Serenah followed behind Alastar in silence. His hand was hot in hers and she wanted to pull away. She refrained from it, too afraid of what his reaction might be. He led her to the area under the stairs before releasing her hand. She stood there fidgeting as he stared at her for several minutes before speaking.
"What the hell are you doing, Sera?"
She flinched. Yeah, he was pissed. "I ate lunch."
"Yeah, I saw that," he growled. "Why were you alone with Romeo?"
"He wanted to ask me something," she muttered evasively.
"And?"
"And what?" she snapped.
"I can't do my job as your guard if you don't tell me what is going on."
She pursed her lips, stubbornly refusing to answer him.
Alastar sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, his eyes narrowing. He walked forward, forcing her to back up until her back hit the wall.
Serenah gasped, her startled gaze flying to his face. The expression he was making froze her in place. Alastar was angry. It was more than just anger. She dropped her gaze and tried to make herself smaller. His anger was just like her father's.
"I'm sorry," she whimpered.
He cursed and she flinched. Was he going to hit her?
"Let's go. The bell's about to ring."
She snuck a cautious look in his direction. His expression was back to being unreadable. A shaky breath escaped her. He backed up and turned. Silently she followed him to fifth period. Her face was flushed with embarrassment from the dirty comments students made as they walked past them. Sera wanted to sink into the floor. People were going to gossip even more. She really couldn't win.
They arrived at class and hurried to their seats at Ms. Dale's pointed look. She kept her head down, glad her hair was hiding her face.
"Now that everyone is here, let's begin." Ms. Dale pointed to the digital TV screen with the day's assignment. "You will be working with your pair partner for today's assignment."
Serenah smiled at this news. Just as quickly she felt fear and worry. Would Alastar get angry again? It wasn't her fault that Ms. Dale had called for pair work today. She listened to the instructions and did her best to not appear too excited about Romeo joining her. He pulled up a desk and sat with her in the corner.
"Hello again. You ready to work?" His voice made her body heat. Her mate mark warmed.
"Yes," she replied, her answer short and bland. She wanted to kick herself for the way she was acting. She was grateful when Romeo didn't say anything.
Instead, they started discussing the assignment and settled into work. She kept her answers to short sentences. Romeo's responses were light and friendly. The longer they talked, the more relaxed she became. Romeo had that effect on her. His presence was soothing to her soul and mind. She was so engrossed in the work that Ms. Dale's words startled her.
"Sera and Romeo. It is your turn. Take your stuff with you and here is a pass for the next class in case you run late," said Ms. Dale.
Romeo stood, grabbed his backpack, and took the pass from Ms. Dale. "Thanks." He turned to look at Serenah who got her stuff and moved to his side. "Shall we?"
He grinned at her nod and led the way out of the classroom. They walked in a comfortable silence. Serenah was fine with that. They swiftly made their way outside.
She was distracted as her mind churned over the assignment and what they had left to finish.
Romeo slowed his walk. Serenah admired his back. He had great posture and was strong. Watching his back made her feel protected.
"We got the best time."
"What?" His words confused her. She halted when he came to a stop.
"I said we got the best time of day to take our pictures."
"Oh."
"Sera, close your eyes."
"Wait. Why?"
"Please? Consider it as a mood setter."
"Umm, okay." She was reluctant to do what he asked yet her curiosity was piqued. Romeo never did things without a reason. She closed her eyes.
"Done."
She was tense as she waited for his next move. She could hear the rustle of his clothes but not much else.
"Sera, I'm going to touch your hand," he warned before taking her right hand and gently leading her forward. He stopped and let go.
She frowned.
"One moment."
"Romeo?"
"It's alright. You can open your eyes."
Her eyes opened. In his arms were a bouquet of roses. Surprised, she gasped and stared.
"What?" she stammered, her mouth falling open and then closing.
"These are for you, but first," he paused to rearrange the flowers so he could take her hand and kiss it.
She startled, her eyes wide and focused on his every movement. Heat flushed her face, her cheeks no doubt a bright pink.
"Sera, not only do I want to go to the homecoming dance with you, but I also want to try going out."
"Going out?"
Her violet eyes were bright with emotion. Was he saying what she thought he meant? The faint stirrings of joy, uncertainty, and fear that he would be disappointed in her raced through her heart.
"Dating, Sera. I want to be your boyfriend."
Understanding dawned and she blushed harder. He gently squeezed her hand. Her gaze dropped to their hands and back up to his face before she shyly answered him.
"Yes, I'd like that."
He grinned and let go. He handed her the flowers, and she took them, tears sliding down her cheeks. He reached out and stroked them away. His warmth filled her. Such kindness and tenderness were foreign to her. Her eyes briefly closed before opening to focus on him.
"May I kiss you?"
Serenah blinked, dropped her head, and took a breath. When she raised her head, desire gleamed in her gaze. She was breathless with anticipation. Never had a man been this close or intimate with her.
"Yes."
He stepped closer and carefully pulled her to him. Her eyes locked with his. He lowered his head and her eyes fluttered closed. His lips touched hers and a jolt of awareness sang through her body. Did he feel the same thing? Her thoughts scattered and she hesitated. That changed when she opened her mouth, and his tongue slid in. She explored this sensation as well as his mouth. She almost moaned and caught herself in time. The kiss went on for a few minutes. She enjoyed it immensely and would never forget this moment. Tears fell from beneath her closed eyes.
Romeo broke the kiss. She opened her eyes to stare into his.
"Sera?"
"I'm just so happy," she whispered, wiping away her tears.
"I see. Oh, and here." He slipped his class ring from his finger and slid it onto her left ring finger. "I'll bring a chain for it tomorrow."
Serenah brushed her finger over it and smiled.
Romeo grinned. "Shall we eat?"
They sat down beside the tree, and he fed her cookies until the bell rang and they headed to their next class holding hands.
She was giddy with happiness and not even the gossipers could dampen her mood. Even Alastar's frown didn't stop her joy at being with Romeo. She was looking forward to this dating thing. It meant she'd be able to get closer to him. Her fated one, her future.
Serenah's happiness lasted until the ride home. She told Alastar about agreeing to date Romeo. She was hurt when he ignored her. She sat and brooded all the way to the castle.
Alastar didn't say anything until they were pulling into the garage. "Princess, I want you to be happy, but this is a dangerous game you are playing."
"Game?" She glared at him. "What do you mean, Alastar?"
"Romeo is a human. Do you think the King would let you be with him?"
She frowned at him. She didn't like his words.
"You have to be careful. You don't want to bring your father's nor your sister's wrath down on you, do you?'
She wanted to refute his words but couldn't. He was right. Didn't mean she had to like it or even listen to him.
"I'm tired of being denied the same things as my sister. I want this Alastar, no, need this. I'm willing to take the risk."
She glanced away from his disappointed expression.
"It's my life. I get a say in it," she stubbornly added.
He sighed and got out of the car. After a moment, so did she. She hurried to her room and put the roses in a vase she had in her room. She strokes the petals and then her lips. She closed her eyes and savored the memory of his lips on hers. The feelings, so new, and indescribable. She had nothing else to reference it with. That was fine. She would add more experiences to this one.
Smiling, she sat down and started on her homework.
~***~
Serenah was getting ready for dinner when a knock, followed by the entrance of one of her father's guards surprised her.
"Princess, His Majesty requests your presence in his study."
She froze at the guard's words. Had her father found out about Romeo? No, that couldn't be it. Her sister didn't know that they were dating which meant her father didn't either. She rose and went to the door.
The guard stepped aside, and she was escorted to her father's study. The guard knocked and announced her arrival.
Her father's growled, "Enter," made her shiver with fear. He sounded angry. She prayed to Autem that he wasn't. The guard opened the door, and she entered.
Serenah paused at the sight of the chief royal healer and Grand Duke Noward. Why were they here?
"Glad you could join us. Well, get to it." Her father waved his hand dismissively at her.
She stared at him, unsure of what he wanted, "Your Majesty, I don't understand."
"You are a useless idiot. Get undressed so the healer can check your purity."
She gasped in horror, her mouth falling open and then snapping closed. Rage filled her. How dare he do this to her? She didn't deserve this!
"Your Majesty, I cannot."
"What did you say?" His eyes narrowed.
His anger scorched her with its heat. She had to stand her ground. She was not going to let him humiliate her like this. She was a princess and even though she didn't have power, respect should still be shown. Besides, Noward was in the room. He wasn't family and shouldn't be allowed to see her nude.
"I said, I cannot do it here. I can do it in a private room."
"Are you trying to dictate to me what you will do?"
"No, Your Majesty. I'm obeying the rules of etiquette. Grand Duke is an unmarried man, and I am an unmarried lady. We shouldn't expose our bodies to those who are not family or imperial servants." She turned to Noward, "No offense."
"None taken, my Princess."
She suppressed the shudder of revulsion at his tone and expression. It made her feel disgusting.
The chief royal healer glanced at her father, who nodded. "Very well, Serenah. Go, and if I find out you resisted the checkup, you will be punished."
"Yes, Your Majesty." With her head held high, she followed the healer to a private room.
Serenah was glad that the chief royal healer was a woman. Lady Patrice was an elegant, stern, and intelligent healer who had served the imperial family since her early twenties. Now pushing her mid-seventies, she didn't seem to be slowing down at all.
"Princess, please undress. I'll make it quick."
Serenah undressed and gazed off into the distance, forcing her mind away from the exam. True to her word, Lady Patrice finished the exam quickly. Serenah got dressed and they returned to her father's study.
"Well?" he demanded.
"She is still pure."
Her father's grunt of irritation hurt Serenah's feelings. Had he wanted her to be found lacking? Did he want to punish her so badly that it aggravated him to find out his precious favorite daughter had lied?
Not that he would ever admit he nor Amanah were wrong. She wanted to rail against the injustice of it all. She kept her mouth shut. She didn't want him to beat her again.
He glared at her and she flinched. "Get out. Remember, the next time you besmirch our family name, you will bleed."
Serenah said nothing. She curtsied and rushed to her room. She grabbed her phone and flung herself on the bed. She trembled; her body wracked with suppressed emotions. She hated feeling this way. She stroked her mark and made up her mind. She swiped her screen and dialed Romeo's number. She couldn't wait to hear his voice.