^This song goes so beautifully with this chapter^

"I fell in love with the way you touched me without using your hands."

Chapter 51

River's POV

Alastair was silent at first and I almost believed that he hadn't heard me.

Shouldn't he react in this type of situation?

I opened my mouth to repeat it but before I could, the wind was blown out me as I was pulled into a passionate kiss. His lips felt like silk against my momentarily stunned pair, fingers like soft petals, gently combing through my hair as I lost myself in his comforting heat.

His breath swept lightly against my swollen lips as he pulled slowly, still hovering above my aching form, "What changed your mind?" He breathed.

It took me a few moments to regain myself as I hoarsely breathed through my mouth. He allowed me those few moments, fingers still gently twirling through my locks.

He always did seem to appreciate my hair. One of the reasons why I haven't cut it since I've gotten here, resulting in its now long length just below my waistline. Though, the thought of sitting in front of a mirror and cutting it unsettled me.

I never did get over my dislike for mirrors. After all, they never did do any good for me.

It was Alastair's coaxing breath against my exposed shoulder that drew me from my thoughts, reminding me of his question.

"You, me, a cultivation of many things," my gaze fell to the carpet by the bed.

"And these things," Alastair coaxed, "they're not the result of others but of your own thoughts?"

The result of others?

My eyes lifted from the carpet momentarily, catching Alastair's nervous eyes before falling back down to the carpet.

I nodded.

His fingers brushed gently down my cheek, pulling my attention back to him as he bent down to kiss me on the nose.

"Don't crawl back into your shell, love. You've begun to open up to me, to show me parts of you that I've grown to adore. If it was something I said..." he trailed off.

I couldn't help but be surprised by his words. No one's ever been able to read me as well as he could.

I shook my head, "No, it's only...I can't help but worry about what the future holds."

His brows pinched, "What do you worry about?"

I let out a shaky breath, "To where do I begin?"

He let out a short laugh, "it's normal to worry. It's been in man's nature since the beginning of time to fear the unexpected. Man can plan all he wants, but it's only the Goddess herself that chooses what's to happen," a small smile played on his lips, "but try not to worry too much love." He cups my face within his large palms, soft thumbs brushing against my cheeks, "too much stress can kill someone and I expect you by my side to love for as long as I live," his soft voice rang through my ears as a small smiled played on my lips.

"Okay," I replied breathlessly.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Alastair's eyes roamed the table as I fiddled awkwardly in my chair. Alastair had just declared the date of our mating ceremony, in three days time, and everyone at the table had seemed to turn to stone as the words took shape in the tense air now engulfing the air I breathed. Finally, Isaiah spoke up, breaking the silence.

"That's great news," he declared softly, rounding the table so he could give me a tight hug.

My arms wrapped around his back as my chin rested on his shoulder, "Thank you, Isaiah."

He pulled away slowly with a raised brow, "So formal," he joked, brushing my hair from my face. "I'm so happy for you."

I nodded with a smile.

"Well, it was about time," Michael piped up from across the table as Isaiah returned to his seat.

And just like that, the tension in the room dissipated as laughter broke out across the table.

Only Michael had such a power, to be able to turn a once tense atmosphere to one of good humor.

Derek doubled over in laughter beside Keith, reaching over the tall man to pat Michael on the shoulder. Michael grinned as Keith sat cross-armed, seemingly rather passive about the whole situation.

Finally, Keith spoke up, sitting up in his seat as his arms crossed over the table, "Did you tell father?"

"Yes," Alastair's stance turned tense, "I visited his room on the way down."

"And...?" Keith coaxed.

"It will happen. We will have a mating ceremony."

"Did father-"

Alastair's head whipped in Hyde's direction as he rounded the corner from the kitchen, bread in hand, "Hyde," Hyde jumped, seemingly startled by the sudden call in his direction as he raised a brow. "We haven't seen you around the palace much anymore. Have you dropped from your position?"

Hyde's head turned slightly, quizzically as he took a bite from his bread and walked forward to the table.

"No," his voice came out hard. He took a seat beside Isaiah, placing his hand on the table beside Isaiah's to which the smaller man pulled his hand away and placed it in his lap. Derek's laughter ceased, instead growing suddenly serious.

"I have been recently occupied with sudden matters," Hyde continued, "but fear not. I'm still going to remain one of His Highness' top generals."

"Soon to mine," Alastair noted.

"In due time," Hyde mumbled, continuing to eat his bread.

"In three days time," Isaiah stated softly, glancing at Hyde.

Hyde's eyes widened, dropping his bread to the table and whipping his head from Isaiah back to Alastair.

Questions plagued his eyes yet none escaped his mouth.

Alastair placed his hand on mine, squeezing gently, "We're having our mating ceremony in three days time."

"Again you mean," Hyde's brows pinched.

"Yes," Alastair's eyes narrowed, "again."

"Will you follow it through this time?" This time Keith piped up, "or will Isaiah be stuck fixing up your mess like last time?"

Alastair's hand pulled from mine as it tightened to a tight ball by his side, "It was different then, Keith. His father suddenly appeared-"

"No, I understand," Keith interrupted, "but nonetheless, it's untraditional as it is to have a second mating ceremony and with father's temper..." he trailed off.

Alastair let out a loud breath, "I know."

Keith merely nodded and laid back against his seat, "As an older brother, I'm happy for you two. That you two have found one another and can finally go through with your mating. As a past heir to the throne, I warn you to be careful. During your mating ceremony all those that surround you are those of title. Be careful what you say, how you act. Mind over heart this time."

Alastair let out a sigh, "father has already spoken to me about it."

"Just because a man speaks, doesn't mean he is always heard," Keith's voice came out nonchalant, yet his stance told a different story altogether. If there was one thing I picked up from Keith from my time here, it was that he was far more knowledgeable than he expressed. He took on the demeanor of a goofy elder brother but he was far more wise than a class clown.

"I understood what he said and accepted it. I won't make the same mistake if that is what you're implying," Alastair teeth ground together.

"Who said I was implying anything at all? You understood that all on your own," Keith said nonchalantly, playing with Michael's hair as his eyes bore deeply into Alastair's.

Alastair's eyes narrowed but he chose to ignore it as his attention pulled to Isaiah's raised form.

"May I be excused?" Isaiah's voice shook.

"I wanted to discuss more matters, but if you really must go I won't hold you back," Alastair's brows pulled together at Isaiah's shaking form.

"Thank you," Isaiah bowed his head, "if you have any instructions specifically for me, you can leave them on my desk in my room and I'll start with them after."

And like that, he made a bee-line out of the room.

"Shit," Derek cursed beneath his breath as he glared at Hyde and stood up.

"You too, Derek?" Alastair asked exasperated.

"No," Hyde cut in, "I'll go. I highly doubt Isaiah wants to be in his presence at the moment."

"And you're any better!" Derek's fist collided harshly with the table, almost knocking the vase over as the table shook.

"Yes," Hyde's eyes hardened, "you cause him nothing but pain and you-"

Alastair raised his hand, silencing the two as they merely scowled at one another.

"Not here. Not in front of my mate."

I peered up at him in surprise.

His eyes remained on them, "I will not have you causing him any stress merely days before our mating ceremony. Skin one another in a different room."

They both nodded, bowing their heads before scrambling out of the room, knocking one another against the wall on their way out.

"Children," Alastair sighed, "and to think that's to my head general and a member of my council. For Goddess' sake."

Michael laughed, "Good luck, kiddo."

Alastair's eyes narrowed.

Michael raised his hand, "Hey, I've known you since you were still picking your nose. I've earned the right to call you kiddo."

"I was fourteen not five," Alastair growled.

"Didn't stop you," Michael threw his arms in the air.

Alastair seemed to be done, standing from his chair as his arm reached for me, "I'm done. I'm surrounded by toddlers in mens wear. Come, River."

I placed my hand in his as he led me out of the room. I waved goodbye to Keith and Michael by the table as my vision suddenly turned sideways.

"Alastair," I squeaked as he pulled me into his arms and rounded the corner.

He grabbed a loaf of bread from the kitchen and placed it on my lap as he kept walking.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I began eating the bread.

"To the garden," he rounded a few more corners and pushed a door open as a stream of cooling air brushed past my cheeks. I let out a relieved sigh. There was just something so refreshing about cool air.

"I thought it would make more sense to spend time in the garden together rather than listen to the infants at the table."

I let out a short chuckle at that.

Alastair was never one for play.

He stared at the grass momentarily before turning back for the door. I knew what that meant.

"Don't call for a maid."

His brows pulled as he peered from me back to the ground, "I'm just going to ask for a blanket. We can't just sit on the grass."

I laughed, "it won't kill us. I promise." His brows pinched together. "Here, put me down," I tapped on his shoulder.

He seemed momentarily hesitant but as I continued to stare at him he finally placed me gently on the ground with a sigh. I took seat by the fountain, hands sweeping lightly through the spiky grass.

"See?" I signalled to my still intact body.

He shook his head with a sigh, "you're dirtying your clothes."

I peered down at my clothes.

They seem fine to me.

I peered back up at him, "Come," I patted the grass beside me.

He stared at the grass with a scowl.

"For Goddess' sake Alastair," I said exasperatedly, "you look as if I asked you to roll in a heap of mud. Have you never sat on the ground before?"

He remained silent, finally resigning to the fact that I was to continue pestering him if he didn't sit and finally sat beside me. Though, with the still present scowl, I knew he wasn't happy with the current situation.

"I have."

I peered up at him quizzically.

"Sat in the dirt."

I nodded slowly.

"But I'm to be king now," he sighed, "I can't be rolling about in the dirt with my mate," he turned to face me.

I said nothing, rather resigned to the fact that this would probably be the last time he'd sit in the grass with me and crawled into his lap, resting my head against his chest.

"Oh, so now I'm to sit in the dirt while you lay in my lap?" He pressed jokingly.

I let out a light laugh, shoulders shaking as I laid a kiss against his chest.

"Little minx," he mumbled beneath his breath as his fingers pressed beneath my butt, pulling me up against his chest as I let out a slight squeak.

He laughed lightly, "so cute," he cooed, bending down to kiss my nose.

I pouted, lips curled up as I jumped up his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck as I kissed him hard.

"Oof," he managed as lips pressed against his and just like that I felt myself falling.

His arms broke my fall as he hovered above me with a sideways grin and just like that, we were kissing again. His lips brushing against mine ever so softly as his tongue pried my lips open and broke through on a quest for my own. I gasped into the kiss as his fingers reached beneath my shirt, slowly making their way up my stomach.

"Cold," I mumbled against his lips.

His fingers felt like ice as they lingered against my belly button.

"Then heat them up," he breathed, lips moving from mine to kiss down my neck.

My breath grew heavy, heart racing as his fingers brushed against my nipples. I squirmed in his arms.

"A-Alastair," I breathed.

"What, love?" His soft breath whisked past my ears as his fingers rubbed gentle circles against my perked buds.

"F-feels weird," I gasped.

He hummed, fingers moving down from my chest as he lips took their place.

"A-Alastair," I pulled at his hair as tremors ran down my spine.

I didn't like it. Not at all. It was like an itch. A strange itching feeling that caused my body to tingle and breath to quicken in a way that was embarrassing.

Was it normal to be feeling as I did? I thought only women got aroused by their nipples.

My nails dug into his scalp as he gently bit down.

"N-no more," I managed and his head lifted.

"Are you scared?" His fingers brushed through my hair as I sniffled with a nod.

"Okay," he kissed my forehead as he began to sit up only to let out a chuckle as he reached back to my hair. My eyes peered up quizzically as his fingers brushed through my hair only to pull back moments later with a rose petal between his fingers.

"My delicate, little flower. He even sprouts rose petals from his head," he said jokingly, fingers playing with the petal before dropping it to the ground. He kissed me on the nose with a small smile before lifting from the ground and pulling me into his arms, "My beautiful, little flower prince."