Chapter Four

Kai was a steady rock throughout the night, not once complaining about my sobbing or my weight that leaned against him. He was only silent, occasionally pressing his soft head against mine affectionately.

When someone finally pounded on the door, I found myself jumping at the harsh sound while Kai's ears flickered, his eyes lazily moving towards the door.

"Get up, now! The Prince expects you both!" A deep voice snapped, not bothering with the concept of a gentle waking.

My eyes met the blue-green irises of a snow leopard's before I reluctantly pulled away from him, the cold, undesired air greeting me right away. I shivered, wishing for the sun's familiar warmth to touch my skin.

I walked towards the door and the snow leopard immediately climbed off the bed, walking closely next to me, the padding of his paws silent with each step.

I opened the door an inch and not even a foot away stood one of the enforcers, his eyes flashing. "You aren't decent," he pointed out, staring at the sections of my dirtied dress that he could see through the slit.

"I came to tell you we're both in need of clothes," I replied, watching him blink in response before barking orders.

"Get their clothes! They should've been here a minute ago!" He snapped, turning around and we both watched as what appeared to be servants scurried to follow his orders.

It was only a few minutes before they came back, two black bags in a servant's arms. "The rooms will be fully stocked by the time you return if these fit correctly," she murmured, handing the clothes over before darting away.

The enforcer turned, thrusting the clothes towards me. "By the time you two are dressed appropriately, Martin will be here to escort the both of you," he instructed.

I opened the door widely, the snow leopard watching warily from my feet as I took the two bags from the enforcer. I gave him a smile and a slight bow as I thanked him. I then closed the door, but not before catching the surprise sprinkled in his eyes.

"I think it's better if you stay human this time. It gives us both a chance to introduce ourselves as humans, not cats," I said, laying the black bags gently on the bed.

Kai huffed while I unzipped on of the bags, revealing the top of a white dress. I re-zipped it and carefully picked it up, heading for the bathroom. I glanced at Kai who just sat there, seeming reluctant, before closing the door.

The bathroom was both large and beautiful. It was even themed, the walls an ocean blue while the shower curtain held shiny-eyed dolphins. I found myself going over to them, wondering if this was what the ocean actually looked like. If so, I would hold the same content look the dolphins did.

I found myself thrilled by the small samples lined up on the counter. Cosmetic products of any sort were forbidden in the village, as there was no true need to wear it. There was no need for me to impress Kai, for example, with a false face when he was already attracted to my natural one.

I ended up jumping into the shower for a few minutes, watching the caked dirt slide off my body and swirl down the drain, the scent of cucumbers replacing it. When I was certain there wasn't any left, I walked out, drying completely off with a towel hanging on a nearby rack.

It was then that I smothered myself in a little of each of the lotions, unable to decide on one. By the time I slid into the new dress, my skin glowed and sparkled. Around then, Kai decided he was tired of waiting.

"Ivy, what-" he started, opening the door and pausing, his eyes only on me, nothing else.

The dress was simple, yet elegant in comparison to my other. It gracefully flew to the floor, just barely covering my bare feet. The sleeves fell off my shoulders but did so with purpose. There was a thick, golden rope around my waist that attached to the dress, matching my hair that was braided to the side. I didn't know how, but the dress fit me perfectly.

"They have a million samples Kai, look! I don't even know how to use half of them," I said excitedly, pulling over Kai who didn't look near as excited.

"This one sprays out, but I'm not sure where it goes. Perhaps underneath your arms?" I wondered, spraying the scent in the air and its strong odor immediately invaded my nose.

"You're beautiful without them, südame. Especially that one," he said, wrinkling his nose before pressing his lips to my cheek, resting them nearby.

"That's not the point Kai. You're doing it," I said with a frown, looking at the two of us in the mirror.

We looked stunning together, almost as if we belonged together. Kai wore a white collared shirt that pressed against him like a second skin, outlining his abs and showing that they'd guess his size wrong. I would've teased him about it if I wasn't annoyed right now.

He did it every time I would become excited about something, such as now with all of the exotic smells. More than anything, I'd want Kai to become excited, or at the very least tease me. But instead, he would either scold me or compliment my beauty. I already knew he thought I was beautiful.

He looked back at me, saying, "Am I not allowed to compliment my mate? You didn't seem to mind when a Prince did it." His words turned angry near the end, his eyes swirling with emotion.

"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Kai. And we never initiated the mating ritual," I replied, remembering that a Prince had indeed complimented me.

I felt his arms go around my waist, nestling me against his chest. "Don't try and put that on me, Ivy. I've been ready to initiate it for years," he said, his lips touching the corner of my own.

I leaned into them, sighing. Was there a point of mating when there was no longer a leap? Or did that exponentially heighten the need, causing Kai and I to create our own little leap from scratch?

"We'll talk about it when things aren't so hectic," I promised, leaning away to nip affectionately at his ear. I saw a smile form before someone pounded on the door.

"What the hell is taking you so long?" A voice asked, more impatient than ever.

"We're coming," I replied, hastily grabbing one of Kai's hands and rushing towards the door. I opened it, meeting a harsh stare.

"I'm sorry, there-" I started, but an abrupt clap cut me off and caused Kai to tense next to me.

It had come from Martin, whose heart hadn't thawed any while he was away. He still held his nose up and the burning disgust still lingered within his eyes, not bothering to hide.

"Of course you are," he said dramatically, making it clear that he didn't believe me.

"Make sure to keep an eye on the two animals. I don't want them attempting to escape," Martin instructed the enforcers, but the glint in his eyes dared us to do just that.

We walked behind Martin, enforcers surrounding us as if they weren't allowed to let a droplet of water pass them. It was crazy to me that they could remain unyielding for so long.

After a series of endless halls and corners, we ended up at the very same office we'd began in. I wondered how often the Prince sat in the room working and all alone. It must be awfully boring.

Martin knocked on the door, straightening his spine after he did so. I think perhaps it was my imagination, but it looked like his nose lowered submissively.

The room must've been soundproof because I didn't hear Prince Gordon's footsteps. He just suddenly unlocked the door and was standing right there, taking us all in.

"I was beginning to think the two of you had gotten lost," he said, looking directly at me.

Martin was immediately there to answer. "These two decided to waste more of your time than necessary, Master. They can't fathom the importance you hold," he said, sounding as if we were a hated disease.

The Prince hadn't even glanced in Martin's direction, nor had his eyes left mine. It was more obvious than not because Kai had begun to growl softly next to my ear.

"Did I ask you, Martin? Perhaps they have a sufficient reason for their astounding tardiness," he began, a soft smile appearing on his face, cutting the tension in shreds. I smiled back hesitantly, seeing his amusement.

"You look lovelier each time we meet, dear," he said and Kai tensed, quick to respond.

"Compliment what's mine again and I'll-" Kai started, but his words were drowned out by the sound of weapons being drawn from the enforcers.

I pressed against Kai who held me closely behind his back, ready to attack whoever. Martin stood to the side, a smile crafted onto his face. But it disappeared when the Prince held up a hand.

The weapons were put back and the Prince began talking. "Threaten me again and I will have the two of you separated." Kai remained quiet at that but was still coiled to strike.

"There were so many samples on the bathroom counter and I didn't think it was right to use just one," I blurted, blushing when a few of the enforcers started snickering quietly.

The Prince's amusement returned and he replied with, "That would certainly explain why your skin is covered with sparkles. I never bother with them because I know I too, would take time trying them."

I smiled again, this one more genuine. I thought he would scold me or tell me that I had indeed wasted his time. Instead, he'd agreed with me. He'd done something with ease that Kai probably wouldn't ever do.

"They smell delightful," I said, some of my excitement from earlier returning.

He laughed and opened the office door, inviting us in. Kai walked in front of me, one of his hands holding mine as he led me in.

As we passed the Prince, I found another smile forming when he whispered, "they do smell delightful."

[Südame-my heart]