SERAPHINA'S POV
I snuggle against the warmth of Artemis' body, inhaling the natural scent that oozes off his skin, an intoxicating and addictive musk.
It feels so good to smell him, touch him, drowning in the coziness of his close proximity that fills me with a strong sense of comfort. It's like my first taste of safety in days, and I never want to let go of it.
He's like the wooliest, comfiest sweater personified.
It could be the natural pull between us or our strengthened bond; whatever it is, I let the feeling engulf me completely, surrendering to the primal need.
His fingers run through my hair, brushing through my scalp in soft, soothing motions that lull me in and out of sleep every few minutes until the car we're in comes to a sudden halt, seizing the vibrations.
The car is taking us to Artemis' birth home, the place of our Moon Fête, or however King Silvan put it.
It's a honeymoon meant for werewolves, a magical escape from the ordinary, where the newly mated couple can bask in their fresh bond. In this special time, they're free to lose themselves in each other, celebrating their love far from the mundane everyday life.
And while I'm excited to be spending some time with Artemis, away from the school drama and toxicity, I just know that to King Silvan, this is just another ploy to sell my new position to his enemies, to rub it in their faces that he has chosen the human girl over Kamila.
But then, some peace and quiet wouldn't hurt.
So, Artemis and I had set off the very next day after the Nova Mating Ball.
"Sera?" He leans in close to whisper in my ear.
My name sounds too lovely on his lips; I want him to never stop saying it. Soft lips press on my forehead before my eyes slightly pry open, and I find myself staring into his blue eyes that drown me every time.
"We're here."
"So soon?" I grumble, rubbing at my tired eyes and sitting up.
"We've been on the road for five hours, Sera."
"Five more minutes then," I sigh, and he chuckles.
It's a light, breathy sound I missed so much, that I couldn't hear as often as I could with the previous drama going on. The sound hits me with warmth.
Now that it's all over and we're together again, I can hear it as much as I want.
Though despite my plea, he pulls the door of the limo open, stepping out and then stretching a hand to help me out.
I grab onto his large hand, and I'm tugged out of the back and onto my feet in these new surroundings, mostly made of trees and vegetation for a mile.
I settle on the scenery around, getting used to the light seeping into my eyes - until I finally look up at the structure in front of me.
Artemis' home.
My jaw dislodges from my face and drops to the floor.
"Oh my god."
"Home sweet home," he drawls in a way that shows he doesn't really see the home as sweet.
His 'home', I now realize, is a castle - a vast one, with perhaps a thousand rooms and endless storage space.
It sprawls wide enough to envelop a very small town, or perhaps three schools identical to ours, and it rises nearly as tall as skyscrapers.
The sight is unbelievable, unlike anything I've ever seen or imagined in my lifetime.
"You never told me you were rich or lived in a castle."
He raises a brow.
"It's not a castle, more like a mansion," he states plainly.
"I knew you had money, but I didn't know you had 'lives in a fucking castle' money!" I exclaim, pointing to what's in front of us.
It suddenly makes so much sense why everyone made such a big deal about him and who he's with most of the time. He literally has everything-looks, charm, and an endless supply of coins.
He laughs again, louder, with more fits thrown in, wiping the liquid from his eyes before meeting mine again.
"It belonged to my ancestors back in the ages; we simply renovate it every 10 years to ensure it follows the trend of the times," he explains.
Even the explanation sounds a bit cocky.
I understand partially why he had his nose so high the first time we met. I admit to myself that if I was raised here, I'd be sort of a bitch myself as well.
We don't stand around for too long before the front doors burst open, and a crowd of maids and servants line up in two rows by the side, all in uniform, bowing to greet us like actual royalties-the way they do in the books.
I'm startled, yet Artemis stands there like a natural, taking their greetings before an older-looking man steps forward to greet him personally.
"Welcome, Your Highness," he bows, bending up to 90 degrees, showing an unbelievable level of flexibility for a man his age.
"Ah, thank you, James," he smiles at the older man, grabbing his hand and shaking it roughly before he gestures to little me, standing behind him like a lost puppy. "Sera, this is James, the butler."
"You have a butler too? What are you, Batman?" I mutter under my breath.
"This is Seraphina Hawthrone, my mate."
James bows at me as well. The first time anyone has ever done something remotely respectful towards me, much more a wolf of elderly age.
"Nice to meet you," I say excitedly, giving a light bow as well.
He makes a face suddenly while Artemis' gaze is still fixed on me. It's quick and brief, one revealing a slight tinge of annoyance directed solely at me before he conceals it with his stoic countenance.
"Charmed," the butler says dryly.
I open my mouth to say something, slightly offended, but then decide not to start anything. We just got here, right? The last thing I want to do is point out his disrespect and have Artemis make a scene over it.
I settle on the possibility that he probably just doesn't like outsiders.
"Allow me to welcome you into your home, Your Highness," he gestures towards the entrance, and Artemis and I step forward, passing the throng of helps lined up like soldiers ready for battle, and entering the castle itself.
The insides appear more glamorous than the outward appearance, having a recent yet 1800s mix-up for decor. I'm more focused on how the walls are so tall and the width of the room, hanging my mouth open again.
"Wow," I gasp out loudly in the most unrefined way, and while I'm lost in awe, Artemis suddenly comes up from behind me, lifting me off the floor, startling me.
I scream from shock, breathing hard.
"What are you doing!"
"Lifting you up the stairs, of course. I can only imagine how exhausted you are, and this may or may not be an excuse to have you in my arms like this," he says, with a mischievous grin, trying to kiss me again.
I lean away from him before his lips can reach close enough to my face, peeking at the maids who have walked in and are now waiting patiently behind us.
"Stop it, they're watching," I argue, feeling suddenly too embarrassed by the number of strangers watching us.
He chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with playful intent.
"Let them watch," he whispers, his voice low and teasing as he leans in seductively for another kiss. "It's almost a sin to keep this all to myself."
My cheeks burn.
"Nice try, Romeo." I can't help the light laugh that escapes just as I push him off again, succeeding in getting off his body.
However, just as I'm about to move ahead, Artemis pulls me back to his chest, and right there, with all the eyes on us, he captures my lips in a sudden, searing kiss.
Light gasps follow immediately, but the rush of fire that instantly comes to life in my veins, on my skin, and on my lips basically burns away everything else around us.
His kiss deepens, possessing and demanding, stirring a hunger within me that only he can satisfy. His hand wraps instinctively around my waist, engulfing me in warmth, with the strength of this forbidden bond between us.
It ignites fiercely, a craving so strong it's almost overwhelming.
My heart goes into a frenzy. My body is aching, almost painfully, for more.
I find myself melting into him, responding instinctively to his touch. Like something within me knows exactly who he is to me, like he was made just for this moment.
My hands find their way to his hair, pulling him closer, desperate for more of this intoxicating connection - this addiction.
But just as the playful kiss threatens to consume us both, Artemis pulls away - much to my irritation.
He's smirking now, a look of triumphant mischief in his eyes, fully aware of the effect he has on me. The smirk says it all - he had won.
"Oh darling, the maids are watching." He dares to whisper deviously into my ear.
I'm left breathless, angry, a mix of frustration and burning desire coursing through me.
I glare at the cocky man before me.
"That didn't seem to stop you before."
He lifts me effortlessly into his arms once again, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine.
"It's incredibly sexy when you're pissed, you know. And when you're being a needy little thing... even more so." Artemis chuckles wickedly. "Don't worry, this is far from over. I just need to get you alone. I only needed them to know that you are mine, in every sense of the word."
Those words race straight to my core - a little throb, a light tease. There's a teasing promise in his eyes, dark hungry blue eyes, and I know that this is just the beginning.
My breath hitches, and a different kind of excitement, anticipation, pulses through my veins.
We begin climbing up the stairwell, which I assume could possibly lead to the top floor, whatever number that might be.
I want to ask if there's an elevator until I remember that they're wolves and probably don't need something like that. Figures.
The more we ascend, the more old pictures and paintings I see, the more beautiful structures and extravagance catch my eye on the way. Soon enough, I forget about the heat I was once drowning in.
I'm gasping every five seconds, and we haven't even gotten to our room yet.
"Your house is huge," I mutter under my breath again, for the hundredth time.
"And empty. But, I imagine maybe if we ever were ready to settle down, we'd move in here, together," he muses.
I look up to meet his eyes now, doubting if he meant it, but the sincerity is there when I meet them.
"With your father?" I joke, teasing him with the thought of it, knowing he's imagined scenarios where we're deep into make-out sessions and the old man interrupts, or how much of a vibe killer he is just by being around the area.
He scoffs. "Don't bother about my father, I'll sort that part out later."
I laugh at the frown on his face until my tummy hurts, and it slowly dies down. Living here with Artemis would seem perfect, almost like an impossible fairy tale come true.
I'd really be a princess in a palace with her prince.
But then, my mind goes to this unfortunate deal with King Silvan, and the uncertainty of how long he'd want me around until my purpose is fulfilled and I'm no longer useful.
If I'd be around Artemis long enough to live the dream.
"Sera..." his voice cuts into my thoughts, pulling me out of a sea of negativity. "...I can hear the gears in your head turning again. Remember, think positively."
He reminds me of a promise we made. To be optimistic about our situation and work together.
I wear a smile once it comes to mind again.
"You're right. Positive thoughts only."
We can do this as long as we have each other.
He carries me up four flights of stairs before we stop at two double doors, kicking them open into the most luxurious room I've ever seen-more fancy than the previous one-setting me on my feet.
"Wow," I gasp, walking deeper into the room that's the size of a house, taking in the scenery and the view of the garden from the large windows.
"What do you think? Do you like it?" he asks, almost nervous.
I look at him as though he's mad, completely crazy for even asking or seeming nervous at all.
"I don't think it's possible not to like anything in this place."
"I'm glad you do," he smiles widely, covering the distance between us and pressing his lips against mine. This time, it's sweet - leisurely. Like we have all the time in the world, and he's never leaving.
I welcome him, wrapping my hands around his neck and going on my tiptoes as he picks me up with ease, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist.
He walks over to the bed, dropping me onto it, and pulls away just far enough to look at me, his gaze alternating between my eyes and my lips for seconds, taking in all of me with his eyes first.
"I love you," I whisper to him in the silence between us, the words exploding out from me.
He smirks now, pressing his lips against mine with a sudden rush of hunger, a faster tempo than the first kiss.
His lips glide down my neck, biting and nibbling, before he stops at my mark, licking it with his tongue, drawing a deep moan from my lips.
"Love is only where my feelings begin. Without you, Sera, I'd lose more than my heart; I'd lose my very soul. My sanity. You have to promise that this isn't temporary. I've fought too long, too hard, to have you in my arms like this, and I'm never going to let that go," he whispers against my skin, sliding his lips down to the top of my breasts. "Let's be together like this, Sera. Forever,"
I moan once he finds my mounds, giving into his pleasure.
"Forever," I mutter back, not minding being this way for all of eternity.