch in his father's office, staring off into space, his thoughts tumbling about. The hellish two weeks ended today. Tomorrow, it was back to school and back to his beloved. So many obstacles and barriers to his relationship with Sera. He was going to put an end to this craziness.
"Deep thoughts, my son?"
His father's voice brought his attention back to the present.
"Yes." Fidelis raked his fingers through his hair. "I need help, Father. I want to reveal my truth to Sera tomorrow at your office."
His father came and sat on the opposite couch, his neutral expression revealing nothing of his thoughts.
"I don't mind, my son. However, don't forget that Amy will also be there. You have to factor in her possible actions."
"I have. That's why I want to use some magic."
His father's surprised look made Fidelis smirk.
"Nothing massive or fancy. Just simple illusion and spatial magic."
His father's grin at his words had Fidelis chuckling.
"Humans won't be able to see or feel what I'm doing. It will give me and Sera privacy. Of course, Blainel and Sodalitas will be there as well to guard us. This conversation with Sera is long overdue. I refuse to lose my beloved because of fear: hers and mine."
"I'm proud of you, my son. I'll have Michaelus set everything up for you in the backyard in the alley near the gazebo."
"Thank you, Father. Well, time for some sleep. Tomorrow will be busy."
Whistling happily, Fidelis left for his room and some much-needed rest.
~***~
Fidelis blinked, the sound of the release bell pulling him from his trip down memory lane. It was time for fourth period and then lunch. His body hummed with anticipation. He would tell Sera about his plan then.
Fourth period seemed to drag on, and then lunch arrived. With his friends' help, he got Sera outside to a secluded table. He cuddled her, enjoying the feel of her soft body against his. Her lavender and chocolate scent teased his nose, making his mouth water. He couldn't resist it any longer. He gently nuzzled the curve of her neck before giving it a light nibble.
She jolted, her eyes went wide, and then she sank fully against him with a light whimper. The bond grew hot with her emotions. Desire-longing-lust-surprise. She felt so many things. His feelings mirrored hers.
"Sera," he whispered in her ear. He felt a shiver run through her. She was reacting to his voice. He grinned and caressed her cheek as he looked down at her upturned face.
"When we go to the internship this afternoon, I have something I want to give you."
"A gift?"
She looked so adorable when she was confused. He caressed her cheek again, and she closed her eyes.
"Romeo," she whimpered his name.
He felt his body tighten, humming with the powerful desire to fully make her his. He couldn't do that yet, not until he revealed everything to her first. He would not take her choices away. He would never be like her father and sister.
"Yes, a gift of sorts."
"What about my twin?"
Her fearful, wary tone upset him. He wanted her happiness, not worry.
"My father will take care of that. We will be able to talk undisturbed."
"Okay." Trust shone in her violet eyes.
He cuddled her some more as they ate in peace. Fidelis couldn't ask for anything more.