Author's Note:

Because I am on a writing rampage today and I adore all my readers, I have decided to post up another chapter.

-Noodles

"Thank you for taking me out today-"I paused, realizing I didn't ask for her name. I mentally kicked myself and punched Invictus in the face for not telling me.

She chuckled, "You can call me mama, Mama Kate, or Kate."

I smiled back at her. She reminded me so much of my mother. "Thank you for taking me out today, Mama Kate."

Her eyes glint with happiness at my chosen name. She hooked my hand through hers as we walked in the mall. Many guards were hiding amongst us as we walked. Several heads turned as we stood out amongst others-not because of the royal clothing because Mama Kate ordered everyone to blend in. We now wore normal clothing. They looked at us because Mama Kate was beautiful and all the guards were muscularly built as well as tall. They stood at least a head taller than everyone else.

So much for blending in.

"Deidre, I wanted to talk to you about something. I took you out today, not only because I wanted to get to know you more, but because I know who you are to my son." She said and my back stiffened. She patted my hand in a motherly manner before turning into a modern savvy store.

"You do?" I asked.

"You are his mate." She confirmed and I slowly nodded my response. She sighed and then spoke again. "I know Invictus. He is my son. I can read his thoughts and emotions like it was my very own."

She moved us to a clothing rack full of shirts. She lifted one up to take a look before setting it back on the rack. "He is a very complicated child. He wasn't like his brother who is carefree. He has always been the serious one. I think it had to do with a lot of his duties that was put on him when he was old enough to understand."

She moved us closer to another rack where she picked it up and put it up against me. She quirked an eyebrow and with a shrug gave it to a guard nearby to hold. She actually had pretty good taste. The shirt was a nice sky blue color and the cloth was light and airy.

"It was all work no time for play ever since he was little. His brother will be playing with the servant boys and he would be in his studies." She said. "From what I have seen earlier today, I am guessing, you and Invictus are on unsteady grounds."

She stopped to look at me for a moment. I looked at her with heated cheeks. She gave me a gentle smile and patted my hand again before moving onto the several racks where she picked out more clothes for me.

"Invictus is also not very good with sharing. You must be surprised as he has a twin brother but it only meant that he needed to be more possessive of what was his. They have a bond that no other siblings will have but by the life of me they cannot share. If I had to get Akoni a toy, I had to buy him one too and it had to be the same exact color." Mama Kate chuckled as she moved us further into the store.

"Why? I thought twins would be the best at sharing." I asked.

"I think Invictus was-is jealous of his brother. His brother has always gone through life without obligations. Invictus has lived his life knowing he will be next in line for king. He didn't get to play games with the servant boys. You are probably wondering why I didn't interfere and give him some boy time? I did but Invictus was not like other boys. He was competitive. He needs to be on top and he needs to win. After all, he is to be king. He never played well with others and others did not want to play with the future king as they were afraid to anger him. He did not have very much friends."

I felt bad. I felt sympathy towards Invictus. He lived his life in a strict manner; he probably never got the chance to even enjoy the little things in life. I can now see why he was like what he was today.

"It was only when he started training and fighting that he learned to create relationships with the boys that were with you on the plane. They are the closest he has ever allowed for everyone. They are like his brothers as his family." She stopped and handed me the clothes that she picked out and ushered me into the dressing room but before I entered she spoke again. "You are a treasure he does not want to share. Step carefully, Deidre. He is a temperamental prince."

I frowned as I entered into the dressing room. Treasure? I almost scoffed. He treats me like I am a weakness to him, like I would end up dead faster than he can blink. I can understand everything else but the last part mama Kate told me it did not make sense at all. However, I wasn't going to argue with her. She knew her son the best.

After trying on the clothes, we ended up buying most of it. We then headed to several more stores and bought more clothes. By the time we were done I don't think I had any space to put them all.

When we arrived back to the palace, Mama Kate walked me to my room which was next to Invictus. She hugged me and I thanked her for all the clothes before entering the room that was now filled with bags of clothes. I fell on the bed and looked at the ceiling.

What am I doing?

Was I really ready to accept this life?

How long would I have to stay here?

All these questions roamed around my mind and with a groan I turned over and muffled my sounds into the covers. After a few moments I took a sigh and stood up.

I can't be thinking like this. Present. I need to think about the present. Right now, I need a bubble bath.

I went into the large bathroom in my room and like every single part of this palace it was just as luxurious. Mirrors aligned the walls. There was a glass shower in the left corner and a Jacuzzi like bathtub to the right. I went to go turn it on before stripping away the rest of my clothes.

Once I sunk into the warm hot water, it was bliss. My eyes fluttered close and I relish the heat as it relaxes my muscles. After I was done and the water has turned cold I stepped out and wandered to my bags of clothes. It was already late and dinner time will be here soon.

I moved to grab a white light off shoulder blouse and with a high waist black wide leg trouser. I finished the touch with white slip on shoes. After putting my hair up into a somewhat messy looking bun and pinching my cheeks to add some color to my dead looking face, I headed downstairs and as I entered the dining hall I heard voices already.

It was a whole day without Invictus and I found that I missed looking at him. My steps quickened and I headed inside to see that tonight, Elena sat on the far end next to Ron and Max. She was pouting and stabbing away at her steak.

Invictus was sitting in his seat next to mine. He was slicing through his steak but paused as soon as I entered into the room. He didn't look up but I saw how tense his shoulder was. Caden whistled as soon as he saw me which earned him a dirty look from Invictus.

I felt heat crawl up my neck to my cheeks as I made my way to the chair next to Invictus. Mama Kate smiled as she looked at me.

"You look beautiful, dear." She said.

"Thank you, Mama Kate." I replied back smiling as I moved to pick up my fork and steak knife.

"Doesn't she look beautiful, Invictus?" she turned to her son. I turned to look at Invictus who turned to look at me. His murky green eyes darkening before me as he looked me up and down. My insides were acting up and I squirmed in my seat.

He ripped his eyes from mine and stared back at his steak. "She's not beautiful."

My heart plummeted and my shoulder slumped. I felt like an idiot and heat crawled up even more on my cheeks. Tears began to brim my eyes and I blinked them away. I refuse to shed them. Why was he being so heartless?

I picked up at my food throughout dinner and remained quiet. Everyone noticed the change in environment and also kept silent. As soon as dinner was over, I stood up quickly intent on finding a place alone to cry.

I was one of the first one out the door. What I didn't expect was for Invictus to grab a hold of my wrist and pulled me into a dark hallway. He pushed me against the wall and pinned my body with his. His body heat was radiating through my clothes. This was the closest we have ever been since coming here.

His nose trailed up my neck.

"Invictus." I whispered his name hoarsely, tears appearing slowly. He pulled back and looked at me. As soon as he did a tear slipped from my eyes. He lifted up his hand to wipe away my tear.

"Why are you crying?" He asked.

"Why are you so cruel?" I replied. He was contradicting. He told me I was not beautiful and he doesn't know why I am crying?

He gave me a confused look and I struggled to get out of his embrace but he held me down with his body.

"Stop struggling, little moon." He whispered huskily. His hand came up to cup cheek so that I would look back up at him.

"You said I wasn't beautiful."

He sighed and placed his forehead on mine. "Little moon, you are not beautiful."

I pushed against his chest again. "You are not beautiful because you are stunning. You are the purest soul I have ever seen. You are so stunning that there are no words to describe you. Beautiful even fall short for you."