“I’m safe with her Royal Highness.” I looked away from Rosemary and to Father. “This is where I want to be. I want to be wherever she is. You know who she is to me. I could never be without her now.”
Father nodded. It was as much approval as he’d ever give. “So long as she treats you right,” he said after a while.
“I have been trying,” Selene spoke up. Father turned his attention to her. “And I will dedicate my life to trying to be what Percy deserves.” I felt myself choke up. Selene had become more open with her emotions, but she was still reserved when expressing herself, and I thought she always would be.
“I was in town about a week back, heard some rumours, met someone who claimed to be a freed blood slave from House Vouna,” Father said.
“House Vouna is no more,” Selene replied.
“You have something to do with that? That and what happened to the House Halvorsen boy?” His lip rose in disgust as he spoke and I didn’t know what he was talking about.
I stood and went to Selene, noticing her shoulders tense. She pulled me roughly back into her lap.
“Some matters are too harsh for my pet, Oceanus,” she told him, and her arm tightened around me.
“What matters?” I asked quietly, looking back at my father.
“Oskar’s death, pet. I hoped to keep you unaware of the details. It was a fitting death for one that would harm you,” she told me softly. I didn’t want to know more. I knew he was dead, and I knew it would have been bad.
“What did he do to you?” Father asked.
“It was handled. Percy is safe now,” Selene replied.
“For how long? How are your lot taking this? Percy is no noble,” Father demanded to know.
“The soul match is unknown by most. Those who know apart from you two and my father, have taken blood oaths of secrecy. It is a precarious situation.” Father nodded and seemed content with the answer given.
“You responsible for those other rumours about House Vouna or what was House Vouna?”
“I was asked if I could do anything to help the souls trapped under where Castle Vouna once stood.”
“You let them go?” he asked disbelievingly.
“I am Marchioness of Ardens - the land and property that was once House Vouna are now mine to do with as I please. I have no need for blood slaves,” she told him. I turned to her, surprised.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked her. “You helped them.” She shook her head.
“Most were buried alive in the destruction of the castle pet. Those found alive were given freedom,” she explained, as if disappointed in herself. I nodded in understanding.
“You did what you could. Thank you,” I said, relaxing into her.
Conversation changed to lighter topics quickly. Rosemary told me about the new recipes she had been trying and how everyone at home missed me. They had told anyone that asked that I had left the village for a different life. It wasn’t unusual. Sometimes people leave, especially young people. Father promised to spend some of the money on my brother when he was born.
It was wonderful spending a couple of hours with Father and Rosemary. Father hugged me so hard and long before leaving I thought he would never let me go.
Selene was quick to replace his arms around me.
“I love you,” I told her as I watched my family leave. “Thank you.”
She nuzzled into my neck. “I only want to make you happy.”
“You do,” I said as I turned in her arms to face her.
“You’re everything to me, Percy. I was a fool to fight against the pull you have on me,” she spoke lowly. “Now, I believe I said something about making you beg…” she continued, her tone becoming sultry.
I giggled and wrapped my legs tightly around her when her hands gripped my ass and lifted me.
“You said something about filling me too.”
“Did I?” She growled playfully and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I’m a lady of my word.”